Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Clark Fork Valley Hospital (CFVH). welcomed a new orthopedic surgeon this week. Dr. Gregg Schellack, DO, began seeing patients on Monday. Dr. Schellack is no stranger to small-town Montana, having been born and raised in Dillon. After high school, he attended Montana State University, then attended medical school at Des Moines University. He said he likes the diversity of a rural hospital, and was most recently at Bridger Orthopedics in Dillon. "It's all different," he said, noting that he...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks continues to work on a multi-year project in the Lower Clark Fork near Noxon in Sanders County to better understand elk populations. Crews have been capturing and collaring wildlife, including elk, with GPS radio collars to track their movements, help evaluate population numbers, and identify the different causes of elk mortalities. As part of the project, a helicopter crew will be flying over forestlands between Thompson Falls and the Montana-Idaho border in the coming weeks to capture adult elk and assist ground...
The Plains Planning Board last week voted to recommend the city approve a subdivision plan. The Planning Board held a public hearing last Thursday at city hall to hear from the public on the proposed Lewellen subdivision between the Plains School and Clark Fork Valley Hospital. The subdivision would include dividing 3.75 acres into 10 lots ranging in size from .35 to .58 acres. Property owner Dwayne Rehbein attended the public hearing along with representatives from IMEG, the engineering firm working on the subdivision, and about 20 community...
Frosty views could be seen across the county this week as the Clark Fork River is nearly frozen over below the Thompson Falls dam (above). Chilly morning temperatures and a bright sun highlight the ice crystal on a fence near Whitepine (left). Forecasts show a slight chance of snow for the area later this week. See the weekend forecast on page 12....
The demolition derby promoter who had withdrawn his proposal has reconsidered and agreed to do the derby this year, but at a much higher cost to the county. The Sanders County Fair Commission accepted the proposal by Tim Denson of FOS Promotions to operate this year's Carnage on the Clark Fork demolition derby at a special fair board meeting at the fairgrounds pavilion last Wednesday evening. After nearly an hour of negotiations, board member Brian Crain made a motion to accept the proposal of $87,500. It was seconded by member Jim Newman and p...
At the Ted Kato Memorial wrestling tournament on Saturday, the girls stole the show. The number of girl wrestlers competing has increased each year, and the competition is getting tough. Sandpoint High School attends the Ted Kato, and one parent told The Ledger on Saturday that the athletes don't get a lot of support. We were handing out free stickers to competitors and visitors and had made stickers featuring both male and female stickers. The Sandpoint mom expressed how much a little sticker made the girls' team feel seen. The gender gap in...
I would like to correct the record as to Greg Hinkle’s letter criticizing HB 819, “Montana Community Reinvestment Plan Act,” passed by substantial bipartisan majorities in the closing days of the 2023 session. A merger of several bills addressing Montana’s housing shortage, our county commission voted on December 30th to participate in one of the programs in the bill: Sections 4-7, a mortgage assistance program (Program) for prospective homeowners in our county. Mr. Hinkle criticizes the Program, and apparently the entire bill, as communi...
As forest research shows, the Rocky Mountain region’s natural history reveals a pattern of fire occurrence extending from time immemorial, meaning before human memory, with drastic curtailment in the early 1900’s when wildfires began to be suppressed. The landscapes we see today are very different from pre-1900 as a result of fire suppression. They are much more susceptible to large severe wildfires. Lightning ignites thousands of wildfires each year. Indigenous people used fire to increase forage for themselves and wildlife. Early European set...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 7; Plains, 6; Hot Springs, 4; Trout Creek, 2; Paradise, 1; Heron, 1; Noxon, 1. Monday, January 20 Motor vehicle crash, Trout Creek. USFS campground check, Heron. Child custody issues, Plains. Welfare check, Hot Springs. Motor vehicle crash, Hot Springs. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Tuesday, January 21 Drugs/narcotics, Plains. Inmate transport. Civil standby, T. Falls. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Business contact, Plains. Fire, Plains. Wednesday, January 22 Request for welfare check, Hot Springs. Abandoned vehicle, T....
Montana Highway Patrol Matthew Atwood, 62, speeding in a restricted zone, $65. Leif Simonson, 18, night speeding, $120. Timothy Whitlock, 56, speeding in a restricted zone, $135. Frank Evans, 65, operating without liability insurance in effect, 1st offense; basic rule - reasonable and prudent, 1st offense, $55. Brylie Reum, 17, possessing intoxicating substances while under 21 (under 18), 1st offense, $185. Kevin Wilmot, 50, night speeding, $20. Tony Chou, 64, speeding in a restricted zone, $105. Hani Elgiadi, 39, speeding in a restricted...
After the original conviction was reversed and remanded back for a new trial in the Sanders County District Court by the Montana Supreme Court, a jury trial date of July 14 was set by Judge Molly Owen during a status hearing on Tuesday. Wood was recently transported to the Sanders County Jail to be held pending trial. William Lucas Wyatt was sentenced, per the plea agreement, for two felony cases relating to his role in the 2023 break-in at Top Shelf Botanicals dispensary in Plains. In DC 24-06, Wyatt was given a 6 year deferred sentence. In DC...
NADEAN NELSON, Thompson Falls - “1965.” BEAU STEWART, Thompson Falls - "Early 1700’s or 1800’s.” BRAD STEWART, Thompson Falls - “1997.” RAELYN COX, Thompson Falls - “1988." DIANE KULAWINSKI, Thompson Falls - "I wouldn’t want to go back .” WAYNE KIMBERLY, Thompson Falls - “1965....
3 YEARS AGO JANUARY 26, 1995 CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY NOXON - The oldest living native of this community celebrated her 89th birthday a day late with friends last week, and the snowy-haired, bright woman made a wish when she blew out the candles on her cake. It was to live another year and celebrate her 90th birthday with the same friends. Mary Miller was born January 10, 1906 up Pilgrim Creek Road. She spent all her life in Noxon and Sanders County, graduating from Noxon High School and then marrying her sweetheart, Kenneth Miller. The couple...
If sports teams don’t get to choose the referees in a game, why should political parties get to support candidates in a judicial election? It’s really not that different. However Montana politicians are making serious efforts to politicize the court system. Professional referees are selected by the professional organization that they belong to. They are hired based on their knowledge of the rules, fairness, and impartiality. They are continually evaluated and graded. Judges are selected by the c...
by Clayton Murphy UM Legislative News Service University of Montana School of Journalism HELENA — The Montana House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee tabled one bill and advanced two other bills that would change rules for hunting gray wolves in the state. The wolf-focused bills hit the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee Tuesday, Jan. 21, including House Bill 101, which would classify gray wolves as furbearers. The committee tabled that bill on Friday, Jan. 24. Rep. Jamie Isaly, D-Bozeman, said HB 101, recommended by Montana Fish, W...
by Sen. Denley Loge We have completed week three of the Legislative session with bills on the move in both houses. I will give a simple review of the process. Bills are drafted from requests from a legislator. Those bills are reviewed by legal and edit, then by the requesting legislator. If the bill is as the legislator wanted, they then drop it in the hopper of their body and it is given a bill number, SBxx or HBxx The bill is then assigned to the appropriate committee by the leader of that body for a hearing. The bill hearing is scheduled by...
by Rep. Paul Fielder This note is to inform citizens about the Noxon Bridge, its problems and what is going on. The Noxon bridge, like many of the older bridges in Montana, is in need of replacement. It is over 100 years old and was closed to traffic for several days this past year because of safety concerns. It was determined that it was still safe for light traffic, but that heavy loads across the bridge would speed up its deterioration. I’ve stressed to state agencies that this bridge is a vital link (and the only realistic link) between N...
It is with profound sadness that we announce that Bessie 'Bess' Johnstun Vinsant Miron passed away on January 18, 2025, at Providence St Joseph Assisted Living with her family by her side. She was 95 years old, 18 days before her 96th birthday. On February 5, 1929, David G. and Martha Elizabeth (Connell) Johnstun were living in Layton, Utah, on a chicken farm, down in what was known as the "hollow". On that day, their fourth child, Bessie "Bess" Johnstun was born at home. She was named Bessie af...
Carol Irene Page, 88, passed away on Friday, January 17, 2025, in Hayden, Idaho. She was a longtime resident of Sagle, Idaho and the daughter of George and Sheila Gardner of Noxon, Montana. She lived her life, like her favorite song, “My Way.” Family graveside services have been held at the Noxon Cemetery, Noxon, Montana. A celebration of Carol’s life will be announced in the spring. Family and friends are invited to sign Carol’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service...
Proud parents Gage and Anna Fuhrman are happy to announce the birth of their son, Colter Trygve Fuhrman. Colter was born January 14, 2025, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. Ecstatic grandparents are Konrich and Cheri Fuhrman of Thompson Falls, Montana, and Garo and Gen Pehlivanian of Edmonds, Washington. The families are so thrilled to welcome baby Colt into the world. We love you little man!...
If you’ve been dreaming of visiting Alaska, there’s no better way to explore the Last Frontier than on a cruise. With its stunning glaciers, abundant wildlife, and unforgettable landscapes, Alaska offers a one-of-a-kind experience for every type of traveler. When planning your trip, you’ll encounter two main options: traditional cruises and expedition cruises. Both are incredible, but they cater to different preferences. Traditional cruise ships are large vessels that can carry thousands of passengers. These floating resorts offer a luxur...
The Thompson Falls high school saw 14 schools on Saturday in honor of the 29th annual Ted Kato wrestling tournament. The Plains-Hot Springs team had a lot to be proud of, getting 10 wrestlers to the podium and earning first place among the boys teams with 166 points. Sandpoint girls took the overall point title with 194. John Waterbury continues to be a master of the mats, earning his third championship in a row. Waterbury had a bye for his first round, and easily went on to pin Liam LeDuc of...
Basketball fans from the west end made the trek to the prairie last Friday as Noxon visited Hot Springs for a rematch of early-season cross-country action. The Noxon boys had one loss for the season as they traveled to Hot Springs on Saturday to take on the Savage Heat. It was a defensive battle early for the county rivals as Noxon had the only basket for much of the first quarter. Finally in the final two minutes of the first, both teams were able to find the basket and they were tied at 14....
T. FALLS 73, TROY 21 The Lady Hawks of Thompson Falls hosted the Troy Lady Trojans Thursday, coming out and easily gaining 13 points before Troy would answer with their basket. Thompson would keep their lead, and only allowed the Trojans to hit a three pointer before the end of the first quarter. The Hawks kept their intense teamwork in the second quarter, with quick fast breaks that led to basket after basket. Troy had their biggest quarter before the half, scoring seven points to try and...
MISSION 63, PLAINS 19 The Plains Trotters hosted the Mission Lady Bulldogs, who came out on fire gaining the first several points before Plains could get on the board. Putting a full court press on the Trotters, the Bulldogs were able to capitalize off several steals to put more points between the teams. Mission only allowed the Trotters two baskets the whole of the first quarter. Headed into the second the Bulldogs kept their intensity, continuing to put more baskets on the board. Once again Mission kept the Trotters to only two baskets...
