Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Community representatives have worked diligently to keep Sanders County as safe as possible during the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. Many local residents have seen the Montana Aware signage throughout the county; a campaign aimed at prioritizing the health and safety of Montana’s citizens and visitors, while keeping them up to date on the latest COVID-19 expert guidance. Leading the way in helping Sanders County residents stay safe during these times is Sanders County Community Development Corporation (SCCDC) Executive Director Ray B...
SNOW FLIES as a bald eagle leaves its perch in a snow-covered larch tree on Sunday. The winter snowstorm Friday and Saturday made way for a crisp, clear Sunday in the Clark Fork Valley. For this weekend's forecast, see page 6....
Two skiers from Bonners Ferry, Idaho, were reported missing Saturday while recreating in the McKay Creek area southeast of Noxon. Both have been found safe, according to Sanders County Dispatch. Identified by local friends, Dr. Ed Moellmer and his daughter, Kelly, had become separated and contacted the sheriff’s office to assist them to safety around 3:15 p.m. on Saturday. This prompted an all-night search resulting in search and rescue crews locating the father around 1 p.m. Sunday and taking him out by snowmobile. Kelly was later located a c...
"Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Teddy Roosevelt Sanders County has a new wildlife biologist, and he is ready to work hard at work worth doing. Mike Ebinger joined Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) in January as the local area's biologist. He replaces Bruce Sterling, who retired last year. The biologist, originally from Michigan, moved to Sanders County from Bozeman, where for the last seven years he did research with the...
Last week a student from Plains High School decided to give back to first responders and invited three representatives to come out to the school shop class. Madison Elliott, who has lived in Plains for the last four years, recently got voted in as a state officer for SkillsUSA. As an officer, she traveled to Helena where she, and six other state officers prepared gift baskets to give to local first responders in their hometowns. They prepared 18 gift baskets and each officer took three home...
After weeks of waiting, hundreds of Sanders County residents have been getting their COVID-19 vaccinations. Residents, especially those in the Phase 1B distribution group, have been anxiously waiting for the call from Public Health or Clark Fork Valley Hospital (CFVH) announcing their vaccination appointment. Over the weekend, some of our family members received their first vaccinations at CFVH. The nurses told them that the hospital would be vaccinating about 300 people on Saturday, and the process was seamless. From checking in, to getting...
Who is responsible for the Sanders County parklands? Not the board of commissioners. Glen Magera – although the county provides him with an email, he is incapable of hitting the reply button. Carol Brooker – forwards emails regarding the parks to Tony Cox & the county planner Tony Cox – writes letters that are not enforced and forwards emails to the county planner. Not the county planner. Katherine Maudrone, Director of Land Services, forwards emails to the Sanders County Park Board. Not the members of the Sanders County Park Board. Julie...
We are off and running on a new year with great enthusiasm because it’s 2021 and no longer 2020! Right? And the city government is working on issues of importance to the city and all of us who live in Thompson Falls. I’m not going to talk about those issues specifically because my articles regarding the council have caused concern. So, I’m going to try and skirt the edges to keep myself out of trouble! But I am going to discuss an important element in making city government work for you, the citizens of Thompson Falls. As noted in a previ...
As I write this the D.C. Democrats are one day away from opening their second impeachment of former President Donald Trump. I don’t get it! I’ve been trying to figure out why so much effort is being put into impeaching a man who no longer holds the office. Most scholars agree that moving forward with the impeachment is unconstitutional. Beyond that, everyone pretty much agrees that (like the first impeachment effort), there simply won’t be enough votes for a conviction. So, why are the Democrats...
JOE BOYER TELLS HIS STORY From an interview by Bert Minwegen in the mid 40’s Excerpt from Wild Horse Plains Centennial Issue - 1983 Getting the upper hand on his 92nd year, Joe Boyer of Plains today remains as one of the more remarkable old timers in western Montana and the northwest. Showing no sign of mental slipping in his old age and physically in excellent condition except for failing eyesight, Joe’s recollections are told vividly and with a keen sense of humor. Born in southern Oregon Joe worked on the Northern Pacific railroad as a you...
ASHLEY GROUNDS, Thompson Falls - “We are planning on going to soak at a hot springs. It’s going to be an overnight and I’m excited.” NORVA FRANK, Thompson Falls - “The most memorable Valentine’s Day was the one my girlfriend will never let me forget and that was the one that I forgot.” HOLLY SANDERS, Thompson Falls - “Last Valentine’s Day was the best. We had a special dinner and rose petals and strawberries and chocolate, and it was a lot of fun.” SCHAEFFER LEIB, Thompson Falls - “Favorite Valentine’s Day treat is filet mignon.” CASSIE D...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 9; Trout Creek, 2; Noxon, 2; Plains, 7; Paradise, 2; Heron, 1; Hot Springs, 4 Sunday, January 31 Motor vehicle crash, Heron. Fire, Hot Springs. General animal call or complaint, T. Falls. Request for welfare check, T. Falls. Juvenile runaway, Trout Creek. Assist motorist/citizen, T. Falls. Animal other, Plains. Monday, February 1 Theft, report of generator stolen sometime in the past couple of months, Hot Springs. Theft of fuel cans, Noxon. Animal other, Hot Springs. Informational case, Hot Springs. Assist...
Montana Highway Patrol Kelby Liebman, 30, careless driving, $135. Jacob Liebman, 32, possession of drug paraphernalia, $635. Tristan Riley, 23, failure to carry proof of insurance, 1st offense, $335; operating with expired registration, $85; exceeding special zone speed limit, $85. Lucas Clark, open container, $75; operating without insurance, $275; seatbelt violation, $20; failure to keep vehicle under control, $45. Melissa Runkle, 24, failure to yield, $85. Jordan Duval, 18, operating without insurance, 1st offense, $85. Evan Hughes, 21,...
The Thompson Falls City Council announced at its Monday meeting that Officer Michael Derry had finished his probationary year. The council voted him in unanimously as a full-time officer with the Thompson Falls Police Department. Another issue brought up at the meeting was a proposition to raise coturnix quail inside the city limits. The idea was brought up by resident Ashley Conley, who wants to raise the birds as food for her family. The city has ordinances regulating the ownership of ducks, chickens and rabbits in the town, but none on...
A Trout Creek woman pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of children and to partner or family member assault in 20th District Judicial Court. Diamond Goforth changed her plea on Tuesday, after being charged with the assault of a child who was 15 years old at the time. She was also charged after exposing him to methamphetamine, court documents show. Judge James Manley set a sentencing date of March 23 for Goforth....
Debby got her wings on February 5, 2021. Debby Galloway was born in Stockton, California, on July 5, 1950, to Albert and Patricia Evans. She resided in California until graduating high school and then moved to Montana. She loved everything about Montana: fishing, hiking, meeting new and old friends and especially children... everyone's children. Debby had a great sense of humor and was always ready to share stories with anyone who wanted to listen. She could meet a stranger and within minutes...
Thomas John "Millar" Bryce passed away in his sleep on January 30, 2020 in Buffalo Hills Terrace, Kalispell, Montana. Millar is survived by his stepsons, Pat (Jacquie) Smith, Mike (Fran) Smith, five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, five nieces/nephews and three cousins. Millar's influences on their lives will never be forgotten. Millar was born in Saskatoon City, Saskatchewan, Canada, on July 24, 1920 to Anna Sophia Flodin and Thomas Miller Bryce. His...
David Harold Dykstra, 90, passed away peacefully February 6, 2021, at his home in Thompson Falls, just as he wished. He had graciously dealt with Parkinson’s disease for twenty-five years. David was born in July of 1930 near Copper King, Montana on Thompson River to Henry and Delta (Parrish) Dykstra, the eighth of 14 children. He attended school in Paradise and Thompson Falls. At age 13, David made his choice to serve God, a vow that he honored until his death. This choice enriched his life a...
Jaime "Jim" Wade Lee passed away at home on February 3, 2021. Jim was born in Orofino, Idaho, on September 9, 1963. No service is scheduled at this time....
PLAINS ELEMENTARY Plains School District released their honor roll achievers for the second semester. In fourth grade Kylar Bannout, Kiara Brown, Utah Butler, Madison Hill, Briauna Kulawinski, Reese Meredith, Miranda Dawson, Talon Ferlan, Karissa French, Emery Josephson, Kameryn Malmend, Jackson Revier, Cooper Spurr, Joshua Warta, Mason Goodwin, Cadence Hansen, Gary Rehbein, Kylie Silva, Merijah Reinke, Hailey Dimond, Halen Erickson, Palin Nelson, and Baily Slusher earned placement. Fifth grade includes Tia Bellinger, Emma Dimond, Annika...
It took nearly two years, but the Quinn's Hot Springs Resort's new pools opened last Tuesday with a short ceremony by two of the resort's top managers. Ben Slusser, the managing director, and Damian Albright, the projects manager, used three-foot long ceremonial scissors to cut a ribbon to officially open the new pools to lodging customers. "It was a long time coming but here we are and now our vision has come to life," said Slusser to the more than 30 Quinn's staff members and quests at the...
"I would just hate for readers to give up on the hard copies of books," said the new president of the Heron Library, Cindy Compton. Having only been the president since January 6, Compton says she still has a lot to learn. The former president, Maggie Gillingham, stepped down recently, after holding that position tirelessly for over six years. Gillingham told the volunteers that if no one could take her place, then the library would have to close. Compton decided to take over the position, even...
Rep. Denley Loge, House District 14, made an appearance during the 2021 legislative session in Helena, Montana. He presented House Bill 237, asking for revision of current cell phone regulations. Although versions of the same bill have been introduced in previous years, Loge asked the House Judiciary Committee to consider the updated bill that bans the use of interactive wireless communication devices in manned work zones. Loge set the stage by asking those in attendance to imagine sitting...
TO THE RESCUE – Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District Chief James Russell hasn't turned in his fire engines or new personal watercraft for saving lives via a sled. He and his son, Jace, 7, enjoy the snow and sun at a hill at Plains Golf Course. His wife, Mary, and daughter, Emmy, 9, along with dozens of others hit the golf course's slippery slope, a popular sledding spot, on Sunday....
Every year the local youth outdoors organization Project ASCENT holds a winter themed carnival for children and their families during the colder months of the year. Last Saturday, the event was held at the Thompson Falls Elementary campus. Youths that came to the event could participate in 12 games designed and built by the Project ASCENT team. Participants won tickets at each game, and the tickets were turned in for fun, educational fun prizes purchased by the organization. Participation was...
