Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Former Thompson Falls resident Danielle Wood on Tuesday was sentenced to 100 years in the Montana State Women’s Prison without the possibility of parole. Wood appeared in 20th District Judicial Court before Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher, who imposed the sentence. Wood was found guilty in January of deliberate homicide in the death of Matthew LaFriniere. Prosecutors recommended Wood be sentenced to a term of life without without parole. “Danielle killed for the sole purpose of taking Matt aw...
A FAMILY OF TUNDRA SWANS, including two of last year's cygnets, visited some Canada geese during the February freeze in Sanders County. Springlike weather made an appearance this week with temperatures in the 50s. For the weekend forecast, see page 6....
A group of Sanders County residents presented Sanders County Commissioners on Tuesday with a proposal asking that the county become a Second Amendment Sanctuary. Similar ordinances have been brought forth across the country. Montana does not have any pro-Second Amendment sanctuary cities or counties at this time. Connie Foust of Plains presented the proposed ordinance to the commissioners. She stated she is part of a group that formed after the 2020 presidential election and started working on voter laws. Foust told the commissioners and the...
Construction of a new Plains School multi-function facility is more than halfway done and progress is moving along at a steady pace. The new structure, which primarily will house a gymnasium and art classroom, is scheduled to be completed June 30 and ready for students in the fall, said Superintendent Thom Chisholm, who designed the 12,000-square foot structure with Kevin Meredith, the high school principal, and Jim Holland, the elementary principal. Chisholm is pleased with the progress of...
Most of us at The Ledger have at least one pet. Most days you can come in and be greeted by Walter or Buster, our office dogs. We work with them to make sure they are on their best behavior, but once in awhile one of them will bark at a customer. Especially on days we're producing the newspaper, it's important for us to make sure our pets have some attention, too. Thoughout the county, and beyond, we see examples of the extremes of pet ownership. On one end, you have dog owners like me who dress them up and spoil them to no end. Walter...
The soul of democracy is the ability of individuals to have a say in their own future, embodied in the right to vote. The spirit of a democracy is to expand the participation of citizens in elections so that every citizen of that democracy is not only eligible, but able to cast that vote. That expansion has not been easy or trouble free, and it has not been without opposition and bloodshed. It is the duty of those who run elections to ensure that the integrity of an individual’s vote is p...
Does it seem a bit ironic that Blackstone’s recent column titled “Political agendas get in the way” (February 11, 2021) is based on promoting the political agenda of the right-wing media? The pro-Trump media’s defense of Trump’s indefensible behavior is based on a technique called “whataboutism.” Since there is no credible justification for Trump’s many lies and attempts to overturn the election, the focus of this defense is on trying to claim that the Democrats are somehow worse. But even if the exaggerated claims about Democrats were...
Have you noticed that what appear to be junk vehicles proliferate in this town faster than wild turkeys and geese? Does anybody think those vehicles add to the attractiveness and appeal of Thompson Falls? You know who does like them a lot? Feral animals! Such vehicles provide shelter and protection for mice, rats, skunks, feral cats and, worse yet, a good place to birth even more mice, rats, skunks and feral cats. Besides being a nuisance, these animals can harbor and share disease. Prospective buyers appear to be lacking enthusiasm to...
4 YEARS AGO • MARCH 5, 1981 LOUIS LaROCK BUYS HOTEL BAR IN TF Louis LaRock, partner in the firm which has operated the Thompson River Ranch since January 1964, has purchased the Hotel Bar from Mrs. Joy Reynolds and plans to reopen the establishment later this week. The change of ownership was effective Thursday. The reopening of the bar is subject to approval of the State Liquor Control Board, which is expected to be received by mid-week he said. The Hotel Bar has been closed for the past f...
TODD SCOTT, Las Vegas, Nevada - “I would pay, at most, $6 for a gallon of gas.” JUDY GEISBUSCH, Thompson Falls - “Four dollars a gallon would be fair.” BRANDI TRELATSKY, Thompson Falls - “I wouldn’t want to pay more than $3 a gallon for gas!” TRAVIS CITRINO, Trout Creek - “Four dollars. That’s it.” MARY McGANN, Plains - “We have paid over $3 before for gas, so we would probably be willing to do $3.50 or $4.” KAREN DYKSTRA, Thompson Falls - “I would pay up to $4 a gallon, but it would be an emergency if I did that....
Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Beverly Pattison, 33, driving while privilege is suspended, 1st offense, $285. Joseph Gamboa, 51, speeding in restricted zone, $55. Todd Dennis, 32, speeding in restricted zone, $55. Levi Frame, 27, speeding in restricted zone, $55. Zane Lindsay, 35, speeding in restricted zone, $55. Montana Highway Patrol Robert Welch, 46, seatbelt violation, $20; driving without a valid license, $235; careless driving, $85. Johathana Bailey, 47, day speeding, $70. Patrick Roy, 34, seatbelt violation, $20. Joshua Sveum, 42, d...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 10; Plains, 9; Hot Springs, 4; Noxon, 3; Trout Creek, 2; Dixon, 2; Heron, 2 Monday, February 22 Disturbance, Hot Springs. Informational case, T. Falls. Coroner called, Plains. Road hazard/blockage, T. Falls. Informational case, Plains. Request for welfare check, Noxon. Abandoned vehicle, Noxon. Informational case, Hot Springs. Road hazard/blockage, Paradise. Informational case, Hot Springs. Informational case, T. Falls. Assist miscellaneous, T. Falls. Tuesday, February 23 General animal call or complaint, Dixon. Nuisance...
Thompson Falls High School senior Megan Baxter, nominee for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizens Program, has been awarded first place for her essay which was submitted for a DAR scholarship. The contact allows only one senior per high school to apply. Lyn Dziergas with the DAR, said Baxter wrote her essay on citizenship and how the combined actions of many good citizens keep our nation moving forward by preserving and learning from the past. Baxter based her essay on...
Montana Senator Jon Tester held a monthly rural press call to provide updates on COVID-19 relief, vaccinations, Keystone XL Pipeline, and restoration to Amtrak services for Montana’s Hi-Line. “Once we get the folks vaccinated, we’re going to need to get our economy back in gear and the quicker, the better,” Tester said. Tester recently introduced legislation that would reinstate Montana’s furloughed Amtrak employees and restore the Empire Builder’s service along the Hi-Line. “I’ve heard over and over from Montanans that the Amtrak service...
February temperatures were quite a change from the mild January, with the average daytime high over 6 degrees below the historical average for February. Snow total of 42.4 inches was well above the average of 19.7 inches. Interesting that 4 out of the last 5 Februarys had snow totals more than twice the average. Total moisture for this water-year (since October 1, 2020) is 20.03 inches compared to 21.32-inch average (6% below average). For snowfall, we have 83.5 inches compared to 100.9-inch average (17% below average). The Poorman Creek...
He was taken from us on February 19, 2021, in Austin, Texas. He enjoyed being with family, the outdoors, cooking, music, movies and drawing. Clinton James “CJ” King was born on April 12, 1987, in Sandpoint, Idaho. He is preceded in death by great-grandmother Wanda Trent, great-grandparents Frank and Leona Sanford, grandparents Pat and Louise King and brother Casey King. CJ is survived by mother Tracy Sanford; brother Brandon Floyd; grandmother Royce Willhite; grandfather Mike Sanford; fat... Full story
There is a time of the year that comes right after winter and just before spring. It’s that time of the year when the snow is beginning to melt, but new life has yet to emerge. It’s that time of the year when the world begins to thaw, and your boots begin to sink. I call it, the season of mud. I’ve found this year in particular, is exceptionally muddy. I blame the ducks. I house my chickens and ducks together in the same coop. While they all get along just fine, I’m now beginning to see why this isn’t always recommended. Ducks are messy. Adorab...
SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. SHEM 5. PYLORI 11. RESURRECTION 14. IRONIES 15. CANADA 18. SPILT 19. LABELS 21. LED 23. OBIE 24. NAMAS 28. BABE 29. SD 30. SAEK 32. RID 33. AIL 35. RNA 36. ADS 39. ONES 41. AW 42. BAAS 44. GOBAT 46. OKRA 47. SOD 49. RAGTAG 52. READS 56. REIGNS 58. FIERIER 60. SARSAPARILLA 62. SHRILL 63. ALLY SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. SRI 2. HERS 3. ESOP 4. MUNI 5. PRETENDING 6. YES 7. LC 8. OTC 9. RIAL 10. IONA 12. RILL 13. NABOB 16. DEBAR 17. ALIBI 20. SEED 22. DA 25. MS 26. AAR 27. SENATORIAL 29....
Diamond Goforth changed her plea to guilty for charges of attempted escape and criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Goforth is facing several other charges in other cases within the 20th District Judicial Court. Judge Deborah "Kim" Christopher expressed concerns about allowing Goforth’s sentences for both these charges to run concurrently, as per the plea agreement. Goforth’s sentencing has been set for April 6. Brandon Hernandez also changed his plea to guilty. He is facing charges of two counts of PFMA (partner or family member ass...
An almost-clear blue sky greets the Clark Fork Reservoir near the NorthWestern Energy dam in Thompson Falls on Monday....
The mayor of Plains announced at the monthly council meeting Monday that the town officially received its grant of $5,148,500 for the new wastewater treatment facility. Though they basically knew grant money was forthcoming, it wasn’t until Monday, only hours prior to the council meeting, that Mayor Dan Rowan and town attorney Richard Gebhardt completed the negotiations for the grant with FEMA and the Montana Department of Emergency Services to secure the funds. “The FEMA grant in particular was very competitive and we were gratified to rec...
The Clark Fork Valley Elks (CFVE) hosted their second community baby shower for expecting mothers and families with children in Sanders County on Saturday. "The event was made possible with Spotlight grant funds from the Elks National Foundation," said Michelle Blackstone with CFVE. Due to coronavirus health concerns, this year's event looked a little different. While food and beverages were still offered for attendees, there were no activities or games for families. However, mothers and...
Superhuman efforts by all Hawks involved at the very first super divisional. The Thompson Falls-Noxon Blue Hawk wrestling team, spearheaded by stirring championship wins by Trae Thilmony (132 pounds), Elijah Ratliff (145) and Dane Chojnacky (182), surged to an impressive fifth place team finish in the Western B-C divisional tournament in Cut Bank last weekend, the first of its kind including all 24 teams now assigned to the division – now dubbed as a super divisional tourney. What's more, S...
The Plains-Hot Springs wrestling team members are brothers in arms, some of them brothers by blood, but beyond that also brothers of the wrestling kind. Carrying their school colors proudly last week in the Western B-C divisional tournament at Cut Bank, the Savage Horsemen qualified seven grapplers for the State B-C meet in Shelby this week. Sixteen P-HS wrestlers competed in the Western B-C. Two sets of very effective wrestling brothers – Jacob (fourth at 120 pounds), Stephen (fourth at 126) a...
Building a 12-3 record this winter, the Thompson Falls Blue Hawk boys suffered one of their worst outings of the season in a 68-61 loss to Loyola in Missoula back in early February. With the stakes considerably higher this time, coach Jake Mickelson and his Hawks will face Loyola at 1:15 p.m. Thursday in the first round of the Western B divisional tournament. Since the top three teams from the eight-team divisional tourney will move on to the State B tournament in Billings March 11-13,...
