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Sanders County is changing the way they do business. As of Wednesday, offices in the courthouse, as well as the sheriff's office, were encouraging customers to do business by phone or online. To receive service in the office, appointments will be made. The doors to both locations will be locked and visitors will be screened at the door prior to entry, commissioners announced this week. One customer will be allowed at a time at offices. "We are taking these measures to protect the public and our... Full story
The roads on the west end of Sanders County need more attention. That was the message from residents and local politicians as they met with Sanders County Commissioners last week. Paul Fielder of Thompson Falls, a Republican running for House District 13 this year, said he’s been hearing from residents about the condition of roads in Noxon and Heron, including Martin Creek Road, Stevens Creek Road and roads around the Avista property east of Noxon. Resident Gerry Campbell arranged the meeting to allow citizens to come forward, Fielder noted. W...
The difficulty of studies at Plains High School isn't rocket science, that is unless a student is a member of Carl Benson's physics class - then it is, and it's not an easy class. But the veteran teacher has a way of helping students understand the intricate problem solving and mathematics equations. They get to build model rockets and fire them off. Fourteen seniors, seven girls and seven boys, gathered behind the school for two days recently to launch their rockets and record their height and...
Last week, Governor Steve Bullock ordered restrictions on businesses including bars, restaurants, spas and gyms. Some businesses are forced to close completely due to the threat of the coronavirus spreading. Others are able to work under strict restrictions, such as only offering take-out or delivery services. Even banks have changed the way they do business. These actions are going to hit our local small businesses hard. Many are already feeling the effects of the changes. Small businesses are doing their part to slow the spread of COVID-19,...
Letter to the Editor: As of recently, people in our great community have been blasting Harvest Foods on Facebook over the price of one certain type of 24-pack of water. Accusing the store of price gouging, saying they should be ashamed, threatening to report them, yelling at employees over it. It hurts that people are willing to do this, willing to say these things because I know Harvest Foods and its employees and store manager. I have worked there for almost six years. I am the deli manager and every day I work with the kindest people I have...
Dear Editor: The Veteran’s Memorial located in Ainsworth Park is an ongoing project. The Thompson Falls Main Street group is continuing to collect orders for memorial bricks. The plan is to have the next batch of etched bricks installed before May 25, Memorial Day. If anyone would like to order a brick for themselves, a friend or a loved one, forms can be found at City Hall, Sanders County Courthouse and the library. Or call (406) 827-4002 to have an order form mailed to you. Linda Rocheleau Secretary, TFMS, Inc....
Thank you for the timely “Remember When” article, hearkening back to the time of the Spanish Flu in Thompson Falls. With all the reference to unprecedented, it is helpful to realize that there is precedent, and the measures required then are pretty much exactly what we are being asked now. After reading the article, I went back to read a bit more about the Spanish Flu, and was struck by the fact that its spread was also the result of globalization – albeit the globalization of war. The term Spanish Flu had always carried with it, at least...
m a month working in Seattle. I got there just in time to be in what the media has referred to as “the epicenter of the coronavirus in the United States.” The media response to this virus is extensive and, in my opinion, potentially dangerous. I recognize that the coronavirus is quite serious, but I also believe that the constant reporting is a hazard. I’ve seen this happen before with the AIDS epidemic. I’d like to try to explain my opinion by drawing a correlation between what happene...
TRAVIS TAMMARO, Trout Creek Local Store – “We have shortages in groceries and general merchandise as well as limited employee interaction, if people are questionable.” CHAD JONES, Inland Empire Builders – “I don’t think it has affected us. With the warmer weather we have seen an increase in customers.” HEATHER CHAVEZ, Beagle’s Bakery and Espresso – “With the drive through, we’ve been fine. We’re struggling to get supplies. We go through about 16-18 gallons of milk a week.” YVONNE STEVENSON, Trout Creek Motel and RV Park – “Yes it has! Almos...
7 YEARS AGO • MARCH 15, 1950 NEW PAPER AT HOT SPRINGS The Hot Springs Sentinel, a newspaper published at Hot Springs, Montana, made its debut last Wednesday, a copy of which was inserted in each post office box in Thompson Falls. Published by Kenneth F. Knight and Kenneth Knight, Jr., who came to Hot Springs from Tekoa, Washington. The first issue of the Sentinel was very interesting, giving the early day history and showing the growth of Hot Springs in the last few years. The ten-page paper was chuck-full of advertising, of a congratulatory n...
Monday, March 16 Assault. Theft, Paradise. Motorist assist. Assist other agency, Hot Springs. Child welfare, Plains. Tuesday, March 17 Suspicious activity, Dixon. Property damage, criminal mischief, Heron. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Alarm, Hot Springs. Motor vehicle crash, Heron. Fire, Heron. Wednesday, March 18 Disturbance, Plains. Disturbance, Plains. Upset customer at Harvest, T. Falls. Juvenile runaway, Trout Creek. Fire, Trout Creek. Nuisance complaints, T. Falls. Suspicious activity, Dixon. Assault. Disturbance, T. Falls. Thursday,...
Montana Highway Patrol Jeffrey Legard, 65, careless driving, $185. Stephen Pruitt, 60, seatbelt violation, $70. Jeffrey Roth, 58, operating with expired registration, $45. Tricia Freeman, 40, day speeding, $20. Charlein Disel, 65, seatbelt violation, $20. Patrick Patton, 56, day speeding, $70. Kevin Clute, 52, fail to carry proof of insurance in vehicle, 1st offense, $85; seatbelt violation, $20. Colin Dykstra, 51, seatbelt violation, $20. Cynthia Karnes, 64, seatbelt violation, $20. Emilly Montgomery, 21, operating without liability insurance...
Harriet Tubman, Pocahontas, the Grimke sisters and Sacajawea, to name a few, came to life in Thompson Falls earlier this month when sixth grade students selected a historical figure, researched it and dressed in costume becoming that person for one hour. "It is a great way to show off what kids have learned," said teacher Jessica Lewis about the wax museum project. Prior to depicting their figure, students spent a month researching a historically significant person of their choosing, from early...
The filing period for the June 2 primary election ended March 9, and a few candidates filed at the end for local races. Jennifer Fielder of Thompson Falls, a current state Senator for District 7, which includes Sanders County, filed for the position of Public Service Commissioner for Northwest Montana. “Frankly, I took a look at the other candidates that were running and I did not feel that any of the other candidates would do a good job of representing our area,” Fielder said. “The PSC has a really important function that affects almost every...
The Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA), a non-profit working to better the town of Trout Creek, is striving to keep their year on track. “Despite everything we are still moving in a positive direction,” said Board Chair Liz Stender. She explained that the TCCIA does a lot throughout the year and is trying to make most of those things happen on schedule. Stender also gave several updates on planned events throughout the year, including some cancelations in light of the Covid-19 outbreak. The first bit of news Stender wan...
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will begin construction to rehabilitate the Clark Fork River Bridge located on Montana Highway 200 approximately one mile north of Trout Creek. Construction is expected to begin in early April and be completed by the fall 2020. “MDT and our prime contractor Kiewit are committed to completing construction as quickly, efficiently, and safely as possible,” said Missoula District Construction Engineer John Schmidt. “We are using several methods to accelerate construction and minimize impacts to the c...
What originated from the author’s life-long connection and experiences with God, has led local Plains author, Linda Fay Black, to release her deeply personal discoveries and remembrances with the Holy Spirit, in her new book, Truth. Published by Austin Macauley Publishers in New York, Truth was released on February 28, 2020. Black, who has lived in Montana since 2002, found the inspiration to write this book during one of her morning walks along the Clark Fork River where she goes to pray. ...
The president of Joint Operation Mariposa presented a painting to Plains Elementary School last week to replace one that the school's National Honor Society donated recently to the Veterans Administration. One hundred and sixty-eight kids from kindergarten to fourth grade and about a dozen teachers and staff gathered outside the school Thursday afternoon for the unveiling of "Untamed," the painting of a orange and black horse - the school colors - by Dave Williams, president and founder of...
Steve Eberhardt believes that part of his job as an artist is to not only expose people to art, but to tell them a story. The unique exposition of his work is a testimonial to the talent Eberhardt brings, not only to Montana, but to the hearts of the people who live here. "A lot of people don't have the exposure. Not just exposure for the artists, but for people to be exposed to it. It's profound how many artists there are in Montana," Eberhardt explained. "Artists are unique storytellers. They...
A new program for the Thompson River Animal Care Shelter (TRACS) has been set in motion. The fundraiser, sponsored by the Sanders County Ledger and Whitefish Credit Union, will be a photo contest of rescued animals. The photos will be published in the calendar TRACS publishes each year. “TRACS has been doing an adopted pet calendar through the Ledger for the last 8 years,” said Renee Long, Shelter Manager of TRACS. There will be 12 different contests between now and the end of December 2020, with each month’s photo contest dedicated to a speci...
As a state, Montana has resisted the COVID-19 effects as long as possible. As the rest of the country is succumbing to the illness, we have stood strong as our rate of infection is minimal in comparison. The time has come for us to do our part in decreasing the viral spread. With that, parents are now finding themselves with children home and could use a little prompting of the imagination to keep busy hands, well, busy. Some ideas you may find interesting and likeable, others not so much, although they may inspire other ideas. Perhaps these...
THOMPSON FALLS BOWLING BEAUTIES W L Clay Pots 58 42 Realty Northwest 53.5 46.5 Madhatters 51.5 48.5 Aspire PT 50 50 Gardner Ranch 47.5 52.5 Sunflower Gallery 39.5 60.5 Team Scr. Game: Realty Northwest, 509; Scr. Series: Realty Northwest, 1414; Hcp. Game: Madhatters, 677; Hcp. Series: Mad Hatters, 1982; Inv. Scr. Game: Ginger Ward, 200; Scr. Series: Sandi Torres, 550; Hcp. Game: Janet Lacy, 256; Hcp. Series: Sandy True, 702. OVER THE HILL GANG W L Fun Team 66 38 Com’ Bak Kids 58 46 Joker’s Wild 55 49 First Security Bank 50 54 Mixed Nuts 48 56...
An elderly doe weathers the late winter storm west of Plains, periodically dipping her entire head into the snow in search of food....
Lady Hawks Megan Baxter, Jody Detlaff and Ellie Baxter have been honored as District 7B all-conference performers for their fine play this past season. The Lady Hawks won the regular season and tournament conference championships before winning third in the Western B divisional tournament and just missing a berth into last week's abbreviated State B tournament, compiling an impressive 19-5 record along the way. Megan Baxter led the way for the Hawks on the all-conference team, garnering the...
Sanders County seniors Brandon Knudsen of Hot Springs and Rylan Weltz of Noxon earned District 14C first team honors and All-State C recognition for their standout basketball play last winter to lead the 14C all-conference squad which was named last week. Knudsen and Weltz were joined on the 14C first team by Treydon Brouillette and Kade Pardee of the District 14C regular season and tournament champion Plains Horsemen, and Andrew Sanford and Nicholas Day of St. Regis. Brouillette and Day are...