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Independently owned since 1905
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Sanders County has purchased two properties adjacent to the courthouse in Thompson Falls in order to help ease increasing congestion in the county building. The commissioners purchased two properties along Jefferson Street between Main Street and Maiden Lane. One property was a private residence and the other is a commercial property that currently houses businesses including Clark Fork Title and the local probation and parole office. The residential property was purchased for $450,000 and the...
She believed she could, so she did. After winning the divisional meet in Thompson Falls October 19, Plains sophomore Marina Tulloch told The Ledger she wanted to get a time of 18 minutes, 50 seconds at the state meet. She did that and more last Saturday as she won the Class B women's race, crossing the finish line at the University of Montana golf course in 18:33. Not only did Tulloch smash her own goal, but she was nearly a full minute ahead of the second-place finisher. The Plains girls finish...
The general deer and elk hunting season kicked off Saturday, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) reported a successful weekend with overall better success than last year in Region 1, which includes Sanders County. FWP operates check stations throughout the region, including at Thompson Falls near the rural fire station. Overall in the region, 10% of hunters reported game, a 3% increase over the 2023 opening weekend. The Thompson Falls check station saw 258 hunters come through opening weekend, up from 216 in 2023. Hunters reported 10...
Pickleball is closer to becoming a bigger reality in Plains with the construction of two outdoor courts at the Amundson Sports Complex. TW Fencing of Trout Creek spent three days last week placing 270 feet of fencing around the two future courts. Kelly Altmiller, president of the Plains Pickleball Association, said they hope to have the courts ready for play once they get the court surfacing and nets in place in the spring. "The members of the PPA are extremely excited that we were finally able...
Democratic congressional candidate Monica Tranel was back in Noxon last week, making a campaign stop to chat with about 30 people at the Noxon Senior Center. "I'm asking you to hire me to represent you," Tranel told the community members as she discussed the Noxon bridge, housing and other topics for over an hour last Tuesday. "I know rural Montana and I understand it." Tranel said that as an attorney, she thinks of herself as an advocate, joking that it was not her lifelong dream to be a...
It's almost over. I haven't heard anyone talk about how they wish they could see more political ads and mailers or listen to and read more about politics. On Tuesday, local, state and national races and issues will be decided. I get chills when I think about what a privilege it is to be in this country and help decide what happens here. Legislative bodies make laws and they are enforced, but we have a choice of who we put in office and what changes are made to the constitution. I love getting my ballot and feel proud when I walk in the...
Inflation is one of the top priorities for most voters. Electric rates are one of the driving factors in this. The current Public Service Commission is doing nothing to address this and have been nothing more than a rubber stamp for the rate increases by Northwestern Energy. Our current representative on this Commission, Jennifer Fielder, has been one of the worst Commissioners for allowing this to happen. There is a bright spot for future representation on the Public Service Commission and that is Elena Evans. She is an Independent and not...
There are people in this world who possess the wisdom of generations, and carry it with them with grace, aplomb, and equanimity. Shelly Fyant is one of those people. She is a friend, a mother, an inspirational community leader, and she is, by any metric, the most qualified candidate to represent Montana’s House District 91. Shelly is other-centered, she is a strategic thinker, and she has a vision for a healthy, equitable, and sustainable Montana that starts now and ensures future generations will enjoy the beauty and abundance we all t...
A friend of mine has a condition, prosopagnosia, wherein he doesn’t recognize faces. He can meet me ten times, and every time is the first time. Not really, he’s begun to recognize my voice, he remembers my name and connects it to my voice, he’s begun putting things together like the way I smell (assuming I don’t change laundry detergent, start wearing perfume, etc.), he’s begun to “recognize” me because he runs into me at the same place every time we meet and I don’t change any other outward clues about who I am. His wife can change her hair s...
8 YEARS AGO • NOVEMBER 1, 1944 HIT OR MISS Halloween Tuesday night. A lot of kid rough stuff went on. Boys in the teen ages are naturally primitive and destructive. Busted the street lights out, barricaded the roads. Youth is at times cruel and grossly inconsiderate. We all were young once. Only the process of years mellows and timbers our natural combative and savage natures. Youth never considers that busting street lights may result in some feeble old lady breaking her leg, or a blockaded road might result in a serious auto accident and hum...
ALICE INGLE, Thompson Falls - “Hermione from Harry Potter.” BONNIE FIRESTONE, Thompson Falls - “Queen Amidala from Star Wars.” MAXWELL HART, Thompson Falls - “Harry Potter.” CHAD JONES, Trout Creek - “Haven’t been out to see any.” JEANNIE CHURCHILL, Thompson Falls - “My granddaughter was the Bride of Frankenstein."...
Montana Highway Patrol Waylon Heavy Runner, 42, speeding in a restricted zone, $105. Tate Stinnett, 45, seatbelt violation, $20. Kaleb Hilliard, 19, day speeding, $70. Cristy Hoyle, 39, failure to carry proof/exhibit insurance in vehicle, 1st offense, $285; seatbelt violation, $20. Tanner Rohletter, 27, night speeding, $200. Shayne Odegaard, 63, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Thilo Teufel, 47, day speeding, $70. Michael Bareman, 34, passing in a no-passing zone, $85; speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Dustin Curry, 35, seatbelt...
Montana Highway Patrol Waylon Heavy Runner, 42, speeding in a restricted zone, $105. Tate Stinnett, 45, seatbelt violation, $20. Kaleb Hilliard, 19, day speeding, $70. Cristy Hoyle, 39, failure to carry proof/exhibit insurance in vehicle, 1st offense, $285; seatbelt violation, $20. Tanner Rohletter, 27, night speeding, $200. Shayne Odegaard, 63, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Thilo Teufel, 47, day speeding, $70. Michael Bareman, 34, passing in a no-passing zone, $85; speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Dustin Curry, 35, seatbelt...
Last week for Red Ribbon week, a week devoted to helping prevent future drug-abuse in kids and young adults, Thompson Falls high school hosted national speaker Ethan Fisher who presented “LifeCONsequences: A Tale of Redemption.” Noxon, Plains and Thompson Falls high school students gathered to hear Fisher, who was brought to the school by siblings Declan and Caitrin Harrington. The Harringtons' cousin, Bridget Kirby, was killed as a passenger in a drunk driving accident. They raised funds to bring Fisher to Montana. The siblings got the ide...
Zoey Havens – Thompson Falls Elementary Interviewed by Gary Sanks It was a delight to interview Zoey Havens who is 10 years old and in the fifth grade at Thompson Falls Elementary. She said her teachers are Mr. Kump and Ms. Freed. Ms. Freed's fifth grade art class has been studying color theory and textured landscape. Zoey said "water coloring" is her favorite at this time. They've been working on water coloring for about two months. When asked what inspired her to start drawing, she quickly a...
It's sometimes scary to go to school and last weekend it was especially scary when a vampire from Transylvania came to visit. The Plains Drama Club gave two performances of "Dracula" in the school's multipurpose room and gymnasium Saturday and Sunday. Nearly 120 people attended the Saturday evening show and almost 75 people showed up for the Sunday afternoon performance. "Broadway has come to Plains High School," said Dr. Kathleen Walsh, the school superintendent, who thought it was a great...
Do you ever catch yourself daydreaming about that epic bucket-list trip - experiences like a luxury cruise, an African safari, a tour through Japan or staying in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora - only to quickly brush it off, thinking it’s just out of reach? Trust me, it’s not! That dream trip you’ve always wanted is within reach, and with a little planning, it could be closer than you think. I know it can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re balancing work, family, and everything else that comes with “adulting.” It’s easy to put o...
POLSON - Donna Lorraine (Bras) Cason, age 94, passed away October 16, 2024, at the St. Joseph Assisted Living in Polson. She was born August 28, 1930, at the McKell nursing home in Thompson Falls, MT. She was the first-born child to Lando and Lucille Bras. Following the birth of their daughter they returned home to Plains where her dad worked at a bakery. Lando made the comment that, "it took a long time before Donna started to talk, but once she started, she didn't quit." The following year...
A former Plains High School student has found herself back in school and the subject English was the culprit. English was the favorite subject for Alexis Kunzer and now she's teaching English. The 2010 Plains High School graduate was unanimously voted as the newest addition to the school staff and will be teaching English for grades seven through seniors. Kunzer will work until January, at which time she will determine if her teaching hours will accommodate her caring for her infant daughter. Ku...
It looks like the Bean Bug Cafe doors are closing, but another door is opening for owner Suzy VonHeeder. VonHeeder and co-owner Emmalie VonHeeder, her daughter-in-law, started the Bean Bug in December of 2020 and it was a prosperous enterprise, but Emmalie wants to be a stay-at-home mom with her 3-year-old son, Jaxx, and Suzy has been in the food service business for 25 years and wants to try something else. The Bean Bug's last day was Friday and one of its coffee specials during its final week...
Thompson Falls was buzzing with activity Saturday as Thompson Falls Main Street and the Sanders County Chamber presented the Fall Forest Festival at Ainsworth Park. The annual Trick or Treat, Move Your Feet run by Thompson Falls Community Trails was also held on the powerhouse loop trail....
The regular season of 6-man football came to an end Friday, with Hot Springs getting a commanding win in front of their home crowd over Noxon. The Savage Heat ended the game 57-6, allowing just one touchdown by the Red Devils in the fourth quarter. It was senior night for Hot Springs, and it took less than two minutes for the Savage Heat to put the first point on the board when Nick McAllister ran in for a touchdown. Noxon struggled to gain yards and was forced to punt on their first...
THOMPSON FALLS 23, WHITEHALL 0 The Blue Hawks hosted the Whitehall Trojans for the last game of the regular season taking the win 23-0. The Hawks started with a kick off return, but a swift interception landed the ball back in Trojan hands. The Hawks held their helmets to the ground and would stop Whitehall from gaining a touchdown the whole first quarter, while the Trojans also put their toughest defense together keeping Thompson from the endzone. In the second quarter, Whitehall was able to...
PLAINS 3, TROY 0 The Plains Trotters hosted the Troy Lady Trojans for their last home game of the regular season, taking the win in three action packed sets. Quickly the Trotters set the tone for the first match taking a five point lead over Troy, while the Trojans were able to keep a level head and bring the points within two. Plains kept their strong team work and were able to take back their large lead over the Trojans. Slamming down aces and spikes, the Trotters would have a massive seven po...
HOT SPRINGS 3, VICTOR 0 The Lady Savage Heat hosted the Victor Lady Pirates, taking the win in three sets. Both teams came out of the gate, going point for point until Hot Springs was able to take the lead. After some intense volleys the Pirates were able to bring the points within two. From there they were able to take the lead back from the Heat. Hot Springs would stay close behind but wouldn't be able to take back the lead. With the score 19-23, Hot Springs was able to find their groove and h...
