Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 28
"Innovation comes from many different places," said Eric Nygaard, a science teacher and robotics coach at Thompson Falls High School. "It's kind of full of these different little pieces of peoples brains coming together." He was talking about a new project for the high school 3-D printing lab in response to the coronavirus crisis. Nygaard has taken on the task of creating and 3-D printing N95 contamination masks to help bolster the local hospital and surrounding clinics' reserves of personal...
Clark Fork Valley Hospital has had no recorded coronavirus cases as of last week, but that's not stopping the staff from making sure they're ready if it happens, according to Physician Assistant Nick Lawyer, who is taking the lead on getting special protective masks for staff members. "It's going to mean the difference between us having enough protective gear and one of our employees getting sick," said Lawyer, who's in charge of getting masks delivered from Thompson Falls High School, which is...
Many community members have already become familiarized with Beautification Days, the yearly event aimed at keeping Thompson Falls clean as well as helping neighbors with sprucing up around their homes they are unable to do themselves. This year, the event has been canceled due to the concerns of COVID-19 and Governor Bullock's shelter-in-place order. The 18th annual Beautification Days was scheduled for April 16-18. "The decision to cancel the event was not made lightly," said Kathy Conlin...
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, McGowan Grocery in Plains is doing its part to continue supplying residents with needed food and other supplies to survive, but they're also making it safer for customers and employees alike. The store started an online curbside service last year - "McGowan Grab & Go Powered by Rosie" - after Erika Lawyer, the store office manager, treasurer and daughter of owner Bruce Swanson, saw it at a trade show. She said it was slow at first and they almost dropped it,...
Staying at home so much makes us a little anxious. Thankfully we have plenty of outdoor space to explore in Sanders County. We can practice social distancing while still getting fresh air. Yes, it makes us a little antsy to not be in our normal routine, but here's the thing — it's working. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 50 people had recovered from coronavirus in Montana. The curve is flattening. We still didn't have a confirmed case in Sanders County. More than likely, the virus is in the community and someone hasn't been tested. But e...
Editor: In this difficult and challenging time dealing with the coronavirus, there has never been a better time for smokers to quit and for people to protect their health by avoiding use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Scientists have noted that the coronavirus (COVID-19) attacks the lungs. Behaviors that weaken the lungs put people at more risk. Matthew Myers, president of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, notes that “we all know the impact of smoking on the lungs. There is conclusive evidence that smoking increases the risk f...
At some point in weeks or months, this disruption to our lives will be past us. It’s difficult for us to know when that will be, our hopes and fears notwithstanding. We do know that God is fully aware and we should take some comfort from that knowledge. I’m pretending on some levels that it’s all over now so that I can be as comfortable as possible answering the question about how I did while this was all happening in real time. My intention is to speak and conduct myself in such a way that I don’t look back with a sense of loss for what I...
The only thing we have read about or watched in the news for the last month or so has been about the coronavirus. I understand that it’s the media’s job to keep us informed, but it seems that none of what we read or watch is very positive or uplifting. So, I decided to do a little digging, trying to find something upbeat to talk about. It turns out that, despite what we might think, there are some pretty positive things coming out of all the problems. People across the nation are getting rea...
5 YEARS AGO • APRIL 16, 1970 SURVEY SAYS FACILITIES IN FALLS INADEQUATE Residents of Thompson Falls find more of their facilities and services are inadequate and the boat dock, streets and swimming pool are the objects of the most criticism according to the community survey recently completed by the Jaycees. The only facility the residents consider "very good" is the library. In the survey, residents were asked to check 40 different items according to whether they thought they were "Very g...
BILL BROWN, — “I do not wear a mask in public because I just feel that I’m safe and I’m not prone to getting an illness.” MARIE CRICKET OWENS — “I wear a mask because I have bronchial asthma.” CHRISTINE MUNDAY — “I wear a mask in public because I think it’s the smart thing to do. This disease is transmitted by droplet infection, which means you breathe it in through your nose and your mouth.” JAZMIN ORTEGA — "I do not wear a mask in public because I don't really go out much, but I do stay at least six feet away." JOHN O'BRIEN — "I do wear...
by Ledger Staff A 43-year-old woman has been charged with driving under the influence after she was arrested following reports of a vehicles swerving in Thompson Falls. Last Wednesday, Thompson Falls Police Department (TFPD) received a report of a white van that had hit a street sign and continued driving. According to the caller, the driver was swerving all over the road and seemed to be intoxicated. The vehicle was last seen heading toward the high school, according to the police report. TFPD...
Monday, March 30 Livestock, Plains. Child welfare, abuse, Dixon. Probation violation, T. Falls. Fire, T. Falls. Report of threats made by neighbor. Intimidation, harassment, Hot Springs. Motor vehicle crash, Hot Springs. Tuesday, March 31 Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Motor vehicle crash, Hot Springs. Disturbance. Theft. Disturbance. Abandoned vehicle, Dixon. Wednesday, April 1 Animal complaint, Trout Creek. Theft of items from vehicle at residence, Trout Creek. Coroner, Trout Creek. Theft, T. Falls. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Motorist...
Motor Carrier Services Jerry Smith, 42, operating with expired registration, $85. Montana Highway Patrol Madalyn Franks, 33, seatbelt violation, $20. Stacey Battancourt, 58, fail to carry proof of insurance in vehicle, 1st offense, $85; seatbelt violation, $20. Alicia Barnes, 32, speeding in restricted zone, $55. Danielle Gabler-Graham, 17, seatbelt violation, $20. Abigail Harnett, 43, day speeding, $120. Larna Hively, 58, day speeding, $70. John Maxwell, 62, day speeding, $20. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Tyler Krell, 26, day speeding, $...
NAME: Ellen Childress OCCUPATION: Self-Employed 1. What is unique about you that would benefit the school board? My time as a parent, a home school teacher, a mother of public school students and a public school teacher have given me a unique set of experiences which allow me to approach issues that come before the school board with an open mind and broad perspectives.. I am able to use that background to listen sympathetically and sometimes provide new outlooks on issues. My first three-year term as a trustee for the Plains Schools has added...
NAME: Amy Schrenk OCCUPATION: Customer Service Representative-USFS 1. What is unique about you that would benefit the school board? The combination of my experience in customer service and being a member of a National Incident Management Team where I work on emergency incidents throughout the United States. During these incidents, I communicate with people from diverse backgrounds to make decisions in time compressed situations. I believe these experiences prepare me for the decisions that lie ahead of the Plains school board. 2. What do you...
John Creel Steward, 58 was peacefully invited to meet his maker in heaven on the morning of March 31, 2020. John was born on July 16, 1961, to Barbara (Reich) and Clarence "Tarzan" Steward in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. He followed in the path of his father by continuing a career in logging. He eventually moved on but stayed within the timber industry, working as a Superintendent for Plum Creek. Most recently, up until his passing, he provided his vast experience, knowledge and talent of management... Full story
Kristopher Colt Nelson passed away March 4, 2020, at home in Trout Creek, Montana. He was born January 9, 1977, in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he spent the first year of his life. He also lived in San Diego and Vallejo, California, Spokane and Colville, Washington, and West Ruislip, England, before moving to Trout Creek in 1989. He attended schools in England, Spokane, Colville and Trout Creek before graduating from high school in Noxon High School as Salutatorian. He attended the University of Montana for one year. He worked at fast food in Missou... Full story
by Miriah Kardelis It's a simple but brilliant idea: a shelter that is built to house books, reading material and other sources of media to be exchanged freely among community members. Little Free Libraries, a movement that has swept across the country since 2009, now has a more prominent spot locally due to the rampage of the COVID-19 pandemic. As social distancing has stopped many from enjoying their favorite activities, and a shelter-at-home order has been given for Montana, many are at a los...
Telehealth is nothing new to the healthcare industry and Clark Fork Valley Hospital (CFVH), but it will now be a tool that is utilized more frequently during the COVID-19 pandemic to connect patients and providers. Over the last couple of years, CFVH has used virtual visits to connect stroke patients with medical specialists in Kalispell when they present to the ER. It has also been used for behavioral health appointments. This pandemic has pushed us to make telehealth more readily available to...
After serving over one decade as Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Program Coordinator, Mitchell "Sandy" Compton has decided to pass his hiking boots and backpack of duties on to someone else. As of March 2020, he has officially retired. "I've repurposed," shared Compton. "I am not going to sit in my rocking chair and watch the world go by." If you know Compton, you also know this to be true. "I'm pretty good at doing nothing," he guffawed, "but that doesn't happen very often." One set of...
Rylan Weltz signed a national letter of intent last week, declaring his intention to play basketball for the Dawson Community College Buccaneers, the Glendive junior college announced in a press release last week. A two-time All-State C basketball performer for the Noxon Red Devils and an athlete for all seasons during his time at NHS, Weltz was a District 14C all-conference player all four years of his prep career. His final decision as to where to go to school and continue playing basketball...
Plains golf coach Lisa Brown was in her own little world Tuesday morning. “I’m living the dream,” she said. “Sitting here in an empty classroom with my life-sized Larry Bird cutout for company. “This is the level I have reached after three weeks without having kids in school.” Brown now does her solitary teaching duties by internet, a far less satisfying form of educational communication. Although classroom loneliness has driven her to companionship with an inanimate, ancient basketball player w...
by John Hamilton Hope springs eternal in our modern COVID-19 world but will the virus allow us to have our sports fun? Or any sports fun in the foreseeable future? When it comes to spring sports, it ain’t over yet, but it does seem to be getting closer to that sad ending everyone is dreading as each and every day in this tortured spring of 2020 passes by. “I haven’t heard it is for sure over yet,” a hopeful Thompson Falls coach Jared Koskela reported Monday....
Everyone knows any homemade dish comes to life when you cook with spices and herbs. Whether they are fresh or dried; these two additions boost flavor, aroma and color to your food. The Old Farmer's Almanac has said the difference between an herb and a spice is that they come from different parts of the plant. "While they share many similarities such as their ability to offer flavor, vitality and diversity to our meals, there are many factors that differentiate them," according to the almanac. A...
If you are lactose-intolerant, someone with a dairy allergy, vegan, maybe someone who just doesn’t like the taste of cow milk; dairy free milk substitutions are options you are very familiar with. However, for many out there, the numerous non-dairy options can seem to be a bit perplexing. Especially if you are wanting to give non-dairy milk a try. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, both almond milk and rice milk have sown to have, “similar amounts of calcium to milk in a portion size of one cup or less.” Soy milk has also been...
