Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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by Shana Neesvig Some stories are worth sharing over, and over, and over again. In most cases, these stories are based around a single character, perhaps a hero who saved many lives. Last Friday, 52 years to the date, Noxon resident and former Marine James Stogner received the recognition he deserves and has earned legendary status. On April 5, 2019, Stogner was awarded the military's second highest honor, the Navy Cross. Retired Lieutenant General Frank Libutti pinned the Cross on Stogner...
One person was killed in a single-vehicle crash east of Noxon on Sunday. According to the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP), the crash occurred at 2:40 p.m. Sunday on wet roads. The vehicle was westbound on Highway 200 when it crossed the center line and the eastbound lane and exited the left side of the road. The vehicle then continued down a shallow embankment and struck two large trees, coming to rest about 45 feet from the road, according to MHP. The driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no other passengers and no...
The Thompson Falls community came together to support local art last Saturday as the Thompson Falls Main Street hosted the second annual Spring Jamboree fundraiser at the Elks Lodge. Last year, the Main Street committee chose the veterans memorial at Ainsworth Park as the recipient of Spring Jamboree funds. This year, they selected the new initiative promoting art in the community. Micah Grossberg, the Thompson Falls art teacher, spoke to the crowd Saturday. The school will partner with local businesses to add art installations in the community...
After moving around similar to what Tim Ellis calls a glorified "gypsy lifestyle," he feels he has finally found a home here in Sanders County. In fact, he can be quoted as saying, "If I can help it, I'm done. No more moving." Last fall, Ellis relocated to the area to serve as branch manager of Thompson Falls' Whitefish Credit Union. He brings with him many years of banking experience that moved him across the northern American states. Originally from the Portland, Oregon, area, it was here...
We get a new governor every four years. A new president every four years. The reality is, it's unlikely you or someone you know will ever be governor or president. Those positions, along with our representatives and senators in Washington, D.C., are the most watched, the most scrutinized, and often the most unreachable. The political climate changes constantly, and we know that sometimes it can seem a bit out of control. There are ways you can make a difference, and it doesn't mean running for state or national office. Getting involved in...
I read an article a couple weeks ago about an “Active Shooter” training scenario that was conducted at an elementary school in Indiana. During that training, some of the teachers were actually shot with air soft projectiles used in the training and complained about it after the exercise. Apparently, it hurt too much. I’ve been shot with those things and they do sting. However, they absolutely add a level of realism to the training … that’s why we used them! I’ve conducted that sort of training...
We had day 71 last Friday. From that day forward, we have 19 days left of the regular session to finish business. The final outcome of many bills is still very much in limbo. Last minute amendments come into play in the committee meetings or on the chamber floors. The original title of a bill often is a little different from the final passing of a bill. Sound bites coming from the newspapers and television news are also not always close to the final wording of a bill as it becomes law. This is...
Just a reminder to community members that there will be two major visual arts events held in Thompson Falls on Saturday, April 13. The Flat Iron Quilting Guild has its annual show at the High School. The show opens at 9:30 a.m. The Sunflower Gallery artisans will have their Open House on Saturday and will also be hosting the “Monday Painting Class: art show and reception at 10-5 p.m. Door prizes are to be given and light refreshments will be available at both shows. Our local artists have been busy working on their projects this winter. Make S...
5 YEARS AGO • APRIL 10, 1969 COUNCIL MAKES FIELD PERMANENT CITY PARK A resolution perpetuating Ainsworth Field as a city park and recreation area was adopted formally by the city council at its April session in answer to requests from various local civic organizations which had encouraged the city dads to take the step. Under the resolution, the field now will be known as Ainsworth Park. Attorney James W. Cunningham informed the council that the resolution can be undone by some future council, but that a favorable vote of the people would b...
MARK HEDAHL, Thompson Falls – “ I have already gone to my dream vacation. I went to Norway, right back to the homestead my people came from.” KAREN GUSTAVSEN, Thompson Falls – “I did two dream vacations. We returned to Norway. We had hosted exchange students and went back to visit them. I met a bunch of our family and did a family tree.” GAIL LOWE, Thompson Falls – “I would like to go back to D.C. to see the monuments. I was there when I was 11 years old on a tour and saw the flag that flew over Mount McKinley. It was monstrously lar...
Ambulances: Noxon, 1; T. Falls, 5; Plains, 1; H. Springs, 6; Dixon QRU, 2. Sunday, March 31 Stray animal, T. Falls. Stray animal, T. Creek. Disturbance at the Cornerstone Store, H. Springs. Assault, H. Springs. Monday, April 1 Suspicious activity, Hwy. 200, Plains. Abandoned vehicle, H. Springs. Partner/family member assault, H. Springs. Disabled vehicle, Hwy. 200, Plains. Warrant arrest, T. Falls. Weapons offense, H. Springs. Tuesday, April 2 Homeowner complaint of dogs defecating in his yard, Plains. Partner/family member assault, H. Springs....
Montana Highway Patrol David Minnich, 32, speeding in a restricted zone, $185. Lea Meyers, 24, basic rule, reasonable and prudent, 1st offense, $85; driving while privilege is suspended or revoked, 1st offense, $285. Timothy French, 58, seatbelt violation, $20; operating without liability insurance, 2nd offense, $85. Patrick Hanley, 42, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Gerald Carr, 71, seatbelt violation, $20. Tyler Dumont, 33, seatbelt violation, $20; operating with expired registration, $85. Ronald Braatz, 69, passing in no-passing zone,...
The Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce hosted a Business After Hours social event for chamber members last week. The Thursday event included appetizers from local businesses and offered members an opportunity to network and connect with each other. About thirty chamber members attended the after-hours event. President Michael Scharfe of First Security Bank said the chamber is working on new ways to promote its members. Along with bringing back luncheons, they are looking to add more events like...
Looking for some fun, live entertainment? The Noxon School Student Council is once again hosting a talent show after taking a year off from the recurring event. “There will be many different acts, including skits done by the student council and other things done by students and staff within the school,” stated Madison Koonce, Noxon student. Although the event did not originate as a fundraiser, this year all proceeds will go back to the student council to help cover costs for decorations and other things they do throughout the year, Koonce sha...
A free day-long class designed to help individuals identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders is coming to Thompson Falls on Friday, May 10. Mental Health First Aid will give community members valuable skills when the need arises to reach out and provide initial support for someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, or who is experiencing a crisis. The class will be taught by Alice Burchak and Mandie Reed, of the Montana State University Extension. It is offered as an...
Growing up in Libby, Montana, I was surrounded by incredibly wild and beautiful country. Our family spent a lot of time in the outdoors. There were trails headed into the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness area within just a few miles of our house. A few years after this area was designated an official wilderness area in 1964, we backpacked into Granite Lake, a six-mile hike crossing Granite Creek several times before arriving at the lake. Everything seemed larger than life, from the huge ferns...
The third weekend of the 2019 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes ended with a total of 13,549 Lake Trout entries that have been turned in by 148 anglers. This event is used to reduce the nonnative Lake Trout in Flathead Lake. Currently, 469 anglers have entered this year’s event. Up to $225,000 in Cash and Prizes will be awarded on May 19 during the fish fry event at the BlueBay headquarters. Friday’s total came to 1,873, Saturday was a cooler day with 1,215 entries, and a blustery Sun...
The Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition (KFSC) invites the community to join them at a Meet and Greet Open House at Cabinet Mountain Brewing Company on Thursday, April 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Have a beer with the members of the group, learn about the latest Kootenai National Forest timber projects, and learn about how you can make your voice heard in local forest management and community wildfire safety issues. The KFSC is a group of local citizens interested in improving forest management and collaborating around land conservation and...
Sanders County churches announced their services for Holy Week. Easter Sunday is April 21. Hot Springs Father Jeffrey Benusa will hold Mass of the Resurrection at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Sacred Heart Mission, 220 Arlee St. S. Plains First Lutheran Church of Plains, presided by Pastor Carol Seilhymer, 601 South 5th Ave., will hold a Maundy Thursday dinner and worship at 6 p.m. on April 18. Good Friday service will be at 7 p.m., and Easter Prayer Vigil will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Easter celebration with Holy Communion is set for 11 a.m....
Rachel Fairbank of Thompson Falls welcomed twin girls, Marissa May Fairbank and Madison Marie Fairbank, on March 26, 2019. Marissa was born at 2:16 p.m., weighing 5 lbs., 14 oz. and measuring 19.25 inches. Madison, born at 2:35 p.m., weighed 8 lbs., 6 oz. and measured 20 inches. The girls join big brother Emmett. Grandparents are Steve and Jill Fairbank of Thompson Falls. Welcome, Marissa and Madison....
The Coast Guard isn't targeting elementary kids for future recruits, but one unit in Washington state has taken in a Plains Elementary School class as its new pen pals, thanks to two local men who brought the two groups together. The third grade class of Julie Warner started writing the crew members of Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team 15 (ANT 15) in Kennewick, Washington, in February, when Plains artist Dave Williams and his brother-in-law Ed Foste transported a painting to the unit in an...
The City of Thompson Falls took its first step toward creating a growth policy by voting to create a city planning board. The city will now approach the county on whether they want to create a county/city planning board or let the city proceed on its own. The board will consist of seven members, according to City Attorney Tim Goen. The city council will appoint four people who own land in the city. A fifth member, also appointed by the council, can be a city employee. The sixth member would be any individual appointed by the council, and the...
Thompson Falls track and field coach Trenna Ferris was worried about Saturday potentially being a very long day for her team heading into Frenchtown Invitational, which had been moved to Missoula Big Sky due to poor track conditions at the Frenchtown facilities. By the time the varsity and junior varsity meets had concluded in Missoula Saturday, Ferris' worst fears had been fully realized as the meet, which drew over 1,000 competitors from far and wide in Montana, ended up lasting over 12 hours...
Noxon and Plains track and field teams opened the season competing in the Eureka Invitational Saturday. With Levi Brubaker winning two events and placing in three others, the Noxon boys scored 53 points to finish fourth in team scoring, while the Lady Devils scored 40 points and finished fifth on the other side of the meet. For Plains, Kylee Altmiller won the javelin and placed fifth in the long jump to lead the Trotters to 46 points and fourth place in girls team scoring, while the Horsemen placed sixth in the boys meet with 22 points. The...
