Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Former Thompson Falls resident Danielle Wood made her initial appearance in court on Tuesday, pleading not guilty to one count of deliberate homicide in the death of Matt LaFriniere, her former boyfriend. Wood appeared via VisionNet with her attorney, Ashley Morigeau, from the Lake County Courthouse in Polson. Prosecutor Dan Guzynski of the Montana Attorney General's office was in court Tuesday in Thompson Falls for the arraignment before 20th District Court Judge Deborah "Kim" Christopher....
In one of the sure signs that spring has sprung, Thompson Pass officially opened Thursday afternoon. Montana Department of Transportation crews finished plowing the pass on Thursday and confirmed that both the Montana and Idaho sides are open to traffic. Thompson Pass is closed to vehicles in the winter, but is a popular route for snowmobile enthusiasts in both Montana and Idaho....
Voters in the Noxon and Hot Springs school districts will receive ballots in the mail later this week. Ballots were mailed Wednesday, according to the Sanders County Elections Office. In Hot Springs, three candidates have filed for the open three-year position: Michael Mueller, Crystal Graham and Julie White. Ricky Depoe was the only candidate to file for the one-year term in Hot Springs. The Hot Springs School District is also seeking additional funding from voters through a general fund mill levy proposition. The proposed levy would generate...
Thompson Falls State Park does not officially open until May 1, although walk-ins are welcome to bypass locked entrance gates. With weather resembling more spring-like temperatures, residents appear eager to recreate at the park and utilize the community trail system....
For more than a century, humans have nourished the concept of making books available by vehicular transportation. Residents of rural areas such as Sanders County, where libraries are nonexistent or far and few between, have an appreciation for this notion. The Sanders County Bookmobile has been part of many lives since its conception in the 1960s, when the county voted it in. Functioning as a library on wheels, the Bookmobile facilitates monthly visits to Dixon, Hot Springs, Lonepine, Paradise,...
The hustle and bustle of the big city isn't that appealing to most people who live in rural Montana, including us. Last weekend, we got a little taste of that when we tried to cover all of the events happening around Sanders County. There was a quilt show, a fun run to raise funds to help fight childhood hunger, a performance at the Paradise Center, an art show at the Sunflower Gallery and a fundraiser for Project ASCENT at the Elks in Thompson Falls. There was no excuse for boredom and nothing to do last weekend in Sanders County. While we do...
This week I had some welcome guests. Mr. Bishop and former Representative Gordon Hendrick spent a day at the Capitol with the Superior High School government class. We have been doing about 20 to 30 bills per day in our House sessions. We met last Saturday, which was day 78. Most committees have completed business for this session, which means no more new bills. Most bills we deal with on the floor are Senate bills or Senate amended bills. Medicaid Reform is still in the Senate as of Saturday...
It was January 1991. I was a second term legislator who, for a reason I can’t remember, wanted to take on a leadership role and sought and won the position of running the first meeting of the House Democrats. That was the meeting where we elected our leaders. It was before term limits, at a time when newer legislators were expected to know their place in the pecking order, defer to their seniors and rise through the ranks. Even knowing that, I had nonetheless inserted myself into a minor leaders...
4 YEARS AGO • APRIL 12, 1979 LAOS FAMILY MAKING NEW LIFE IN FALLS One must review the history of the Hmong people before understanding their arrival and struggle in our country. First, who are the Hmong? According to Tou-FuVang, a member of the executive committee for the Assn. of Hmong, “During the conflict in Indochina, the Hmong provided the most ferocious defense of Laos against the communists. They also became the backbone of the loyal allies of the U.S., and made great sacrifices in furthering American military policies in Ind...
TEENA MALETOR, Trout Creek – “Easter bunny hunt in the morning. Then we go to church, come home to a ham, potatoes and veggie dinner.” TONY OVERHOLT, Bonners – “We go to church early and afterward our church has a brunch. I really enjoy this, getting to talk and eat with friends. I look forward to it every year.” HOPE DEFAICO, Naples, Idaho –“We go to Sandpoint to celebrate Easter with my nana.” WILMA WUEBKES, Plains – “We did an Easter egg hunt and made up Easter baskets. My mom did everything. Then everyone came over to dinner.” LARRY WARNER...
Montana Highway Patrol Garret Fleenor, 30, violation of restrictions on instruction permit, $85; failure to carry proof of insurance in vehicle, owner or operator, 1st offense, $75; seatbelt violation, $20. Dennis Newman, 67, seatbelt violation, $20. Michael Holloron, 38, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Larry Tofanelli, 45, night speeding, $70. Phillip White, 30, stop sign violation, $85. Lane Walter, 21, truck speeding, $55. Benny Walters, 68, day speeding, $20. Lori Hancock, 61, seatbelt violation, $20. Seung Jung, 64, speeding in a...
Ambulances: Noxon, 3; Plains, 4; H. Springs, 5. Sunday, April 7 Motor vehicle crash, Noxon. Road hazard, blockage, Blue Slide Rd., T. Creek. Intimidation, harassment, Dixon. Suspicious activity, T. Creek. Monday, April 8 Threats made, H. Springs. Protection order violation, T. Falls. Stray animal, Plains. Verbal disturbance, Heron. Tuesday, April 9 Road hazard, blockage, Hwy. 135. Concern for child welfare, T. Falls. Road hazard, blockage, Hwy. 200, Heron. Road hazard, blockage, Blue Slide Rd., T. Creek. Partner/family member assault, T....
Two defendants accepted deferred sentences in 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday before Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher. Brandon Tollie, from Bigfork, received a three-year deferred sentence with the Department of Corrections on felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Tollie also was sentenced to 28 days in the Sanders County Jail, with credit for time served, in accepting the plea agreement that also included misdemeanor night speeding and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia charges. Tollie was arrested during a traffic stop...
Student-athletes at Trout Creek School will gain a competitive edge thanks to a 2019 Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant from California Casualty. The school is one of 64 public middle schools and high schools in 32 states awarded a total of $67,149 to help purchase new equipment, improve player safety, and provide uniforms. Trout Creek School received $1,000 that will go towards purchasing much needed equipment for the track and field team: a discus, shot put and javelin. The funds will also help...
Blackfoot Telecommunications is working to provide expanded services to its customers in Sanders County and Northwest Montana. The company on Wednesday announced that it is partnering with Advanced Communications Technology (ACT) to offer additional network services. Wil Anderson, spokesperson for Blackfoot, said that the new relationship will allow Blackfoot customers access to extended service through ACT. “It helps expand our reach,” Anderson said. Anderson stated that the companies will be able to leverage each other’s network, and custo...
The basketball seasons are over and students have moved on to spring sports including golf, track and softball. But Thompson Falls High School gym will be filled with equine hoopsters on May 6 as donkey basketball comes to town. TFHS students and staff will take on a team of alumni and community members. The event begins with a barbecue at 5:30 p.m. and donkey tipoff at 6. Tickets are available in advance from the high school office. Prices are $8 for adults, $6 for students in grades 7-12, and $4 for grades K-6. Tickets at the door will be $1...
Geraldine M. "Gerry" Berkey, 91, passed away in Spokane, Washington, on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Celebration of Life services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 18, in Coffelt's Funeral Chapel, Sandpoint, Idaho. Pastor Irene Anderson will be officiating, with O.E.S. rites. There will be a catered lunch/reception at the Ponderay Events Center following the celebration. Inurnment will be later in the Hope Cemetery family plot. Calling hours will be from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, in...
April 28, 1934 – March 22, 2019 LoHua was born in Myton, Utah, the daughter of Lawrence and Esther Odekirk. She was the seventh of eight children, and always walked her own path. She would go on to touch the lives of many, even those who met her only once. LoHua was a free spirit, a seeker, a talented gardener, a tireless worker, a healer and a student of life. She was the mother of nine children: Kathy, Joe, Patti, Steve, Jeff, Jillian, Sarah, Tarom and Kele. She is survived by two brothers, al...
Ben Dale Simonson, 74, of Noxon died April 4, 2019, at the Veterans Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, of cancer due to agent orange he contacted in Vietnam. A full obituary and date of memorial services will follow....
NAME: Andrew Chaboya Cabaccang AGE: 54 EDUCATION: Proud graduate of Noxon High School ('82); Gonzaga University OCCUPATION: Political strategist What characteristics make you a good candidate for the school board? What makes me a "good" candidate? I know my way around financial statements and budgets. But if one were to ask me what makes me an "excellent" candidate; my communication skills. I'm comfortable talking one on one and in a group setting. I'm an empathetic listener and action oriented....
NAME: Crystal Graham AGE: 33 EDUCATION: High School Graduate OCCUPATION: Coffee Shop Owner What characteristics make you a good candidate for the school board? I am honest, logical and open minded. What kind of relationship should the board have with its community? The community should feel comfortable going to each board member with concerns they have, no matter the importance. Our community should feel like the board members are willing to listen. What is the biggest responsibility for a...
The Montana Department of Transportation is hosting public meetings in St. Regis and Superior to discuss the I-90 St. Regis – East construction project. The meetings will be held on Tuesday, April 23 in St. Regis (St. Regis Community Center, 209 Lobo Loop) and Wednesday, April 24 in Superior (Superior High School, 410 Arizona Ave.). The public is invited to attend either meeting to learn more about the project and ask questions. The meetings will be identical drop-in formats and attendees can stop by anytime between 4-6:30 p.m. The project w...
Alan Fink, general manager of the Town Pump in Plains, hands a check to Kathy Gregg, treasurer of the Committee For Safe Swimming (CSS), on Tuesday as a donation to help get the E.L. Johnson Memorial Pool repaired. CSS, a nonprofit organization, raised some $50,000 to repair the aging pool, which developed significant leaks last summer. Also with Fink and Gregg are Kristy Sample, the Town Pump casino manager (left) and Kayla Shupert, the casino district manager out of Kalispell. "I think it's...
The Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) is in Plains this week to present an adaptation of the old fantasy story “Gullliver’s Travels.” Rehearsals have been happening all week after school, and the students will perform on Saturday. In this performance, Gulliver will be traveling in space. Performances are scheduled for Saturday, April 20, at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. All MCT shows are original adaptations of classic children’s stories and fairytales… a twist on the classic stories that you know and love. Also included in the residency are three e...
Congressman Greg Gianforte recognized Chis McGuigan of Plains with his Spirit of Montana commendation for his more than two decades of service and outstanding dedication to improving the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo. McGuigan has served on the Sanders County Fair Board since 2001 and became its chairman in 2011. Under his leadership, the fairgrounds have been upgraded, earning the rodeo wide acclaim for its excellence. In fact, the annual rodeo has attracted some of the top competitors on the...
