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Independently owned since 1905
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Getting proper medical attention is a top priority at Clark Fork Valley Hospital, but spiritual well-being is also important to the recovery process, which is why the medical facility's chaplain volunteer program is such a significant component of the hospital, according to Barry Fowler, the hospital's director of Human and System Resources. "I believe that research has shown that spirituality or faith is a factor that contributes to health in many persons," said Fowler, who added that many...
Sanders County voters mailed in ballots for local school elections, with the county elections office releasing unofficial results late Tuesday. In Noxon, Andrew Chaboya Cabaccang and Reuben Habegger were vying for a one-year position. Habegger received 260 votes, while Cabaccang received 185. Current board chairman David Pafford was running unopposed and received 336 votes. In Thompson Falls, voters chose Ryan Frields and Jacob Helvey to retain their seats on the school board. Helvey received the most votes in the district with 814. Frields...
NorthWestern Energy's Thompson Falls dam spills water into the Noxon Reservoir below as spring runoff rushes through. Flow at the dam on Tuesday was 39,500 cubic feet per second....
Noxon students gathered to exercise their First Amendment rights leading student-organized protest at the Noxon School on Friday afternoon. Students were protesting the vote by the Noxon School Board on Thursday to non-renew contracts of two faculty members, science teacher Jason Colyer and school counselor Amy Henderson. Henderson was a counselor for the school, with duties including scholarships and class schedules. She was also working outside of schools to build up hours to be a counselor....
We’ve never been in a situation like this. We’ve never had so many meetings over videoconference. Most of us had never heard of Zoom before COVID-19 forced us to stay home and learn to adapt to doing more things from home. It’s amazing the things that can get accomplished, but that personal connection is definitely missing. The lack of emotion (even with those annoying emojis) and the lack of connection with texting and social media used to drive us crazy. Now, it’s the fact that our ability to look people in the eyes when we make decisions or...
Dear Editor, "Attention Sanders County Republicans." Thus is headlined an ad published in the Ledger recently from a “concerned Montana citizen” from Winifred, Montana. I’m not sure why Sanders voters need to be instructed by someone from Winifred, but in politics, I guess stranger things have happened. The ad attacks Republican Legislator Denley Loge, accusing him of being a Democrat-in-disguise because in 610 votes, he voted with Democrats 196 times, approximately 32%. This and other assertions make the ad full of logical holes. Suffi...
The Sanders County Arts Council will not be as visible as usual for the next several months. We have cancelled or postponed our events and programs out of concern for the health of our residents and visiting artists and out of respect for needed redirection of public fundraising efforts to support food banks and other organizations providing direct assistance to those in need during this difficult time. We will connect with the community through publications and technology as we explore and learn strategies to provide arts and culture...
I had many jobs in my career, but my favorite was being a K9 handler. I worked three different K9 Units and handled/trained dozens of dogs. This week marks the 25th anniversary of my first K9 partner's passing. It was a tough day for me! The relationship between a handler and K9 partner is impossible to describe. The following is the letter I wrote for our department's newsletter that same day. Most of the readers knew Thor and I. I've been extremely fortunate in my police career. I have been...
KAITLYNN GRIMM, Thompson Falls — “Thunderstorms and the flowers. It’s the time when the cold goes away, finally.” TERESA JACKSON, Trout Creek — “The outdoor activities.” AUSTIN CORRIGAN, Thompson Falls — “Fishing the river for the trout when they come in.” PAUL GAYTON, Thompson Falls — “Coming from Texas, I like the length of spring. You actually do have a spring here. Then watching and learning all the new flowers and vegetation and animals.” GEORGE HOILAND, Thompson Falls — “My favorite part is the outdoor activities; fishing, gatherin...
Ambulance Hot Springs 1, Thompson Falls 8, Plains 7, Heron 1 Saturday, April 25 Extra patrol, Paradise. Child welfare/abuse, T. Falls. Body found coroner, Heron. Property damage/criminal mischief: mailboxes smashed, Noxon. Theft of oxygen and acetylene tanks, Camas. Trespass, T. Falls. Child welfare/abuse, T. Falls. Trespass, T. Falls. Motor vehicle crash, Plains. Fish and Game, T. Falls. Sunday, April 26 Intrusion/holdup, Plains. Property damage/criminal mischief, Plains. Nuisance complaints, Hot Springs. Monday, April 27 Fire, Trout Creek....
Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Joshua Townsley, 45, stop sign violation, $85. Montana Highway Patrol Elisabeth Starr, 25, careless driving, $85. Shannon Pavlik, 50, day speeding, $20. Edward Jolma, 39, speeding in a restricted zone, $65. Erick Santos, 29, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Ryan Smail, 38, speeding in a restricted zone, $65. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Cody Evers, 30, driving on closed road/trail, $135. Kyle Burbach, 28, failed to give notice of accident by quickest means/apparent damage over $1,000, first offense $275; c...
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is inviting the public to comment on a proposal to resurface about 1.3 miles of Montana Highway 200 through the city of Thompson Falls. The project begins 0.1 mile southeast of the western Thompson Falls city limits and extends through Thompson Falls for 1.3 miles, ending 400 feet west of the eastern city limits. Proposed work includes replacing the top layer of existing pavement, followed by a seal and cover (chip seal). Other work will include upgraded sidewalk facilities, pavement markings,...
The Thompson Falls School Board met Monday to discuss several subjects, including monetary issues facing the district. One expensive challenge being faced is connecting to the new sewer system, which is expected to cost the school district thousands per year. As the district looks for ways to save, the School Resource Officer (SRO) position will remain vacant when current SRO Bob Thornhill fulfills his desire to retire. The SRO’s main job is to connect with kids and bridge law enforcement and the community, as stated by Thornhill. The SRO a...
I am currently a teacher and coach employed by the Noxon School District. When I began my teaching career 14 years ago, I promised myself I’d always try to attack each day with vigor, excitement and a knowledge that I have an opportunity to positively impact a young mind. Countless educators across the country can say the exact same thing… but I was also naive. I was oblivious to the political, underhanded and personal agenda driven nature to which some school districts are sadly exposed. I thought tenure was a practice that didn’t make a lot...
M. William "Bill" Nelson, 64, was born on September 3, 1955 to Mel and Marlene Nelson in Spokane, Washington. He was their first of six children. When he was just a baby, they moved to his grandparent's homestead in Trout Creek, Montana. Bill went to school in Trout Creek kindergarten through eighth grade and then on to high school, where he graduated from Noxon High School in 1973. In his junior year of high school, he started dating Teresa Larkin. Her five younger siblings put him through...
A trio of ducklings explores their new home in Thompson Falls. Residents and visitors anxiously await the signs of changing seasons, from new geese and ducks to the sprouting of morel mushrooms....
The Thompson Falls Ambulance Service has received funding to help pay for personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 outbreak. Tim Cox, treasurer of the Thompson Falls Ambulance Service (TFAS), applied for funding through the Gary Sinise Foundation. The First Responders Outreach Grant was created to honor all first responders and to help aid in funding for essential equipment and training. During this time, the foundation is offering to help first responders pay for items that are needed...
The Thompson Falls Ambulance Service is looking for volunteers. They are in need of EMTs and drivers. An EMT class is planned for later this fall. According to Tim Cox, Treasurer of the Thompson Falls Ambulance Service, to become a member, an individual has to meet certain qualifications such as age (18 for EMT and 21 for driver) and must have a valid Montana driver license. They must also pass a background check, get a TB test (for Tuberculosis) and have a valid CPR card. Thompson Falls Ambulance will teach the CPR class, if a person hasn’t a...
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is accepting comments on a proposed project to relocate a historic lookout building in the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. The proposed plan includes moving the lookout from Priscilla Peak to Driveway Peak, restoring the building and adding it to the district's cabin rental program. According to a USFS release, the project is aimed at protecting and preserving the historic lookout building and adding an additional cabin rental opportunity in response to publ...
Arguably the most important part of high school for seniors is graduation. It is the moment kids become adults and students are handed back off to the community to be a part of it, according to Plains Superintendent Thom Chisholm. As with many of the schools in Sanders County, Plains has been working tirelessly to come up with a plan to give their students the graduation they deserve, despite social distancing guidelines due to the coronavirus outbreak. Each school is being forced to come up with clever ways of doing this. Hot Springs plans on...
This black-capped chickadee was caught stealing wool from a blanket hanging on a clothesline this last week. It is most certain the wool will go toward making a nest. April to June is nesting season when anywhere from 1-13 eggs await hatching....
It is the silent season of sports, this spring of 2020. But maybe we can break that silence a little bit by talking about it. It doesn’t really seem fair, does it? What has happened to our society these past several weeks. Several months ago, no one would have dreamed what life during a pandemic would be like but here we are living that dream, the waking, walking nightmare called COVID-19. Like most everyone else I know, I have been hunkered down at home these past several weeks, a devout sports follower without any sports to follow. Cold t...
Lolo National Forest staff is working hard to reopen developed campgrounds by Memorial Day weekend, or shortly after depending on current conditions. Additionally, rental facilities will begin a phased reopening on May 13 based on seasonal availability and facility conditions. Until then, developed campgrounds and rentals remain temporarily closed. Recreation areas and campgrounds may not be immediately open and available for use. Expect forest closures and modified operations to happen on a case-by-case basis. “We are looking forward to o...
April was very close to the typical April, except for an unusual April 1 evening and nighttime snowstorm that pushed the total snowfall for April to a record-setting 11.6”. Spring snowstorms are not unusual but the 7.9” on April 1 night set a record for the day. The latest snowfall in this site’s records was 1.3” on May 22 of 2013. Total moisture for this water-year (since October 1, 2019) is 23.06” compared to 27.39” average (16% below average). Snow total for the water-year is 88.1” compared to 115.5” average (24% below normal). Poorma...
As the quarantine restrictions for COVID-19 are slowly lifted, various businesses around Sanders County are trying to open their doors to make up for weeks of lost business. For some businesses, just staying afloat has been near impossible, but for others closure could not have come at a better time. One such business that came out well is Outfitter Gear List, a guiding and outdoor gear supply in Plains. Just before the quarantine, the owners were getting ready to expand into another building. With all the restrictions and recommended closures...
