Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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School elections this week included school board positions in Thompson Falls and Noxon, and levy measures in the Trout Creek and Noxon school districts. In Noxon, Lars Swanson and Justine Fanning were elected to the school board with 192 and 168 votes, respectively, and David Pafford (who ran unopposed) retained his seat. The fourth position is a Noxon School Board representing Trout Creek position. No one filed for the position on the Trout Creek ballot, so it was for write-in candidates only. There was a three-way tie for this position...
In the most recent round of Mother Nature versus the Town of Plains it seems the town is losing, but not giving up. With a heavy snow pack, warm weather and strong currents, the river has come within 130 feet of the Wastewater Treatment Facility's UV treatment structure and the river hasn't shown signs of slowing. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) arrived at the site Monday with an excavator and an army of dump trucks to place tons of large jagged rocks along the shoreline of the town...
It was time to say goodbye and drive off into the sunset – again. Noxon principal Rik Rewerts organized and participated in the school's 5th Annual Car Show. Although he didn't give himself any awards for his maroon '77 Chevelle SS that was previously owned by an NBA player, he was pleasantly surprised when Noxon educator Tracey Dean took the microphone to laud his service as an administrator and a friend to all at the school. Other staff also had kind words to say and he was presented with a p...
The Sanders County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is investigating the death of Matt Lafrieniere, 51, of Thompson Falls. On Thursday, May 3, a 911 caller stated an adult male had been found unresponsive at Lafriniere’s home on Airport Road east of Thompson Falls. SCSO and Thompson Falls Police Department responded to the scene. “At this time the incident is under investigation. Information will be released as it becomes available,” Sheriff Tom Rummel wrote in a statement. Lafriniere was an employee of the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office and Empire Bu...
A grizzly bear that Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) staff believe traveled through the Thompson River area last month was captured recently near McGregor Lake and released near Lake Koocanusa. FWP Warden Troy Hinck said the bear spent a couple of weeks in the Thompson River drainage, making it all the way to Weeksville. He confirmed that the grizzly had been up north, then traveled through Thompson River to where the pavement begins. Hinck said he saw the bear in early April. "We didn't have major...
At the Sanders County Drug Awareness Seminar last week at the Rex Theatre, one thing was repeated over and over: the drug problem is a community problem. It’s easy to avoid these types of problems. If you don’t have a drug problem and you don’t know anyone with a drug problem, how can it be your problem? But at the seminar, we heard all the ways that it is everyone’s problem. Taxpayers end up footing the bill for medical services and to feed and clothe people in the Sanders County Jail. And when a meth lab is found in the neighbor’s house, it...
We can’t have a competitive workforce without a healthy workforce. And a healthy workforce depends on the individual health of each of its citizens. Until recently, too many of our fellow Montanans lived each day knowing that access to health care was beyond their reach. They avoided regular checkups and screenings, and instead, were forced to the emergency room to access expensive, difficult to treat care. When you’re not healthy, it’s difficult to stay on the job and be a productive member of the workforce. Thankfully, in Montana, over 93,00...
Experience matters. Judge Kim Christopher has a proven track record of providing firm but fair justice. I have known Kim as an adversary and colleague. We tried cases against each other when we were young lawyers and were then sworn in as judges at the same time and worked in our own districts for years. Being a District Court Judge is a difficult and often thankless job. If you do it correctly you will make legally correct, but politically unpopular decisions. It takes courage and moral commitment to do the right thing when you know you will...
Our country enjoys the privilege of participating in the election of local, state, and national political leaders. Many countries do not have that privilege. We (Dawn and Paul as Chairs of our county parties) jointly encourage the citizens of our county to participate in a courteous, respectful, and civil election season. Please treat the candidates and their supporters as you yourself would like to be treated – The Golden Rule. The Montana Department of Transportation (DOT) oversees and enforces campaign sign criteria along state highways. M...
As owners of a business that creates over $10,000,000 in gross annual sales we have long awaited the construction and operation of either the proposed Rock Creek or Montanore mines in northwest Montana. We have had a front row seat to the endless barrage of obstacles put in their path for 30 years by environmental extremists. With both projects recently acquired by Hecla Mining, and the end of the permitting saga within sight, we now have our own state government attempting to block what is the brightest spot on our economic horizon. We’re not...
CAROLYN KELLER, Thompson Falls – “It does bother me because there’s too much of it. The younger kids are doing drugs. You see it time after time.” BILL KELLER, Thompson Falls – “There’s drug houses all over Thompson Falls. I used to do drugs years ago but I saw it wasn’t worth it, so I don’t do drugs now. They get the drugs somehow.” STEPHANEY HUTCHINGS, Thompson Falls – “It’s bad for the community as a whole.” DAN HUFF, Plains – “I just moved to Thompson Falls from California. I have no idea how it is now.” BRITNEY BUYS, Thompson Falls – “I...
9 YEARS AGO • JUNE 11, 1964 RAGING STREAMS CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE TO ROADS, BRIDGES With smaller streams slowly receding, efforts in Sanders County Wednesday were being turned toward repairing damage to roads, bridges and culverts while attention was being maintained on the main Clark Fork River. The flow of the river over the Montana Power Co. dam Wednesday morning had reached 117,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) and was still rising. This represented an increase of 20,000 cfs since Monday afternoon. Only the 1950 and 1948 high water flows s...
Ambulances: Noxon, 4; T. Falls, 6; Plains, 2; Dixon QRU, 1. Sunday, April 29 Dog bite, Hwy. 28, Dog Lake. Two vehicles sitting on Hwy. 200, T. Falls. Arrest made for failure to register as an offender, Hwy. 200 and Hwy. 135. Vehicle on fire, Noxon. Monday, April 30 Female assaulted, suspect on foot, T. Falls. Ambulance requested for a juvenile that fell out of the back of a pickup, Noxon. Civil standby requested, T. Falls. Welfare check requested for individual knocking on doors, carrying a firearm, T. Falls. Tuesday, May 1 Stalking, Plains....
Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Thomas Elder, 24, $135, driving while privilege is suspended or revoked. Robert Weiss, 26, $20, day speeding. Russell Warner, 32, $100, disorderly conduct. Halen Horner-Drasky, 23, $185 and 1 day jail, partner or family member assault, 1st offense. Jeffrey Skelton, 49, $85, speeding in a restricted zone. Jeremy Blondin, 18, $120, day speeding. Kathleen Handcock, 59, $95, speeding in a restricted zone. Christopher Jones, 22, $50, night speeding. Allan Shank, 36, $85, operating with expired registration. BJ B...
The first of two Sanders County Drug Awareness Seminars was held at the Rex on Wednesday, May second. I attended and was deeply impressed by the seven members of our community who shared expert information on the many ways illegal drug use affects our county. The focus of this presentation was a demonstration of the ways drug addiction touches every citizen of Sanders County, not just those who are using or selling these drugs. The users and their families are tragically impacted but we all bear the cost of the drug crisis. Increased auto and...
I am asking for your vote to re-elect Denley Loge as your State Representative in House District 14. As an advocate for Montana military and veteran issues for more than 35 years, I have worked with many freshman legislators. Representative Loge is one of the best I have ever worked with on those issues. He is sensitive to the needs of our military and veterans and knows the wants and needs of his constituents in HD 14. As a former legislator, I know the importance of being prepared from the first day of the session. Not every legislator has...
Bringing the ghost of an ex-wife isn't good for a healthy marriage, especially when it leads to the death of the present wife and the return of her ghost. That's what happened to Charles Condomine in Paradise over the weekend in the comedy play Blythe Spirit by the Paradise Players. Nearly 100 people attended the performances, held at the Paradise Center Friday, Saturday and Sunday, when a cast of seven demonstrated their acting skills. It was the first time on stage for Bethany White of Dixon,...
Northern Lights Inc. will hold its annual membership meeting Saturday, May 12, in Sandpoint. The meeting will be 8:30-10 a.m. (PDT) at the Sandpoint Business and Events Center, 102 S. Euclid. The purpose of the meeting is to hear and pass upon reports covering the previous fiscal year, the election of directors for Districts 2 and 4, and to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Pursuant to NLI Bylaw Section 4.04 (d), only one candidate was nominated for District 2 (Judith Simonson) and District 4 (David...
AARP presents a driver safety class on May 15 in Noxon and May 23 in Plains. The classes are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and can give seniors a discount on their auto insurance. Registration is requested. To register, contact program coordinator Mike Keymer at 847-5097....
They say no man is an island, but sometimes grocery stores are. At least, according to Thompson Falls Harvest Foods owner Jim Farger. "As a rural, remote location without many other options, we have a duty to do our best to provide the best quality and selection of products for customers," Farger shared. "That means we have to find good deals so that we can pass the savings on." Farger brought more than 35 years' grocery retail experience to the store when he took over the beginning of 2017. Whe...
The Piatigorsky Foundation presents a concert Sunday at Quinn’s in Paradise with artists Evan Drachman on the cello and Efi Hackney on the piano. The event features a 2 p.m. meet and greet with the artists and a concert at 3 p.m. For more than 27 years, the Piatigorsky Foundation’s commitment to artistic excellence and public outreach has fascinated avid concert goers as well as curious first-timers. The performance is $15 per person. Call 826-3150, Ext. 1, to reserve seats for the event....
Noxon High School students participated in the Montana High School Association (MHSA) State Solo and Ensemble Festival in Helena on May 4. Band and choir students from across Western Montana performed solos, duets, and other small ensemble performances for the festival. Each student prepared a vocal or instrumental piece that was performed at the District level two weeks before and qualified for state at Helena High School. Noxon brought one choral student and six band students. In order to qualify for state, a student or group’s performance m...
PROM 2018 - Noxon High School held their prom on April 28. There was a tie for queen, with Delaney Weltz (left) and Kristina Brown sharing the honor. King went to Edison VanVleet (right) and prom prince was Alex Currie (second from right)....
Wayne and Tori Helvey of Stevensville welcomed son, Braeden James, Wednesday, April 18. He weighed nine pounds, eight ounces and measured 22.25 inches long. Maternal grandparents are Milton and Denise Torres of Albuquerque, N.M. Maternal great-grandparents are Peggy Torres of Albuquerque, N.M. and Percy Plante of Trout Creek. Maternal great-great-grandmother is Bessie Gallegos Paternal grandparents are Samie and Vern Helvey of Thompson Falls. Welcome, Braeden.... Full story
Melissa Odegard and Cody Best of Thompson Falls welcomed daughter, Odeya Cobain Cody Best, Sunday, April 8 at 8:48 a.m. at Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains. She weighed six pounds, six ounces and measured 18.5 inches long. Odeya joins siblings, David and Joseph Bumgarner, Erica Fowler and Hayden, Harlen and Oakley Best. Maternal grandparents are Robin Odegard of Thompson Falls and Dave Odegard of Glasgow, Mont. Paternal grandparents are the late John and Kris Best. Paternal... Full story
