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Articles from the May 25, 2023 edition


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  • On the trail

    Ed Moreth|May 25, 2023

    The Wild Horse Plains Back Country Horsemen raised $1,200 on its annual poker ride at the historic Jones Ranch Saturday, but everything the club takes in goes to help take care of the trails in Sanders County. Doc Milham of Trout Creek was the big winner of the day with a royal flush, said Terry Collins, the club treasurer. With the top hand, Milham got to pick from 10 prizes that were donated to the event. Ninety-nine riders took part in the 9.2-mile poker ride, which had five stations...

  • Noxon seniors celebrate high school achievements

    Annie Wooden|May 25, 2023

    The first 2023 graduates in Sanders County took the stage and were handed their diplomas on Sunday as Noxon celebrated its senior class. The commencement ceremony on Sunday included some words of wisdom from industrial arts teacher Shannon Mercer. He started his speech by saying he had a "list of demands" from the seniors that included talking about each student and what has helped him in hard times. Mercer talked about how his sense of humor helped him overcome hardships and the benefits of...

  • Bison Range ready for season

    Ed Moreth|May 25, 2023

    Bison are the biggest mammal in North America, but sometimes a herd in the distance looks like little dark dots. A visitor's chances of getting a closer look at the mighty beasts became much better at the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Bison Range Friday when Red Sleep Mountain Drive was open for visitors. The seasonal grand opening of the 19-mile long Red Sleep Mountain Drive nearly tripled the viewing possibilities at the range, which has three walking trails, including the mile-long...

  • Local nurses honored

    May 25, 2023

    When a patient faces a difficult health scare or situation, it is often the small things that can bring the most comfort. Amanda Hout, RN, and Clark Fork Valley Hospital's (CFVH) Nurse of the Year explained it well when she shared her favorite part about being a nurse. "I'm stepping into a person's life during a very challenging time, maybe even the worst day of their life. As nurses, we have the opportunity to meet people in times of fear, pain and uncertainty and shine light into this darkness...

  • Woman's Club recognizes nurses

    May 25, 2023

    In lieu of a business meeting, the Thompson Falls Woman's Club (TFWC) held a project meeting in February to make Sausage Roll Pillowcases for their Pillowcases for Nurses project. The project was a way for the club to show appreciation to all the nurses who care for our community during Nurse Appreciation Week (May 6 thru May 12) and to participate in the GFWC MT President's C.A.R.E. about Community, Acknowledgment, Respect and Empowerment Project - Caring for those who care for us. Several...

  • Worthy of celebration

    Annie Wooden|May 25, 2023

    Last week I got to help one of my employees celebrate a pretty big milestone. Reporter Ed Moreth turned 70. Friends and family gathered to celebrate Ed. It was a fun evening. Ed is a fantastic reporter. He isn't afraid to go up to anyone at an event or a meeting and ask them any sort of question. He jokes about slowing down, and then will submit seven stories the next week. He does a great job of covering the Plains area and beyond. People respect him and will often call him with story ideas....

  • Montana Viewpoint: The mayor of Alberton

    Jim Elliott|May 25, 2023

    I hadn’t seen Joe Hanson for a few years. Mutual friends were saying that I should get over to Alberton to see him because — you know — he’s getting up there in years. Aren’t we all, I thought. And I also thought how much more I would miss friends who die without seeing them beforehand. So, I drove over to Alberton to see Joe, the several times former mayor of the former bustling railroad town. The story of how I met Joe is pretty remarkable, at least to me. I was campaigning for the Montana S...

  • Solution seeking a problem

    May 25, 2023

    As I write this, Senate Bill 337, an act “generally revising laws involving parental rights,” dealing specifically with parents’ rights involving curriculum and instruction in public schools, has been sent to the governor’s desk for signing. In my view, this law is a solution seeking a problem. I say that because in 34 years’ experience in public education, I never once saw parents denied access to viewing or discussing curriculum in their school. I did see parents lose their argument, mainly because they came in hot and when they’d vented, the...

  • Remember When?

    Sherry Hagerman-Benton|May 25, 2023

    3 YEARS AGO • MAY 27, 1993 SOPHIE MOLES TO CELEBRATE A CENTURY OF LIVING Sophie Moles will celebrate a century of life June 1. She and her new husband, Bert, came to the area from Chester in 1914. A friend of her husband’s, with whom Bert used to round up cattle, had told them about the place. Her husband got a job cooking for Donlan’s sawmill near Belknap. They lived in a shack by the sawmill, and she helped him by setting the table and cleaning up. Moles’ first child was born in 1914. Leo was followed by Lester a year later and Clarenc...

  • Fishing regulations scoping underway in northwest Montana

    May 25, 2023

    Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) regional staff are asking for public feedback on fishing regulations in northwest Montana. Scoping is underway in northwest Montana, and FWP staff are asking for any input on potential regulation changes or concerns. Staff are seeking input on Lower Clark Fork River bass regulations, Flathead River northern pike regulations, and Flathead Lake regulations. Specific to Flathead Lake, FWP and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes co-manage the Flathead Lake and river system as one entity because of the...

  • Justice Court

    May 25, 2023

    Montana Highway Patrol Joshua Winfree, 33, driving a motor vehicle while privilege suspended/revoked, 1st offense, $385. Jaron Farrar, 16, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Lacey Beck, 24, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Mario Trimble, 30, speeding in a restricted zone, $95, deferred imposition of sentence. Alexander Ferrier-Hart, 47, speeding in a restricted zone, $105, deferred imposition of sentence. Noah King, 21, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Mason Carney, 30, failure to carry proof of insurance in vehicle, 1st offense, $285;...

  • Sheriff's Log

    May 25, 2023

    Ambulance: Plains, 10; Hot Springs, 6; T. Falls, 5; Noxon, 2; Trout Creek, 2. Monday, May 15 Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Automated alarm call, Noxon. Theft, Hot Springs. Assist other agency, Heron. Inmate transport, T. Falls. Trespass, Plains. Civil attempts, Hot Springs. Assist other agency, Noxon. Child welfare/abuse, Plains. General animal call/complaint, T. Falls. Fire, Trout Creek. Fire, Trout Creek. Intoxicated subject, Plains. General animal call/complaint, Perma. General animal call/complaint, Hot Springs. Suspicious activity, T. Fal...

  • Woman pleads guilty in drug case

    Stephanie Molzhon|May 25, 2023

  • Race day for rocket cars at Plains School

    Ed Moreth|May 25, 2023

    A school gymnasium is the place for racing, but last week eighth-grader Cody West might have reached a speed of 55 mph with his CO2 rocket car, nabbing first place honors in the Technical Education Shop Class annual "CO2 Drag Race." The 14-year-old was undefeated in his four heats and the championship round against classmate Emelia Rivinius. "I just tried to make it as aerodynamic as possible to go down the track as fast as it could," said West, who finished with a time of 5.537. Rivinius...

  • Nancy Jo Howarth

    May 25, 2023

    Our beloved mother and grandmother, Nancy Jo Howarth, passed away on February 12, 2023, at the age of 83 in North Port, Florida. Nancy Jo was a 30 year resident of Noxon. She was born in Beecher, Wisconsin, in a farmhouse, on February 14, 1939 to John and Irene Schaffer. Nancy Jo grew up on the family dairy farm in Amberg, Wisconsin. She graduated from Amberg High School as Valedictorian of her high school class on May 24, 1957. Eight days later on June 1, 1957 she married Charles Howarth I....

  • Choral group sets performances

    Annie Wooden|May 25, 2023

    A local singing group has been practicing all year and is ready for their debut performances. Rob Viens of Inspirare Association in Thompson Falls founded the Clark Fork Valley Singers in January. Viens had sent out a call for local singers to join the group, who informally performed for Christmas on Main Street in Thompson Falls “to provide a venue for people who love to sing and to contribute to the larger community,” he said. “The goal is to foster intergenerational community singing, provide a musical presence at Sanders County commu...

  • FINDING THEIR PLACE

    Jennifer Curran|May 25, 2023

    Leaving behind a legacy at the state golf tournament was the Thompson Falls girls golf team with their fourth-place finish. It all went down last Tuesday and Wednesday at the Marias Valley Golf and Country Club in Shelby. Out of 12 teams competing, both Thompson Falls and Three Forks girls scored a total +270 in two rounds to tie for fourth. The championship went to Shelby with a +223 total to par gross. Playing like a pro was Ellie Baxter, who won third place with a 166 stroke total in two roun...

  • Track competition heats up

    Jennifer Curran|May 25, 2023

    The Western B/C Divisional Track Meet at Big Sky High School in Missoula marked the end of the season for some Sanders County tracksters and onward to state for others. "We had a fantastic divisional track meet on Friday and Saturday. The weather was great, the competition was tough, and our athletes came to compete," said Thompson Falls Track Coach Trenna Ferris. The Blue Hawk women's team won the third place divisional trophy, scoring 73 points. The women earned 13 personal records while the...

  • Bowler achieves perfect 300 score

    May 25, 2023

    It was a once-in-a-lifetime game for bowler Lonny Davis this spring at Rimrock Lanes. While bowling on the Over the Hill Gang league on February 28, Davis rolled his first perfect 300 game. Only two others have achieved the feat at Rimrock Lanes, including Ron Reedy and Rich Keil. Both were several years ago, according to Ginger Ward with the Thompson Falls Bowling Congress. Davis will recieve a commemorative ring for his achievement. At the spring meeting, 41 local members enjoyed a prime rib dinner prepared by the Rimrock staff. Awards were g...

  • Hawks advance to state

    Jennifer Curran|May 25, 2023

    It will be the first time since 2010 that the Blue Hawk softball team has made it to state. Thompson Falls shook up the stands at the divisional games in Anaconda last weekend and came out victors after four challenging games. It all started on Thursday when the Hawks went up against their former victors, the Ennis Mustangs. The Mustangs had previously beat the Hawks when they played each other at the Grizz stadium. Coach Jared Koskela said they had some good scouting and motivation to win. Eleven hits later they did just that. The score was...

  • Soggy round for Gang

    Annie Wooden|May 25, 2023

    The Over the Hill Gang braved the aftermath of a late spring thunderstorm Monday for another round of play at River's Bend Golf Course. Dave Garr (41) and Larry Eddy (34) had the respective low gross and net rounds, and Garr also won the pay for par competition with a par on No. 2. Jens Jantzen sank the long putt on No. 2, Scott Garr had the longest putts on No. 3 and No. 7, Gary Thompson smashed the long drive on No. 6, the long putt on No. 6 and also was closest to the pin on No. 5. Charlie Hooten had the long putt on No. 4, Dave Petteys hit...

  • Quik Stop races to lead in Tuesday league play

    Annie Wooden|May 25, 2023

    Noxon Quik Stop made quick work of Tuesday league play last week at River’s Bend, with teammates Bruce Haflich, Shawn Wilkinson, Arthur Potts and Scott Garr combining for the low team gross of 183 and Potts shooting the low individual net round of 32. Scott Pardee’s 40 was good enough for low gross, and his Custom Ventures team (including Craig LeCoure, Marcus Thomas and Zack Hannum) shot the low team net of 144. Steve Fairbank had the only chip-in last Tuesday, on No. 3, Doug Robichaud and Shawn Wilkinson smashed the long drives on No. 9, Par...

  • Chip-ins galore for Wednesday league

    Annie Wooden|May 25, 2023

    The Wednesday men’s league chipped away at wins last week at River’s Bend, with four different golfers adding chip-ins to their round. Bernie Groshong earned the honor on No. 3, as did Steve Clark on No. 8 and Carter Meyer and Gary Thompson on No. 7. The Wild Coyote team of Gary Thompson, Mike Normandin, Howard Morkert and Steve Clark combined for the low team gross of 190, and Whitefish Credit Union’s Wally Gibe, Randy Hojem, Chuck Manry and Al Luckow had the low team net of 148. RT Brown’s 38 was good enough for low individual gross, and Chuc...

  • Tie game in ladies league

    Annie Wooden|May 25, 2023

    It’s a tie for first place in Ladies League action at River’s Bend. Last Thursday, Lana Nolan and Liz Morkert combined for the low team net of 70. They are tied for first place with 27.5 points, the same as Katie Miller and Madi Wheeler. There’s also a tie for third place, as Katrina Nygaard and Annie Wooden, as well as the duo of Kim Sparks and Chris Kelly, each have 21 points. Jan Thompson had the low individual gross round of 47 last week, and combined with teammate Tori Helvey for the low team gross of 94. Danice Toyias had the low indiv...

  • Trotters finish season at divisional

    Jennifer Curran|May 25, 2023

    After winning their play-in game with flying colors last Tuesday against the Loyola Breakers 13-3, the Plains Trotters earned their spot at divisionals. The Western B-C Divisional Softball Tournament took place last weekend in Anaconda. First up to bat on Thursday against the Trotters was the Florence-Carlton Falcons. The score was tied 4-4 at the top of the third and fourth innings. The Trotters then gained the lead by one point at the top of the fifth. But the sixth inning turned out to be...

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