Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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It doesn’t look good for the E.L. Johnson Memorial Pool in Plains, but Mayor Dan Rowan is determined to keep it going. Despite the latest bad news, he believes he can get another four or five years out of the 43-year-old pool before having to shell out the big-bucks estimate that he got last week from a professional pool builder. Work on the pool was already in process and it looked like it was going to be opening the first week of June as planned, but after Double C Construction of Missoula and the Plains Public Work Department staff took o...
IN MEMORIUM - Flowers and flags adorn gravesites at the Whitepine Cemetery between Thompson Falls and Trout Creek. The Whitepine Community Church will host services to honor those who have served the country on Thursday, May 30, at 7 p.m. at the cemetery. The church has held this service on the traditional Memorial Day, May 30, for 30 years....
The Plains Days committee put out a schedule of events that they say is fairly firm, although something could change, according to the Facebook post. Plains Days festivities begin on Friday with the Plains High School alumni football game at 5 p.m., followed by an alumni softball game at 6:30 p.m. and a basketball game at 8 p.m. Admission for the basketball competition is $2 or $15 for admission and a t-shirt, said Kevin Meredith, the high school principal and alumni events coordinator. The core of Plains Days activities take place Saturday...
The county has a new tool to help control nuisance barking dogs. The county commissioners last Thursday unanimously passed the Barking Dog Control Ordinance. Several residents attended the Thursday decision meeting to express support and opposition for the ordinance. County Attorney Naomi Leisz and Sheriff Tom Rummel also were in attendance. Sheriff Rummel said he sees the ordinance as a tool for law enforcement to work with. “Before, we as law enforcement didn’t have any teeth to work with,” Rummel said. “This gives us a tool to talk to resi...
At the meeting regarding the county's new nuisance barking dog ordinance last week, residents provided feedback on how the county shares information. Many of those in attendance rely on Facebook for information. Montana law requires county and city governments to post information, including public meetings, public hearings and election information, in newspapers. When it involves an ordinance, the information must be published for two weeks prior to the meeting. The publication requirement is by state law. The county commissioners post agendas...
There is concern among many conservatives about the “liberal bias” of the “mainstream media” which refers to the more widely circulated print and electronic media. If you substituted the word “establishment” for “mainstream” you would be on solid ground. Both words have a slightly negative tone that implies that the media does not represent everyday people; that they are elitist in nature, and indeed, the mainstream media is often referred to as “the liberal mainstream media” by its cri...
To the Editor, I expect there will now be a lot of passionate letters for and against Mr. Blackstone’s column. To me this highlights the downside of featuring intensely partisan opinions in our local paper. I like to think of Sanders County as a very friendly place, where we tend to know and help our neighbors. We work together on many community events and projects. It seems we frequently impress newcomers with our open and helpful nature. This tendency is a welcome contrast to the partisan bickering and conflict that is taking hold in our coun...
4 YEARS AGO • MAY 31, 1979 OIL CRISIS EFFECTS SLOW IN HITTING AREA The American society has always been a mobile one. But in these days of rising costs amid the tremors of a fuel crunch, American travel in the future may be restricted. The “oil shortage,” is considered by many to be a trick or rip off developed y the oil companies. Some say that there is no oil shortage. Opinions differ as to the cause and effect the current oil shortage will have on Sanders County businesses and residents. “The gas situation is going to get worse before...
MARY FISHER, Trout Creek – “There’s a difference between a city dog and a country dog. In the country you need a dog for protection. You bring in a dog to let you know who or what’s out there. If your dog stays silent and it’s a bear in your yard, you want him to bark.” ELIZABETH MANNING, Trout Creek — "They are animals. You want them to bark. People just like to complain. They want you to put the dog down and we don’t want to do that.” JEAN MANNING, Trout Creek – “Me, I don’t have a problem. I own two dogs. I think it depends where you liv...
Ambulances: Noxon, 8; T. Falls, 10; Plains, 6; H. Springs, 4; Dixon QRU, 1. Sunday, May 19 Fish and Game requested on Hwy. 200 at the construction zone, Hwy. 200, T. Falls. Animal issue, Plains. Suspicious activity at Graves Creek, T. Falls. Welfare check requested, Plains. Disturbance, H. Springs. Theft, Perma. Property damage to guard rail on the bridge west of T. Falls. Individual with vehicle stolen in Flathead County failed to yield on Hwy. 200 at Noxon. The vehicle reached speeds of 100 mph before the driver jumped from the still moving...
A Trout Creek man was committed to the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs for treatment on Tuesday until he is fit to proceed with charges. West Flockerzi is charged with attempted arson, assault with a weapon, assault on a peace office and two counts of criminal endangerment. In 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday, Judge James Manley said Flockerzi is not to proceed on the charges at this time. Last November, Flockerzi allegedly went to the Lakeside Resort in Trout Creek, pulled out a gun and advised that he was going to burn the...
Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Tatiana Melior, 30, driving while privilege is suspended or revoked, $285. Steven Smith, 60, speeding in a restricted zone, $105. Tristan Real, 19, criminal trespass to property, $45. Carmen Wood, 26, criminal trespass to property, $185. Montana Highway Patrol Sharyl Hoskins, 52, speeding in a restricted zone, $30. Barret Sargent, 24, day speeding, $20. Jean Matt, 42, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Jonathan Zigler, 26, seatbelt violation, $20. Kathleen Heath Peterson, 74, stop sign violation, $85. Dusten H...
Young talent is far from lacking in Thompson Falls. Junior high and elementary students showcased their flair last week during the annual variety show held at the school gymnasium last week. Music teacher Lisa Mickelson organizes the event every spring. Students must audition for a part in the show, as there is only so much time allowed. This year, Mickelson had more acts than ever, so she had to keep each performance to a minimum. "There seemed to be as much or more talent showcased than...
Just like some people insist that charcoal grills trump gas grills or vice versa, some backyard barbecue devotees swear by particular grilling techniques. Such lighthearted debates may never end, and novice grillmasters who want to join the fray can study up on the various grilling techniques before trying them out and forming their own opinions. 1. Smoking Smoking is one grilling technique that is growing in popularity, as products such as the Big Green Egg inspire more people to smoke their fo...
The members of the Clark Fork Valley Amateur Radio Club will be participating in the national Amateur Radio Field Day exercise on June 22-23 at Fred Young Park in Plains. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for Amateur Radio in the U.S.. There are over 170,000 FCC-licensed Amateurs that are represented by the ARRL, which provides books, news and support as well as information for individuals and clubs, special events, continuing education classes and other benefits for all members. Often called "ham radio,"...
BIG COLORS – Kim McNeil, caretaker of the Sanders County Fairgrounds, uses a drill to raise the new 20x38-foot U.S. flag. Cliff Stephens volunteered his help, along with Mike Hashisaki, the former fair manager, and Bob Bunch. The men also replaced all five military service flags that surround the American flag last week. The Sanders County Fair Foundation, a nonprofit organization, pays for the flags' replacement, which cost nearly $800 for the U.S. flag and about $125 for each military flag. T...
John G. Gingery, 78, passed away Thursday, May 23, 2019, in Plains, Montana....
Evelyn "Tootie" Cox passsed away Friday, May 17, 2019. A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, June 15 at 2 p.m. at the Thompson Falls Senior Center....
Dr. Bob Kaiser passed away Monday, May 27. There will be a celebration of life at a later date....
NEIGHBORLY ELKS - A heard of elk stopped to graze at the Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge east of Thompson Falls. A herd of about 30 can be seen regularly around the Salish Shores subdivision and businesses along Industrial Way....
Congressman Greg Gianforte announced that a member of his staff will conduct mobile office hours in Mineral and Sanders counties. Staff member Sonny Capece will be at the Sanders County courthouse in the justice courtroom on Tuesday, June 4 at 1 p.m. to visit with residents. He will also be in the district courtroom at the Mineral County courthouse in Superior at 10 a.m. on June 4. Residents are invited to visit with a member of Gianforte’s staff on an individual basis and share their views, questions, or concerns regarding the federal g...
A suspect was arrested last week after a string of break-ins and vehicle thefts in Northwest Montana. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) reported on Facebook that they responded May 19 to a suspicious vehicle in the Avista housing area at Noxon Rapids Dam. A resident provided a license plate number to the SCSO and it was learned that the vehicle was stolen out of Flathead County. SCSO deputies located the vehicle and pursued the vehicle, with speeds reportedly over 100 miles per hour. The suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled into the w...
A popular Sanders County destination for boaters on the Noxon Reservoir is getting a makeover. The North Shore boat ramp west of Trout Creek will be closed for most of June to address user conflicts at the recreation site between motorized and non-motorized recreationist. The project will include the installation of a new boat ramp and dock. The ramp will extend into the water approximately 90 feet with 20 feet above high water mark. The new dock will be on the driver's side when a vehicle is...
A draft of the Sanders County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is complete, and meetings are now scheduled to review the plan with the public. Meetings will be Tuesday, June 4 at 7 p.m. at Hot Springs City Hall and Wednesday, June 5, at 10 a.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room at the Sanders County Courthouse. These are the final meetings for the plan, which outlines mitigation projects designed to protect Sanders County from natural and man-made hazards, reduce loss to structures and infrastructure, and make the communities more resilient to d...
