Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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The Big Hole Lookout is ready for the season, but it won't be manned by anyone looking for fires. Instead people at the lookout will be admiring the scenery surrounding the cabin at an elevation of 6,922 feet. The historic lookout is part of the U.S. Forest Service's recreation cabin rental program, which goes from June to October. Last week, three members of the Wild Plains Back Country Horsemen worked their way up Big Hole Lookout Trail #368, clearing the trail as they went until the snow hid...
Sanders County Elections staff on Monday counted an additional 43 provisional ballots for the primary election, but the ballots did not change the outcome of any of the local races. In the race for Sanders County Sheriff, Roy Scott and Shawn Fielders will advance to the November general election. Scott won the primary with 1,224 votes and Fielders came in second with 1,052 votes. Third place went to Corey Wheeldon with 1,024, just 28 votes behind Fielders. Election Administrator Nichol Scribner said that the margin is outside the parameters...
One Plains resident asked the mayor and the town council last Monday why a near four-year-old town law is not being enforced. "I'm not trying to tell anyone what they have to do with their property, but I pay property taxes and I have to abide with the ordinance, so why don't others have to," said Calvin Williams, who has lived in the same house on Garber Street for some 18 years and wanted to know why town officials haven't taken some type action to make his next door neighbor clean up his...
Thompson Falls Library opened its doors to more than just those wanting to check out books last week. John McNamara, a snake expert, enthusiast and rescuer from Plains, spoke to more than 30 people of all ages about the fascinating world of snakes last Thursday afternoon. John, age 9, has been chasing after snakes since he was 18 months old. "I have 13 snakes now," he said. "I brought some mice along today to feed." John brought six snakes with him, including a few corn snakes and an albino milk...
Can one person change the world? The skeptic in me prevents me from giving a resounding “YES!” to this well-worn, oft-repeated saying, because change can often seem too slow, and the world can often seem too big. But I do believe that one individual’s actions can influence others, that one person’s decisions can be the start of a larger movement. This is much more apparent, much more convincing, when we take a local instead of a global view. In last week’s editorial, I mentioned that one of our civic duties is voting. Why? Because taken glo...
In college one of my favorite courses was entitled “Humans Being.” It was an interesting study on what it means to be human. We explored various concepts, facts and emotions, taking an in depth look at differing views and responses to common themes of being human such as happiness, forgiveness, love and one of the most interesting for me, death. Why was it interesting? Because as a child I was raised to believe no one gets out of life alive, so I was surprised that for many, death is a dif...
First I was furious. Later I just wanted to cry. I had taken my car in for servicing here locally today, Primary Election Day in Montana. When I was checking out, the young lady behind the counter commented on the “I Voted” sticker that had been on my shirt since early this morning when I went to my polling place. “What were you voting on today?” she asked, nodding to the sticker with a polite smile. “The Primary Election is today! HAVEN’T YOU VOTED YET?” She replied, “Oh, I didn’t know there was an election today. I never heard anything ab...
8 YEARS AGO JUNE 10, 1942 SUGAR CANNING REGULATIONS Announcement of the new canning regulations was made this week by the local rationing board. A portion of the bulletin received by them is quoted below. “Consumers who have registered may obtain sugar for canning or preserving fresh fruits for their own use in an amount of one pound per four quarts of finished canned fruit and one pound each year per person for use in preparing preserves, jams, jellies or fruit butters. One pound of sugar = approximately 2 cups. When the Japanese conquered t...
EMONIE COUTURE, Thompson Falls - “My boyfriend really likes the outdoors and we have a two year old so we like to spend Father's Day out in the woods or on the water.” SHAWN McKAHAN, Thompson Falls - “I'm going to call my dad and wish him a happy Father's Day plus his birthday is Thursday so I will double up!” NORMA TRULL, Thompson Falls - “We are going to go fishing on the river and have a BBQ.” AVERY JOHNSON, Thompson Falls - “We usually have a nice dinner. My stepdad likes us to work on projects together instead of giving gifts so we u...
Ambulance: Plains, 10; T. Falls, 7; Hot Springs, 2; Trout Creek, 1; Paradise, 1. Monday, June 6 General animal call/complaint, T. Falls. Intoxicated driver report. Civil attempts, T. Falls. Disturbance, Paradise. Assault, T. Falls. Assist motorist/citizen, T. Falls. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Intimidation/harassment, Dixon. Civil standby, Noxon. Disturbance, Hot Springs. Theft, Plains. Business contact, T. Falls. Tuesday, June 7 Child welfare/abuse, T. Falls. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Civil standby, Trout Creek. General animal...
Montana Highway Patrol Susep Zimmerer, 23, operating without liability insurance, 1st offense, $285; basic rule - reasonable and prudent, $125. Kyle Hermann, 23, seatbelt violation, $20. James Raymond, 51, seatbelt violation, $20. Andrea Barnes, 42, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Frank Sewell, 49, day speeding, $20. Stephen Bryant, 72, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Solomon Gathu, 34, day speeding, $70. Jess Hobart, 31, seatbelt violation, $20. James Humphrey Jr., 42, seatbelt violation, $20. Sidney Malar III, 55, driving without a...
After reading the June 2 article by Ed Moreth I was in disbelief regarding the sewer board's decision to turn down the county’s offer. As a member of the Paradise community, I became curious as to why. In speaking to several other community members, I was surprised that they felt it had nothing to do with the county but rather hatred and dislike for Bridger Bischoff. This seems to be the norm nowadays around the country. I also was informed by community members that the majority are not against the sewer project. As we all know there are those...
The 73rd annual Homesteader Days in Hot Springs kicked off last weekend and while the rain may have kept some away, plenty of people still showed up for a good time. Food trucks, vendors and classic cars lined Main Street as live music entertained the crowd. Thirty-five children signed up to walk in this year's kiddie parade led by Smokey Bear. Children dressed up in order to be entered into five different categories for prizes: homesteaders, fairy tale, pets, wheels and miscellaneous. "We...
NorthWestern Energy has taken another step toward relicensing the Thompson Falls Hydroelectric Project. In a public meeting held in Missoula, the company outlined seven different studies and findings as part of their efforts to renew their license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) before the 2025 expiration. The seven different studies coincide with FERC’s licensing process that evaluates the effects of a project based on a nexus to continuing project operations. During the beginning of 2021, NorthWestern proposed a series o...
A Montana icon will help honor a Thompson Falls icon later this month. The historic Miss Montana DC-3 airplane, which was restored by volunteers with the Museum of Mountain Flying, will fly to Thompson Falls on June 25. The event is being organized by Ruth Cheney, a retired Army Colonel from Thompson Falls. "Norman Edgar Allen was a patriotic American, a teacher inspiring his students daily, a hard worker who sought and conquered many challenges and a member of 'the greatest generation,'"...
by Johnathan J. Gerstenberger The Sanders County Aquatic Plants Task Force, a county-appointed board formed in 2008, recently held a public meeting to discuss the harvesting, disposal and prevention of Eurasian watermilfoil in Sanders County. The task force monitors and assesses conditions related to aquatic invasive plants in Sanders County waterways, specifically in the Noxon and Cabinet Gorge reservoirs, and develops and implements strategies to manage those populations for the health of the...
I had the pleasure of interviewing Laurel Miller. Miller is 18 and has just completed her senior year at Noxon High School. During her last year, she was the teacher's assistant to Mrs. Sari MacArthur. Miller plans to attend the University of Idaho in the fall of 2022, where she plans to major in the field of Computer Science and Cyber Security, but also hopes to incorporate her interests in music as well. Miller's interest in music developed early in elementary education when she joined the...
Thompson Falls Library is gearing up for a busy summer and is ready to meet patrons’ needs as they offer a little fun and friendly competition in the process. The Summer Reading Program has kicked off with 38 children participating so far. The theme for this year’s reading program is oceans of possibilities. “All they have to do is meet their reading goals,” said Crystal Buchanan, director of Thompson Falls Public Library. “There is no right or wrong way to meet a goal. Each week they meet their goal, they get a raffle ticket for raffle bu...
The first annual shoe drive, held by the Thompson Falls Woman’s Club (TFWC), got off on the right foot. The fundraiser, which started in February, helped raise funds for general operations in the club and helped keep unnecessary waste out of the landfill. Leslie Brant, project organizer of the project, wanted a fundraiser that would bring the community together without having to ask them to reach into their pocket books. GotSneakers, the company who brings gently used athletic shoes to those around the world who need them, also recycles the s...
Driving blindfolded over and around obstacles with someone next to you navigating may not sound like the best idea, but for participants Saturday at the Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge, driving a side-by-side blindfolded was a thrill and a challenge. The Clark Fork Valley Elks Club held their first blindfolded side-by-side obstacle course event last week. A crowd of people and their utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) gathered in the field just across the street from the Elks Lodge in Thompson Falls....
The Clark Fork River pours over NorthWestern Energy's Thompson Falls dam as the spring runoff makes its way down the river. As of Tuesday morning, the river flow was 87,500 cubic feet per second....
The Clark Fork Valley Riverdogs socked the Sox Sunday by claiming doubleheader victories at Amundson Sports Complex in Plains. The American Legion team, comprised of players from Sanders and Mineral counties, now have 15 wins and 11 losses after taking two wins from the Bitterroot Red Sox Sunday. The Riverdogs had split a doubleheader with the Sox at Hamilton in May. The Riverdogs were short two critical players Sunday, but poured on the heat right away in the first game with a new pitcher that...
Only one Sanders County soccer team will be participating in the Montana State Tournament in Helena this coming weekend and their coach said they're ready to take it all. The Clark Fork Soccer Alliance U12 team will be one of 16 teams to compete in the Montana Showcase 2022. The team went undefeated for the season with 17 victories, including a win against a U14 Frenchtown team. Dave Wrobleski, the Clark Fork Soccer Alliance league president, said it's the only team from Sanders or Mineral...
Jeanne Holleran and Tina Wheeler shot the low team gross of 104, and Liz Morkert and Lana Nolen had the low team net of 76 in Thursday night Ladies League play at River’s Bend last week. Katrina Nygaard managed the low individual gross of 48 and Holleran also claimed the low net with a 34. On the course, Jan Thompson was closest to the pin in four on No. 11, Nygaard also walked in the long putt on No. 12 and she also launched the ball to take the longest drive on No. 18. Kelly Wheeler had the longest drive in the 50 and older class on No.18. S...
The Easy Street Autoworks team kept their game tight and took the low team gross of 179 and Bear Muscle Fitness the low team net of 145. The low individual gross went to Ron Beaty with a score of 40 and Cody Mosher clinched the low individual net with a 31 during Tuesday night men’s league play at River’s Bend last week. On the course Mike Normandin hit closest to the pin in 3 on No. 11 and Kevin Sparks sank the long putt on No. 12. Scott Pardee was the closest to the pin on No.14 and Bart Haflich locked in the longest putt on No.15. Steve Cla...
