Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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The energy at the Thompson Falls Airport on Saturday was worthy of a visit from a celebrity. The celebrity was Miss Montana, but not the pageant winner. The historic restored DC-3 airplane visited Thompson Falls over the weekend to honor the late Norm Allen, a former smoke jumper who lived in Thompson Falls. The event was presented by Ruth Cheney, a retired Army Colonel who lives in Thompson Falls and wanted to honor Allen. Miss Montana flew in with another local celebrity at the helm, Thompson...
A steer expert recently helped steer kids who are showing steers at the upcoming Sanders County Fair. Jon Bouma of Lucky U Cattle Company in Stevensville spent five hours with youth from Sanders County 4-H clubs and Future Farmers of America at the fairgrounds June 17. Bouma's beef showmanship lessons were part of the final stretch in the kids' preparation for the Sanders County Fair. The time between now and the Sanders County Fair - Sept. 1-4 - is closing fast, and the 4-H kids with animals ar...
Take a book or leave a book. A simple exchange stands as the objective for Little Free Libraries, a movement aimed at making reading accessible to people everywhere. Another Little Free Library has just made its mark on the map in Sanders County, allowing Trout Creek resident Mary Danno the ability to share her love of reading with the rest of the community. Located at 274 Little Beaver Creek Road, the newest Little Free Library was a surprise from Danno's husband, Rob, two weeks ago. "It's...
Several Sanders County residents spent their Sunday on the streets of Missoula for the Missoula Marathon weekend. More than 2,000 people competed in the full marathon of 26.2 miles, and another 714 ran 13.1 miles in the half marathon. Katie Banovich of Plains finished the full marathon in 4 hours. Susan Crowder of Thompson Falls finished in 4:34, and Haley Morgan of Thompson Falls, who is attending Carroll College, finished in 4:44. Four members of the Naegeli family of Trout Creek competed on S...
As we approach the Fourth of July, it's important to think about the principles this country was founded on. We are the United States of America and the Constitution was an effort to bring people together in a new country. Despite the continued division in our country, we are still the UNITED states. It couldn't have been easy writing the Constitution and taking into account the needs and priorities of different colonies. One of those founding principles was the first amendment guaranteeing the right to free speech. As a news organization, we...
In John Prine’s song “Way Back Then,” he sings, “I am out undoing all the good I’ve done.” That could be a theme for the past few years in the United States. Environmental laws passed “way back then” are weakened, international agreements are abandoned, traditional friends are snubbed and rancorous, argumentative politics have settled into every level of government. I have my theories on the causes of all this, one being that the rising resistance to progressive thinking by a dogmatic, entrenched, seemingly intentionally ignorant group...
Again a group is wanting to improve this little town for recreating, for a few, more like make it like Missoula. The area needs to be left alone. Why would the city allow a frisbee golf course up by the city water tank? If you want a frisbee golf course, put it out by the county transfer station, lots of room for parking too. Also, I’m certain some of the high school kids could walk the six or seven blocks to the mule pasture trail. The area does not need improved. The little valley is already ruined with subdivision. It is too bad some of y...
6 YEARS AGO • JUNE 28, 1917 ALL LUMBER CAMPS STRIKE General Walkout in County Part of Nation-Wide Movement I.W.W. LEADERS IN CHARGE Sanders County lumber camps have shut down as a result of a general strike, which is part of a nationwide strike conducted under the direction of the I.W.W. The Russell camp and Polley's mill at Plains both were shut down Monday. The big job at Tuscor was shut down some time ago for a couple of weeks, but it is running again with a new crew. The Burrill mill at Pl...
CANNON HELVEY, Thompson Falls - “I have been playing basketball since the second grade. I’m hoping to improve my layups.” KELCI McGILLIS, Thompson Falls - "I have been playing basketball for two years. I am working on getting the ball in the hoop more.” AVALIA FRANK, Thompson Falls - “I have been playing basketball for two years. I’m working on making more shots. I like hanging out with my friend Kelci at basketball camp, she helps me feel like I can get things done.” MADDOX VANELSWYK, Thompson Falls - “My favorite parts of camp so far are...
During trial on June 9, a jury found Aaron Eugene McLaughlin guilty of deliberate homicide in the 2020 death of Raymond Wachlin. According charging documents, on October 7, 2020, McLaughlin called 911, telling dispatch that he had beaten his roommate, Wachlin, and that Wachlin had a “weak pulse.” Hot Springs Police Chief Eric Pfleger responded to the residence, observed McLaughlin standing out at the end of the driveway, and secured McLaughlin in his patrol car. Pfleger knew that Wachlin resided at this location and entered the home to che...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 7; Plains, 7; Trout Creek, 2; Hot Springs, 2; Paradise, 1; Heron, 1. Monday, June 20 General animal call/complaint, Plains. Livestock, Hot Springs. Trespass, Noxon. Civil attempts. Assist other agency, T. Falls. Assist miscellaneous, Plains. Tuesday, June 21 Disturbance, T. Falls. Warrant service, Noxon. Livestock, Hot Springs. Protection order violation, Plains. Abandoned vehicle, T. Falls. Theft, T. Falls. Assist miscellaneous, T. Falls. Wednesday, June 22 Disturbance, T. Falls. Animal other, Paradise. Property...
Montana Highway Patrol KC McGahuey, 24, day speeding, $20. Lisa Lewis, 52, day speeding, $70. Blake McDonald, 20, day speeding, $120. Jessica Bondurant, 27, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Cory Macauley, 39, day speeding, $70. Brielle Beard, 20, day speeding, $70. William Cleveland, 71, seatbelt violation, $20. Katrina Froehlich, 27, throwing match/cigarette/flame on roadway, $135. Brandon Goodrum, 33, throwing match/cigarette/flame on roadway, $135. Mary Tomt, 77, speeding in a restricted zone, $65. Warren Wickum, 78, seatbelt violation,...
A Trout Creek business is offering medical and recreational marijuana locally, saving residents trips to larger cities. Connor Reishus and his wife Nadia have owned and operated A+ Medicinal Dispensary in Trout Creek since 2016. The business started as a medical-only dispensary. With marijuana laws now allowing for recreational sales, A+ products are available to anyone over the age of 21. The couple is excited to offer products that can help relieve pain and other uncomfortable symptoms with...
Mission West Community Development Partners has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct studies that will explore the feasibility of establishing a co-working space. A public survey has been opened to residents in Sanders, Mineral and Lake counties to assess community needs. “We’ve had a positive response from the data results we’ve received so far,” said project manager Zen Parry. “We’re looking at what kind of business resources people need. Is it a physical place, or work, or is it access to training?” Establi...
May 23, 1928 - June 2, 2022 Scott Burrill Haight, 94, passed away Thursday, June 2, 2022, at his home in Spokane Valley, Wash., from natural causes. Scott's sudden passing was unexpected; he died peacefully in his sleep. Scott leaves his daughters Lonnie Koch (Richard), Debra Moore (Rick), Cindy Wood (Jeffrey) and son Steven Haight (Karen). He also leaves many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his spouse of 66 years, Betty Louise (Johnson) Haight, in 2018, and...
April 12, 1937 – June 21, 2022 Charles J. Haun passed in his home peacefully in the late evening on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Charles was born in Willits, California, to Charles and Thelma Haun, he was the oldest of four children. Charles graduated, president of F.F.A. from Willits High School in 1954. He joined the United States Navy, promoted to Airman, and served five years. Charles was a pilot with the Forestry, and a private pilot. He was an insurance sells representative, restaurant o...
A favorite annual summer event is being forced to cancel this year. The 2022 Chicken Jamboree, put on by the Christian Men’s Prayer Group, has been canceled due to location issues. The event normally is held at the NorthWestern Energy Power Park. The building at the park was destroyed last year, and the new building is not going to be finished in time for the jamboree. “We want to thank NorthWestern Energy for providing a new building and the park that the community enjoys so much,” the Men’s Prayer Group said in a statement. “The Chicken Jambo...
Sanders County Community Housing Organization (SCCHO) recently received a donation of $5,000 from First Security Bank. The donation will help the efforts of SCCHO provide and promote affordable housing to residents of Sanders County. “This donation will directly impact the lives of 10 households consisting of workforce, seniors, and school-age children,” said Lisa Fried de Reyes, SCCHO executive director. SCCHO is working on an additional project to develop affordable housing in Noxon on a piece of donated land. The preliminary arc...
The Plains Schools Summer Program began last week with a visit from local firefighters, but it was the kids who got to douse a blaze, even if it was a fake fire and the water pressure was at only 100 psi, much less than what the town firefighters use on a real fire. Town of Plains Fire Chief Anthony Young headed a talk with nearly 30 kindergarten through second grade children last Tuesday. They started out in the school's new gymnasium, where Young discussed fire alarms, extinguishers, escape...
To ham it up was all part of the game for a group of people who spent the day in Thompson Falls hoping to talk to as many people as possible – and distance was not an issue. Nearly a dozen members of the Clark Fork Amateur Radio Club set up their ham radios at Power Park on Saturday as part of a national event put on by American Radio Relay League (ARRL) called "Field Day." Five club members set up their ham radios in the park and made as many contacts as possible. The primary goal of Field D...
Pickleball – a combination of tennis, badminton and ping-pong – has become known as the fastest-growing sport in the United States, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. Now it has gained traction in the Thompson Falls area. It began in 2019. A group of about 10 pickleball players would meet a couple of times a week in the Thompson Falls Elementary School gym as part of an adult education program. A small hobby that helped pass the time during winter has blossomed into the...
The sun was shining, and the clouds had shied away. That meant no more raincoats for the Over the Hill Gang during Monday play at Rivers Bend. Mike Normandin played a tight game and took the low men’s gross with a 41 and Russ Wood the men’s low net of 30. Barb Wooden claimed the women’s low gross with a 58, and Chris Gross locked in the low women’s net with a 42 this week. Over on the course, Wood eased the ball along to be closest to the pin in two on No. 10, and Gross dropped in the long putt on No. 11. David Tallant had the long putt on...
The Feed-N-Fuel team played well and won the first half of the season and Bear Muscle Fitness won the play day scramble during Tuesday evening play at River’s Bend last week. Mike Normandin walked in the long putt on No. 3 and David Reedy took closest to the pin on No. 14. Dave Petteys crept up the green to make the long putt on No. 15 and Mike Lilly claimed closest to the pin on No.17. Dave Garr belted out the long drive of the night on No. 18. Both Kevin Sparks and Shawn Wilkinson managed to make a chip shot, Sparks on No. 14 and Wilkinson o...
Jackie Pride and Jan Thompson kept the ball rolling easy and took the low team gross of 104, and Kristy Beaty and Danice Toyias pulled down the low team net of 66 in Thursday Night Ladies League play at River's Bend last week. Tina Wheeler once again locked in the low individual gross with a 47, and Madi Wheeler claimed the low net of 30. On the course, Madi Wheeler went the distance and clinched closest to the pin in four on No. 11, and Chris Gross finessed the ball to sink the long putt on No. 12. Tina Wheeler and Danice Toyias both hammered...
The First Security Bank team worked hard and won the first half of the season and the Highlead team won the play day scramble during Wednesday evening play at River’s Bend last week. Ricky Hagedorn rolled in the long putt on No. 12 and Dan Kier clinched closest to the pin on No. 14. Randy Hojem covered a lot of ground to make the long putt on No. 15 and Jesse Mosher claimed closest to the pin on No.17. Michael Sharfe and John Mosher belted out the long drives of the night on No. 18. Rusty Sharp was the only player to chip in a shot during t...
