Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Near 100-degree temperatures didn't seem to deter boys and girls and men and women from stepping out onto the hot pavement of the old Plains airport runway Saturday for a day of basketball. Eighty teams signed up for the 7th Annual Wildhorse ShootOut Tournament at the Amundson Sports Complex, which ran from 9 a.m. to almost 4 p.m. Saturday. The final competition finished at 3:40 p.m. when the Polson Wolf Pirates defeated the Hamilton Shake and Bake 9-4 in the seventh and eighth grade boys...
The entire northwest region of the state will move to stage II fire restrictions on Saturday. This includes Sanders County. Bill Naegeli with the Officer of Emergency Management said the restrictions go into effect at 12:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Under Stage II restrictions, the following is prohibited: * Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire. * Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three...
UPDATE: On Tuesday, crews began profile grinding on the Thompson Falls Main Street project. Grinding the newly paved surface is in order to address the quality issues identified by MDT. According to MDT, the grinding process will take two or more weeks. During this time, parking along Main Street will be closed in sections. Also this week, crews will continue work on American with Disabilities Act upgrades on the south side of Main Street. Approach work is complete at the Thompson Falls post...
Friends, family and couples got to test their communication skills Saturday as the Clark Fork Valley Elks hosted the second annual Blindfolded Side by Side competition at the Lodge in Thompson Falls. While there were only five teams of two in this year's competition, there were plenty of spectators and volunteers to cheer them on as they traversed an obstacle course. The concept was simple - with the driver blindfolded, the passenger navigated the teams around hay bales and over obstacles...
Sanders County Transportation (SCT), based in Hot Springs, currently services the county with limited drivers and buses. Director Kelly Dossett from The Council On Aging in Hot Springs says she plans to expand those services in Noxon and the rest of the west end of the county. The current logistics of picking people up and taking them where they need to go such as appointments and shopping has been complicated, according to Dossett. She hopes to be able to hire more drivers to service those far reaching customers. Currently there are two trips...
The Kootenai National Forest is imposing Stage I fire restrictions, which will go into effect 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 29. Sanders County will also move to Stage I restrictions on Saturday. KNF stated in a press release that fire danger has been rated "very high" as temperatures in the 90s persist in the local area. The restrictions will be in effect until further notice. Sanders County Commissioners are set to vote Thursday on a resolution imposing the restrictions. Under Stage I fire restrictions the following acts are prohibited: 1....
The road between Hot Springs and Plains was blocked briefly last week following an accident with a semi trailer and another truck. The accident occurred just before 8 a.m. on July 17, near mile marker 9 on Highway 28.No injuries were incurred. Hot Springs Fire, Montana Highway Patrol and Plains ambulance responded....
Conflict is everywhere – within our families, among our friends, in places of business, on the internet – and while conflict is unavoidable and uncomfortable, it’s necessary for growth and change. But it can also halt progress where we need there to be progress, whether it’s local, national or worldwide issues. We could actually create change and get things accomplished if we were better at giving a little to get a little, but it doesn’t seem like we are willing to do that too often anymore. Have we lost the art of compromise? Watching...
Editor, In response to the editorial, Access to Information Should Not Be Denied, in the July 14 issue, I would first like to share that the widespread "book ban" you address, is nothing of the sort. The Oxford dictionary defines ban as "officially or legally prohibit." The destruction of any material in question is not what's being called for. It is the simple fact that we are dealing with minors who are in the process of vital development. Books that contain information on sexual content and other complex topics have no place in the hands of...
They’re making hay in southwestern Montana, cutting record harvests in the Big Hole, Horse Prairie and the Beaverhead and Madison valleys. These water-rich bottoms are sandwiched between spectacular Montana ranges: the Pioneers, Anaconda-Pintler and Beaverhead, and the Ruby, Gravelly and Madison. These stony sources feed the rivers that coalesce into the Missouri at Three Forks: the Red Rock, Ruby, Wise, Big Hole, Beaverhead, Madison, Jefferson and Gallatin. It is big country, anchored economically to the critters that eat the hay come w...
6 YEARS AGO • JULY 25, 1918 BELKNAP CROPS RUINED BY HAIL Many Ranchers Lost Everything in Severe Storm Roofs Broken Down and Young Chickens and Turkeys Killed A hail storm that for violence and damage inflicted was the worst in the history of the county visited the neighborhood of Belknap Tuesday evening and in the space of half an hour wiped out all of the small grain and fruit and severely damaged the root crops over a considerable area. Roofs were broken through, young chickens and turkeys killed and the crops which were almost ready to h...
SHELLI FRAZIER, Plains - “I keep all the air out of the bag. Air dries it out and causes mold.” ROCHELLE OTTO, Plains - “We keep our homemade bread in the freezer, then on the counter where it gets used up quickly.” ORVALL KUESTER, Plains - “I keep my sourdough bread in the fridge in an airtight bag.” ELLEN CHILDRESS, Plains - “I store my homemade bread in an airtight zip lock bag in the fridge.” DEANA HAYES, Plains - “The heels stay in the bag to prevent drying out. I keep it on the counter. My new bread box didn't keep mold away.” DENISE MOR...
Montana Highway Patrol Dan Sheteron, 63, seatbelt violation, $20. Sean Averill, 47, day speeding, $70. Morgan Portlock, 26, day speeding, $70. Rachel Grant, 39, speeding in a restricted zone, $105. Frederick Grider, 75, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Garrett Reichle-Wall, 17, seatbelt violation, $20. Jerry Wood, 52, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Joseph Altman, 63, seatbelt violation, $20. Bonnie McJunkin-Chambers, 69, seatbelt violation, $20. Robert Sink, 90, seatbelt violation, $20. Bertha Widner, 84, seatbelt violation, $20....
Homer Sam Coleman changed his plea and was sentenced by Judge James Manley in 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday. Coleman pled guilty to negligent endangerment while the court dismissed a count of criminal intent. Coleman was arrested April 6, 2023, after leading police on a high-speed chase. Judge Manley imposed a 10-year suspended sentence with the Department of Corrections, giving Coleman credit for 120 days served. Steven Coulson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia on Tuesday and was sentenced to...
Ambulance: Plains, 8; T. Falls, 5; Hot Springs, 3; Trout Creek, 2; Heron, 1; Paradise, 1; Noxon, 1. Monday, July 17 Welfare check, T. Falls. Assist other agency, Dixon. Motor vehicle crash, Hot Springs. Request for welfare check. Civil attempts, Heron. Parking problem, T. Falls. Civil attempts, Heron. Abandoned vehicle, Plains. Civil attempts, Plains. Suspicious activity, Hot Springs. Drugs/narcotics, T. Falls. Abandoned vehicle, Heron. Civil attempts. Animal other, T. Falls. Animal other, T. Falls. Message delivery, Trout Creek. Assist...
March 25, 1937 - October 20, 2022 Our beautiful mother, Evelyn Charlene Haun passed at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula, MT. on Thursday, October 20, 2022, in the early afternoon, due to complications of a ruptured ulcer. She was 85. Evelyn Charlene Christiernsson was born March 25, 1937, to Edward and Georgia Christiernsson in Willits Ca. The family relocated to San Martin, Ca. when Evelyn was around 4 years of age and later moved to Las Vegas NV in 1942. Evelyn finished high school in 1955,... Full story
by Shannon Brown The gazebo at 501 Main Street in Thompson Falls has become known as Sherry’s Gazebo Pocket Park. “Since Sherry owned and operated the Barber Pole business in the adjoining building for years, we decided to dedicate the Gazebo Pocket Park to her,” Gussy O’Connor said. Sherry Wieckowski retired from the barber business and in 2021, she and Linda Rocheleau interviewed O’Connor for the position of barber and shop owner. Weickowski passed away in April of 2022. “After just five minutes of talking to Sherry, I felt like I had known...
This year's Chicken Jamboree was held Saturday, July 15, at the Power Park in Thompson Falls. The near 100-degree temperature did not stop people from showing up for the annual event put on by the Men's Prayer Breakfast. There was a bouncy house for the children and snow cones for anyone needing an icy refreshment. This festival is free for the public. It coincides with the Christmas on Main Street Parade where free wintertime refreshments are handed out. Chicken in July and hot dogs in...
The Gambles store in Plains now has room to spread out after acquiring the lot across the street where the gasket company used to be. GOR had growing pains of its own and moved to a bigger location. This opened up the space behind Gambles for Matt and Dana Diehl to build storage shops to house maintenance equipment, overstock supplies and a general work space. August will mark their 20th year of ownership. Matt's parents opened the store in 1993. This is the store's second major expansion since...
The new bright pink coffee trailer, located on Highway 200 at 704 West Railroad Avenue next to Baldy Mountain Tire shop in Plains, belongs to MariJo Josephson and daughter Hailey Jo Kovarik. They opened for business June 1 of this year. "We wanted to start a business with our own flexible hours and for the family," said Hailey. "Family is the most important thing." MariJo added. Their location is easily accessible and seen from the highway. Being the third drive up coffee location in Plains has...
A gathering at Fred Young Park Saturday was all about community, camaraderie and history. Saturday was "Pioneer Day" for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the country to commemorate the arrival of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers at Salt Lake Valley in Utah in 1847. The Plains LDS Church has once again celebrated the day with food, music, lawn games, dancing, and fellowship, but the annual event was for anyone, not just members of the church....
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the Housing Assistance Council, is pleased to announce the 2023 communities taking part in this year’s Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design. Thompson Falls is one of eight communities selected for a Local Design Workshop. The multi-day design workshops will offer hybrid in-person and virtual sessions. These communities will then receive a design book that contains the design concepts and suggested resources from their workshop, as well as support through webinars, web-based res...
Dave Petteys proved to be the king of chip-ins last week at River's Bend, putting one in off the green in each round of league play. On Tuesday, Petteys started the chip-in train on No. 7. Russ Wood also had a chip-in last Tuesday, on No. 2, and he was closest to the pin on No. 8. Enjoying a scramble for fun night, Shark's Auto Detail won the round with a 33 from golfers Wood, Rusty Haggard, Charlie Hooten, Jens Jantzen and Dave Garr. Doug Czerwinski sank the long putt on No. 3, Doug Robichaud's drive was closest to the pin on No. 5, Cody...
They may be sitting in last place for the first half of the season, but the Clark Fork Seamless Gutters team knows how to come together and scramble for a win. The Wednesday night crew had some fun last week at River's Bend as they enjoyed a scramble with their respective teams. Clark Fork Seamless Gutters won the evening with a 29 from team members RT Brown, Doug Fisher, Bob Brown, John Owens and John Torres. The team also made a dent in pin prizes, with Bob Brown sinking the long putt on No. 3, RT's drives winning closest to the pin on both...
The Over the Hill Gang braved the summer heat Monday for a round of swings at River's Bend Gofl Course in Thompson Falls. Jan Thompson led the ladies with a long drive on No. 9 and a low net of 37, while Lana Nolen shot the low gross of 45. For the men, Dave Garr had the low gross round of 41, as well as a long drive on No. 6 for those 70 and older, and Larry Eddy had the low net round of 30. And you guessed it, Dave Petteys had the only chip-in of the day, on No. 9. Dana Courville added a birdie to the score card. In short game magic, John...
