Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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The Sanders County Fair Commission gathered last Wednesday evening to discuss some final details for this year's fair Aug. 28-Sept.1. Chairman Randy Woods noted that the fairgrounds looked better than recent years, kudos to the recently hired part time staff worker, Derek VonHeeder, one of a handful of people at the hour-long meeting at the pavilion, along with board members Ted Forkum, Brian Crain, Jim Newman, and Jolene Burke. The board received two nominations for the Sanders County...
A new report recommends the full replacement of the Noxon bridge. The Sanders County Commissioners hired engineering firm Morrison-Maierle to complete a study on the bridge and provide information on what is needed to rehabilitate the bridge. The study was in process prior to inspectors finding two cracks in the bridge structure in July. The study was completed and presented to the commissioners in August. “We strongly recommend the County consider a full replacement for the Noxon Bridge,” the study states. “The bridge’s deteriorating conditi...
The Hot Springs School District is again asking voters to approve a $183,000 levy, but the school board on Monday approved a budget for the 2024-25 school year. The budget passed unanimously on Monday does not include the levy funds. The school will seek $100,000 in funding from the Impact Aid fund, a federal program which “reimburses school districts for the lost revenue and additional costs associated with the presence of nontaxable Federal property,” according to the program website. If that funding is received, the school would end the com...
The morning was cool and sunny as bicyclists began their 30 mile tour with six stops at farms and a mill. They were able to experience the quiet Clark Fork River and learn about locally sourced products. The group started at the Sanders County Fairgrounds at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The 60 degree temperature with no wind or rain made the tour easily enjoyable for riders of all ages and abilities. Riders came from as far away as Michigan and Arizona. The group totalled over 65 participants,...
There seem to be no shades of gray in the political landscape of the United States. You're either red or blue or right or wrong. There's not much compromise or debating when people have their minds made up so early in races. I am one of those voters who loves absentee ballots. I like to think of myself as pretty well informed, given my profession, but sometimes there are statewide races for which I have no clue who either candidate is. In that situation, I like to Google the people, at the very least, and try to get some idea of what they...
Dear Editor. While reading through last week’s edition of your excellent newspaper I noticed the USFS Campground checks listed in the Sheriff's Log. From the staff at the USFS Plains – Thompson Falls Ranger District I want to thank the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff and staff, for conducting the campground checks. Thank you very much. This level of support from the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office and community is very valuable and directly assists in the provision of a safe recreational environment for Sanders County residen...
Digging around in the dictionary recently led to monogenesis, a theory that all living things evolved from a single cell — some combination of proteins and acids and God knows what else that became able to duplicate itself. Maybe this tiny accretion floated in primal seas for eons waiting for the final magic ingredient to adhere to it, maybe it instantly coalesced when a lightning bolt struck; but somehow suddenly there were two of whatever it was. If this wasn’t miracle enough, the other whatever was also able to duplicate itself. So began the...
3 YEARS AGO • JULY 21, 1994 SUMMERFEST TO ENTERTAIN CITY THIS WEEKEND A wealth of activities await residents and visitors who attend the first Thompson Falls Summer Festival this weekend. From sidewalk sales beginning Friday, a melodrama and variety show Saturday and the final event Sunday, the weekend promises to offer something for everyone and all should have a great time. The festival will hopefully develop into an annual event, says organizer Larry Hull. He and others have been promoting, planning and getting ready for the three days o...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 6; Plains, 6; Hot Springs, 3; Trout Creek, 1; Paradise, 1; Noxon, 1; Lonepine, 1. Monday, August 12 Request for welfare check, Plains. Person missing. Civil attempts. Animal other, Noxon. Suspicious activity, Hot Springs. Civil attempts. Other law violations, Trout Creek. Trespass, Dixon. Business contact. Tuesday, August 13 Assist miscellaneous, T. Falls. Assault, Heron. General animal call/complaint, Noxon. Motor vehicle crash, Hot Springs. General animal call/complaint, Heron. Road hazard/blockage, Plains. Theft,...
Montana Highway Patrol Tatonkaska Howard, 49, seatbelt violation, $20. Andrew Orr, 37, driving without valid driver’s license, $85; night speeding, $20. Brian Knutson, 40, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Sandra Aschenbrenner, 79, careless driving, $85. Gary Casson, 77, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Brittany Rutter, 39, day speeding, $20. Matthew Shuttle, 58, operating without liability insurance, 4th or subsequent offense, $535, 10 days jail; seatbelt violation, $20. Douglas Schallmoser, 37, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. S...
Appearing for his arraignment on Tuesday, Forest Taylor Grant pleaded not guilty to felony charges of partner or family member assault, third or subsequent, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, fourth or subsequent offense. Grant also entered not guilty pleas to misdemeanor charges of criminal destruction of/or tampering with a communication device, disorderly conduct, and operating a vehicle not registered. Judge John Mercer set this matter for trial on January 21, 2025. On August 4, as alleged in the charging documents,...
There was a light sprinkling of rain as the group headed out on the Mule Pasture trail. Trails and Tales wrapped up its summer event last week with books about forest animals. Kayla Mosher spearheaded the activity that gave children and parents the opportunity to spend time together out on a walk and listen to books being read at stops along the way. "There were seven walks scheduled but one was canceled due to rain," Kayla said. The schedule had one walk a week on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Each...
Why Move to a town/city? What motivates a family or an individual to move from a rural setting to a town or city? If you look through the list below, some reasons may be more important to you than others and in a different order of priority. You may have additional wants and/or needs. Depending on the size of the municipality, these services will vary. The challenge of providing “something for everyone” or a “one size fits all” is next to impossible. Utilitarian philosophy is that the most ethical choice is the one that will produce the gre...
Photo by Linda Elliott While the full moon took center stage earlier this week, smoky skies have made for beautiful sunsets around Sanders County....
The budget for the City of Thompson Falls will be available this week for public review. At the monthly city council meeting last week, Mayor Rusti Leivestad reported that the budget would be available for public review beginning August 21. The council and public will have the weekend to review the budget before a public hearing is held August 26 at 5:30 p.m. to review before a 6 p.m. meeting to adopt the budget. Council member Katherine Maudrone thanked City Clerk Chelsea Peterson for organizing the budget, which will be available on the...
The Thompson Falls-Plains soccer team started its inaugural season with practices Friday and Saturday on Previs Field. "I'm very excited for this year," said Michael Scharfe, head coach for the Thompson Falls-Plains Blue Hawks boys team. Nick Lawyer, head coach for the new girls team, also held practice on the Thompson Falls football field Friday and Saturday. The Thompson Falls School Board voted in favor of the co-op fall soccer team last March. The teams are composed of students from eighth g...
Shakespeare in the Park returned to Sanders County this week. Sunday evening had the troupe performing Hamlet in the Trout Creek Park. Liz Stender with the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association said the play was well attended with over 100 people enjoying the nice weather. Wild Cuisine catered the event. Lunch and dinner was provided by chef Stephanie Martin. "Once again she outdid herself with her delicious menu for the performing actors," Stender said. They were pleased with the food a...
SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. ULAN 5. COCOLS 10. UMBO 14. NARA 15. WRAPS 16. LOOP 17. ARAM 18. MANET 19. NANA 20. UDDER 22. TOR 23. CABAL 24. SERENADES 27. MOL 30. DAD 31. TAO 32. CAP 35. UNITED 37. SIB 38. BOGY 39. SIMAS 40. MAC 41. SOLAR 42. COBB 43. CEE 44. CABANA 45. ANI 46. CUD 47. PUG 48. SAN 49. SILICATES 52. USNEA 55. COL 56. SABER 60. GHEG 61. CARAT 63. BARI 64. LENO 65. IRATE 66. IBIS 67. IDES 68. DELED 69. NECK SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. UNAU 2. LARD 3. ARAD 4. NAMES 5. CWM 6. ORATED 7. CANON 8. OPERATIC 9. SST 10. ULNAS 11. MOAB 12. BONA 13. OPAL 21....
Tom Konen passed away on August 10, 2024, at his home in Polson, Montana, surrounded by his loving family, after a 10-month battle with multiple myeloma. He was born in Butte, Montana on July 5, 1961. Tom was a successful chiropractor with a clinic in Plains and at Logan Health Polson. He had a soft spot for his many patients and was well known for his big bear hugs in and out of the treatment room. Tom loved his Butte roots and will forever have ties to his lifelong friends and coaches from...
Viola Bernice (Nash) Allestad, 87, lived an ideal life; a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and devoted child of God. She was born in Devon, Montana, to William and Jessie (Dickson ) Nash, the sixth of ten children. She spent her early childhood in Devon and then moved to Shelby. On November 14,1950, she married Lars Allestad. They lived in Plains, Montana, and then in Texas, as Lars was in the Army. They returned to Montana and settled in Great Falls, where they raised six children. Even as a devoted wife, mother, and Sund...
Shirley Catherine Windle went peacefully to her heavenly home August 12, 2024, 17 days before her 85th birthday. Shirley C. Windle was born at the Yak Mine (MT) on August 29,1939, to Rose and Claude Franck and raised in Trout Creek together with her twelve siblings. She attended school in Trout Creek and Thompson Falls and graduated from Noxon High School. She also attended Prairie Bible College. Shirley was married to Jerome (Jerry) Windle on June 1, 1957, and had four children, Martin Windle,...
Family Birth Services as well as Mark and Madeline Vogel of Whitefish are pleased to announce the birth of Theodore Douglas. Baby Theo was born July 5 in the wee hours of the morning. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 8 ounces. Thankful grandparents are Doug and Jennifer Sproul and grandmother Joyce Vogel herself. -Joyce Vogel CPM LM and Rebekah Sweet LMA...
The Thompson Falls school board met on Monday. The 2023-24 Trustees Financial Summary report and the 2024-25 final budget were approved. Superintendent Bud Scully reported that the new tiles on the floor of the multi-purpose building are bad and need to be replaced. “The shop side of the building’s floor is done. About 1,000 square feet of tiles were replaced. New tiles are being shipped. The install company, Great Floors, has been great to work with as well,” Scully said. Scully reports that he has been discussing a land swap with Mayor Leive...
Feed N Fuel really fueled their golf game on Tuesday as Gary Thompson, Mike Normandin, Dave Petteys and Doug Gunderson combined for the low team gross of 180, while Bear Muscle Fitness (Steve Fairbank, John Mosher, Cody Mosher and Doug Robichaud) had the low team net of 148. Scott Pardee proved his skills with the low individual gross score of 38, and Rusty Haggard shot the low net of 31. Pardee was also closest to the pin on no. 2, while Haggard got a chip-in during his round. Robichaud’s drive was closest to the pin on No. 5 and No. 8, w...
It was wild Wednesday at River’s Bend last week as the Wild Coyote team of Gary Thompson, Mike Normandin, Howard Morkert and Dave Petteys howled their way to a win with a combined 173. Edward Jones carded the low team net, with Dan Kier, Wil Mitchell, Jesse Mack and Ryan Craven carding a 137. Mitchell’s 38 was the low gross score for the evening, with Jay Deal scoring the low net of 32. Doug Fisher was closest to the pin on No. 2, with Mike Thilmony taking that honor on No. 5 and John Mosher on No. 8. Mosher also sank the long putt on No. 3,...
