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The new multi-use court in Trout Creek Park is finally finished. Trout Creek Community Improvement Association's (TCCIA) efforts to make this possible has been a process in the making for several years but officially started in 2021. "When I first joined the TCCIA around 2010 the topic always came up about what we could do to enhance our park and provide more outdoor activities for people of all ages in our community to enjoy," said TCCIA chairperson Liz Stender. "The Trout Creek School's...
Fires in the area help diffuse the light and turn a sunset into a colorful picture at the Sanders County Fairgrounds beach in Plains, where a jet skier moves back and forth across the Clark Fork River....
Thunderstorms throughout Northwest Montana over the weekend caused several wildfires to start in and around Sanders County. The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Fire Division reported on Tuesday that the Revais Fire west of Dixon had burned about 15 acres and was 0% contained. "The fire is located in very steep, rocky, rugged terrain," CSKT reported in a press release. "Aviation will be used to slow this fire. A control line and fuel break are being constructed at the bottom of Revais Creek near structures. The lightning-caused...
An American flag at Plains Cemetery that has been flown improperly for several years is now getting the proper protocol, thanks to a resident who took it upon herself to correct the situation. "There's flag etiquette on how to fly the flag and it's supposed to be lit at night or taken down at dusk," said Kathy Warrington, who recently found out the flag at the military section of the cemetery was not lighted at night. She went to the cemetery board, but after getting no response decided to take...
I remember my first day of kindergarten very well. I remember very distinctly not wanting my mom to leave. I remember standing outside Mrs. Garrison's kindergarten classroom at Thompson Falls Elementary and not wanting to go in. I think my mom finally got me to let go because my friend Brooke was already in the classroom. That first step into kindergarten is huge. For the kids, it's a whole new routine, new first experiences, new friends and a new way of life that will last at least the next 13 years. For the parents, it's a whole new routine,...
From a lucky girl - I’m lucky because I was born up on Gallatin Street when Doc Rosdahl made house calls, went to Thompson Falls schools, and had the privilege of living and working here in this wonderful place. I’m lucky…and grateful. Thompson Falls is a beautiful place to live, work and recreate! I’m so grateful I’ve been able to help with the Thompson Falls Beautification Days yearly clean-up event. The event involves the schools and all sorts of groups and volunteers who work together to clean up the parks, downtown, etc. and most impo...
Dear Elizabeth, Recently I spent the better part of a day at the Sanders County Courthouse. The purpose was to establish custody of a young child. You were impregnated (unplanned) by a young man that lived approximately 2,000 miles from your home town-Noxon, Montana. You went to the clinic in Thompson Falls, Montana, in April of 2021 with a family member and found out you were pregnant. After that a family member accompanied you to all of your prenatal visits. The young man whose child you were carrying did not accompany you to any of these...
Each year, a backpacking trip into a nearby wilderness is undertaken by certain artistic types (ATs), most often plein air painters. ATs follow “guide” Bearly-Seen Svensson (not his real name, for legal reasons) into the wild, stopping often to art their hearts out as Bearly catches up on his rest and decides which obscure and difficult route leads to the next artful spot. This year, the group trundled up a “trail” (haha) into a place unnamed for fear it will be trampled by unguided ATs seeking plein air possibilities and then Search and Res...
6 YEARS AGO • AUGUST 16, 1917 FOREST FIRES STILL MENACE From Belknap to Trout Creek Conditions Are Very Bad Numerous brush fires all the way from Belknap to Trout Creek are causing much uneasiness in the Forest Service and to the ranch owners affected. All that is necessary to make this whole section burst into a mass of flames is a fairly strong wind. By dint of constant watching these fires have thus far been confined to limited areas, but it has been impossible to completely stamp them out, and new fires are being reported almost daily i...
PEYTON ELLUL, Thompson Falls - “I really enjoy the rodeo and getting to see the horses because I just love horses.” KYLIEGH RUEN, Thompson Falls - “I like to see all of my friends' 4-H animals that they worked so hard on. I especially like the baby cows, chicks and rabbits.” KENSIE RUEN, Thompson Falls - “I am really excited about the rides, especially the Gravitron but I also like animals. ” RHETT RUEN, Thompson Falls - “I mostly like the animals but I really wish that they had tigers like they do at the circus.” COLTON ELLUL, Thompson Falls...
A Thompson Falls man and his mother have been charged in a connection with an alleged kidnapping of a child. Jacob Strong was located earlier this summer in Costa Rica and arrested. He and his mother, Candace Bright, have been indicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana Missoula Division on two counts of conspiracy to commit international parental kidnapping and false statements. An unlawful flight to avoid prosecution warrant was issued on September 24, 2021. On June 14 of this year, Strong was transported by Costa Rican...
A Plains man pleaded not guilty in 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday to one county of misdemeanor partner or family member assault and three felony counts of strangulation. Judge Molly Owen set a trial date of February 13, 2023, for Gary Bradley, who was arrested after an alleged incident with his ex-girlfriend on June 30. Also in District Court on Tuesday, Michael Dauss pleaded not guilty to three counts. Dauss was charged with felony criminal endangerment, misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, and resisting...
Montana Highway Patrol Devin Barnes, 16, seat belt violation, $20. Mark Cronauer, 61, seat belt violation, $20. Jake Ryan, 33, seat belt violation, $20. Mose Griffin, 48, violation in a construction zone, $85. James Snead Jr., 71, seat belt violation, $20. David Gimbel, 43, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Kelly Gettles, 55, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Stewart Marshall, 59, day speeding, $70. Randal Defalco, 36, driving under the influence, 1st offense, 1 day jail, $885. Austin Hansen, 17, seat belt violation, $20. Christopher...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 7; Plains, 5; Paradise, 2; Hot Springs, 2; Heron, 2; Noxon, 1; Dixon, 1. Monday, August 15 Fire, T. Falls. Theft, Trout Creek. Theft, T. Falls. Motor vehicle crash, Heron. Assault, Plains. Theft, Plains. Livestock, Hot Springs. General animal call/complaint, T. Falls. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Property damage/criminal mischief, Trout Creek. Request for welfare check, Trout Creek. Tuesday, August 16 Sexual assault. Fire, Hot Springs. Assist motorist/citizen, Noxon. Warrant service, Plains. Property damage/criminal...
The Trout Creek school has recently implemented a plethora of improvements and the school is starting to grow. "The school seems to be on the upswing," commented Preston Wenz, the school's superintendent. "Last year for the first time in a very long time staff at the school completely renovated the entire kitchen, implemented on-campus hunters education classes, an archery program, and a school garden. The gardening program has been building momentum with students and is already starting to expa...
Colin Greg Dykstra passed away due to pneumonia complications on August 7, 2022, in Billings, Montana. He was born January 25, 1969, and was adopted by David and Erlice Dykstra 10 days later. Colin attended Thompson Falls schools and graduated in 1988. He enrolled in Job Corps and certified in welding and truck driving. He ran a lawn care and snow removal business. Colin enjoyed spending time with friends and family and loved being in the woods hunting and fishing. He is preceded in death by his parents and survived by three sisters, Margaret,...
Lights, camera, action. The lights are essential. What is a car without lights on? Invisible at night and also in the day. Trucks have always had running lights, I think. The new cars have lights on day or night. In a time long, long ago, when people who had cars had a three-day holiday weekend, the radio would request people to turn on their car light during the day. Why? To save lives. More people on the road, the chance for greater deaths, and there were more deaths. Montana Highway 200 has one lane in both directions. The speed limit for th...
Several days ago I stopped by the Local Store in Trout Creek with an arm full of books for the “Little Library” in front of the store. It was gone! I asked the store clerk about it and she said one morning she came to work and it was gone! If someone took it to make repairs – thank you. If someone stole it – what a jerk and a lousy thing to do. Many of the older folks that do not get out to the library in Thompson falls or Clark Fork, Idaho kinda depend on that little resource at the Local Store. It has been there for years; I would guess s...
This summer, Montana State University Sanders County Extension Office in Thompson Falls has been working to connect people with local agriculture and horticulture in a series of farm and ranch tours. One of the last stops of the season was a trip to Eller's Blueberry Farm in Trout Creek. A handful of residents from around the county had the chance to meet owners Yvonne Eller and James Hunt. The first blueberry patch at the farm was planted 40 years ago and has since grown into two separate...
Mikiah Cook of Plains has been elected as the new president for the Montana 4-H State Ambassador Program. Cook, 16, was elected in July and her term will be for one year. "I couldn't believe I was chosen, I almost burst into tears," Cook said. "I come from such a small town. I want to inspire others to reach for the stars and to let them know that they can still get a position even if they're from a small town, too." Those who apply for the different offices in the program go through an intense...
A regular round of golf is never just a regular round of golf when you get to hang out with the Over The Hill Gang at River’s Bend Golf Course. On Monday, the golfers gathered for fun and regular play as they welcomed a bit cooler temperatures. Ron Beaty shot the low gross round of 42 for the men, while George Krueger’s low net of 34 was best for the day. Beaty also scored a birdie on No. 8 with a chip–in and was one of three golfers to win the pay for par on No. 2, along with Bruce Craw and Dan Whittenburg. Barb Wooden had the low net for t...
Custom Ventures caught the second half win for Tuesday night men’s league at River’s Bend this season as the men enjoyed their final night of competition last week. Custom Ventures ended the second half of the season four points ahead of second-place Feed N Fuel. Bear Muscle Fitness golfers Rick Hagedorn, John Mosher, Cody Mosher and Steve Fairbank shot the low team gross of 183 while Noxon Quik Stop’s Rusty Sharp, Shawn Wilkinson, Arthur Potts and Bart Haflich combined for the low net of 142. Haflich also shot the low individual net of 32, a...
The Edward Jones team were the Wednesday winners in the second half of league play at River’s Bend Golf Course this season, finishing in the top spot ahead of First Security Bank. In the final week of competitive play last week, the Big Eddy’s/Limberlost Brewery team of RT Brown, Bob Brown, Doug Fisher and John Torres combined for the low gross of 168, while Whitefish Credit Union’s Rusty Sharp, Randy Hojem, Chuck Manry and Ray Marshall shot the low team net of 137. RT Brown had the low individual gross round of 38, smashed one of the long...
Jeanne Holleran and Tina Wheeler kept the winning wheels rolling last week as they shot the low team gross of 102 in ladies’ league play Thursday at River’s Bend. The duo captured the league championship in the final Kristy Beaty and Danice Toyias combined for the low team net of 69, while Wheeler shot the low individual gross round of 45 and Toyias the low net of 31. Wheeler and Toyias also smashed the long drives on No. 18. Lana Nolen was closes to the pin on No. 11, Kelly Wheeler sank the long putt on No. 12 and Holleran was closest to the...
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Avista was back at River's Bend in Thompson Falls last Saturday for their annual charity golf tournament. The beneficiary for this year's event, which featured a full lineup of 18 four-person teams, was Sanders County 4-H. While Avista sponsors the tournament, the local 4-H clubs and volunteers gathered sponsors and silent auction items, helped promote the event, and volunteered during the event. Tournament administrator Sean Kelly with Avista said...