Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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The Thompson Falls sewer project got some national attention last week. Andy Berke is the Administrator for the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Berke came to Thompson Falls last week from Washington, D.C., to check progress on the city's wastewater project. Berke said the goal of RUS is to help rural America get the infrastructure they need. "These are projects that help communities thrive and grow," Berke said. He added that he was visiting RD-funded...
The Sanders County Fair kicks off this week, but local 4-H members got a head start on the competition with the dog project show and competition on Sunday. Ten youths competed with their canines Sunday evening at the Trout Creek home of dog project leader Bailee Patten. "I have so enjoyed working with your kids," Patten told family and friends gathered for the competition. "They have done a phenomenal job this year." First up for the dog competition was agility. Level 1 participants led their...
The Circle in Plains has reopened after a long closure. "Business has been steady," according to manager Braden Starika of Plains."We opened on July 23," said owner Joe Gamboa. The restaurant had been closed prior to COVID for remodel, then opened briefly during COVID, according to Gamboa. The old-time Coke decor and atmosphere has been a part of the Plains Circle for decades. "This is its 55th year of existence. The Coca-Cola company is going to redo our awnings," Gamboa said. The Circle is...
The Plains Schools administration is preparing to open this school year with additional security precautions in an effort to provide a safer environment for its staff and students. The teachers and staff held an evacuation exercise on Thursday, utilizing its new "Emergent 3" software. The E3 system connects the teachers and staff to a custom alert notification that lets the school staff know if the emergency is a fire, an earthquake or an intruder alert. "It's a great system. We have a few bugs...
I very vividly remember my first day of kindergarten. My mom took me to school, walked me to Mrs. Garrison's class in the dorm building, started to walk away, and I burst into tears. I think the only way she got me to stay was by having my friend Brooke distract me. I still get those same first-day-of-school jitters when I start a new project, go somewhere I've never been or even when I pick up the phone to conduct an interview. It always turns out just fine and I'm happy for new experiences and new acquaintances. As kids go back to school this...
I’m sure it is just a coincidence that Montana homeowners’ property tax bills come out just a couple of weeks before the election. Coincidence or not, it’s a good reminder for taxpayers to take a closer look at the person who wants their vote. We need no reminders that last year’s property tax bills were a real eye opener, and that this year’s will present more of the same awakening. That’s in spite of the governor’s largess in offering a $675 property tax rebate for taxes paid in 2022 and anot...
Just in case you're wondering about those who compete for the office of and for the people's expectations, we must adhere to the truth using only words that are proven to be documented; in fact, anything less is deception — of the people, by the people, for the people does not justifiably adhere to deception — so don't waste people's time, admiration, and hope. John Middlemiss, Trout Creek...
As most people reading this will know, the levy to supply added funding to Plains Public Schools did not pass. This very directly affects the ability of the school district to continue to provide quality enrichment educational opportunities to our children. In light of this, the Plains Parent and Teachers Association (PTA) wants to invite the greater community to assist with meeting some of the needs of our students attending our public schools. Budget shortfalls are impacting the ability to hire educational support staff, meet cost of living...
6 YEARS AGO • AUGUST 21, 1919 TO GATHER EXHIBITS FOR FAIR Dr. L.G. Helterline, the secretary of the County Fair announces that two cars (the cars referred to are railroad cars) will be sent to the west end of the county to gather up material for the County Fair. The same plan will be followed as at the last fair. The two cars will come up as far as Trout Creek and, as expenses are paid by the fair management, exhibits are taken to the fair and returned without cost to the owners. A car and a half will be used for livestock and half a car f...
LYNN SAMPSEL, Thompson Falls - “Yes, I like going to the Sanders County Fair to see the animals and look at the sewing projects.” MICHEALL SCHWAB, full time RVer - ”No, but we want to buy a home in northwest Montana. Then I will go to the fair.” GARETT LACY, Trout Creek - “Likely, I will go to the Sanders County Fair. I last went five or six years ago. I like the food and rides.” BRIAR PALMER, Thompson Falls - “I have gone to fairs in the past but will not be going to any this year.” GENEVIEVE DESCHAMPS, Plains - “I am definitely going...
David Lee Grant appeared before Judge Molly Owen on Tuesday, entering a not guilty plea to a felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense. Judge Owen set this matter for a jury trial on February 10, 2025. On August 5, according to the charging documents, Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Zachary Rehbein received a report of a “rolling” partner or family member assault occurring in a vehicle on Hwy 382. Upon locating and stopping the reported vehicle, Trooper Rehbein identified the driver as Gra...
Ambulance: Hot Springs, 6; Plains, 5; Noxon, 4; T. Falls, 2; Paradise, 2; Dixon, 2; Trout Creek, 1; Heron, 1; Lonepine, 1. Monday, August 19 Fire, Plains. General animal call/complaint, Hot Springs. Disturbance, Plains. Theft, T. Falls. Disturbance, Heron. Trespass, Paradise. Animal other, Trout Creek. Business contact, Plains. Motor vehicle crash, Trout Creek. Other law violations, Trout Creek. Tuesday, August 20 Suspicious activity, Dixon. General animal call/complaint, Hot Springs. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Other accident, T. Falls....
Montana Highway Patrol Ashley Kenmille, 41, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Matthew Miller, 54, operating with expired registration, $85. Russell Flanigan, 34, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Kristine Belista, 27, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Thaiden Mullan, 23, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Caitlyn Palin, 19, night speeding, $70. Aaliyah Gohl, 20, seatbelt violation, $20. Lonnie Deleeuw, 55, day speeding, $70. Amber Niblack, 38, operating in violation of restrictions imposed on driver’s license, $85. Calvin Timmer, 17, s...
Micheal McClellan 9/17/45 - 8/1/24 Mike was born to Parker and Betty Hoxie in Hawaii and had a brother Robert of Oxnard, California. They have all passed and now are all together as a family again. Mike, also known as Mad Mike, moved to Thompson Falls in the early 1990s. He worked all over the Northwest in sawmills as well as in the Dick Vinson Mill in Trout Creek. He was an amazing metal fabricator as well as a machinist and was a great friend! He is survived by his daughter Janene McCune of...
May 20, 1962 - August 24, 2024 A force of nature known for her infectious energy and boundless love, Mary Michelle Manning, 62, passed away on August 24, 2024, surrounded by family. Mikki, as she preferred to be called, was a firecracker from birth (May 20th, 1962). She was born in Grayling, Michigan, to Jerome Lake and Kathryn Lake (Dewitt), and was loved and adored by her 3 siblings (Cheri Baldwin, Robin Shannon, and Timothy Lake). Mikki spent her childhood in Michigan before moving to Oregon...
The Town of Plains held a public budget hearing at City Hall last Monday in the event anyone from the community would like to comment on the upcoming annual budget. For 30 minutes, Mayor Joel Banham, clerk Cathy Emmett, and council members Lana Dicken and John Sheridan waited to hear from the public. No one showed. “Nobody ever goes to these things, but yet they complain and whine and holler,” said Emmett. “They don’t come to voice their opinion or even inquire about the budget. They just don’t care,” she added. “I can say it is frustrating t...
Ryan Noland is returning to Dixon as the school's principal. "My mom taught school in Dixon her entire career," Noland said. He went to school in Ronan but said that he used to come to Dixon and help his mother teach dance lessons to her junior high students, Noland commented. "I was in high school at the time," he added. Noland went to Salish Kootenai College for his teaching degree and took the principal job in Plains while living in Dixon. "I want to be closer to my dad," Noland explained....
Some Thompson Falls residents had an unwelcome visitor last Wednesday. Tristan Franck reported that a rattlesnake was scurrying along Mount Silcox Drive near the Legion baseball field. A jogger killed the snake with a rock. When Franck's husband went to investigate the snake, he said it was more than 4 feet long....
Putting kids to work isn't always easy, unless they're excited about the next week, when they'll be showing their year long endeavors at the annual fair. More than 100 4-H members and around 60 parents and club leaders gathered at the Sanders County Fairgrounds Saturday morning for Fair Readiness Day in preparation for this week's 4-H competitions. The group spent three hours cleaning the six barns and the pavilion. "The parents and kids did a great job. The fairgrounds look amazing," said Juli...
Members of the Noxon Fire Department, with help from firefighters from Thompson Falls and Heron, assembled and installed a new 8-foot by 10-foot climbing wall in the playground at Noxon School on Saturday. The booster club purchased the equipment a couple years ago, and the volunteers stepped up to get it installed, said Jim Byler with the Noxon department. The volunteers were treated to a steak dinner to thank them for their work....
With the air getting cooler it could only mean two things, the start of school and school sports. Fall sports this year include football, volleyball, cross country, and the newly formed Plains-Thompson Falls soccer teams. Get ready for Friday nights under the lights with your Sanders County football teams with the first games starting August 30, the Thompson Falls Blue Hawks hit the road in their first game taking on the Conrad Cowboys. The Noxon Red Devils also hit the road taking on the Power-Dutton-Brady Titans for their first game of the...
Thompson Falls residents are used to seeing wildlife in their yards, but one family had a very unique visitor earlier this month. Eric Nygaard discovered a 30-year-old African tortoise in his yard on August 8. According to Nygaard, Myrtle's owner was out of town and she was being watched by the owner's nephew. She showed up at the Nygaard residence about three-quarters of a mile mile from her home on Harlow Road. Eric found her at 10:15 in the morning. He had to put the wheelbarrow over her to...
Yard work can be difficult, especially with the recent heat and for senior citizens, but there's help in the near future. The Plains Beautification Committee had its first planning meeting last week for its autumn cleanup day, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For the fall Plains cleanup day, they will be doing only yard work, said Lana Dicken, one of six members on the committee, including its newest member, Mary Helliwell, who was a cleanup volunteer at last spring's...
Alyssa Geisbusch – Thompson Falls High School Interviewed by Gary Sanks Alyssa Geisbusch is 14 years old and just started her freshman year at Thompson Falls High School. She had band and choir class every day in junior high and enjoyed both experiences. But her primary love and favorite activity is playing instruments. And lots of instruments!! She said her favorite is the clarinet and she's been playing it the longest starting in sixth grade. Other instruments she enjoys are (in no order) t...
A group of ducks pass a whitetail deer family along Mission Creek on the Bison Range....
