Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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A popular recreation site for outdoor enthusiasts went up in flames early last Thursday. The warming hut near the top of Gem Peak outside of Trout Creek burned to the ground and the U.S. Forest Service is investigating the cause of the incident. District Ranger Michael Feiger of the Cabinet Ranger District said guests staying at the Gem Peak Lookout called in the fire about 3 a.m. last Thursday morning. Feiger noted that aligns with data received from the Kootenai National Forest's fire monitori...
An old bull elk at the Bison Range nibbles along a small part of Mission Creek. The bull elk is one of the oldest at the Bison Range. Visitors and staff alike nicknamed him "Harold" or "Droptine," depending on who is asked....
After gathering input from community members for land use improvements for "The Orchard," Sanders County Community Development (SCCD) and Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT) have received results from their survey. The Orchard is a 150-acre parcel of land located north of Thompson Falls Elementary and west of Columbia Street. The survey was opened for those with a 59873 zip code to give feedback on what opportunities they would like Lolo National Forest to consider. "The hope for the survey results was...
Most people go to church for spiritual healing, but on Friday at the Gospel Way Church in Plains, it was more of a physical healing. It was "Free Health Screening Day" at the church, put on by the Costner Care Family Clinic. Eight people from Plains, Heron and Lewistown, Montana, ranging in age from 22 to 75 took part in the free screening session at the church building along Railroad Street on the west side of Plains. This is the second free screening David Costner and his crew of volunteers...
I've always commented that if I had to go back and live in a different time period, I'd live in pioneer days. I could grow and harvest my own food. I could wash clothes in the river. I could write by candlelight. I reread the Little House on the Prairie books about every other year. I'm fascinated by how long it took to get information, or even to get medical assistance. The independence of those families is incredible. There was no social media or cellphones. The distractions weren't like they are now. I really appreciate clean drinking water,...
Dear Readers, A retired geologist, Bruce Bjornstadt, from Richland, Washington, has recently released a drone video about our area. He has a passion for ice age geology. He has written books about the Pacific Northwest ice age floodscapes and has released several videos of the various flood affected areas, including Camas Prairie. The resulting video is about a 10-minute narrative, including maps and background music of the effects of Glacial Lake Missoula on our area, in particular Eddy Narrows. It can be accessed at Eddy Narrows...
The story of America is the story of the individual and the protection of the individual from government, from the powerful, from those who “know better” than we do. Our country was shaped by those who knew the feeling of powerlessness in the face of an oppressive government. Who, as individuals even banding together in common cause against the British government and ruled by a king with near dictatorial powers, felt helpless to control their own destinies. So they resolved that, after we bec...
4 YEARS AGO SEPTEMBER 2, 1982 FAIR OPENS TODAY In the days of Caesar all roads lead to Rome; this weekend all Sanders County roads lead to Plains as the annual Sanders County Fair opens Thursday and continues through Sunday night’s Demolition Derby and the third Youth Dance. The first entertainment feature of the fair will be the queen contest at the Dance Pavilion tonight at 7:30 p.m. The annual luncheon for fair premium book advertisers is scheduled at 1 p.m. Friday at the Pavilion with Williams & Ree and the Whiskey River Band from South D...
ELIZABETH HART, Special Education Paraprofessional - “Getting to know all the new students in the classroom.” ANNIE TAYLOR, Student Teacher - “Learning the ins and outs of what it takes to be a teacher in this community.” LIZ GLACKIN, Early Kinder - “I am looking forward to meeting the students and building new relationships.” LISA CURRIE, Paraprofessional - “I am looking forward to seeing the student’s progression and growth.” DEBRA CASHMAN, Grade 3/4 - “I’m excited to be able to continue my teaching career in this community.” ALICIA WE...
Montana Highway Patrol Kyle Nestegard, 35, seatbelt violation, $20. Gary Hall, 53, seatbelt violation, $20; speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Kristina Quickenden, 36, seatbelt violation, $20. Mckinley Bullock, 22, night speeding, $120. Richard Gates, 41, seatbelt violation, $20. Devin Barnes, 16, seatbelt violation, $20. James Perullo, 57, driving without valid driver's license, $235; seatbelt violation, $20. Michael Giambrone, 37, day speeding, $70. Steven Chadwick, 66, seatbelt violation, $20. Jacob Young, 34, speeding in a restricted...
Ambulance: Plains, 11; Trout Creek, 5; Hot Springs, 4; T. Falls, 3; Heron, 2; Noxon, 1; Dixon, 1. Monday, August 22 Suspicious activity, Hot Springs. Protection order violation. Fire, Plains. Automated alarm call, Plains. Fire, Paradise. Trespass, Trout Creek. Abandoned vehicle, Paradise. Animal other, Plains. Animal abuse, Plains. Civil attempts. Animal bite, T. Falls. Business contact. Disturbance, Plains. Disturbance, Dixon. Motor vehicle crash, Hot Springs. Tuesday, August 23 Suspicious activity, Noxon. Disturbance, T. Falls. Livestock,...
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) is currently in the process of revising the statewide Elk Management Plan, which was last adopted in 2005. FWP hosted a public meeting in the Thompson Falls Elementary School gym last Thursday to gather input about local elk management issues and elk population objectives. Regional Wildlife Manager Neil Anderson spoke to around 25 community members who attended the meeting. Anderson said public comment is important as it can help guide season regulations. “There are a lot of changes we are seeing on the l...
As students of Trout Creek head back to school, six new faculty members will also be joining them. Elizabeth Hart will teach special education and will also serve as a one-on-one paraprofessional. "Elizabeth moved here from Missouri to retire," said Trout Creek School Superintendent Preston Wenz. "She decided she wasn't ready to retire and took a paraprofessional position with us to be a part of the eagle family. The experience she has will benefit us greatly." Debra Cashman will be coming in...
“Spotlight on the Arts” by The Paradise Center honors and encourages students in the arts by highlighting their talent and acknowledging the support they receive through their schools and teachers. Solveig Nygaard is a multitalented freshman in Thompson Falls. At 14 she is proficient with three musical instruments, sings in the school choir, and composes her own music. Her music teacher, Lisa Mickelson, is clearly proud of Solveig’s accomplishments and has watched and encouraged the young music...
The Eastern Sanders County Conservation District (ESCCD) is helping conserve the local waterways by re-implementing their River Clean-Up, an annual event now making headway again. The cleanup will be Saturday, September 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sanders County Fairgrounds in Plains. “Volunteers of all ages are welcome to join anytime during the event,” said ESCCD Administrator Emily Baker. “Volunteers will need to check in at the fairgrounds and sign a liability waiver before spreading out along the riverbanks to help clean up.” Water a...
Mike Harbine died July 26, 2022, at Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains. He was born January 30, 1937, in Ukiah, California, to Elwin (Buck) and Ida Harbine. He moved with his parents and three older siblings to western Montana in 1942. They lived on a farm between Plains and Thompson Falls, along the Clark Fork River. Mike held a master's degree in business, but his education did not lead to office work. He preferred working hard and independently at logging, buying and repairing heavy... Full story
Gerald Dan Larson, 93, of Plains, MT Gerald left this earth peacefully on August 28, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Gerald was born June 21, 1929, in Glendive, Montana, the son of Roy and Myrtle Larson. Gerald grew up there and graduated from Dawson County High School. He received his bachelor's in music education in 1952 from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. There he met Doris Blake of Lisbon, North Dakota,... Full story
The Noxon Red Devils kicked off the 2022 season with a win on their home field last Saturday. Noxon beat Heart Butte 57-12 in their first matchup of the 6-man season. The Red Devils opened with #27 running in for a touchdown on their first drive. The Noxon defense came out roaring and forced Heart Butte to punt on their first possession of the game. Noxon capitalized on the turnover for yet another touchdown. #9 also returned a touchdown for a kickoff. And the first quarter wasn't even over....
The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks had a new experience Friday night at Previs Field. For many of the Hawks, it was their first time playing 11-man football. For many of the Hawks, it was their first time playing on a 100-yard field. For many of the Hawks, it was their first loss as a high school football player. Thompson Falls opened the 2022 season playing host to the Broadwater Bulldogs of Townsend. While the Hawks suffered a 58-24 loss in the home opener, the team is looking forward to the rest...
The Thompson Falls cross country team was back in competition last weekend as they traveled to Deer Lodge on Saturday to run at the Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. Coach Sarah Naegeli said the team lucked out and had a cooler, cloudier day, perfect for running. "We had great first races for our returning runners," Naegeli said, adding that Blue Hawks Mollie Nichols and Cael Thilmony were at the front of the pack from the start of the race. "They've been putting in the miles all...
When all was said and done, Wednesday winners at River’s Bend this year was the Edward Jones team of Dan Kier, Bruce Sterling, Ed Mack, Jesse Mack, Carter Meyer and Ryan Craven. The team won the men’s league championship after a playoff with First Security Bank last week. While Edward Jones and First Security battled to the last putt, the other teams enjoyed a fun night scramble on the last week of play. Limberlost Brewery/Big Eddy’s won the scramble, with RT Brown, Bob Brown, Doug Fisher and John Torres teaming up for the lowest score. Torre...
Custom Ventures celebrated their Tuesday win at River’s Bend last week. The team of Scott Pardee, Kade Pardee, Ty Pardee, Craig LeCoure and Marcus Thomas won the Tuesday title in a playoff against Feed N Fuel. The pressure was off for the remaining teams last Tuesday as they enjoyed a scramble, with Internet Kitchen’s Ron Belger, Carter Meyer, Don Lake, Dave Reedy and Ron Reedy winning fun night play. Meyer’s drive was closest to the pin on No. 5, Mike Tessier took that honor on No. 8, Rusty Sharp sank the long putt on No. 3 and Mike Baxte...
The Over the Hill Gang played professional style Monday in a Ryder Cup golf scramble. The two-person teams played holes 1-3 as a scramble, 4-6 as best ball and 7-9 with alternating shots. Dennis Gripp and Gary Moe won with a 25, Ray Marshall and Rusty Haggard along with Lana Nolen and Kristy Beaty tied for second with a score of 29, and Jesse and Ed Mack placed fourth with a 30.5. Jesse Mack also hit the long putts on Nos. 11 and 13, bill Nolen was closest to the pin in two on No. 10, Al Luckow sank the long putt on No. 12, Howard Morkert's...
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP) returned to Sanders County this year to bring Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and for the first time in the company's history, King Lear. Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA) and Plains Woman's Club help bring MSIP to the rural communities in Sanders County for free. This year's performances drew in around 75 people at each play, even when bad weather moved King Lear from the Sanders County Fairgrounds to the Plains Elementary gym. This year...
The Plains Trotters hosted the Mission Bulldogs in the Trotters' first home game of the season Monday evening. Though the Trotters lost in three sets, their show of energy and love of the game assures a competitive season. The Trotters rallied when down and hustled with key digs and strong serves. The Trotters came out with massive energy for the beginning of the season and traded points and volleys with the Bulldogs during the first set. The teams were tied at 11 before Mission pulled ahead...
