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Independently owned since 1905
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Hepatoblastoma is a rare liver cancer that affects infants and toddlers. The idea of someone so young struggling with something so heavy is a scary thought, but that's the situation little Aiden Miles of Thompson Falls was in at just 11 months old. Aiden's father, Kyle, was staying with his parents while in the process of a divorce. Aiden was very fussy going to bed in November 2016 and his stomach seemed to be bloated and swollen. "I don't think Kyle or Aiden got much sleep that night," said...
People go to Sanders County Fair to see farm animals, rodeo cowboys, derby smashing, and to get a thrill on carnie rides. But they also go to indulge themselves on fair food. "Ya, people come for the food, that's why there's a thing called a fair burger," said Sanders County Commissioner Glen Magera. The cuisine aroma could be detected throughout the grounds all week. "I think food is a big draw. I'm here to get my favorite, but this year I'm stepping out to try some new things," said Roberta...
Montana State Parks (MSP) is proposing a change to the group site and group day use areas at Thompson Falls State Park. The proposal would relocate an existing group campsite and replace two failing picnic pavilions. The existing group campsite would be relocated from the upper bench in the northeast area of the park to the lower bench, which is more centrally located and closer to the river. The existing group campsite would be repurposed as a group day use site that would be available to the public to facilitate large events such as weddings...
The news last week that rising costs are forcing changes to the county’s recycling program really hit home. We have read articles about the amount of plastics in the oceans, the billions of tons of trash in landfills. We have to admit, we took for granted that the recycling program would be here and we could do a little bit to help the earth. The cuts to the county recycling program are hard. We’re thinking more about consumption (have you noticed local restaurants cutting back on straws unless you specifically ask for one) and waste. We...
Medicaid is so much more than just another insurance provider—my story is proof of that. When an abusive relationship set myself and my children back, I needed help to get back on my feet. With the help of Medicaid, I was able to bounce back and give my children the life they deserve. Montana’s decision to expand Medicaid included the creation of the Help-Link program to provide free workforce training programs to many Montanans covered under Medicaid. Thankfully, I was one of them. I was not looking for a handout, simply some assistance in get...
This is a congratulatory letter for Tyler Riffle, Karen Dykstra’s grandson. Karen, for years, has been the Floriculture Superintendent at the fair. And she used her grandson whenever she needed assistance. Over the years, the fair had used a program called ShoWorks for all open class entries. And to say it was user friendly would be untruthful. Well, Tyler got intrigued about the open class entry program and wrote the program the fair is currently using. What a God send the new program is. There is almost zero human action required; T...
It’s Labor Day, but organized labor doesn’t seem to be doing so well. Since 2012 six state legislatures have passed “right-to-work” laws, bringing the right-to-work total to 28 states, and the Supreme Court has recently decided a major case (Janus vs. AFSCME) by holding that government employees do not have to pay union dues if they don’t want to, thus disregarding the fact that those employees are entitled to all the benefits that the union negotiators have won. Once you get away from the...
Excerpt from Milepost Zero by Benita (McNeeley) Hanson World War II affected Paradise in many ways. Troop trains were commonly seen passing through town. Lena Minear, who kept a daily diary without fail, records the troop trains began to pass through town on March 1, 1941, months before Pearl Harbor. The Plainsman reported on February 26, 1942, that there were now 4 boys in the Armed Forces. They were Merle Steel, Army, and Richard Steele, in the Philippine Islands, sons of Mr. & Mrs. Howard Steele; Frances Hermes, Army, son of Mr. & Mrs. H.B....
Vickie McNamara, Plains — “My three grandkids. They have a lot of items and scarecrows on display. Monster vegetables and gourds. I also come for the food, all the food. My grandkids are here for the summer.” Jacob Johnson, Thompson Falls — “I come to hang out with my friends and to go on the rides. I like the Zepher. It’s definitely the best.” Mike ElLul, Thompson Falls — “I come for the kids. One is 6 and the other is 1. My daughter hits the rides. I’m here for the food, New York cheesesteak sandwiches. They are pretty good.” Noreen S...
Ambulances: Noxon, 1; T. Falls, 8; Plains, 3. Sunday, August 26 Nuisance animal in the area of Haley and Ferry, T. Falls. Civil standby requested on Little Thompson River Rd. Domestic disturbance, Dixon. Abandoned vehicle, Hwy. 200, Dixon. Domestic disturbance, Plains. Power pole on fire, Heron. Monday, August 27 Motor vehicle collision, hit and run, Thompson Falls. BB holes in bathroom window, Plains. Tuesday, August 28 Intoxicated person passed out on bench, H. Springs. One vehicle non-injury accident on Hwy. 200 and Deer Run Rd., T. Creek. D...
In court on Tuesday, Judge Deborah Kim Christopher sentenced Julie Goodwin to a 5-year suspended sentence with the Department of Corrections. Goodwin’s original plea agreement had been rejected. Goodwin pleaded guilty to a felony theft charge, felony driving under the influence (third offense) and driving while licenses was suspended or revoked. Goodwin received the five-year suspended sentence for the theft charge and was ordered to pay restitution of $4,123.31. The DUI charge came with five months in the Sanders County Jail and the driving wh...
Sander’s County Sheriff’s Office Rocky Olson, 35, driving without a valid license, $235; stop sign violation, $125. Marcus Cross, 23, driving while privilege is suspended or revoked, $185; no liability insurance, 2nd offense, $85. Trae Rocheleau, 24, day speeding, $20. Daniel Scarpino, 38, speeding in a restricted zone, $105. Shannon Crane, 40, assault, $185. Jesse Smokovich, 27, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Bradley Woyke, 54, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Montana Highway Patrol Marcus Cross, 23, driving while privilege is suspende...
It was as loud Sunday night at the Sanders County Fairgrounds as the ever-popular Demolition Derby entertained fans once again in Plains, Montana. Recognition of military members and families kicked off the event and was followed with a moment of silence for those who have fallen while fighting for freedom. After that, silence was a thing of the past. Paradise resident Lisa French presented a beautiful rendition of The National Anthem and then, the engines of basic stock cars roared. The top fin...
It's that time of year when the youth of 4-H can show off the work they've done over the past year and their animals continue to be a big attraction to fairgoers. The five 4-H clubs – Heron-Noxon Explorers, Trout Creek Mavericks, Whitepine Happy Workers, Thompson Falls Mountaineers, Plains South Side Sparks, Hot Springs Wranglers, and the Little Bitterroot Club – had 135 animals to show this year. Showmanship competition enthusiasm was evident throughout the week and judges pointed out how imp...
Dianna Lynn Richardson, 61, of Thompson Falls died in her home of kidney failure Sat., August 25, 2018. She was born in Marion, Ohio on May 3, 1957 to Carol and Shirley Jackson. Her siblings were Carol, Rocky, Rita and Melody. Dianna earned her GED and attended an MTA school tractor trailer driver program. She also earned an associate of arts degree in criminal justice. Throughout her life, Dianna worked for the Lancaster Police Department, YMCA and Spring Creek. She was a volunteer for the VA and Thompson River Animal Care Shelter (TRACS).... Full story
New Life Fellowship in Thompson Falls is hosting a Healing Same/Restoring Glory conference this weekend. The conference is Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7 and 8. Sandra and Peter Kersten are from New Zealand. Sandra travels the world bringing healing to broken people. “We are so glad to have her and her husband Peter with us,” said Irene Anderson with New Life Fellowship. “Their ministry crosses over denomination walls to bring freedom and healing to the body of Christ. Sandra is licensed with Elijah House Ministries. Their gifting’s are a bless...
This year's trail season is nearing an end, but there are still two chances to join the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness (FSPW) all-stars in the stewardship of local hiking routes that are part of the National Trails System, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The volunteer crew from FSPW have been working to help keep trails open and useable in the west Cabinets since 2010, and so far this year have worked on Scotchman Peak Trail #65, Big Spar Lake Trail #143A, Spar Peak Trail...
Sanders County’s Local Advisory Committee (LAC) for mental health is organizing another “Strong Communities, Strong Sanders County” event to take place in Noxon. The event will include discussion on youth tobacco use, underage drinking, cyberbullying, sexting and internet security and will take place Thursday, Sept. 13, in the Noxon school multi-purpose room. Attendance is free, and refreshments and door prizes will be available. The committee is dedicated to spreading awareness and educating county residents, so the event is a repeat of the o...
The Thompson Falls High School Class of 1968 came together for their 50th class reunion over Labor Day weekend. The group gathered at Don Heater's home near Trout Creek Friday evening, then toured the Old Jail Museum on Saturday. Saturday's events also included a bus tour around Thompson Falls. Class member Marilyn (Britton) Majerus said the group toured Thompson Falls and the cemeteries "to reminisce with each other about childhood memories of where we and our family and friends lived." The...
It’s a throwback to the golden oldies, in more ways than one. Clark Fork Valley Hospital’s Long Term Care (LTC) Activities Director is inviting the public to join in the fun at the 3rd Annual Car and Bike Show in Plains, this Saturday. The event is a fundraiser to help bolster the day to day living of the “classic” population living at CFVH. “The money raised all goes to improving their lives here,” said LTC Activities Director Del Smith. “Whether it’s more comfortable furnishings to make it feel like home or for bus rides and outings – it al...
Cabinet Peaks Clinic at Bull River is ready for its grand opening scheduled for next Monday, September 10. Staff is in place and ready to provide family practice, urgent care, occupational health and physical therapy services. Robin Trull, RN, BSN, MPH, PA-C is the medical provider for the clinic. She is a resident of Thompson Falls and has multiple medical certifications including advanced cardiac, trauma, pediatric, and comprehensive life support. She is a Kansas native and has spent 29 years...
Are you ready for hunting season? Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) can help. FWP’s provides online information about hunting access, including the Block Management Program. Through the program, FWP coordinates with landowners to provide hunting access to more than 7 million acres of private land. The interactive Hunt Planner map allows users to look at information for various species, including hunting districts and regulations. The hunt planner interactive map is a great way to access our block management information, and to see if there a...
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME doesn’t end until November 4, but the sun is setting earlier over the fields of Sanders County....
Blue Hawk football coach Jared Koskela thought there was plenty of room for improvement, and his boys went out and proved him right versus Cut Bank Friday night at Previs Field. Showing what he called "a ton of improvement" from what they showed in Townsend the week before, the Hawks lost 57-32 to the Wolves, but fought the visitors from the Northern B division pretty much straight-up all Sanders County night long. Koskela felt the Hawks had a lot to prove to others and themselves after losing...
The coach of some of the best volleyball teams in Thompson Falls history – Who can forget the 2016 Lady Hawk team that earned the only State trophy a Sanders County team has ever won by placing third that year? – Sandra Kazmierczak knows a good team when she has one. Well, Coach K may have another tiger by the tail with this season's group of Lady Hawk netters. Although still very young and playing with only two seniors, the Lady Hawks won two of their first three matches last week, stopping a v...
