Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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A Missoula man was well in the lead in defending his title of the Clark Fork Adventure Challenge on Sunday when one of his tires blew during the mountain bike segment of the race. Erik Digby was one of seven competitors in the 3rd Annual Clark Fork Adventure Challenge triathlon at Sanders County Fairgrounds. "That mountain bike portion is tough. It's really the most challenging part," said John Haines, the race director and the person who came up with the idea of the event. The race was sponsore...
It is not open burning season yet, but when it is within the next few weeks, please use caution. Open burning season begins Oct. 1 across western Montana and people wishing to burn yard debris or forest slash-piles should take several precautionary measures to ensure safety, to their own property and their neighbors. Individuals who ignite fires are ultimately responsible for whatever those fires do, including the cost of suppression in case of a fire’s escape. Although it becomes technically legal to start burning Oct. 1, local fire o...
FALL SPORTS - A whitetail buck stands ready to defend his goal at the soccer field near Thompson Falls High School. Archery hunters have until October 14 to hunt, while the regular rifle season begins October 20....
Noxon School hosted Sanders County Local Advisory Council last Wednesday evening for their second presentation of "Stronger Communities, Stronger Sanders County: Keeping our Communities Healthy." The audience was small, but the message was massive: Teens in Sanders County communities need guidance and must know there are adults who care about them and are concerned about their wellbeing. Abby Harnett, Director of Western Montana Mental Health Clinic, opened the forum stating, "We decided to host...
Parents, are you listening? Sanders County Local Advisory Council (LAC) has a vision of building a stronger community. They have spent countless hours researching the habits of our youth and reaching out to share what they have discovered. They are trying to get our attention. Are you listening? It is quite alarming to attend LAC forums to find only a handful of attendants. What’s even more alarming? Times have changed; sex, drugs and rock-n-roll as it was in earlier years has changed … big time! Adults who ignore this message, or are sim...
An article in the October 2018 Atlantic (“Is Democracy Dying?”) points out that one of the checks and balances the creators of the Constitution employed was the use of time. The writers of the Constitution were highly educated men for whom the importance of rational thought was paramount. They feared that the irrationality that is born of inflamed passions of an aroused public would be the chief danger to the nation’s success, and so they developed a document that would require a slow, delib...
Montana’s State Legislature enacted CI-64 26 years ago. The effect of “Term Limits” was to prohibit public officials from seeking re-election if they have already held the office for a defined number of years. Term limits offer both negative and positive arguments. A single drawback is that term limits can possibly hinder positive policies and favorable influence accrued through years and years of public office. However, term limits become another method to reject ineffective policies or poor outcomes. Term limits allow public officials to be m...
Sometimes looking back can help us understand how we should move forward, but when it comes to predicting craziness, history’s lessons aren’t helpful at all. For instance: opposing views of both the role and the structure of public education meant it was predictable even a hundred years ago that public education politics would be confrontational. The liberal or progressive side leaned toward the individual child’s needs, while the traditional or conservative side argued in terms of subject matter and institutional structure – society...
4 YEARS AGO • SEPTEMBER 14, 1978 MA BELL COMES LONG WAY HERE SINCE 1912 From the woman called "central" and the magneto switchboard Ma Bell has come a long way in Thompson Falls. "Central," now called an operator, was the friendly voice on the other end of the telephone who manually made telephone connections for the exchange established here in 1912. When the caller lifted his receiver a switch in his telephone lighted a lamp in front of "central." She plugged a cord into the proper jack a...
KHRISTIAN SCHMIDT, Thompson Falls – “Video games. They help keep me with my stress and anger. I play at least six times a week.” AVERIE BOON, Thompson Falls – “My cellphone. I use it every day.” RON KILBURY, Thompson Falls – “I could live without all of it. There isn’t that much that I absolutely need.” KELLEE NEEDLES, Thompson Falls – “My cellphone. I do business stuff on it, make phone calls, keep in touch with my family, take pictures, do marketing, email and print my schedules.” ROSANNE LARSON, Stevensville – “The automobile. I could do...
Ambulances: Noxon, 2; T. Falls, 7; Plains, 4; H. Springs, 3. Sunday, September 9 Horses damaging neighboring property, Plains. Cows on Hwy. 200, T. Creek. Low flying airplane, Noxon. Dog complaint, Plains. Smoke coming from the south fork of Marten Cr., T. Creek. Fire at the side of Hwy. 135. Landlord/tenant dispute, Plains. Teenager requesting assistance after disagreement with a parent, T. Creek. Pickup weaving on Hwy. 200, Plains. Monday, September 10 Vehicle vs. deer, Prospect Cr. Rd., T. Falls. Abandoned vehicle at Rimrock R.V. Park, T....
Sanders County Attorney Amber Woods, 32, issuing a bad check, $257.15, fines and restitution. Montana Highway Patrol David Christie, 33, day speeding, $70. Logan Goodwin, 20, failure to carry proof of insurance, 1st offense, $125; failure to give notice of accident by quickest means, $175; driving under the influence of alcohol, 1st offense, $685 and 180 days jail; possessing intoxicating substances while under the age of 21, 2nd offense, $175; careless driving, $125. Hunter Knoepke, 21, seatbelt violation, $20. William Ogletree, 30, speeding...
Sanders County schools are gearing up for homecoming week with plans for parades, parties and dances. Traditions abound as schools get in the spirit to support their football, cross country and volleyball teams through pep rallies, activities and wacky apparel. Noxon High School’s homecoming week runs September 24-29, with a school spirited theme, “The Devil’s Circus.” To keep students in the homecoming mindset, dress-up days will take place all week. Monday will be “mismatch day,” where students don clashing clothes. Monday is also the da...
Let’s get some facts straight about Hecla Mining Co. and its corporate track record. When Hecla purchased Revett Mining in June 2015 as part of its acquisition of the proposed Rock Creek Mine, the company also took ownership of the Troy Mine, which had been mothballed because of underground rock falls and dipping copper prices. Hecla immediately closed the mine and began preparing to reclaim the site, as required by Montana mining law. Come spring of 2017, Hecla started the reclamation work, which includes capping and revegetating the t...
The Ledger’s new columnist, Mr. Blaine Blackstone, described himself as conservative but the kind of guy that could discuss issues and respectfully listen to both sides, acknowledging viewpoints change over time with knowledge and experiences. It was disappointing to read Mr. Blackstone’s accusation that Governor Bullock’s support of Second Amendment rights was disingenuous because he now supports banning assault weapons. These are Separate issues! The Governor’s views are shared by over 80% of our population. Even the Sanders County Ledger...
It has come to my attention that since I have spoken out against corporate greed in the past, some folks think I may despise all corporations. Not so my friends. Let me misquote Forrest Gump on that one. “Evil is as evil does.” To be incorporated can be a great tool for a business. However, corporations are not persons and do not deserve rights as persons under the 14th Amendment. Rob Kjos, Heron...
Sergeant First Class Kelly James Scott Brigham of Delta FSC, 6th Squadron, 1st US Cavalry, 1st SBCT, 1AD of Fort Bliss, Texas was a leader to many, and a mentor to more. He has left behind wonderful memories of being a loving husband, father, son, grandson, and friend. Kelly was born on July 2, 1983 to Debra Brigham and Gregory Sharp. Upon completing high school he joined the army where he served faithfully for 14 1/2 long years. He was born to lead and excelled in career. On January 8, 2009...
The military will honor one of Sanders County’s own this weekend. Sergeant First Class Kelly James Scott Brigham attended Thompson Falls High School and washed dishes at Minnie’s before graduating in Beaverton, Oregon, and beginning a career in the Army that stationed him in Anchorage, among other locations. Friday, September 7, Brigham succumbed to cancer in Kalispell, leaving behind his wife Cassandra and their children Chance and Jenna. His local family has decided to make his final resting place in Thompson Falls and the military will be...
Ben Aldridge, Little Bitterroot: Swine Market Interview, White. Swine Market, Blue. Swine Showmanship, Blue. Woodworking, Birdhouse, Red. Lauryn Aldridge, Little Bitterroot: Swine Market, Blue. Swine Showmanship, Blue. Swine Market Interview, Red. Photography, Photo Story, Blue. Piper Bergstrom, South Side Sparks: Horse Ranch, Blue. Ranch Horse educational display, Blue. Horsemanship Showmanship, Red. Horsemanship Western, Blue. Horsemanship Western, Educational Display, Blue. Western Horsemanship Interview, Blue. Horse Ranch Interview, Blue. T...
Now you can buy and sandwich and turn around and rent a raft, all in one swoop. The Mountain Store sandwich shop at the Deemer Creek Business Park held its grand opening on Friday to officially open its doors for business. The new sandwich shop is located where the old Subway used to be and is owned by Chris Reyna, who also owns the Lewis and Clark Whitewater, a whitewater raft rental business, which is all in the same building. "We just wanted to bring more variety to the community," said...
AS FALL makes its way to Sanders County, the hazy summer sunsets filled with smoke from wildfires are being replaced with cool clouds passing over the Noxon Reservoir....
In thanks for community support for wilderness causes, the Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness (FSPW) organization invited their friends and the public to a free picnic last Sunday. While weather mostly cooperated, attendees enjoyed barbecued burgers and all the sides while hearing a recap of the year from FSPW board chair and Montana Outreach Coordinator, Doug Ferrell. Also present was Sanders County Outreach Coordinator, Ray Brown, who noted that the turn out was good. “The purpose was really just to thank everyone for their support and...
NOXON – The score might have been 64-36 but the effort by both teams seemed more like 50-50. The Hot Springs Savage Heat registered an exciting 64-36 win over the rival Noxon Red Devils in Noxon Friday to solidify their State C playoff position with a 3-1 record. Still in the playoff hunt, the Devils fell to 1-2 but should still have the time and the talent to make a push for a post-season spot as well. Coach Jim Lawson and his Savage Heat visit Gardiner Saturday while coach Bart Haflich and h...
The Mission Shadows Duals cross country run is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill race. It's run with a staggered start and lots of hay bales strategically placed around the course to produce a slightly disorienting effect on the runners. This season's Mission Shadows event, as usual hosted by Ronan, was held at the Mission Mountain Golf Course in Pablo Saturday. "The kids never really know where they are relative to each other in the race (because of the staggered start), and there are a multit...
Thompson Falls cross country coach Sarah Naegeli thanks her lucky stars for River’s Bend Golf Course and the fine people who work there. And Naegeli and the staff at River’s Bend can all be thanked for making the annual Thompson Falls Invitational such a successful cross country race year after year. This year’s Thompson Falls Invite will be held at scenic River’s Bend with racing scheduled to begin Thursday at 3 p.m. with the junior high boys race. The junior high girls will follow at 3:30 p.m. after which the high school boys (4 p.m.) a...
