Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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The folks at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital Long Term Care will be getting a one-of-a-kind tree that is self watering and never drops its leaves, compliments of a local nonprofit organization. It took volunteers of Joint Operation Mariposa (JOM) just over a year to make the nearly nine-foot tall copper willow tree, complete with a 300-gallon tank just below the surface that will resemble a pond. "I like it. It's different," said JOM member Ed Foste, who had a good idea how to build the tree...
Wood Creek Academy, a private school for troubled boys, has decided to close its doors after over 16 years of operation. The decision was made by executive director Danice Thorne. "We don't quit, and that's why it was so hard to make the decision," said Thorne. The doors were officially closed September 25 at the Thompson Falls establishment, with no intention of re-opening, Thorne added. The closure was due to several internal reasons, Thorne stated, and was spurred by an investigation into an...
The Paradise sewer project is at a standstill, partially due to the opposition’s role in eliminating two board members in a recall petition, and because another board member resigned. With only two board members remaining — Terry Caldwell and Janice Barber — there aren’t enough for the three-person minimum to have a legal quorum, according to Sanders County Commissioner Carol Brooker. Sunny Chase, the board president, and Rick McCollum were recalled by a slim margin in August, a result of a petition filed in February by Cody Lampman, a Paradis...
Trout Creek School has become the first in the state to include Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks' (MFWP) Hunter Safety and Hunter Education courses in their curriculum. During the year, students will meet for an hour once a week and will by the end of it become certified in both Hunter Education and Bow Hunter Education. The instruction they will get, according to Trout Creek School Superintendent Preston Wenz, will be far more in depth than a regular hunter education program. They will also...
Heading in to the nearby big cities these days, you see a problem that we're experiencing here in Sanders County. Businesses here, and there, are short-staffed. Companies large and small are working hard to keep providing services and goods with a limited number of employees. It's hard for everyone to keep up. When you go to a big-box store, you'll often find very few checkout lines with an actual cashier. Most stores have gone to offering self-checkout services in a majority of the lines, with one employee serving all the self checkouts. I'm...
I am very disappointed in the decision made by our Sanders County Commissioners to accept Nick Lawyer’s resignation as our Public Health Officer. Nick spoke the truth about lessening the effects of COVID in our county which benefits us all in many ways. Real bad decision on our commissioners’ part and now they become complicit in what is happening in Sanders County. Dave Bennett, Thompson Falls...
This letter is in response to Mr. Falk’s letter (though I think he would prefer to be called Dave). Your letter inspired me to respond. I too am saddened and angry at the burnt mountains we look at every day. When the smoke cleared, my eyes blinked in disbelief at the site of Mount Silcox and the mountains below. There are now torched places with black spots everywhere that I’ve been told were caused by fire balls. Other visible trees are brown with scorched spots going down the side of the mountain, one not far from Highway 200, out by the...
Every once in a while, we meet people who come into our lives for a short moment, and as short as it might be, they leave a very long impression. For me, one of those fellows was a rancher from Livingston named Tom Lane. The way I met Tom was when I was in the Montana Senate and he called me up about a piece of controversial tax legislation I was carrying. To make the explanation simple, it was about Montana being able to collect income tax from out-of-state investors on land that they had sold...
4 YEARS AGO SEPTEMBER 17, 1981 COMPUTERS INTRODUCED IN HIGH SCHOOL The three R’s, readin’, riting and ‘rithmetic are still important at Thompson Falls High School, but a class has been added this year that teaches the R’s of another basic educational system. The random access, readout and restore signals of computer programming. Thompson Falls has invested $5,100 into the Apple II Plus micro computer system which features two keyboards that can adequately serve a class of nine students. Math instructor MaryJo McCoy is advising and organiz...
Claire Lakko, Plains - “I would want a Chick-Fil-A here because that’s my favorite fast food restaurant, and it’s the best place ever.” Kim Lakko, Plains - “I wish we had a small YMCA for families to have more activities and sports to participate in the evenings.” Taylor Huntsman, Thompson Falls - “Eye care is a big one, and either a Wal-Mart or a store that gets more product in that is not being limited by distributors.” Leah Vega, Thompson Falls - “I would like to see ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialists and vision would be excellent.” Li...
Montana Highway Patrol Kim Braaten, 69, seatbelt violation, $20; driving under the influence, 1st offense, $735, 1 day jail. Justin Castro, 41, seatbelt violation, $20. Heather Farmer, 33, violation in use of traffic edution learner's license, $85; seatbelt violation, $20; careless driving, $85. Susannah Lindsawy, 16, following too closely, $85. Craig McKay, 52, day speeding, $20. Richard Garrett, 39, day speeding, $70. Sanders County Sheriff's Office Buck Hendrickson, 38, no liability insurance, 1st offense, $85. Motor Carrier Services David...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 13; Plains, 6; Lonepine, 1; Dixon, 1; Noxon, 2; Hot Springs, 1. Monday, September 20 Coroner called, Trout Creek. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Automated alarm call, Plains. Abandoned vehicle, T. Falls. Civil attempts, Lonepine. Intimidation/harassment, T. Falls. General animal call or complaint, Dixon. Assist other agency, Dixon. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Harassment/privacy in communication, Hot Springs. Civil attempts, Plains. Tuesday, September 21 Theft, T. Falls. Coroner called, Trout Creek. Livestock, Plains....
Andre Levert pleaded not guilty to the felony charge of assault with a weapon Tuesday in 20th District Judicial Court. According to charging documents, on February 2 Levert reportedly struck a man with an object several times. Levert’s council argued for his release, but the request was denied. Instead, his bail will be reduced to $25,000 from $55,000 if he is able to provide the address of the residence where he will stay after release and the address of his employer. Levert’s trial has been set for March 7, 2022. Leslie Butler appeared bef...
The Sanders County Board of Health met at the Sanders County Courthouse for their scheduled training last week. The Wednesday training focused on board ethics in operation, responsibilities and meeting structure. The training was given by Dan Clark from the Montana State University Local Government Center. During the training, Clark interacted with the board members to dig into some of their questions on meeting policy and how to handle public comments. Clark explained during the meeting that the public has a right to participate in meetings an...
Every year, National 4-H Week sees millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni come together to celebrate the many positive youth development opportunities offered by 4-H. The theme for this year’s National 4-H Week, FindYourSpark, is a campaign that was created by National 4-H Council to rally support for 4-H and identify solutions to eliminate the opportunity gap that affects 55 million kids across America. Sanders County 4-H will observe National 4-H Week this year by highlighting some of the inspirational 4-H youth in our community w...
As bears and other wildlife move closer into town and hunting season gears up, encounters with dangerous animals are going to become more commonplace. Just recently a mountain lion was killed outside of Thompson Falls and a family of bears was seen ambling through town. It is important to stay “bear aware” and to know how to protect oneself from these animals in an environment like that of northwestern Montana. Right now, bears are preparing for winter hibernation and need to put on as many cal...
Gary Kenneth Cooper, born in Whitepine, Montana, February 18, 1937, passed peacefully at his home in Thompson Falls on September 15, 2021. A man of many hats, he was a teacher, coach, builder, restaurant owner and cook, a father and husband. His passions were basketball and boating on the Clark Fork River and golf in his earlier years. Preceding him in death were his parents, brother Cal, sister Teri, and daughter Karin. Surviving relatives include his wife, Lynn; son, Jeff Cooper (Brenda);...
Shirley Arlene “Dickson” McLinden passed away at home in Trout Creek with her daughter Teresa Arlene Lippott by her side Tuesday, September 21, 2021. Shirley was born June 15, 1931, to James Leonard (Duff) and Edna Dickson in Burley, Idaho. She attended school in Trout Creek and Noxon. She married Dan McLinden, Sr., on July 15, 1950. They raised their six children at their home in Trout Creek. Shirley was very active in the community. She drove school bus for her father and for Herb Kraus. She was an EMT for the Noxon Ambulance for many years;...
Carl Chappell (Chappy) Krauthoff, loving husband, father, brother and friend, was called home by our Lord on September 10, 2021. In the early morning hours, not 40 minutes before he passed, Chappy sent a beautiful and loving message to his "bride" Gail as his final statement. His ongoing struggle with various medical issues over the recent years only pronounced his unwavering faith in the Lord and allowed him to move through life with radiance and a smile. He is survived by his bride of 30...
Mona Inez Leeson Vanek passed away peacefully September 15, 2021, at the Bridge Assisted Living home in Sandpoint, Idaho. She was born to Ottillie and Al Leeson November 26, 1932, in Spokane, Washington. She married Arthur Vanek in 1949. Mona was an accomplished woman. She always said you can do anything if you put your mind to it, and she lived that philosophy her entire life. She never did anything halfway. Always all in. When she was in her early 20's she needed to learn to sew for her...
Alice E. (Yeager) Swope, 91 years old, passed away Thursday, September 24, 2021, at Hot Springs Health and Rehab Center in Hot Springs, Montana. She was born May 23, 1930, in Center, North Dakota. She was one of three children born to Mable and John Yeager, and a stepbrother, Jerome Yeager. John, Mabel, Irene and Allie traveled to Montana in a covered wagon, homesteading at Powderville, Montana. Sister Muggy came to live with them after they settled in at Powderville. They eventually moved to a...
We have now observed what seems to be punishment at the Sanders County Commissioners meeting on September 15 for alleged “inappropriate” medical care. This appears to be an open ploy by a group of county citizens to intimidate public servants, (elected, paid or volunteer) to do their bidding or quit to then have people with similar viewpoints placed in office. Remember, in a mid-August article it was clearly stated that it was the desire to have a “medically trained conservative patriot” on the county board of health. Does Sanders County...
Bob Costa, renowned journalist said, “Actions matter in politics and policy.” A week ago, the Sanders County Commissioners requested the resignation of Nick Lawyer, a member of the County Public Health Board and the County’s Public Health Officer, effectively firing him. This action by the commissioners was on wrong many levels. • The first glaring example is that county residents were not informed of any meetings concerning this action. The decision to request this resignation was not handled appropriately; an off-agenda item can be discussed,...
The wilderness of Sanders County is transitioning with the colors of the change in seasons. A hike to Mount Bushnell near Thompson Falls of fall foliage and big skies. At the top is the base of the old lookout, which was destroyed in 1958 (below left). Plants from huckleberry bushes to pinedrops (below right) present brilliant shades of reds, yellows and greens against the sprawling landscape....
After a complete restructure, LaRue Hot Springs Museum board members will be heading into their winter break reflecting on the year's accomplishments and gearing up for next season. In April, the public elected six new board members to join Norah Potts and George Heinselman, who were the last two members from the museum's previous board. After Potts and Heinselman reached out for help, the town of Hot Springs convened an election. "It wasn't because of COVID that the board was restructured,...
