Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Cancer Network of Sanders County (CNSC) switched up their fall fundraiser this year, holding the event at the Elks Lodge in Thompson Falls. About 100 attendees enjoyed a prime rib dinner and a Phantom of the Opera themed event with variety of fundraising activities. "This is completely amazing," CNSC President Shelly Bertrand said during Saturday's fundraiser. "I could never ask for a better turnout for one of our fundraisers." Bertrand introduced her fellow board members and noted that since...
NorthWestern Energy began lowering the drawdown of the reservoir above the Thompson Falls dam on Friday. Once the level is 16 feet below full pool, crews will work to replace wooden flash board on the main dam (left)....
Voters in Hot Springs and Thompson Falls will choose city council representatives this fall. The municipal general election is set for November 7. Sanders County Election Administrator McKenna Wallace said that ballots will be mailed October 18. The elections in Thompson Falls and Hot Springs will be held by mail. Ballots can be delivered to the Elections Office on Main Street in Thompson Falls across from the courthouse, or mailed. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. In Thompson Falls, three council...
The Lil' Fighters Fall Festival Fundraiser held its seventh annual event at the Pilgrim Creek Park in Noxon on Saturday. The park was packed with many adults and children entering contests, for all ages, that added to the full day of festivities. Hundreds of community members attended the festival, which started at noon and ended at 8 p.m. Children ate, chased and scrambled to grab their rewards. Childrens' faces were painted for fun and many wore pioneer costumes for a contest. This year's bene...
Two Plains businesses are now merged under one owner and they continue to flourish as one. The 406 Outlet closed its doors at the old Town Pump building site several weeks ago and is now taking up space at Colleen's Country Store on the other side of town. Jessica (Holland) Gergen purchased Colleen's Country Store from Colleen Mesing at the end of September and moved her inventory alongside the country store's merchandise. Both businesses will be represented under one roof and the Colleen's...
Clark Fork Valley Hospital has a new doctor, but she's not new to Plains. "Barbie" Steward is a 2006 graduate of Plains High School. At 7 years old she was already operating heavy machinery at her father's rock business and as a teenager, she was benching over 200 pounds. Now she's Dr. Barbara Steward helping her former neighbors stay healthy. The 35-year-old Steward started at Clark Fork Valley Hospital last Monday and already has patients lined up. As the hospital's newest osteopathic physicia...
Our job as a newspaper is to inform our readers, to be leaders of information in local communities. I get a lot of random questions from people every day. Most of the time, if it’s something we’ve written about, I’ll end my answer jokingly with “I read it in The Ledger.” It’s true, though. Looking back on more than six years owning a newspaper, there’s a lot of random knowledge in my brain that I never would have learned if I wasn’t reading the newspaper or covering local events and meetings. The 2023 Local Newspaper Study provides eviden...
On a table in the front hallway to my house is a photograph of two men who look like they are enjoying each other's company. It's not obvious in the picture, but they are reclined on a short two-step stairway that leads to the rostrum of the Montana House of Representatives. For such an august place they are perhaps being disrespectful of the decorum that such places should engender. On the left in the picture is a much younger version of myself in my second legislative session. On the right is...
Letter to Editor I recently heard a statement that “there are too many people on the city Council of _____ political persuasion and that balance needs to be changed by electing new people to the council”. That statement reflects a lack of understanding of the council and does a tremendous disservice to those serving on the council. The city council is a nonpartisan body tasked with making the best decisions for a city and its residents based on facts and knowledge of city needs. Politics do not come into play on the council, regardless of wha...
It’s great that both Plains and Thompson Falls School Districts made baseball happen for boys from Noxon to Hot Springs! It’s a great game and the options for high school boys to play otherwise are expensive, require lengthy drives and they have to make the Legion cut. Both school boards approved the addition and then subsequently worked out coop agreements with Hot Springs and Noxon schools respectively to make it happen. The kids win when things come together. It’s my hope both school boards give soccer in this valley the same consi...
Dear Editor, More than one in four Montana high school students currently use e-cigarettes, and the disposable e-cigarettes many of them use are bigger and badder than ever before. According to a recent study in Tobacco Control, the amount of e-liquid a disposable e-cigarette device can hold increased by 518% and the average nicotine strength increased by 294%. As a result, the amount of nicotine in some disposable e-cigarettes is now comparable to several cartons of cigarettes. E-liquids have also dropped in price, making it easier for kids to...
Sawtooth EMS will begin serving the Heron area next week. Sheriff Shawn Fielders told The Ledger on Tuesday that the sheriff’s office has agreed to dispatch the private ambulance service within the boundaries of the Heron Fire District. “We got a tremendous amount of comments both ways,” Sheriff Fielders said. “What it boiled down to was what was the best service for the community.” Fielders stated the target date is October 15 for dispatching to Sawtooth. He said a few tests have already been completed, with more scheduled for this week. He...
3 YEARS AGO • OCTOBER 7, 1993 CHARLES R. DUFFIELD OBITUARY Charles R. “Chuck” Duffield, 79, of Thompson Falls died of natural causes September 28, 1993. Chuck was born June 23, 1914 at Broadview, Montana to Warren and Martha Duffield. In the fall of 1922, the family moved to Great Falls. Chuck liked to tell how he and his friend, Ralph Buchanan, at the time ages 8 and 9 respectively, made the 71-mile trip to Great Falls from Geraldine by horseback on their own. In Great Falls Chuck grew up working alongside his cabinet-making father in their...
TRACEY INMAN, Plains - “Yes, because someone made fun of me once. I didn’t know it was a rule. Now I wear white whenever I want.” SARA RIEK, Plains - “Yes, because I don’t care. I wear whatever I want.” SHANNON LUPICA, Thompson Falls - “Yes absolutely, I’ll wear whatever I want.” KOURTNEY WALLACE, Thompson Falls - “Yes, I don’t care what the fashion police say. I think you should be able to wear whatever you want.” KARA MORGAN, Plains - “Yes, if people want to wear white after Labor Day, they should.” BEV MILLER, Plains - “I have never hear...
Ambulance: Plains, 11; T. Falls, 4; Hot Springs, 4; Noxon, 2; Dixon, 1; Heron, 1; Trout Creek, 1; Paradise, 1. Monday, October 2 Civil attempts. Civil attempts. Civil attempts. Fire, Plains. Assist other agency, Paradise. Tuesday, October 3 Automated alarm call, Hot Springs. Sexual assault, Heron. Road hazard/blockage, Plains. Assist motorist/citizen, Trout Creek. Sexual assault, Hot Springs. Suspicious activity, Hot Springs. Disturbance, Trout Creek. Suspicious activity, Plains. Theft, Paradise. Animal abuse, Hot Springs. General animal...
Montana Highway Patrol Veronica Richard, 25, driving while privilege suspended/revoked; obstructing peace officer/other public servant. Walter Bolieu, 57, driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, 2nd offense, 365 days jail with 360 suspended, time to be served as home arrest, 1 year probation, $1,335. Gary Hall, 54, seatbelt violation, $20; seatbelt violation, $20. Scott Benson, 62, failure to keep vehicle under control on mountain highway, $85; seatbelt violation, $20. Logan Dinkelspiel, 28, failure to give notice of accident by quickest...
Appearing for his initial appearance before Judge Molly Owen on Tuesday, Gordon Seymour Johnson pleaded not guilty to one misdemeanor charge of partner or family member assault, first offense, as well as felony charges of sexual intercourse without consent and assault with a weapon. Judge Owen set this matter for jury trial on March 11, 2024. Johnson’s attorney, Cheryl Copperstone, requested a bail reduction to an own recognizance release as Johnson has some medical issues requiring treatment and needs to return to his work as a wood cutter. C...
On a beautiful autumn afternoon, we said goodbye to our husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa Ernie Scherzer. Born in the spring of 1936 in Lakewood, Ohio, Ernie grew up in Cleveland. After graduating from Marshall High School, he attended Baldwin Wallace College, where he received a bachelor's degree in History. He went on to study law at University of Pennsylvania, earning a master's in Political Science. He also earned a master's in education from Kent State University after his second... Full story
Olivia Luckett and Matthew Woods of Plains announce the birth of a son, Andrew Reid Woods. Andrew was borth on August 28, 2023, weighing 7 pounds, .9 ounces and measuring 21 inches. Dr. Valentine was the delivering physician at Clark Fork Valley Hospital. Maternal grandparents are Richard Luckett and Theresa Luckett, both of Lewiston, California. Paternal grandparents are Jack Woods and Terrie Woods, both of Plains. Welcome, Andrew!...
Our sweet 94-year old Mother, Jean Louise Gerstenberger, born March 6, 1929, was called home by Jesus, her Lord and Savior, on October 5, 2023. Ten years (plus a few hours) before, her husband of 67 years, Richard "Rich" Gerstenberger, preceded Mom to heaven on October 4, 2013. Mom and Dad lived nearly all their married years in Trout Creek, bringing up their four children: Judy Weare, Laurel Jackson, Richard A. Gerstenberger and Nancy Thompson. Jean's family tree grew to a total of 27...
Jolie Anne Fitchett was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, on January 29, 1980. She was the youngest daughter born to her proud parents, Brent "Boss" and Kathy Fitchett of Heron. Jolie grew up in the family home with her older sister, Carly, surrounded by the love of a large extended family in Noxon, Heron and beyond. Jolie passed away on October 1, 2023, as the result of a car accident. Jolie graduated from Noxon High School before moving to Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, where she earned her certificate as a... Full story
WARD 1 NAME: Catherine DeWitt Education: Graduate Nathan Hale High School, Seattle, WA; Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Bachelor of Science in Nursing University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Sigma Theta Tau Occupation: Retired RN. I worked as a Critical Care nurse for 35 years. What qualities make you a good candidate for council? First and foremost, I am good at problem-solving. I am a good listener and have been complimented on my diplomacy and peacemaking skills. When...
NAME: Crystal Graham Education: High School Diploma Occupation: Business Owner What qualities make you a good candidate for council? I feel that I am a team player with good communication skills. I keep a positive attitude and am willing to jump in and help solve problems that arise. I am very willing to learn new things as needed. I have lived in Hot Springs for 15 years and care about seeing the town and surrounding area thrive. What do you like about living in Hot Springs? I love how close our community members are, they truly come together...
The Plains Town Council passed five motions at its monthly meeting at City Hall last week, but the mayor and four council members present spent some 20 minutes on something that was suggested by a resident at last month's council meeting and tabled it until next month. Mayor Chris Allen put on the agenda the idea of the town having some type of written declaration or statement, possibly an ordinance, that allows for people in Plains to decide for themselves whether or not to mask up if the...
The GFWC Thompson Falls Pinochle Marathon is underway with 16 teams of trick taking players. This will be the marathon’s 64th year of fun for fundraising. The Marathon runs September thru April. Each player pays $3 per game per month with the funds going to the Thompson Falls Woman’s Club Blanche Hurlburt scholarship. Patty Coe and Wendy Kelley are already in the lead with 7250, followed by Wendy Kelley and Jim Hurst with 6500. Claudia Reed and Cathy Mills already made a 1000 Aces. So, the heat is on for this winter’s card playing pasti...
