Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke was in Sanders County on Tuesday, making campaign stops as he seeks re-election next month. Rep. Zinke's first stop was in Noxon, where he addressed a crowd of about 50 community members and talked about the need for replacement of the Noxon bridge. Commissioner Tony Cox explained that the state recommended full replacement of the bridge. "The bridge is the jugular of the community of Noxon. We don't want to put a new saddle on an old horse. We want a new horse," C...
There was a place last weekend where parents could go and let their kids roam and play and not worry because it was a family friendly place. It was called the Fall Festival" and it was at the 76-acre Waterway Ranch 15 miles west of Plains along Highway 200 and for the third consecutive year it was put on by owners Mark and Elizabeth Riffle. And this year it might have the biggest crowd yet with more than 800 people over the two days from babies to seniors in their 80s, said Elizabeth. The event...
A Heron man is taking his concerns for a local river to the state level. Paul Overman has filed a rulemaking petition with the state Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), asking them to restrict watercraft on Bull River. Earlier this year, Overman witnessed five small jet boats go by property he owns on the Bull River. “The jet boast really wreak havoc on our shoreline,” he said in June, adding that he was concerned for both the shoreline and safety of other river users. In the petition filed with the FWC, Overman states that “the opera...
The Plains Town Council unanimously voted to seat John Dossett on the council as a replacement for Councilwoman Connie Foust, who recently resigned and moved to Nevada. The town held a special council meeting on Friday morning to choose between the two candidates who applied for the Ward 1, Seat 1 position - Dossett and Charles W. Bickenheuser - to fulfill the two years remaining on Foust's term. The 64-year-old Dossett was born in New Zealand, but has been a Plains resident for 38 years and...
I think absentee voting is one of the best inventions. I really appreciate having the opportunity to review the ballot, review the voter guide and make informed decisions. Some thoughts are worth repeating. Every year, I write about keeping our communities clean around Beautification Days. There's a reminder to shop local and give local around the holidays. And every election cycle, I urge readers to be informed voters. I hate to admit it, but when I was younger and a new voter, I would just vote for names I had heard of for most state races....
Absentee ballots will be received this week. I’m asking you to consider voting “yes” for CI-126. This Constitutional Initiative will change Montana to open primary elections putting all candidates on one primary ballot. We can then vote for the person, and not be limited to the now monopolized primary ballot of party allegiance. Up to top 4 candidates in 10 different Montana races would advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation. This will encourage moderate voices and choices, instead of empowering extremists or party...
CI-128 cleverly, deceptively, provides for abortion through the ninth month for any reason whatsoever. Here’s how: Part (2) of Constitutional Initiative 128 states after the unborn child would likely survive outside the womb, “. . . in no circumstance shall the government deny or burden access to an abortion that, in the good faith judgment of a treating health care professional, is medically indicated to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient.” Understand that the mother’s health includes mental health, and mental health can be...
We are retired Montanans living in all seven counties within District 4 of the Public Service Commission. Most of us are on fixed incomes. Some of us are Republicans and some are Democrats. But all of us are voting for Elena Evans, an Independent candidate for the PSC. We’re voting for Elena because she’s a nonpartisan candidate who is fighting for affordable power and because her opponent, Jennifer Fielder, has cost ratepayers millions. Fielder was the deciding vote against a $9.1 million dollar rebate for NorthWestern Energy customers, and...
Dear Editor, With much interest I read Carl Brooker's Letter to the Editor published in THE SANDERS COUNTY LEDGER on October 3. I would like to offer my thanks and appreciation to Ms. Brooker for taking the time and energy to inform the citizens of this county and state concerning the past behavior of Jennifer Fielder. It certainly seems serious consideration must be exercised by those of us who will vote for the next District 4 Public Service Commissioner. I own a few shares of stock, not many but a few, in NorthWestern Energy. Naturally I wan...
I will be voting for Jennifer Fielder again, she is doing a great job on the Public Service Commission. Under the policies of the current administration, America is trapped with an actual inflation rate of a little over 27%. Consumers are all aware of how this added cost has a negative impacted every facet of our life and eats up our real income. Unfortunately utilities are also struggling with the high 27% inflation rate, and increased property taxes, affecting building service lines, servicing existing lines, and delivering power to us....
Editor's note: The following are profiles of candidates for Sanders County legislative districts. All candidates were sent questionnaires, but some did not return information. SENATE DISTRICT 45 Name: Devin Jackson Occupation: Audio Engineer Education: Trade School Certificated Recording Engineer What qualities make you the best candidate? I would represent a change in the direction of Montana. Not only am I from a different party from the current Supermajority but I work in technology. If Montana wants to move forward we need people willing to...
Wallace Lowell Merritt, beloved husband of Brenda, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and friend to many, left our world and was called home on Friday, October 11, 2024. He passed away due to complications from a recent hip surgery. Wally was 87 years old. Wally was born to Wallis and Marion Sederstrom Merritt on August 11, 1937. Wally grew up on the family ranch in Garcon Gulch with his brother, Roy Merritt. He was surrounded by love from his aunt Vicky and uncle John, who were great... Full story
SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. MAST 5. ABCS 9. PASSIM 11. PLEATS 13. THERESA 15. SIBERIA 16. SOP 17. SEGREGATING 19. DUST 21. CHART 22. TKO 23. TIRO 25. AGUA 26. DAS 27. SOMA 29. AMIGOS 31. PALM 33. SLOG 34. PINEAL 36. SALP 38. PAC 39. WYAT 41. SEAR 43. RAN 44. IHRAM 46. GNAR 48. EDDIE VEDDER 52. PIA 53. PROBLEM 54. SACKING 56. PERILS 57. TAIPEI 58. SASS 59. FRED SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. MAHOUT 2. ASEPSIS 3. SSR 4. TIES 5. ALBA 6. BEET 7. CARITAS 8. STINKS 9. PTSD 10. MSEC 11. PIGTAILS 12. SAGO 14. AGHA 15. SERUMS 18. RAGA 20. TROPIC 24. OMAN 26. DOGLEG 28....
Zoey O'Neill – Noxon High School – September 2024 Interviewed by Karen Thorson Zoey O'Neill, a junior at Noxon High School, is already an accomplished artist. Inspired by her grandmother, who is a landscape artist using oils, and her art teacher, Jessica Novak, O'Neill prefers acrylic painting over other mediums. How she came to use acrylics is an interesting story. She was going through a hard time in her life at nine years of age and found some acrylic paint that was donated to her sch...
A new club in Thompson Falls gives kids an opportunity to share their love of Pokemon. The Pokemon Club had its first meeting October 2 at the Thompson Falls Public Library. While the club itself is new, Pokemon is not. Pokemon is a trading card game that came out in 1996 that features fantasy creatures on the cards. Players battle each other by using these Pokemon on the cards to ultimately see who has either the stronger deck or wittier strategy. Pokemon has been hugely popular since its...
Members of the Plains Farmers Market had a good year and to thank the community they decided to make a donation to the Plains Paradise Senior Citizens Center. Market coordinator Linda Wilson presented a $1,000 check to Linda Bursell, the senior center's secretary and treasurer, at Fred Young Park on Friday, the last day of the season for the market. "I think this year was a huge success. I think next year will be even better," said Wilson. "We had a nice sum at the end of the year, so we were...
The Plains and Thompson Falls cross country teams hit the road one last time in the regular season to take on the Mission Shadow Duels at the Silver Fox golf course in Ronan, with the Thompson ladies taking third place as a team and the Plains boys taking fourth place as a team. For the Hawks, eighth grader Audrey Fairbank sped to an 11th-place finish in 21 minutes, 59 seconds. Lexi Franck continues to improve her time crossing the finish line with a time of 22:51. Aubrey Baxter (23:03) and...
by Skye Barker-Hill HOT SPRINGS 55, GARDINER 12 The Savage Heat football team hit the road taking on the Gardiner Bruins securing the win 55-12. Hot Springs came out and was able to put a stop to the Bruins early in the game, while being able to find the end zone for their first touchdown. The Heat were able to keep intense pressure on Gardiner making them work for every yard they gained but they wouldn't be able to answer with their own touchdown. Hot Springs was able to put more points on the...
THOMPSON FALLS 3 SUPERIOR 0 The Thompson Falls Lady Hawks made quick work of the Superior Lady Bobcats in three sets. While the Bobcats came out to gain the first points, the Hawks kept a level head and were swift to bring the scores to a tie. From there the Hawks were able to keep their lead, keeping Superior at their heels. With the score tied up at 19 the Hawks would hold the Bobcats while taking the first set win. To start the second set Olivia Fitchett would show the crowd her wicked servin...
by Skye Barker-Hill THOMPSON FALLS 2, BIGFORK 0 The Plains/Thompson Falls Blue Hawk soccer team hit the road taking on the Bigfork Vikings taking the win 2-1. The Hawks came out on fire and within the first eight minutes of game play, Andrew Wrobleski was able to find the goal. While the Vikings tried to answer with their own goal they were met with Hawk keeper Jacob Howell who was able to put a stop to the ball. Hawk Will Grenda was able to get a direct kick and found the goal for Thompson’s second goal of the game. With the Hawks up 2-0 k...
A group of Plains High School science students aimed high for a good grade in their physics class last week. Thirteen seniors and one sophomore built model rockets and fired them into the sky throughout the week to learn how to calculate the average velocity, drag and thrust, said Brooks Sanford, the science teacher, who uses fun activities to illustrate classroom lessons. "The kids enjoyed the project and it certainly helps reinforce learning in the classroom," said Sanford. "This is the third...
More than 200 soccer players gathered at the Amundson Sports Complex Saturday for a day of competition for the Annual Randy Baker Memorial Soccer Tournament and when it was finished, Thompson Falls and Plains teams were the victors. Four teams from Thompson Falls, Plains, and Trout Creek competed with each other in the U14 Division, playing two games apiece, said Alan Hafner, the tournament director. Adam Franklin's Thompson Falls team had one win and one loss. The Trout Creek kids, coached by...
Montana 4-H, the youth development program of Montana State University Extension, will celebrate National 4-H Week Oct. 6-12 with events and ceremonies across Montana. This year's campaign, "Beyond Ready," highlights the organization's mission to prepare youth to become engaged, healthy and productive in their future communities. Throughout the week, 4-H communities will celebrate and spread awareness of the organization by hosting receptions and award ceremonies, preparing window displays in lo...
The Plains Alliance Church has decided to help hurricane relief efforts through proceeds from their annual bazaar. The annual bazaar, this year with a fall theme, will be Saturday, November 23, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the church, 505 5th St. Coordinator Roni Mitch said they have a committee of about a dozen people who work on the bazaar. “We decide where the proceeds will go and choose different organizations each year. It depends on what is in our hearts,” Mitch said. In 2023, they provided donations for the Middle East. This year, hurricane rel...
OVER THE HILL GANG W L Leftovers 13 7 Fun Team 11 9 Mixed Nuts 11 9 Roll’n Along 10 10 Com’Bak Kids 9 11 Jokers Wild 6 14 Team Scr. Game: Fun Team, 962; Scr. Series: Fun Team, 2721; Hcp. Game: Fun Team, 1125; Hcp. Series: Fun Team, 3210; Mens Inv. Scr. Game: Ricky Hagedorn, 214; Scr. Series: Bernie Groshong, 616; Inv. Hcp. Game: Rob Johnson, 255; Hcp. Series: Bernie Groshong, 679; Wms Inv. Scr Game: Ginger Ward, 188; Scr Series: Nancy Fields, 487; Inv. Hcp. Game: Ginger Ward, 247; Hcp. Series: Ginger Ward, 660. INDUSTRIAL LEAGUE W L Ber...
