Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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The Sanders County Fair Commission chairman announced the final figures of what this year’s fair raised — $438,003.88, with a profit of $159,450.63 — at last week’s monthly board meeting at the fairgrounds pavilion. “We spent a lot more money this year and doubled our profits,” said Board Chairman Randy Woods last Wednesday. Fair Manager Melissa Cady made a print out for the five board members that compared the expenditures and profits of 2022 and 2021. The fair made a profit of $108,674.18 last year with expenses totaling $203,269.52. This yea...
Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT) alongside Thompson Falls Trails Committee has plans to design a walkway along Highway 200 from Wild Good Landing to Harvest Foods in Thompson Falls. In order to fund the project, KLT will be applying for a Reconnecting Communities Program Planning grant through the Department of Transportation. “The goal is to have an ADA accessible trail connecting the east and west ends of Thompson Falls that would allow safe pedestrian walking, biking or rolling,” KLT Recreation and Outreach Coordinator Kayla Mosher said in a new...
Ledger photo by Miriah Kardelis The brilliant colors of fall stand out near the Birdland Bay Bridge near Thompson Falls. The warm fall weather Sanders County has been experiencing will give way to cooler temperatures and some expected precipitation this weekend....
Cultures collided at the Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge on Saturday as the second annual Spaghetti Western Fundraiser was held to raise funds for The Rex Theater in Thompson Falls. More than 100 people enjoyed a spaghetti dinner as they bid on silent and live auction items, tried their luck at raffles and a 50/50 drawing, and listened to the musical stylings of the Western Sky Band of Thompson Falls. The event raised about $14,000 for the local theater. The evening featured a variety of...
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is developing plans to rehabilitate the bridge on Montana Highway 200 over Montana Rail Link, two miles south of Noxon. The bridge was constructed in 1957 and is in need of repairs and routine upkeep. Phase one of the project began in 2020 with a bridge evaluation. The project is now in phase two that began in 2021. MDT held a public meeting on Zoom last Thursday to present design plans to the public. Brent Schiller with Forsgren Associates, who was contracted by MDT for the design phase of the...
When we were children, we played aA few thoughts on shedding an old skin. I’m two miles from the pickup and 500 feet above where I left it parked when I find a snakeskin on a rock midstream in the East Fork. It is frail and silky, and I set it afloat toward the river, five miles downstream. Somewhere nearby, a snake is feeling shiny, smooth and clean. Remains of an ancient road led me to a huge slab of water-scrubbed stone, slid down its surface into the creek and disappeared completely. From there, I rock-hopped upstream 200 yards through a gr...
This weekend we were sharing first hunt stories. My first year of hunting, my dad was so excited that he bought me an Elmer Fudd-looking orange hat complete with the fuzzy ear flaps. I wore that thing every day we went out because he was so proud of it. When I shot my first deer, it was the same. My dad and our friend Dave Helterline were with me when I shot a buck that first year. I was excited, but my dad was beaming with pride and Dave was elated to be along for the first one. It was a little guy, but I was proud of myself too. That was a...
I'm campaigning for Sanders County Sheriff – not for me – but for Deputy Cory Wheeldon as a write-in candidate. Cory is a Montana native who received valuable experience in Yellowstone County (Billings) and knows his way around Sanders County. I compare Cory to former Sheriff Wally Britton, (a legend in the 1950’s) because he would be a no-nonsense, get-the-job-done type of sheriff. If I were a bad guy, and we elect Cory, I'd pack my bags and leave - at once! I'm not convinced voting for the other two candidates is a good decision becau...
Hello Pot! Meet Kettle. Last week there was a letter to the Editor from Nick and Erika Lawyer regarding Commissioner candidate Dan Rowan. At first I was somewhat indifferent to the letter. Politics is politics is politics, but as time passed I couldn’t help but feel irked. The Lawyers’ letter seemed to be a pointed personal attack on Dan with very flawed reasoning being cited. Now I have no horse in the race for Commissioner, but one thing I can not stand aside for is injustice; and this letter seemed downright unfair. The Lawyers are not wrong...
This would be a response to Think Carefully While I realize the letter is mainly meant to be a campaign smear I do perceive a slight to how the town has done business. A little background is the city's sewer lagoons have been in danger of being swallowed up by the river so they had to be relocated. The Lawyers were approached with the best site for this project. They agreed to sell. By law the town can only pay appraisal plus 10%. We procured an independent appraisal that was $186,450.00. This was rejected by them as not enough money for the...
by Jan Manning The one and only time Brent Hudson went into the woods on bear patrol without a weapon, he was attacked and mauled by a record-size Kodiak bear. He survived. It was nothing short of a miracle, according to countless medical professionals who put him back together. Hudson, now in his 60s, living in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and retired from his 38-year bear guard profession, spoke at Whitepine Grange, relating his first-hand knowledge of what to do when you encounter a bear in the wild. He delivered his two-hour “Bear Aware” pre...
3 YEARS AGO • OCTOBER 22, 1992 THOMPSON FALLS BUSIINESSES EYE UPGRADES, RELOCATIONS Main Street in downtown Thompson Falls is changing face these days. Several changes have already happened, some are currently underway, and more are in the offing. One of the major changes is the purchase of LaRock’s Bar, also known as the Hotel Bar (and further back was the Tourist Bar and before that was established as the Legal Tender Saloon on the corner of South Columbia Street and Main Street), by the Town Pump. Petitions to expedite the transfer of the...
CINDY SHEPPARD, Trout Creek - “My pastor’s wife.” NATHAN STEVENS, Trout Creek – “Superman.” ANDE FRANKLIN, Thompson Falls – “My nana. She’s a good cleaner and a good cook. She treats people kindly.” ANGELA SQUIRE, Thompson Falls – “My grandma.” SARA DANA, Trout Creek – “The ladies at my church – Cabin Mountain Bible in Trout Creek.” DAVE MALCHOW, Thompson Falls – “My dad....
Montana Highway Patrol Duncan Chisholm, 19, seatbelt violation, $70. Richard Chavez, 25, night speeding, $120; unlawful possession of open alcoholic beverage in vehicle on highway, $150; reckless driving, 1st offense, $535, 90 days jail, all suspended. Rebecca Muellereile, 65, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Belinda Hamm, 62, seatbelt violation, $20. Mark Cenis, 59, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Sean Greenspan, 28, day speeding, $20. Darren Herzog, 45, day speeding, $20. Dion Humecky, 49, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Adam O’Nei...
Ambulance: Plains, 7; T. Falls, 5; Trout Creek, 4; Hot Springs, 4; Paradise, 1; Noxon. 1. Monday, October 10 Inmate transport, T. Falls. Civil attempts, Plains. Property damage/criminal mischief, Plains. Other law violations, Plains. Other law violations, T. Falls. General animal call/complaint, Plains. Fire, Plains. Intimidation/harassment, Hot Springs. General animal call/complaint, Plains. Motor vehicle crash, Paradise. Tuesday, October 11 Theft, Trout Creek. Livestock, Plains. Theft, Heron. Abandoned vehicle, Hot Springs. Road...
Appearing before Judge Deborah Kim Christopher, Bertha Rose Garrett changed her plea to two counts pursuant to a plea agreement reached between the parties. Garrett addressed the court, stating she wanted to take responsibility for her actions, and pled guilty to a felony count of criminal endangerment and a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence, first offense. Sentencing was set for December 6, 2022. Kennith Hoskins was present for a hearing on a petition to revoke his probation. Judge Christopher noted that this is the second time...
The town of Thompson Falls will be filled with fall festivities next weekend as the Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce holds its Fall Festival and the Community Trails Committee presents the annual Trick or Treat, Move Your Feet fun run. Both events will be Saturday, October 29. The Fall Festival will be 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday at Ainsworth Park. The event will feature more than a dozen arts, crafts and food vendors, as well as activities for kids. A costume parade around the walking path at the park will begin at 1 p.m. The Trick or Treat,...
The plaque on her wall reads, "The Mother of Three Sons Deserves Her Place in Heaven." On October 1, 2022, Loretta Mae Wilson left Homer, Alaska, peacefully to go gardening with Jesus and dance in Heaven. She was born January 8, 1937, the last of six children born to Arch and Rilla White and she was also the last to leave their earthly lives. She loved her family, making friends, and keeping in touch with all of them either in person, cards or letters, or on her well used phone. Her unfiltered... Full story
Alan John McCoy, age 95, passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter Laurel and son-in-law Scott on October 10, 2022. He was the fourth child born to John Campbell & Ethel Pearl (Mountjoy) McCoy on October 2, 1927, in Camas Prairie, Montana. In 1929 when Alan was two the family moved to Alan's grandfather's (Oscar McCoy) homestead three miles northeast of Lonepine, which had been established in 1914. In 1940 they moved to where the family ranch is today. He went through all twelve grades... Full story
Michael "Mike" Dennis Priddy, 75, of Huson, passed away from natural causes on October 12th while enjoying his westerns. Mike was born on July 4, 1947, to R.W. "Buster" Priddy and Mae Oleson Priddy. Mike grew up in Dixon and graduated from Dixon High School, where he was very active in sports. After high school, Mike served as an aircraft mechanic in the Navy on the USS Saratoga and worked on the Pack River Ranch. Mike also drove truck, sold heavy equipment and eventually retired from Pepsi. In... Full story
Jonathan and Jennifer (Ekberg) Mihan of Oregon announce the birth of their daughter, Jennissee Marie Mihan. Jennissee arrived at 5:37 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at Bay Area Hospital, Coos Bay, OR. She weighed 6 lbs 15 oz, and measured 20 inches in length. Her siblings are Josh Ekberg, Tristan Mihan, and Lindsay Mihan. Paternal grandparents are Mervyn and Janet Mihan of Redding, California. Maternal grandparents are Jeff and Josie Lane of Arkansas.... Full story
A new general store has opened in Heron offering people everyday staple items and a sense of community. Owners Melissa and Shawn Atkinson opened Heron Siding General Store in September with the hopes of giving community members a place to gather, eat and shop. "I was the postmaster for four years prior to this," Melissa said. "I've been serving this community for the last four years and I love it here. It was a no brainer to take this on. The town needs this so much." Alongside household items,...
It was a little like Christmas for the members of the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District last week when they donned their new turnout gear last week. The Christmas gifts amounted to $65,000, thanks in part to a federal grant from USDA Rural Development. The fire district received 19 sets of turnouts, which included helmet, coat, trousers, boots, gloves, and heat shrouds. "The new turnout gear is astounding. They will keep our firefighters safer and perform at a higher level," said Chief James...
The Thompson Falls cross country team felt the energy of the home crowd and put forth an impressive performance last week as they hosted the Western B/C Invitational at River's Bend Golf Course on Wednesday. The Blue Hawk girls won first place as a team, and Baxter sisters Ellie and Aubrey went one in two individually as senior Ellie was the first to cross the finish line in 21 minutes, 41 seconds and eighth-grade sister Aubrey finished second in 22:06. Faith Palmer also finished in the top 5,...
Thompson Falls hosted the Plains Trotters last Tuesday, winning in three straight sets, 25-8, 25-16, 25-13. Senior Natalie Roberts led the charge against the Trotters, serving up seven aces for the Hawks and smashing 12 kills. Avery Burgess led the team in set assists with 17, Cheyla Irvine had eight digs and Ellie Baxter led the team in blocks with three. The Hawks then traveled to Mission on Thursday, bringing home another three-set win, 25-14, 25-17, 25-13. Burgess led against the Bulldogs wi...
