Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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As part of its goal to continuously improve the lives of its students and campus, the Plains school system held a ceremony Monday afternoon to break ground for their new multiple-use building. The new addition will include a full-sized rubberized court for physical education classes and games, a new art room with an area for ceramics kilns, and a space that can double as a classroom. The facility will also incorporate a health and physical education office and storage. On one side of the...
A Thompson Falls business was destroyed in a fire last Saturday. First responders received a call about 11 p.m. Saturday that Genki Asian Cafe on Main Street was engulfed in flames. According to Neil Harnett and Kevin Whittenburg with the City of Thompson Falls Fire Department, one of the main concerns in fighting the fire was keeping it from spreading to adjacent buildings. Emergency crews had personnel constantly watering down surrounding buildings, especially the First Baptist Church...
More than a third of Sanders County voters have cast their ballots with less than two weeks to go before the Nov. 3 general election. County Election Administrator Nichol Scribner said that 2,773 ballots had been accepted as of Tuesday afternoon. She also noted that more than 200 new Sanders County voters have come into the office to register to vote or re-activate their status as a voter. Ballots have been dropped off at the drop box outside the courthouse, voted in-person at the courthouse and received through the mail. Scribner said that...
The Montana Hospital Association (MHA) has named Bina Eggensperger of Thompson Falls as the association's 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree. "Bina has invested in healthcare in various ways for a very, very long time. Without people like Bina, small hospitals couldn't continue to exist in these rural communities we have in Montana," said Dr. Gregory Hanson, CEO of Clark Fork Valley Hospital. Eggensperger, has been on the CFVH board since January of 1986, with the exception of a few years...
I recently spent some time with a law enforcement officer from another Montana county. We had a great discussion about the state of the country and how current events are affecting law enforcement. She said that lately, residents have been bringing all sorts of gifts of appreciation. There are cookies and coffees and other gifts regularly being brought to the office. The law enforcement officers appreciate the gifts of gratitude. With all the mumblings of the defund the police movement and blue lives matter and Black lives matter and all lives...
I have a difficult confession to make. In 2016, I was very reluctant to vote for Donald Trump. However, when it came to ‘crunch time’ I ended up voting for him more because of the two things he wasn’t, rather than what he was; he wasn’t a career politician and he wasn’t Hillary Clinton. In my 45 years as a voter, I’ve developed a pretty jaded opinion regarding career politicians. Simply stated, I don’t trust them. As for Hillary Clinton? Well, she’s Hillary Clinton…no need to elaborate on that...
I can understand the right to anonymity when it comes to a person's privacy, like health issues. However, I do not agree with an apparent refusal by the county to let the public know which areas within the county where the (increasing) COVID-19 cases have shown up. With a deadly pandemic rapidly spreading, we the public should be able to help reduce the spread by avoiding visiting these general areas. I have been told this secrecy is ordered by Helena. There is no shame in contracting COVID-19, only in hiding it, which might help it spread....
I seldom write a letter to the editor, but that must change. I am addressing this to the population at large and especially to Hannah Hernandez of Troy. For several weeks Ms. Hernandez put an ad in the Ledger regarding the Fielder’s. I hope it is not her habit of spreading lies; and that she just did not take the time to investigate the truth regarding the Fielders. Senator Jennifer Fielder has only run for office twice before this and only in the last 8 years. She is not, and never has been, a “career politician.” She has forfeited her priva...
HOWARD R. & SYLVIA M. (GRANT) SAINT From Pioneers and Early Settlers of Thompson Falls Howard Robert 'Bob' Saint was born February 16, 1914, the son of Ben & Laura Fern (Fulk) Saint. Sylvia was born March 3, 1914 in Missoula to Alexander William and Alta Marie Grant. She was graduated from Stevensville High School. After school she went to work as a telephone operator until her marriage to H. Robert Saint in 1939. Following the wedding, Bob and Sylvia lived in Fort Benton until the untimely...
DEB CHEETHAM, Thompson Falls - “Jaws.” JAMIE GIDDINGS, Plains - “The Blair Witch Project, because it was so horrible that it’s great.” MAKAYLA MACNAIR, Plains - “It Chapter Two.” MICHAEL MACNAIR, Plains - “I don’t have a favorite, because I’ve seen so many that I just can’t decide.” JHOUSHUA MACNAIR, Plains - “Halloween; it was the first one I have ever seen, and it tops them all.” BRANDI TRELATSKY, Thompson Falls - “Saw is my favorite scary movie because the ending. It's what you least expect to happen, and it’s surprising and I like th...
Ambulance calls: Plains, 10; Hot Springs, 2; T. Falls, 5; Dixon, 2; Trout Creek, 3; Paradise, 1. Monday, October 12 Animal other, T. Falls. Informational case, Hot Springs. Road hazard/blockage, Plains. Theft, Plains. Harassment/privacy in communications, Hot Springs. Assist motorist/citizen, Hot Springs. Informational case, T. Falls. Weapons offense, Plains. Disturbance, Hot Springs. Tuesday, October 13 Trespass, Hot Springs. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Fire, Hot Springs. General animal call or complaint, Paradise. Abandoned vehicle,...
Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Deborah Smith, 42, day speeding, $90. Nicholas Bulgar, 40, driving while privilege suspended, $285. Theresa Miner, 52, partner or family member assault, 1st offense, $235. Angela Salmela, 40, night speeding, $20. Shelley Fister, 57, day speeding, $20. Montana Highway Patrol Zeb Barber, 36, seatbelt violation, $20. Emily Homan, 38, careless driving, $85. Johanna Schaeffer-Bradeen, 35, day speeding, $70. Austin Stafford, 21, seatbelt violation, $20. Joseph Wagner, 31, speeding in restricted zone, $55. Kody S...
The Whitepine Grange is in need of a new roof before the winter weather sets in. In hopes of raising $5,000, A GoFundMe campaign has been set up by grange volunteer Jan Manning. "That's the minimum bid we have received, and we want to get it done before the snow flies," Manning said. "It's the minimum needed for a good local roofer to take on the project." The GoFundMe request was set up in late September and has brought in a total of $550 so far. Manning says there will also be other fundraiser...
The cold weather couldn't keep the community from gathering Saturday afternoon to pay their respects to Cody Ward of Thompson Falls, who passed away unexpectedly on October 9. Main Street in Thompson Falls was lined with people as they took part in a parade to honor Ward's life. Trucks from around the county filled the street to pay homage to Ward as drones flew over to document the moment. A memorial was held afterward where friends and family gathered to share stories and memories. Ward...
Now, with ballots in hand it’s up to us to make some decisions. One choice I’d encourage you to make is Diane Magone for Senate District 7. As an energetic, community-minded citizen, Diane has shown her commitment to improving the economy — her family has deep ties to the timber industry and she currently serves on the Mineral County Resource Coalition. She is committed to improving our public education system, with direct experience in student counseling and knowledge of teaching issues, having family members working in education. She belie...
As former wildland firefighters, we learned what’s required to take on complex and difficult tasks. We learned that when the going gets tough, there’s no substitute for hard work, experience, and clear thinking. We know that excellent leaders consider all sides of a problem and work with their teams before making critical decisions. That’s why we’re supporting Monica Tranel for the Public Service Commission. As a lawyer who’s dealt with public utility issues for decades, Monica will get right down to work as soon as she’s elected. Because she...
Veterans and Spouses – You know this: Military training instills a distinct attitude for honor, service and reliability for the country. Chris Stough has this and more. As a commissioner, Chris will bring a new perspective to the Sanders County Commissioner job, a job that has had the same people in office for a combined total of 40 years. A vote for Chris Stough is a vote for dependability, professionalism, honesty and trust to do our county commissioner job very well. Nancy Mehaffie, Thompson Falls...
HOT SPRINGS - On Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, 10th Mountain Infantry Division, WWII veteran, Orville Bjorge climbed his last ridge and crossed his last valley, (Psalm 23), into the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, rejoining his family members that passed before him, leaving behind family and friends that loved him dearly. He was three months shy of 98 years old. He will be buried at Murray Memorial Cemetery in Lonepine, with veteran's honors and a private family memorial will be held in his...
Harold (Hal) Clayton Durham Vosen, 1940-2020 Hal Vosen passed from this world after a brief illness compounded by a fall which injured his neck and spinal cord. A memorial service is scheduled for noon Saturday, October24, 2020, at the Heron United Methodist Church in Heron, Montana, under the direction of Pastor Bill Warren. A graveside service is planned for July 2021 at the Heron cemetery. Those who knew Hal/Clayton appreciated his twinkly eyes, his love of people, his good humor, his...
James Edward Atkins born June 4,1934 a retired Air Force Vietnam veteran, passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2020. He is survived by three daughters Brenda (Dave) Boysun of Vida, Montana, Kim (Gary) Choate of Helena, Montana, and Robin Atkins of Spokane, Washington; sister Verna Shannon of Post Falls, Idaho; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Private family services have taken place. Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of...
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is in the early stages of evaluating the Highway 200 bridge located two miles south of Noxon over the Montana Rail Link tracks. MDT is inviting the public to an online open house and live question and answer (Q&A) session to learn more about the project and provide input. The online open house with a live Q&A session will be held, Thursday, October 22, from noon to 1 p.m. Visit www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/mt200bridge to register for the open house and live Q&A session. If you are unable to attend...
This year's Trick or Treat, Move Your Feet will be Thompson Falls Community Trail Committee’s third annual 5K run and one-mile fun run/walk. Thompson Falls Community Trails (TFCT) asks interested parties to mark their calendar for Saturday, October 31, for the festive Halloween-themed event, which will welcome all paces of runners. The event will be a celebration of the scenic, user-friendly trail system, as well as an opportunity to raise funds for trail maintenance. The event will start and end at the NorthWestern Energy Power Park at the int...
NorthWestern Energy's Power Park in Thompson Falls overflows with the colors of fall. Send your fall photos to [email protected] or post them on our Facebook page....
Keeping people healthy is key to the Clark Fork Valley Hospital, even at a health fair, which is why organizers took special precautions at last week's annual event held at the VFW in Plains. The number of attendees entering the building was limited to 15 at a time. All received a temperature check, hand sanitizer, and a surgical mask at the door, and saw social distancing reminders throughout the room during the Clark Fork Valley Hospital Health Fair last Thursday. They also received a goodie...
A Clark's Nutcracker popped in to make new friends in photographer Linda Elliott's yard recently. The Clark's Nutcracker uses its long, sharp bill to dig into pine cones and extract the seeds....
