Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Residents, including many who live along the Clark Fork River in Thompson Falls, joined NorthWestern Energy last week in a discussion of river levels. As part of the process to renew the Thompson Falls dam's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license, tests were conducted earlier this month to see the effects of raising and lowering the water level. NorthWestern Energy dropped the water level four feet on Thursday, Oct. 10. While it is well within Northwestern Energy's licensing permit...
Montana’s big game hunting season opens this weekend, and local Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) staff are reminding hunters of a key change in a local hunting district. District 122, in the Thompson River area, will no longer have an antlerless white-tailed deer harvest the first and last weeks of the season. FWP Biologist Bruce Sterling said that this is unique to the 122 district. In other hunting districts, hunters can harvest an antlerless white-tailed deer with a general license during the first and last weeks of the season. Sterling s...
A group of people last week had the opportunity to have an art class, take a pretty painting home, and help raise money for a veterans’ final resting place. The $30 art class was called “Painting for Purpose” and was sponsored by Joint Operation Mariposa, a nonprofit organization that was created to bring awareness to veteran suicides and the families that are impacted. The class instructor was Dave Williams, a Navy veteran and Joint Operation Mariposa founder. Williams said they were raisi...
A Thompson Falls contractor has been awarded the contract for the Ainsworth Park Project. The Thompson Falls City Council voted last week to give the contract to Taylor Services. The award was made after a third round of request for bids. The first round received no bids and the second round received two bids higher than was budgeted. During the third round, submissions were also received by First Mark Construction of Missoula and Thompson Contracting of Libby. Taylor Services offered the lowest base bid of just under $373,000. The Ainsworth...
A Thompson Falls man was sentenced to prison last week after pleading guilty to distribution of meth and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Derek Alan Dembowski, 41, was sentenced to eight years in prison and four years of supervised release. According to a U.S. Department of Justice press release, the prosecution said in court records that during an undercover investigation, a confidential informant bought a half-ounce of meth from Dembowski on Jan. 21 in a monitored buy which Dembowski also possessed...
In last week's Ledger, we wrote about a plan to open a Veterans Service Office (VSO) in Sanders County. Two groups, Joint Operation Mariposa in Plains and The United States of Hope in Missoula, are leading the effort. Veterans and organizers approached the Sanders County Commissioners with the plan. At this point in the plan, they are seeking letters of support in order to help secure funding sources. We have seen through the efforts of family members and friends how veterans sometimes struggle to access the benefits they earn, get...
In my last column about the “Impeachment Circus,” I made a statement that I think I should clarify. In that column, while discussing information sources, I stated, “I don’t care where the information comes from if it’s credible.” When I reread that sentence, it dawned on me that some readers might mis-understand my meaning and believe I was willing to rely solely on questionable information sources. Also, I think the issue of credible information sources is going to be in the national spotlight...
Jim Elliott, I liked your article in this week’s paper titled “Why Columbus?” (Oct. 17 Ledger) It’s true the European invaders did inadvertently introduce Smallpox and measles to the native inhabitants. However, you forgot to mention that in return they were gifted with the curse of tobacco and syphilis. In the long run I don’t know who won or lost in that exchange. Robert Cheshire Noxon, Montana...
5 YEARS AGO • OCTOBER 23, 1969 JOE GARRISONS NOTE 60th ANNIVERSARY Mr. and Mrs. Joe Garrison of Belknap celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Sunday with all five of their living children present and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joe Garrison and Clara Moen were married Oct. 20, 1909 in Coeur d’Alene City outside of Spokane. They lived in Spokane a few years and then bought in 1915 the land on which they now reside. They cleared and built the house, moving into it in 1917. They have resided there since and he has been...
JANICE PITTS, Thompson Falls – “Put away your summer furniture, put your garden to bed, make sure you have wood stacked, drain the hoses, buy lots of chocolate and no marshmallows.” TAMERA WALKER, Thompson Falls – "I need brand new snow tires, my tires are way too old. I live on Cherry Creek and years ago I had an accident and I don’t want to do that again.” WOODY RAINEY, Thompson Falls –“I put out my plow and four shovels and got out my winter clothes, got lots of firewood split and stacked.” DENNIS NEWMAN, Thompson Falls – “I go hunting....
Ambulance calls: Thompson Falls, 11; Plains, 12; Hot Springs; Noxon, 1; Dixon, 1. Monday, October 14 Disturbance. Person found. Welfare check, possible domestic violence. Fire, Hot Springs. Coroner. Welfare check, Plains. Juvenile runaway, T. Falls. Alarm, Plains. Motorist assist, Dixon. Road hazard, blockage, T. Falls. Tuesday, October 15 Fish and game, T. Falls. Disturbance, Paradise. Abandoned vehicle, Hot Springs. Motorist assist, Hot Springs. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Protection order violation, T. Falls. Theft, Noxon. Motorist...
Montana Highway Patrol Raven Sankey, 41, seatbelt violation, $20. Robert Butte, 64, careless driving, $135. Kevin Winkel, 38, day speeding, $70. Blake McDonald, 17, day speeding, 70. Richard Sorlie, 48, day speeding, $20. Rory Bogan, 34, day speeding, $70. William Halberg, 20, night speeding, $120. Kyle Managhan, 37, operating without liability insurance in effect, 4th or subsequent offense, $525; speeding in restricted zone, $85. Jerry Austin, 77, fail to carry proof of insurance, 2nd offense, $85; seatbelt violation, $20. Alisha Dugopolski,...
Frances (Frannie) Lula Uken of Columbia Falls passed away Sunday, October 13, 2019 at the age of 78 due to complications from Parkinson's disease. She left this life gently and gracefully. Frannie was born April 21, 1941 to Frances and Lula Shreve in Kellogg, Idaho. Frannie was the oldest of five children and grew up taking care of and herding her siblings as older sisters are apt to do. Frannie graduated from Kellogg High School in 1959 and started her nurses training at St. Patrick's Hospital... Full story
CAMAS PRAIRIE - After numerous years fighting several major health issues, Howard S. Webber, Jr. passed away peacefully, at his home on the family ranch, October 17, 2019. Howie was born to Howard Sr. and Mabel Webber in Missoula on July 15, 1946. He was born into a home with two much older sisters, so his youth was spent having the kind of adventures that could only be lived by a young only-child on a ranch. Howie attended Camas Prairie School until the eighth grade, then moved on to Hot Springs High School, graduating in 1964. It was there... Full story
Walter D. Wedemeyer of Thompson Falls, Montana passed due to health conditions the morning of Friday, October 11. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Wedemeyer of 43 years; his sister, Trudy Herrell; daughters Sheryl Manangan and Jolene DeLuca; and his grandchildren, Quentin and Alyssia. Walt was born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1943 and immigrated to San Francisco, California, with his parents to avoid the combat of World War II. Walt became a U.S. Marine serving abroad in Okinawa. He then joined... Full story
Robert "Michael" Gillmore succumbed to cancer after a 3-month battle. He was 64. Michael was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, raised in Roseville, California. He came to Montana 18 years ago to enjoy the good life. Michael had a zest for life. He loved hunting, fishing, golf and more golf. He leaves behind his best buddy/brother Steve (Karen), nephew Harry, niece Samantha, longtime companion JoAnn, his kitty Bob, along with numerous very special friends including all the girlfriends he had... Full story
Eileen Stone, age 85, passed away at her home in Thompson Falls on November 14, 2018. Eileen was born Flora Eileen Graham August 29, 1933 in Baker, Montana to Robert and Flora (Raymond) Graham. She graduated high school in Choteau, Montana and obtained a teaching degree at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota along with a minor in Music. Eileen married John B. Stone January 29, 1956 and set about starting a family with two girls and a boy by 1959. She spent many hours at her sewing machine... Full story
Disabled American Veterans is looking for volunteers to help operate the Volunteer Transportation Network to transport veterans to and from their Veterans Administration scheduled appointments free of charge. This service was established in Sanders County in 2006. According to program organizers, the service is vital for veterans due to limited funds, lack of transportation and general mobility issues. The Sanders County program has experienced a decrease in the number of volunteers available for this service, mostly because they no longer...
Local food banks are again participating in Town Pump’s annual Be a Friend in Deed, Help Those in Need campaign. All funds raised, including local donations and matching funds from Town Pump, go to local food banks. Donations are tax deductible under provisions of IRS 501(c)3, a provision available to non-profit organizations. Town Pump matches funds up to $2,500 as well as additional monies dedicated to each food bank from Town Pump’s Charitable Foundation. The company pledges to raise $750,000 this year. Throughout the state, 85 food ban...
The GFWC Thompson Falls Woman's Club surprised the staff of the Thompson Falls Public Schools this week with trays of fresh baked treats provided by members of the club. Club President Renee Sieben reported this has become a tradition of the club to say thank you for all their dedication and care for the children of Thompson Falls. From left are club members Margie Rohwer, Lorri Renard, Vonn Briggs and Janice Roberts....
The Sanders County Clerk and Recorder’s office last week mailed ballots for the Hot Springs Municipal General Election. Voters have until 8 p.m. November 5 to return ballots to the election office by mail or in person. The election is mail ballot only and no polling places will be open on election day. Four residents are running for two open positions on the Hot Springs Town Council. Candidates include Crystal Graham, Renea Keough, Edwin Gail Weatherly and Mary Whitsett. County Elections Deputy Bobbi Christenson said that if Hot Springs r...
The fourth annual health fair, free to the community, took place at the Plains High School gym last Thursday. The event seeks to help individuals gain more knowledge about becoming healthier by engaging in conversation and providing basic, preventative medical screenings, which included: blood pressure, body analysis and blood glucose. Participants also received a free cholesterol screening voucher, along with a free mammogram from Clark Fork Valley Hospital. Aria Mangan, Community Health...
Last Saturday, The Thompson Falls community gathered at the NorthWestern Energy Power Park, to compete in the Trick or Treat Move Your Feet Fun Run. The event started off with the one-mile fun run, which was then followed by a 5k run. It was a picturesque fall day for the competitors; while the weather held out for the majority of the event, there was a little rain toward the end. The event, hosted by the Thompson Falls Community Trails, raised a total of $1,718 with the help of contributing spo...
HOT SPRINGS – To the victors go the spoils. The Hot Springs Savage Heat stopped the White Sulphur Spring Hornets 44-6 in the Spa City Friday night to clinch the 6-Man Western Conference football title and at least one home playoff game. Now 4-0 in conference play and 8-0 overall, the Heat wrap up regular season action hosting 2-2, 4-3 Gardiner this Friday. Now 3-1 in conference and 5-3 overall, the Hornets host 3-1, 5-2 Noxon Saturday with second place and the No. 2 playoff seed from the west o...
One last time to run, to run as fast as you can for 3.1 miles. High school cross country runners from across this wide swath of land known as Montana will gather in Great Falls Saturday for the 2019 All-Class Cross Country meet. The Thompson Falls Lady Hawks, after winning the unofficial Western B divisional team title at River's Bend Golf Course outside of Thompson Falls Oct. 16, will be riding high going into Great Falls. The all-class spectacular will be held at Eagle Falls Golf Course in...
