Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Construction on the highway probably isn't the highlight of anyone's day. But as FiberTel has been laying fiber optic lines through the county this construction season, travelers have been getting an extra dose of positivity. Samantha Whittington is from Kalispell. She is one of the flaggers that locals have encountered during construction this summer. Whittington, 28, is notable because she makes an effort to smile and wave at every car that drives by. "I always wave at everybody," said Whittington, who started working for Mountain West...
It might smell the same, but it now has a better look and is dust and mud free. The Plains Refuse District - the "town dump" - received a major facelift in October with a new shack delivered to the site on Saturday. Von Construction of Plains did the bulk of the project over the course of about three weeks, finishing the paving portion two weeks ago. Doran VonHeeder, owner of the construction company, said the project was done in three phases, starting with placing several truckloads of gravel a...
There was hootin' and hollerin' and celebratin' at the Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge last Saturday as the annual Spaghetti Western Fundraiser was held. The event raises funds for the Rex Theater in Thompson Falls. It also served as a birthday party for the local landmark, as the theater turns 85 this year. Several of the more than 130 attendees put on their best western garb for the fundraiser, which features a live and silent auction, 50/50 raffle, and a gourmet spaghetti dinner sponsored by...
The Thompson Falls City Council awarded a contract for the Church Street emergency water project at its monthly meeting last week. The council met on Tuesday as Monday was a holiday, awarding the $338,960 contract to 40/50 Development of Ennis. 40/50 owner Michael Sprout said the company wanted to get started on the project as soon as possible. The company has a crew of 10 employees who will work on the project and is hoping to complete the project within three weeks. “We have a young, energetic crew. We’ll get it done,” Sprout said, addin...
Courtesy photo The general season for deer and elk in Montana opens Saturday, October 26. Last Thrusday and Friday was the state's special youth hunt. Lainey Erwin, 10 of Trout Creek, got her first deer. Share your first hunt photos on the Ledger Facebook page or email to [email protected]....
As I was skimming the crowd at the Rex Theater fundraiser on Saturday, I saw several new faces. There were people I didn't know, and people who I had never seen at the Rex fundraiser before. The same was true of the organizers. "Head Wrangler" Rob Viens, who coordinated the event, moved to Thompson Falls in 2022. The primary forces behind the Save the Rex effort who got the community going were the Mundays and the Wilsons, two families who also moved to the area in the last decade. Before you get too excited, let me say that there were plenty o...
I just got a flier in the mail from the Montana Republican Party asking me to vote “no” on CI-126, that’s the ballot initiative to allow a primary election where the top four vote getters advance to the general election. Instead of Montana voters having to vote a Republican, Democratic, Green, or Libertarian party ballot in the primary election, all candidates of those parties would be listed on the same, unified, ballot. I think it’s a good idea, and, thanks for asking, I’ll tell you why. I wa...
I am not a person to make many complaints or share negative actions. However, after going to the local source to find answers I am at a loss as to how to proceed. I recently arrived home after a two-week absence from my home of many years in Sanders County. Like many county residents I have experienced the ongoing traffic snags on Highway 200 this past summer, to gain high speed internet and never complained. I am a proponent of the project and know the importance of having the ability to communicate with our families, pursue educational...
6 YEARS AGO • SEPTEMBER 24, 1964 EARLY HISTORY OF THOMPSON FALLS LIONS CLUB The Thompson Falls Lions Club was formed in the fall of 1943 and the club received its charter from Lions International November 24 of that year. The club began with 20 charter members and was sponsored by the Hot Springs club. The following fall, 1944, the club’s first shoot was held west of town near Birdland Park, where the Thompson Falls State Park now is. Only hunting rifles were used in competition and shooters laid on the ground. Live turkeys were given as pri...
VIKKI HAVERKORN, Thompson Falls - “40.” PAUL GALLO, Thompson Falls - “Definitely my 40s. ” BRYSON LECOURE, Thompson Falls - “18.” PAT JOHNSON, Plains - “25 with the life experience I have now.” JOYCE POLHAMUS, Thompson Falls - “55.” TRACY LANGDON, Trout Creek - “44....
Ambulance: Plains, 7; Hot Springs, 3; T. Falls, 3; Noxon, 2; Trout Creek, 2; Dixon, 1; Paradise, 1. Monday, October 14 Abandoned vehicle, T. Falls. Assist motorist/citizen, T. Falls. General animal call/complaint, Plains. Other accident, Plains. General animal call/complaint, Heron. Parking problem, T. Falls. Theft, Trout Creek. Theft, Heron. Request for welfare check, T. Falls. Business contact, Plains. USFS campground check, T. Falls. USFS campground check, Heron. Civil attempts. Civil attempts. Civil attempts. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls....
Montana Highway Patrol Eric Thornton, 38, driving while privilege suspended/revoked, 1st offense, $325; operating without liability insurance, 1st offense, $275. Delano Smith, 50, negligent endangerment, $285, deferred imposition of sentence. Roxanna Dial, 61, careless driving, $135, deferred imposition of sentence. Daniel Fretto, 56, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. John Laimbeer, 79, day speeding, $70. Tracy McNair, 62, day speeding, $120. Brandy Paulson, 41, day speeding, $70. Virgil Thoms, 57, seatbelt violation, $20. Dustin Hoffman,...
Another summer has gone by and the Forest Service’s Big Hole Lookout rental cabin is closed up for the winter, thanks to volunteers from the Wild Plains Back Country Horsemen. John Errecart and Cheryl Burt took their horses and mules up the two-and three-quarter mile Trail #368 to the lookout at the 6,922-foot level last Tuesday to secure the lookout for the winter. It will reopen next June, also by members of the horsemen club, which adopted the lookout when it became a rental cabin in 2021. T...
After suffering a stroke, Joyce Jacobson died surrounded by her loving family after having lived independently at her home of 74 years until her passing. Joyce was born to Clarance and Jenni Baker in 1925 and raised in Thompson Falls during the great depression. She graduated from high school early in May 1943 because the senior boys were all drafted into World War II. Out of patriotism, Joyce enlisted in the Cadet Nurse Corp and attended St. Mary's School of Nursing at the Mayo Clinic in... Full story
Peggy "Pinkie" Nelsen, a beloved resident of Noxon, MT, passed away from natural causes on October 10, 2024, at the age of 77 in Helena, MT. Pinkie was predeceased by her parents, Kathleen "Katie" and Fay Rasmussen; her brothers, Dale and Don; and her sisters, Faye Irene and Becky. She is survived by her two sons, Rex Weltz and his wife Karla of Helena, MT, and Ryan Weltz and his wife Tamra of Noxon, MT; her life partner, Neil Rose of Noxon, MT; her sister, Karen "Kay" Rasor of Trout Creek, MT;... Full story
Alvin Francis Shaw, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather was called home to his eternal resting place with the Lord on October 6, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Wilma Shaw, sister Elaine Kimes and brother Delbert Shaw. He passed away peacefully at home as per his wishes. He met his lifelong companion Karen Andrews in Kansas in 1958. He leaves behind his wife of 65 years Karen Elaine Shaw, daughters Crystal Shaw, Diana Doyle (Jay Doyle) and Melanie Sh...
September 19, 1933 – October 9, 2024 Our beloved mother passed peacefully October 9, 2024, of natural causes at home in Missoula, MT surrounded by loved ones. Charlotte Rose Williams was born at home in Latah, WA, September 19, 1933, to parents Guy and Jennie Williams. She joined brother Guy II. She was always proud of her Irish heritage. Mom met the love of her life, Herbert H. Higbee while roller skating in Tekoa, WA. Dad asked "Who wants to be the lucky one?" She answered! Their union began J... Full story
To the greatest father, friend, neighbor, listening ear and "Joe of All Trades." I am sad to announce the passing of Joe Stout on October 9, 2024, at 6:03 p.m. Please join us in celebration of his very "live out loud" life on November 9,2024 at 7 p.m. at 403 Woodland St.in Thompson Falls All welcome! No nonsense or bad behavior will be tolerated! Long live Joe. May you Rest Easy Papa!...
In an effort to provide information about the Church Street Emergency Water Main Replacement (CSEWMR) project, this month’s article may be a little technical. We’ll try to keep it user friendly. The CSEWMR project was approved in the October 15, 2024, Thompson Falls City Council meeting. The CSEWMR project generally consists of replacing approximately 1,200 linear feet of 10” diameter PVC water main, water main fittings, gate valves, connection to existing water distribution system and connecting to existing water services and fire hydra...
by Pat Crowder Clark Fork Enrichment Corp. (CFEC), is making a difference in Sanders County through grants to local nonprofits. While not in league with the big money grants, there's something particularly satisfying about funding a request from a fourth grade teacher in Hot Springs for help so her class can go on a field trip, or a request for equipment for a science teacher in Noxon. Continuing their commitment to bringing in opportunities to experience the arts to Sanders County, the CFEC...
THe Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) recently awarded Frids of the Thompson Falls Library a $4,0000 grant to support its youth literacy program. The local grant is part of more than $4 million recently awarded to nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools in Dollar General's hometown communities across the country to help extend a brighter future for K-12 students. Friends of the Thompson Falls Library will use the funds to purchase additional junior non-fiction books, junior fiction novels, additional Tonie box storeis, Junior...
The Thompson Falls High School National Honor Society inducted new members at a ceremony last week. New inductees include (from left) Kylie Huff, Addyson Deal, Aubrey Baxter, Teagan Dorscher, Adelynn Traver and Cassidy Dana....
A Clark's Nutcracker, of the genus Corvus, or Crow family, perches on a bird bath. Clark's Nutcrackers travel in flocks and use their spike-like bills to pick seeds out of pine cones. They eat some of the seeds and bury thousands of others for the winter....
Ava Warta, Plains High School by Kristen Cole Meet Ava Warta, an 18-year-old senior at Plains High School with a passion for art. Ava has been interested in art since a young age, around 3rd grade, and enjoys using a variety of mediums to bring their imaginative stories and fantastical worlds to life. "I enjoy creating because I like the stories I can make through it, even if others don't see the story I intended," says Ava. "I love making worlds of fantasy, worlds that despite being so vividly...
NOXON 68, GARDINER 25 It was a crisp fall night as the Noxon Red Devils hosted the Gardiner Bruins for their final home game of the season, taking the win 68-25. Red Devil Ian Brown set the tone for the game, coming out of the gate earning a touchdown. It was quickly answered with a Bruin punt return touchdown, tying up the game early. Noxon was able to keep a level head and quarterback Justice Kayser was able to find the end zone for another Red Devil touchdown. Keeping their helmets to the...
