Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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The Sanders County DUI (driving under the influence) Task Force met for their first meeting of the year to discuss the legalization of recreational marijuana. Deputy County Attorney Cheryl Copperstone brought up her concerns about state legalization of recreational marijuana use. The legislation became effective January 1, and though counties can opt out, Copperstone believes law enforcement of the whole state will be affected. She then asked meeting participants, which included Thompson Falls Police Chief Chris Nichols and Hot Springs Police...
With temperatures dipping to single digits last week, a northern flicker finds a booty of food in leftover berries in a tree near Plains....
Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority’s (BSPRA) efforts to restore passenger rail service across the “Southern Montana Route” has taken a step closer to reality after receiving a considerable advancement of support from a group of bipartisan U.S. senators. Led by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, the group delivered a letter directing the Federal Rail Administration to establish a Greater Northwest Working Group to study and work toward the restoration of passenger rail service across the region. A press release from BSPRA states the letter was co-signed by Sen...
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) staff met with Sanders County residents last week to discuss proposed changes to hunting regulations. FWP Wildlife Biologist Mike Ebinger said the department set goals of simplifying regulations and having biologists focus on biology and science, as well as having the Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) handle social issues. FWC is the decision-making body for the FWP. "These are proposals," Ebinger said at the meeting Wednesday at Thompson Falls...
The City of Thompson Falls has been working now for a couple years on how to handle growth in the community. On Monday, the City Council discussed adding tiny homes to the mobile home placement ordinance. The discussion went several different directions. When it comes to growth, it's not just about home size or how many residences are on a lot. The city has to think about things such as guidelines for fence placement, impact to the city sewer and water systems and requirements for off-street parking. Communities within Sanders County are...
Letter to the Editor: It was a painful start to the new year for Orvall Kuester. Few in the county love flora and fauna more than Orvall. Originally an outfitter turned contractor and photographer, his appreciation of the beauty, essentiality and spirituality of nature approaches Native American understanding. So, it was a wretched start to the new year when Orvall stopped his Ford truck on River Road West to gather and respectfully dispose of the widely scattered remains of 10 turkeys run down by some unidentified vehicle rushing down...
Kudos to Democrat spokeswoman Mindy Ferrell for her Letter to the Editor, “United We Stand,” proclaiming the COVID-19 pandemic a disaster. She’s absolutely correct, but what must be clarified is what occurred during 2020 and 2021 was a pandemic orchestrated to cause shutdowns and to create chaos with lock downs and quarantines that ruined millions of small businesses and people’s livelihoods, including the hundreds of thousands who lost their lives to COVID. Unemployment surged to record levels. Yes, the economic devastation was unprece...
At Oakland Airport, I await a flight to Spokane, the last leg home from Seattle. It’s a roundabout way to get there, but it fits the day, which has been roundabout also. I still like to fly, but there are a number of SDRs that go with flying these days that I could do without. “SDR,” by the way, stands for Stupid Damn Rule. I start the day learning an SDR: bags can’t be checked with the airline until four hours before departure. Got it. Won’t make that mistake again. I go back to the hotel and check my bag at the front desk. This takes 40...
Sanders County Independent Ledger December 16, 1942 80 Years Ago Our Hobby Sanders County has an exciting and thrilling history of political, economic and personal strife that would make a melodramatic thriller for a movie – county seat fights, destructive forest fires, native american lore, shootings, political intrigue and struggles for power and domination. One by one the old timers who lived through those tempestuous days are passing. Except by vague rumor and word of mouth, these stirring chapters in Sanders County are being forgotten. ...
CURT THOMAS, Plains - “Soup.” DANIELLE PAQUET, Plains - “Potato soup.” JEAN MANNING, Trout Creek - “Homemade chicken noodle soup.” JOHN SIEGMUND, Thompson Falls - “Steak.” BERNARD PARKER, Thompson Falls - “Custard Pie.” KATHERINE DeWITT, Thompson Falls - “Chili....
Ambulance: Noxon, 3; T. Falls, 13; Plains, 9; Trout Creek, 2; Hot Springs, 4; Heron, 2; Dixon, 1. Monday, January 3 Welfare check, Hot Springs. Prowler, T. Falls. Coroner called, Paradise. Civil standby, T. Falls. Civil standby, Trout Creek. Assault, Dixon. Animal other, Plains. Tuesday, January 4 Fire, T. Falls. Theft, Noxon. Trespass, Plains. Theft, Trout Creek. Intimidation/harassment, Trout Creek. Fire, Noxon. Theft, Trout Creek. Wednesday, January 5 Theft, Trout Creek. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Trespass, T. Falls. Juvenile criminal,...
Sanders County Sheriff’s Office James Gelormino, 79, failure to obey traffic control device instructions, $85. Annaka McClelland, 18, day speeding, $20. Montana Highway Patrol Jason Wildling, 47, basic rule, reasonable and prudent, 1st offense, $85. Harold Cunningham, 62, seatbelt violation, $20. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Michael Forest, 37, fishing without a license, $135....
One of the last remnants of Christmas in Plains disappeared Sunday as the Plains Lions Club removed the holiday ornaments along Railroad Street. "This is a nice sunny day for this," said Dave Helterline, one of four Lions to take down the decorations. Helterline has been putting up and taking down the ornaments since joining the club over 64 years ago. He said they've seen some bad weather when putting up the decorations in November, but even worse at times when removing them in January. "We've...
"Psychiatric services are very difficult around here. I think she will be a boon to the community," said Raoul Ribeiro about Danice Thorne. Thorne opened a small mental health services practice in Thompson Falls called New Perspectives Mental Health Services. "She has lots of practical experience," added Ribeiro. Thorne has been a nurse for 10 years and has been a practicing psychiatric nurse for just over a year. Thorne will be able to prescribe medications and evaluate the mental health needs...
The Thompson Falls School Board voted Monday to take the next step in building a multi-use facility at the high school. The school board voted to allow Superintendent Bud Scully and Dan McGee with Building Mind and Body, LLC to negotiate the contract for building and design of the facility. The two will work with Swank Enterprises of Kalispell to negotiate the contract for pre-construction services. "That gives us a chance to get the project in budget," McGee said. Swank's proposal was over the $1.4-million budget for the facility. Elementary...
Robert “Cy” John Hentges, 85, of Shelton, Washington, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 10, 2021. Cy was born to Anthony Hentges and Lillian Phelan Hentges in Petersburg, North Dakota. He would spend the majority of his childhood years in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Cy attended the University of North Dakota and then transferred to the University of Idaho where he received his degree in Wildlife Management and Forestry in 1960. After graduation, Cy served in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant leading an artillery battery tra...
The Savage Horsemen wrestling team is making the most of their packed schedule this year. Coach Shane Angle said last year with COVID, the team did what they could. “This year being able to go to tournaments and travel has definitely made it more of a season for everybody.” Last week, the Plains-Hot Springs team had a week full of competition, with duals in Arlee and Hamilton on Tuesday, the Western Montana Duals in Ronan over the weekend, and additional duals in Florence on Saturday. The Savage Horsemen were without some wrestlers due to vario...
Sanders County basketball teams are back in the swing of competition after the holiday break and some unexpected weather delays. Games for Thompson Falls and Plains were postponed last week after a winter storm swept through Sanders County. The Thompson Falls girls hosted Mission on January fourth, keeping their win streak alive with a 55-43 victory on their home court. Both teams utilized the press early in the game, but the Hawks bested the Lady Bulldogs throughout the game, outscoring Mission...
The Savage Heat boys brought the heat Saturday on their home court as they hosted the Superior Wildcats. Hot Springs hit the court with enthusiasm, garnering good steals early and taking a 10-2 lead in the beginning minutes of the game. Both defenses utilized the press early, but Hot Springs led 21-2 after the first quarter and never looked back. Coach Scott Fredrickson said he sees a lot of potential in his team to keep improving. "The kids are working hard. They have good leadership." He...
SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. ASKS 5. DEC 8. SBIC 12. CHEEP 14. OCA 15. AUTO 16. TORERO 18. TOR 19. FLAK 20. SENSOR 21. ETA 22. ABLE 23. HARRY CARAY 26. EBONITE 30. PAMIR 31. SCABBED 32. ESE 33. CERCI 34. LORNE 39. TUB 42. MAILBAG 44. OPERA 46. ERODING 47. ERADICATOR 49. MEAL 50. NIB 51. SACEUR 56. ARCA 57. ALI 58. ETHANE 59. GILT 60. LLB 61. EOSIN 62. IEEE 63. SIS 64. NEXT SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. ACTS 2. SHOE 3. KERN 4. SEES 5. DOTER 6. ECOTYPE 7. CARACAS 8. SAFARI 9. BULBAR 10. ITALY 11. COKE 13. PROHIBITED...
There are many skills a person can take with them from high school, but sometimes the most overlooked are those from shop class. Bill McGuire's various shop classes at Thompson Falls High School work to give youth other skill sets and understanding to take with them through life, and even make careers out of. "What I like about this is that a kid can actually build something and take it home," said McGuire. The shop classes McGuire teaches include small engines, automotive, welding, wood shop, d...
