Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Thompson Falls and Hot Springs voters elected to keep their mayors another term. Incumbent mayors Mark Sheets of Thompson Falls and Randal Woods of Hot Springs will retain their seats following the election Tuesday. In Thompson Falls, Sheets won by 15 votes, getting 190 to opponent Dennis Newman's 175. Newman is a current member of the City Council. In Hot Springs, Woods garnered 115 votes, Karen Evans received 94 votes, and Robert L. Jackson had 9. Two positions were up for grabs on the Hot...
Thompson Falls and Trout Creek are two of the few "Whistle Stop Event" destinations slated for the 53rd Capitol Christmas Tree Tour. All in all, the tree will stop to be celebrated 19 times on its way to D.C. The tree will be harvested and loaded on Kootenai National Forest (KNF) lands Wed., Nov. 8 before it begins a long 3,000 mile plus journey to the U.S. Capitol West Lawn. To fill this long but joyous voyage, many community celebrations are slotted to celebrate the tree. Whitewood Transport...
The Montana Legislature will meet next week in order to balance the state’s budget and address a $227 million revenue shortfall. Gov. Steve Bullock has proposed several cuts to the budget. Included is closing 19 Offices of Public Assistance (OPA) throughout Montana, including the Sanders County office located in Thompson Falls. The office provides services including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF Cash assistance), and Medicaid. “I have put for...
Jerry (J.D.) Deal was recently inducted into Eastern Oregon University (EOU) Athletics Hall of Fame. On Oct. 7, Deal, of Thompson Falls, was one of five athletes who were recognized during halftime of the Homecoming EOU football game for remarkable athletic achievement. Deal's hard work, leadership, determination and raw talent earned him many accolades in addition to becoming a member of the 2017 EOU Hall of Fame Inductees. These include four years starting varsity (1971-1974), Team Captain (19...
It is hard to believe that only a couple of months ago Sheep Gap was ablaze. Now, the same area is covered in a blanket of snow. In fact, enough snow to cancel Tuesday’s scheduled field tour to discuss salvage and rehabilitation project proposals for the area. Instead of going out and “kicking dirt,” Dave Hattis, USFS Plains District Ranger, decided to have a meeting indoors to discuss proposed post-fire salvage activity. The proposed Sheep Gap project includes the harvest of dead and dying trees located on approximately 2,125 acres, which...
Now, in Montana we’re pretty lucky that we have thousands and thousands of public lands to enjoy. Even if you don’t drive to Glacier, you can see some spectacular sights throughout Sanders County. But it’s also pretty amazing to have Glacier National Park just a couple hours away. The National Park Service is recommending increased fees to visit national parks, including Glacier and Yellowstone. To see these national parks now, it’s $30 for a seven-day pass per car or $50 for an annual pass. The proposed changes would more than double the fee...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Let me be one of the “many” to wish the “few” good wishes on the 242nd birthday of their Corps on November 10. To all of the past and those serving. Happy Birthday Marines! Al Aschenbrenner, Plains...
Editor, It makes me really sad and angry to go by Flat Iron every day and see all the garbage thrown in the little turn off there. The garbage seems to grow every week. Thank you to the kind person who picked up the tires left there. Is it so hard to drive a few miles to the solid waste? Someone ends up having to clean it up. We need to keep our Sanders County clean and not leave it up to someone else to clean your mess up. Patti Paulsen, Thompson Falls...
Dear Editor, Regards: “OUR VIEWPOINT” The country is distracted??? The only part of the country that is distracted and confused are those that attended government schools that overwhelmingly taught their victims “what” to think and not “how” to think. We, who “know how to think”, recognized the repetitive lies and controls of fake news that chose our loser candidates McCain and Romney in 2008 and 2012. When they began destroying reputations of good men in 2016, we watched; we waited. One by one, our choices were verbally destroyed by th...
In this troublesome era of anger, violence and blame, it’s well to look back to a kinder time, and the good and heart-warming story of a remarkable Montana character. Dorothy Johnson grew up in poverty in Whitefish, and despite a life of crushing adversity, her achievement as a writer has been compared by some critics to that of Ernest Hemmingway, Mark Twain, Mary Austin, Willa Cather and Mari Sandoz. She has been described as possibly the greatest writer of western fiction who ever lived. Johnson’s tough trail to the top is illustrated by a p...
7 YEARS AGO • OCTOBER 27, 1947 FISH PLANTING The Forest Service and the State Fish and Game Commission are working together to build a five-year fish planting plan for Sanders County. Ray West, forest ranger at Plains, and A.G. Stubblefield superintendent of state fish hatcheries, are doing the work. They are meeting with all local sportsmen’s clubs and local forest rangers to get their advice and recommendations on the streams and lakes in the local districts. The following plants have been made so far this year: Thompson River, 27,000 Cut...
JULIE DETLAFF, Thompson Falls – "The Sunflower Gallery because you never know what locally made gifts you'll find." TRACY VANICEK, Thompson Falls – "Belknap Store." PAYTON FRIELDS, Trout Creek – "Harvest and it's a great place to get cheap lunch." MARCUS LIPSCOMB, Thompson Falls – "I like Cabela's." TRENNA FERRIS, Thompson Falls – "I'm new here so I'm going to say Harvest Foods." DANICE TOYIAS, Thompson Falls – "I like the Levi Store, Linda's, Trading Post and obviously Harvest for groceries...
Montana Highway Patrol Paul Groom, 41, $20, seatbelt violation; $285, driving without a valid license. Alvin Savage, 40, $525, operating without liability insurance, 3rd or subsequent offence. Alvin Savage, 40, $685, driving under the influence of alcohol, 1st offence. Scott Bigelow, 25, $120, day speeding. Patrick Roy, 31, $20, seatbelt violation. Beverly Carbery, 54, $20, seatbelt violation. Arley Gessey, 62, $85, operating without liability insurance; $20, seatbelt violation. Terrence Pond, 74, $85, careless driving. Jacob Mitchell, 37,...
Ambulances: Noxon, 2; T. Falls, 8; Plains, 3; H. Springs, 4; Dixon QRU, 1. Sunday, October 29 Individual soliciting sex in exchange for electronics, H. Springs. Report of possible spotlighting turns out to be duck hunters, T. Falls. A male suspect fled on foot from a traffic stop on Hwy. 28, vehicle impounded, H. Springs. Violation of protection order, Noxon. Possible poaching of deer on River Rd., Plains. Private intrusion alarm, T. Falls. Erratic driver on Hwy. 200, T. Falls. Monday, October 30 Welfare check requested, T. Creek. Violation of...
A man charged with burglary stemming from an incident at a residence outside of Trout Creek last year entered a not guilty plea before Judge Kim Christopher in District Court on Tuesday. In September, Adina Ahlers was sentenced to 10 years with the Department of Corrections for her role in the burglary. Sentencing was set for Dec. 5 for Koby Ramsey, who is charged with criminal endangerment, a felony. Ramsey changed his please to guilty in court Tuesday and admitted to firing a gun into an empty car outside the Timberline Apartments in Hot...
Grateful to hear there are others. This letter is in response to Kathleen Stiles’s letter of last week. Kathleen, I was thrilled and impressed with your letter to the Editor! I too was saddened reading “Other Viewpoints,” 10/26. You very clearly, and with eloquence, expressed my feelings exactly. I had been stewing how to respond when your wonderful letter captured my feelings precisely. It makes me sad as well, so many persons here seem to have really missed the point of the “take a knee movement.” It is because of our flag and our Democracy t...
Although it was Halloween, it probably felt like Christmas for the ten dogs aboard the aircraft. Pilot Peter Rork landed his Cessna Caravan at Thompson Falls Airport, Tuesday, after a short stop in Missoula. "I took off from Scottsdale, Arizona about 6:30 this morning," said Rork, who is the operator at the non-profit 'Dog is my Co-Pilot,' that transports shelter animals from kill shelters to no-kill shelters like Thompson River Animal Care Shelter (TRACS). Tuesday marked a special milestone in...
Everyone knows Sanders County is the last best place within Montana – the overall "last best place." So when it came time to decide where to setup shop, it was a no-brainer for mechanic Dan Whetzel. "I lived in the Coeur d'Alene and Washington area for a long time and always knew about Thompson Falls. The North Idaho area was just getting too big," Whetzel said, noting that his visits here were always for leisure with long rounds of fishing. "I didn't know I'd be moving here at that time, but I...
Frank Edward Coupal, 90, passed away quietly on Friday, October 27, 2017 in Sandpoint, Idaho. A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, November 18 at the Heron Methodist Church, in Heron, Mont., with Pastor T.J. Parker officiating. He was a loyal and devoted husband, loving father of five children, and an active member of the community always ready with a smile and a helping hand. Frank was born October 3, 1927 in Orwell, N.Y., the eldest of three sons of Edward and Gladys Coupal....
Each year on the third Thursday in November, the Great American Smokeout challenges smokers to stop smoking cigarettes for 24 hours, with the hope that the decision will continue, with support, including that of loved ones. This year’s “Smokeout” is Thursday, Nov. 16. “We heartily encourage all Sanders County smokers to take part in this special day. It can change your life,” said Sanders County Tobacco Prevention Specialist Sandra Gubel. People can get ready by stopping by her office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. either Monday, Nov. 13 or Wednes...
As property tax statements were mailed in Sanders County this month, taxpayers in Noxon School District felt the burden of the 2017 Legislative Session. Superintendent Thad Kaiser said that last year, the school district had $352,000 in state block grants. “This year, we didn’t get any of that,” Kaiser said. The Montana Legislature passed Senate Bill 307 earlier this year, which included phasing out the Quality Schools Facility Grant Program. That program, according to the Montana Department of Commerce, provides school facility and techn...
What better way to start a marriage than in an enchanted forest. Surrounded by leprechauns and fairies, that's where Samantha Zenahlik and Andrew Phythian recited their vows on Halloween night at Quinn's Hot Springs Resort. "I've wanted to get married on Halloween for years, even before I met Andrew," said Sam, who was given away by her father, Jim Zenahlik, dressed as a wizard, as was her brother, Caleb, who played the music as she walked down the aisle. Her other brother, J.J., also donned in...
Those looking to observe Veterans Day can meet on Main Street at the Veterans Memorial on Main Street. Once again, veteran and vet supporter Al McGuigan will hold a Veterans Day Ceremony at the memorial to honor veterans. Elks Lodge #2757 will host American Legion Post #52 for the annual Veterans Day dinner. The dinner is free and open to all vets and their families, as well as Elks members and their families. Ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and all the fixings will be served from 4-7 p.m., or...
What a great time to find your 'A' game. The Plains Trotters, playing their very best volleyball of the season right when it counted most, surged to a third place finish in the Western C divisional tournament in Churchill Thursday through Saturday, just missing a rare State C tournament bid. "I am so proud of this team," coach Jesse Butcher said Monday. "Everyone seemed to peak at the right time and we played our best volleyball of the season when it counted the most." The Trotters would still...
The Lady Hawks may not have won their way to the State B tourney this season like they have many times in the past, but coach Sandra Kazmierczak says she has never enjoyed coaching a team more. The young Lady Hawks completed a competitive season of play in the Western B divisional tournament in Eureka last week, falling to eventual divisional champion Florence 25-14, 25-10, 25-9 Thursday, and being eliminated by Anaconda 25-20, 25-21, 25-19 Friday. Kazmierczak, who has proven time and again to...
