Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Sanders County voters headed to the polls on Tuesday for the 2022 General Election. Voters cast ballots for multiple local and state positions and issues. As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, election officials were still working to count ballots. Nichol Scribner, Sanders County Clerk and Recorder, expressed that counting was taking so long Tuesday due to the number of ballots that included write-in candidates. Scribner also said late Tuesday that there were more absentee ballots cast in this month’s General Election than total ballots (absentee and p...
It was the final big 4-H event of the calendar year, but it was filled with excitement from kids receiving accolades for exhibits, interviews and leadership capabilities. More than 200 people attended 4-H Achievement Day at the Sanders County Fairgrounds pavilion Sunday afternoon. The hour and a half event included a "Poison Dart Frog" game prior to the awards ceremony and a potluck dinner. Almost 100 awards were presented to members of the six 4-H clubs, including two adults, Johnny Thurston...
It's not quite the closure he had wanted, but there's still hope for Pat Legard that the killer of his son, Mark, will be found, especially now that Sanders County ruled that the death a "potential homicide" instead of suicide. The 74-year-old Legard signed a settlement agreement Thursday with Sanders County that released the county's sheriff's office, coroner, attorney and commissioners from any claims and rights involved with the case. In return, the Sanders County Sheriff's Office will leave...
Just when I thought everyone would be complaining about the time change Monday morning, there was something else on peoples' minds — the winter storm. In recent weeks it's been in the back of my mind to drag up the shovel and ice melt from the basement at The Ledger. I kept thinking I had a few more weeks, or at least days. Not so, when I arrived to an inch of snow and some pesky ice Monday. I love that we get to enjoy all four seasons in our beautiful corner of the world. I'm whining about the cold and snow as well, but it's beautiful o...
I am writing this column before the election, and you are reading it after the election, and here’s my prediction; the losers will be unhappy, and the winners will be happy. I also predict that there will be at least one winner somewhere, who will not take yes for an answer and will demand an investigation into supposed irregularities in their own election for the sake of principle. And I further predict that such a person will have won by a sizable margin because nobody but a fool would want t...
OVER 100 YEARS AGO Not finding anything of interest in old newspaper files this week, I dug up some old history of the Thompson Falls area in the pioneer days. PETE McCLINCHY June 9, 1882 – Weeksville Items – Fred Smith and Pete McClinchy, Thompson Falls, paid our city a visit and reports business lively at the falls. Mr. McClinchy is an old resident of Montana, and Missoula County. February 1, 1884 – A party composed of Messers P.M. McClinchy, John Russell, J.W. Lee, John Sharp and G.G. Smith have received permission to build a toll road from...
Cecil Jevons, Thompson Falls - “The dollar is going to zero, so why worry about a penny?” Cary Christensen, Clark Fork, Idaho - “Keep them because we’ve always had them.” Eric Christensen, Clark Fork, Idaho - “When they change the prices to whole dollars, then get rid of them.” Jenni Yoder, Thompson Falls - “Absolutely, because it balances out…. Math works best with them.” Mike O'Farrell, Thompson Falls - “Yes, let them have it, I don’t care.” Joe Bower, Thompson Falls - “Sure, everyone needs a penny…. Take one, give one....
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribers (CSKT) is investigating an elk that was poached at the Bison Range. "An investigation was immediately opened when a poached bull elk was found disrespectfully dumped in the canal on the Bison Range with its head cut off," CSKT reported. "All efforts are being made to find out any information concerning this case and all leads are actively being investigated. We cannot confirm at this time that this elk is the ionic non-typical elk known as 'Harold,' who has been widely admired by many Bison Range...
Montana Highway Patrol Michael Youngberg, 55, speeding in a restricted zone, $105. Alexander Bjornberg, 33, violation in a construction zone, $135. Wayne Boren, 64, seatbelt violation, $20. Mervin Hoover, 69, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Shelby Clearmont, 24, seatbelt violation, $20. Whitney Dumont, 35, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Rhondell Volinkaty, 35, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Richard Probert, 67, careless driving, $85. Steven Strack, 41, seatbelt violation, $20. Owen Fisher, 21, night speeding, deferred imposition...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 4; Plains, 3; Hot Springs, 3; Trout Creek, 2; Lonepine, 2; Paradise, 1; Dixon, 1. Monday, October 31 Fire, Paradise. Inmate transport, T. Falls. Civil attempts, T. Falls. Civil attempts, T. Falls. Civil attempts, T. Falls. Fish and game, Plains. Civil attempts, Trout Creek. Disturbance, Noxon. Fire, Plains. Harassment/privacy in communication, T. Falls. Civil attempts, Heron. Civil attempts, Heron. Tuesday, November 1 Juvenile criminal, T. Falls. Property damage/criminal mischief, Plains. Property damage/criminal mischief,...
For some, gardening is a seasonal pursuit, but not for Shari Ganatos. A lifelong resident of Thompson Falls, she and her dog Cooper were fortunate to find a home next to her mom and the house she grew up in. A year ago, after an accident left her with physical injuries, she needed a hobby she could do despite her limitations. Thus her rock garden was born. For Ganatos, it's a labor of love. "No deer or water to worry about and it brings color to the sometimes dismal winter," Ganatos said with a...
For people who want a clue to upcoming entertainment, they can simply check out the Plains High School schedule. The school’s drama club will be presenting the play “Clue” on Nov. 11 , 12, 13 in the school’s new gymnasium This will be the first time for Terri Henry’s school drama club to perform “Clue,” a popular 1980s movie based on a board game of the same name. The 16 kids have been rehearsing the play for more than a month. “It is a chaotic comedy. Lots of fun and laughter, not to mention some colorful characters,” said Henry, who’s been...
Plains High School art students got to show their patriotism and artistic talents at the same time by custom painting an American flag on an eight-foot long by five-foot wide piece of wood, finishing the project last Monday. Five high school students volunteered to paint the flag on the wood for the Thompson Falls based American Legion Post 52, which usually uses the display to attract people to their booth during the Huckleberry Festival, according to Bill Beck, who made the original display...
It was a hopping Halloween Monday evening in Plains with several events going on from Clark Fork Valley Hospital to Fred Young Park. A constant chilly drizzle didn't stop kids from filling the streets in a quest for treats. Several businesses along Railroad Street gave out goodies, including Carolyn Powers of MT West Dentist, who dressed as a tube of toothpaste and handed out candy for almost two hours. At the other end of town in Fred Young Park, a hoard of crazy characters roamed the grounds...
20-2022 Ted Hoglund passed away surrounded by family on October 7, 2022, only a few weeks before his 85th birthday. Just days before his passing, he received a sudden diagnosis of cancer that had spread. He told his family that he had a good life with so many wonderful experiences and he was at peace. Ted was born in 1937, at Fort Snelling, to Sergeant Orville Hoglund and Beatrice Hoglund. After his father was discharged from the Army, the family moved to Jackson, Michigan where Ted first... Full story
Mildred Grace Butler, 80, long-time Sanders County resident, passed away October 6, 2022, at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital Long Term Care facility in Plains. Millie was born December 5, 194,1 in Butte County, California, to William Norman and Bessie (McHenry) Stanley, the third of five daughters. On August 20, 1960, Millie married the love of her life, Rodger Daniel Butler, in a simple ceremony in Reno, Nevada. The couple began their life together living in the Roseville, California, area,... Full story
Anita Carol Wise went home to join the Lord on November 3, 2022. Carol was born December 25, 1917, in Winifred, Montana, to Carl and Oreta McCaughin. Carol married James Lee Wise on August 9, 1936. During their courtship, she blacked both of his eyes with a snowball. Lee claimed he married her in self-defense. They had three children, Wendall Hugh (Skip), Anita Lee (Peggy) and James Gary. Gary was born soon after Lee was deployed in the Navy during WWII. Carol was a full-time mother and... Full story
Dixon Wiegele, 75, of Whitepine, Montana, lost his fight with cancer and passed away on November 1, 2022, at Clark Fork Valley Hospital. Dixon was born January 17, 1947, in Spokane, Washington, to Louis and Jane (Greenwood) Wiegele. Dixon was a lifetime resident and rancher in the Whitepine area. Dixon fulfilled his passion as a rancher and moved on to greener pastures. After graduating from high school in Thompson Falls, he went on to attend Spokane Community College, earning an A.A.S. in auto... Full story
Dave and Betty Kraak are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary this month. The Kraaks, who have lived in Thompson Falls since 1985, were married November 16, 1957. Congratulations on your anniversary!... Full story
A local title company is operating under a new name. Title Financial Corporation (TFC) has announced that its subsidiaries, including First American Title Company in Thompson Falls, are now Flying S Title & Escrow (FSTE). As an independent agent for 40 years, their First American Title Company subsidiary in Thompson Falls has been confused with direct operations based in Santa Ana, California. TFC hopes this rebrand will set them apart and better represent its company and culture. Beginning in...
The Thompson Falls volleyball team is headed to the state tournament for the third year in a row. The Blue Hawks repeated as divisional champions last weekend, but it wasn't easy getting to the top of the podium. The Hawks had to fight back and beat conference rival Bigfork twice to take the top seed heading into this week's state tournament. "They knew what they had to do to get to state," Coach Sandra Kazmierczak said, "and they got it done. It was a great team effort. Every player had to...
Clark Fork Valley Hospital (CFVH) is gearing up for their 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and is asking community members to participate in a county wide survey focusing on healthcare. “Living in a rural community has its challenges but we do our best at CFVH to address the ones specifically impacting our friends and neighbors here in Sanders County when it comes to healthcare,” explained Janie Hom, CFVH Health Improvement Specialist. A CHNA is a requirement of compliance for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and als...
Clark Fork Valley Hospital (CFVH) is reminding residents of some important information regarding Medicare. CFVH last week released a statement saying that Humana Medicare is the only Medicare Advantage Plan for which the hospital network is a participating provider. “We have been made aware that United HealthCare/AARP is able to sell in our county,” CFVH stated. “We wanted to make sure you are aware that at this time we are not a participating provider with this plan. We are encouraging you to make sure to look into the benefits of each plan...
INDUSTRIAL LEAGUE W L Bernie’s Auto 24 12 Howard Services 24 12 Highlead 24 12 Pocket Pounders 17 19 Mountain Plains LLC 14 22 Giggles 5 31 Team Scr. Game: Bernie’s Auto,773; Scr. Series: Bernie’s Auto, 2226; Hcp. Game:Bernie’s Auto,907; Hcp. Series: Bernie’s Auto, 2628; Inv. Scr. Game:Bernie Groshong, 232; Scr. Series:Bernie Groshong, 644; Hcp. Game:Bernie Groshong, 264; Hcp. Series:Bernie Groshong,740 OVER THE HILL GANG W L Mixed Nuts 22 10 Fun Team 16 16 Leftovers 15.5 16.5 Jokers Wild 14.5 17.5 Roll’n Along 14 18 Combak Kids 14 18 Team Scr...
by Chelle Mitchell Last month, there were several meetings throughout the county regarding the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana (CSKT) water compact. The issue has sparked heated discussions and concerns from residents about the future of water rights on their property. On October 28, more than 100 residents attended a meeting at the Whitepine Mennonite Church looking for answers regarding the legislation. Rick Jore, who served in the Montana House of Representatives from 1995...
