Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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The first baby of the year at Clark Fork Valley Hospital was a bit of a surprise for the hospital staff. Tom and Chelsea Kirkland also were a bit surprised last Thursday when their son Casen made an early arrival. This is the first baby for the Kirkland family. Chelsea's due date was Saturday, Jan. 26. She had an appointment in Missoula on Thursday, Jan. 24. Her doctor said everything looked good and she still had some time. In fact, they told her they would probably induce her on Monday, Jan....
A plow truck at the Sanders County shop between Thompson Falls and Trout Creek was totaled in a fire last Sunday, and the shop incurred damages as well. The 1996 truck serviced the county for only three or four years, according to operator Dan Bloom, who last drove the vehicle the Friday before the fire. A motorist driving past the facility, west of the Big Beaver Creek turnoff, noticed smoke coming from the garage and reported the fire. Both Thompson Falls and Trout Creek fire departments and...
The Sanders County commissioners are looking for people to fill vacancies in the Sanders County Fair Commission, a board of volunteers that work on the fair and fairground operations. In December, three members of the fair board resigned for various reasons and another quit in September; the county needs to replace them as soon as possible, said Commissioner Carol Brooker. Wade Rehbein and Heidi Kirkwood, both of Plains, and Jenny Garrison of Thompson Falls, all resigned in December within days of each other. Rachel Berge of Hot Springs...
One hundred and seventy-five youth from kindergartners to seniors participated in this year's Sanders County Arts Council Art on the Walls Student Show in the Main Street Hallway at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital. The Arts Council and hospital, which co-sponsors the show, hosted a reception in the hospital lobby Thursday to kick off the student exhibit, which will be up until March 27. "It never ceases to amaze me how much talent we have in our communities from kindergarten to high school,"...
Medicaid Expansion in Montana has not only helped reduce the number of people who are uninsured, but a recent study also touted the economic impacts the program has on our state. Since the 2015 Legislature passed the HELP Act, the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana found that expansion has generated more than $500 million a year in health care spending in Montana. The study found other impacts of expansion, including reducing property and violet crime, and improving financial health by reducing outstanding...
This week saw the hustle and bustle the legislature is known for. The bills are now coming out of committees and on to the floor in greater numbers. The Senate has also passed enough bills across the floor that they are even showing up in House committees and vice versa. The process is that a bill goes into committee, has a hearing there, discussion and executive action is taken by the committee. If the bill is voted to pass out of the committee, it is then referred to the appropriate chamber...
I first started writing this column after a discussion with The Ledger’s owner/editor. She felt that my opinions, based on my personal experiences, might make for some interesting reading. I want to make it clear to the readers that this is an opinion column reflecting my spin on different issues. I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind here. Just offering a perspective based on my background and, hopefully, encouraging people to think critically rather than falling into lock step with the media. This has been a new experience for me and I’m def...
We’ve listened at the public meetings and hearings. We’ve read the news articles. We’ve spoken with our neighbors. Now is the time to look up, look around. Others, Main Street Committee, Trails Committee, Chamber of Commerce see the value and importance of investing in this community. I encourage those on the hill to join this vision, for a better community, and look to the future viability of Thompson Falls. It is our responsibility to leave our world better for future generations. Step up and support the Special Improvement District. It do...
4 YEARS AGO • JANUARY 11, 1979 TROUT CREEK PUPILS ENJOY NEW SCHOOL Several boxes of tile are still piled in a corner of the basement lunchroom, workmen’s tools are still located temporarily in one classroom, but while some work remains, students and faculty of the Trout Creek Elementary School moved into their new building last week and they’re happy to be there. Steve Hendrick, head teacher at Trout Creek, says even the inconveniences being experienced because the new building is not entirely finished, beat the conditions under which classes...
FRANK RIBERTS, Thompson Falls – “The ‘haves and have nots’ in this depressed economy. I moved here from Spokane and would like them to promote economies in line with people’s philosophy of life.” LARRY LACK, Thompson Falls – “I’m the chairman of the aquatic species committee and we need new helicopters and parts. We have three helicopters. The cost of one rotor is $100,000. They are not cheap.” DONNELL SIRUCEK, Paradise – “I wish they would change the law so the issues can be voted on separately instead of lumping so many together.” MICHAEL...
Montana Highway Patrol Sean Ladeaux, 46; driving under the influence of alcohol, 1st offense, $735 and 2 days in jail; resisting arrest, $375; speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Tyler Trull, 25, driving under the influence of alcohol, 2nd offense, $1,285 and 7 days in jail; operating without liability insurance in effect, 1st offense, $75; seatbelt violation, $20. Joseph Robinson, 53, seatbelt violation, $20. Jeanna Ragsdale, 36, driving without a valid driver’s license, $235; carless driving, $75; failure to give notice of accident by q...
Ambulances: T. Falls, 7; Plains, 3; H. Springs, 4. Sunday, January 20 Suspicious activity, individual banging on door and yelling, stated they rolled vehicle. Theft from H. Springs business. One vehicle, non-injury rollover accident on Baker Grade, Hwy. 28 north of Plains. Vehicle traveling eastbound on Hwy. 200 toward T. Falls traveling at a high rate of speed and passing cars on icy roads. An eastbound Hwy. 200 vehicle passed by a semi in a no passing zone on Dykstra Hill, T. Falls. Welfare check requested, Noxon. Monday, January 21 H....
On Tuesday, January 22 I had the honor to testify before the House Subcommittee for Veterans' Affairs. I was supporting the Ravalli County Veterans group in their effort to get funding from the state to assist the financing necessary to establish a Veterans Service Office in every county in Montana. My testimony was requested and I accepted the privilege to represent the 1,500 veterans of Sanders County and add my support to all Montana counties' veterans. I arrived at the capitol and was getting oriented when House Representative Bob Brown...
If you received a letter from the City of Thompson Falls, about the Proposed Waste Water System, you were probably concerned or at least puzzled about what this all means. I’m sure glad the neighborhood was listening. Several residents have come together to provide a place to meet and give assistance as needed. If you happen to be opposed to the project, they are helping by providing a form letter with your parcel information included. They are delivering the letter to city hall if you so desire. It appears word of mouth, neighbor telling n...
Editor, We own the 508 Preston Avenue parcel and this letter is a written protest against the proposed water improvements and against the creation of the enlarged water district. We recognize the need for additional sewer connections above the railroad tracks and upgrades below the tracks. However, your Notice of Intention states the project will cost $688,000. Surely you left off a ZERO! $6,880,000 is a much more likely figure! As everyone who lives in Thompson Falls knows, above the railroad tracks that hillside is rubble from Glacial Lake...
Montana Behavioral Initiative (MBI) Youth Ambassadors at Noxon have taken a proactive approach to making positive changes at school. Under direction of Dana Grupenhoff, a business teacher and woman who wears many hats at the school, the ambassadors have directed a "positive activity every six weeks or so this year," according to Grupenhoff. "Our school was lacking a little in spirit and we were passionate about making a change," junior Brittany Hagen said sharing as the main reason the...
The lasting effects of a stroke can be very different depending on how fast a patient receives treatment. Advances in treatment are helping more people survive stroke without serious disability. But these treatments are only used in a narrow window of time four and a half hours after the known start of symptoms. During the next two months, Sanders County residents will hear about the signs of stroke and the need for urgent medical care. Clark Fork Valley Hospital and other local providers are...
Thompson Falls students in grades 4 through 8 competed in the annual Geography Bee earlier this month, with fourth-grader Addie Traver (front center) coming out on top. Each grade level had a geography bee, and then the top two students from each grade competed in the school-wide event. Traver won the school bee after several tiebreaker rounds with sixth-grade student Braedon Ferris (front left). Third place went to Alex Olesen (front right), also in sixth grade. Traver will now take a test...
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures! Remember a few months ago when the Sanders County Solid Waste Board (with the help of Environmental Health) sent letters to all the food vendors in the county, encouraging them to find better alternatives to Styrofoam for go-boxes, coffee cups, etc.? We have seen some progress! Kudos to those businesses that have made the switch. New York City has recently decided enough was enough: “On January 1, 2019, New York City stores and food-service businesses can no longer offer, sell or possess s...
The Noxon Business Professionals of America (BPA) team attended the regional competition last month, with 14 students qualifying for the state competition, to be held in March. Several students qualified for state in multiple events. The Global Marketing Team and the Admin Support Team also qualified state. The students attending the state competition include Delany Weltz, Kali Murray, Laurel Miller, Jenna Freeman, Nate Cano, Vanessa Horner, Chelsea Vohs, Jaedyn Murray, Cade VanVleet, Andy...
Peggy Jo Paulsen-Williams, age 82 of Thompson Falls, passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains surrounded by her loved ones. Born January 23, 1937, in Deer Lodge, Montana, one of four children, she was the daughter of Ira (Pat) and Fern Goodman. At the age of 15, Peggy married Duane Paulsen, high school sweetheart and love of her life, in October of 1952 in Wallace, Idaho. They lived in Osburn, Idaho, for several years and had three children: Billie...
Judy Taylor, 69 years old of Noxon, passed away from complications of lupus and asbestos in Kalispell, Montana, on December 10, 2018. She is survived by her husband and love of her life, Ronnie Taylor of Noxon; two daughters, Robin (Jim) Schwartz of Missoula and Wendie (Kevin) Smith of Lolo; seven grandchildren, Scott (Katy) Schwartz of Lolo, Heather (Derrick) Kamper of Meridian, Idaho, Tabitha Schwartz of Missoula, Austin (Jess) Kinser of Frenchtown, DaKotta Kinser of Missoula, Tiffanie Smith a...
The Montana State University Pesticide Education Program will coordinate regional pesticide training events in April, including one in Plains. The training is designed for individuals who want to learn more about pesticides and/or qualify for a Montana private applicator license. A private applicator license enables pesticide applicators to purchase and use restricted use pesticide products to manage pests on land they own, rent or lease. The registration fee is $30 and will cover training materials, speaker costs and a catered lunch. The...
The following Montana Tech students have been placed on the Honor Roll (HR), Dean’s List (DL), and Chancellor’s Honor Roll (CL) for the fall semester 2018 at Montana Tech in Butte, Montana. Students are listed by hometown. A student who earns a 4.0 GPA is placed on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll. Those earning a 3.5 GPA will receive recognition for being listed on the Dean’s List. A full‐time undergraduate student (enrolling in and completing a minimum of 12 credits) who earns a 3.25 GPA during the semester is listed on the semester Honor Rol...
It has been over a two-year battle of valor, and Noxon's Danni Rae Hill has remained strong and persevered. She is a 6-year-old that has just received her last round of chemotherapy in efforts to kick Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the blood. On January 6 Hill crossed the finish line; the last dose of chemo was administered. For the next year she will have her blood drawn monthly to be sure she is in remission. If all is clear for five years, she will officially be diagnosed as...
