Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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It was not a great year for area hunters. The regular rifle season ended Sunday, and the harvest was down both in animals killed and the number of hunters, according to Fish, Wildlife & Parks Biologist Bruce Sterling. The whitetail deer harvest was down about 39 percent compared to last year, and 28 percent compared with the 10-year average. “If we get another winter like last year, the deer population is going to be in serious trouble,” Sterling said. “I didn’t think the winter was that hard on animals, but after talking to hunters I think m...
A woman is dead and another man wounded after a shooting outside Trout Creek on Saturday evening. According to a statement from the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect was found later and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office, dispatch received a call at 8:50 p.m. that two individuals had been shot at a residence on Hope Valley Road, which is southwest of Trout Creek. The caller, a male, reported that he had just shot the daughter of his friend and his friend. The caller reported tha...
Now that Thanksgiving has passed the Plains Lions Club is helping residents get into the Christmas spirit by decorating the main street of downtown Plains. With the help of NorthWestern Energy's Lloyd Rice, the Lions Club spent about an hour and a half Sunday afternoon putting up Christmas decorations for a mile along Railroad Street from one end of town to the other. "It's a way for us to give back to the community for the holidays," said Duane Highcrane, president of the club. Highcrane was...
When it comes to history, there is always more to be found. Local author/historian Fredi Pargeter can attest to that statement. Pargeter has made it a point to learn the history of places she's lived, and the many transcripts on the different facets of each locale prove that she's no rookie when it comes to learning, interviewing, researching and digging up information that had lost hope of being found. With her latest published release, "This Old Town," she'll be proving it again. Pargeter had...
We often find ourselves talking a lot about what it’s like to live in a small town. We don’t have any stoplights in Sanders County. You can’t just run out to Target and get a new basketball or a pair of jeans. You have to wait at least a day to get a part to fix your truck. This is a good thing, most of the time. As the world becomes more connected and population increases, it’s hard to shelter ourselves from “big-city problems.” Acts of violence in Sanders County seem to be few and far between. But recently Thompson Falls schools had to addr...
Appreciation: I want to acknowledge the efforts of Glen Garrison, Senator Jim Elliott, Representative Pat Ingraham, Nichol Scribner, Carol Turk and Mark Sheets that provided our 6-week Government class “Civics 101.” THANK YOU! I appreciate the professionalism and thorough presentations that enhanced my working knowledge of how our local government works. I learned a great deal. We are blessed to have such good people serving Sanders County! We are so fortunate to live here and have access to our electorate. This was a wonderful experience. I a...
If you ran a multistate business and had just over one billion dollars in sales in Montana, I bet you would expect to pay something in Montana corporate taxes. And, indeed you would; you would have to dig deep down into your corporate pocket to come up with the 50 bucks to cover your tax bill. Let me repeat those figures; one billion dollars in Montana sales and 50 bucks in taxes. Oh, and for five years in a row. We are not allowed to know its name, but this is a real company. This is a true...
5 YEARS AGO • NOVEMBER 30, 1967 HOW BLUE HAWKS GOT THEIR NAME How did the Blue Hawks get their name? W.C. (Slim) Moore of Spokane, former Thompson Falls basketball player, offers a solution to the “mystery of the Thompson Falls Blue Hawks.” “In the fall of 1928 the basketball squad was to get new uniforms and it was decided that we should have some kind of an emblem. One afternoon after practice, our principal and also coach, E.S. Ostergon, had several emblems pinned on the wall of the locker room, such as a bear, cougar, etc. and among t...
JUSTIN MEACHAM, Thompson Falls – "Yes. I got a whitetail buck. I could have gotten an elk. It would have made me happier and we would have had more meat in the freezer." MICAH BRAUN, Thompson Falls – " I used to live in Thompson Falls and went to Idaho for a while but we just moved back. I shot a doe during archery season." GINNY FLEWELLING, Thompson Falls – "I didn't hunt but my husband, Bob, did and he got a whitetail buck." JOHN BELKNAP, Belknap – "This is my first year hunting since I had s...
A Plains woman has been charged with two felonies after allegedly misusing funds while she was bookkeeper for Plains Community Ambulance. Dianna Tedrick, also known as Dianna Miller, entered a not guilty plea in 20th Judicial District Court on Tuesday to two charges of theft, a common scheme felony. According to court documents, a board member of the Plains Community Ambulance contacted Plains Chief of Police Shawn Emmett in May 2017 after noticing discrepancies in the ambulance bank account. Court documents allege that between June 2016 and...
Ambulances: Noxon, 1; T. Falls, 9; Plains, 4; H. Springs, 4. Sunday, November 19 Abandoned vehicle, Hwy. 200, Plains. Arrest made for possession with intent to sell. Tow truck called for vehicle parked along the street beside the courthouse that has fictitious plates, T. Falls. Heavy smoke inside residence, Plains. Criminal mischief/property damage to Plains residence. Vehicle vs. deer on Hwy. 200, Plains. Horses in yard along Hwy. 200, T. Creek. Monday, November 20 Three horses on Hwy. 200, T. Creek. Welfare check requested, T. Falls. Theft...
Montana Highway Patrol David Neal, 38, $20, seatbelt violation. Adam Mcbride, 36, $85, basic rule-reasonable and prudent, 1st offense. Timothy Birk, 65, $20, night speeding. Terry Smith, 58, $85, expired registration. Robert Foster, 79, $20, seatbelt violation. Heidi Schulze, 38, $20, day speeding. Andrew Grimm, 54, $65, speeding in a restricted zone. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Emery Wilson, 51, $285, failure to carry proof of insurance, 1st offense. Aaron Duvall, 29: $50, day speeding; $135, no liability insurance, 1st offense; $285, d...
From sun up ‘til past sundown, there will be plenty to do Saturday, Dec. 2, for Christmas on Main Street. But one event is going to get its start two days before, and run until the parade ends. The Friends of the Thompson Falls Public Library will be holding a book and bake sale at the library, Thursday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.), Friday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.), and Saturday (10 a.m. until the parade’s conclusion). The library will be open for regular services and as a haven for parade goers looking to escape the cold. Supporters of the library welcome the publ...
In 1978, the first Sanders County Christmas Bazaar was held by creator Ginny Dyer. It has become a staple tradition each year that invites vendors and shoppers to gather for buying and selling of unique items, needful things, and handmade gifts and crafts. The chairperson position of the bazaar has changed a few times over the years, but even with different leadership the spirit of the event has remained. In a twist of fate, the bazaar now finds itself in new hands, although not far from the tree that it originally fell from. When word was out...
In 1983 President Ronald Regan declared November as “National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness and Family Caregivers Month.” With the upcoming holiday season, many families experience dementia related symptoms in loved ones that are far less than joyous. The Alzheimer’s Association has some tips that may reduce dementia related seasonal stress. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, just checking in with the person with dementia shows you care about their comfort. Asking what type of holiday celebration they are comfortable with is important...
Utilizing the first weekend in December, Thompson Falls welcomes the yuletide season with the Annual Christmas on Main Street. While Saturday, Dec. 2, looks to be a very busy day for those wanting to keep up with the festivities, the tradition began decades ago with a parade. The Christmas on Main Street Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce has invited groups, churches, businesses and individuals to join the holiday procession each year. Float entries have entertained and given onlookers pause for thought as floats...
Susie was born January 5, 1966 in Missoula. She passed away into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, November 21, 2017 at Little Bitterroot Group Home, her second family, in Plains. Susie was the ninth child of 12 born to Ed and Ruth Wilkinson. Susie was handicapped with developmental disabilities and after the age of 17 lived in several developmental facilities in western Montana. Susie absolutely loved her families. We made many beautiful memories. She enjoyed taking part in the Special Olympics. She loved music and singing, especia...
Allen Dykstra passed away Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, at his home east of Thompson Falls. Services will be held at a later date, and a full obituary will be published in next week’s Ledger....
Thomas C. VanderVelden, 86, died Thursday, November 23, 2017 at his home in Plains. Sunset Hills Funeral Homes and Crematory are assisting the family with arrangements....
Shania Strang and Tom Neumayer welcomed daughter, Amara Marie Neumayer, Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at 12:58 p.m. at Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains. She weighed six pounds, 11 ounces and measured 19 inches long. Amara joins siblings Carter and Dylan. Maternal grandparents are Daryl and Cheryl Strang of Oroville, Calif. Maternal great-grandparents are Jackie and Edward Duffy of Usk, Wash. Welcome, Amara....
CHECKING IN – The first visitor at the Thompson Falls check station on Sunday, the last day of the season, was this buck. FWP reported 75 bucks at the check station this season....
A young man gets help sending a Chinese lantern up during the Cancer Network of Sanders County (CNSC) fundraiser at the fairgrounds on Saturday. Sherry McCartney with the CNSC said the group had a successful event, with some participants attending for the first time. This was the last fundraiser of the year for Cancer Network of Sanders County. Members of the group sold lanterns for $10 and people could add messages to the lanterns honoring friends or family members who lost their battle with...
Nothing spreads holiday cheer better than good old Christmas music. Students who participate in band and choir throughout Sanders County have been working extra hard to please your ears, heart and spirit this holiday season by bringing you holiday concerts a plenty. Noxon School District announces Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m., as the date grades K-4 take center stage in the Noxon multipurpose room. Following that performance, Noxon High School students will resume the celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 12, also in the multipurpose room. In...
The Sanders County Arts Council will be hosting a fundraiser in an effort to get money for Paradise Center art equipment. The event, called “Do Your Bidding Over a Baked Potato Dinner,” will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. in the old school’s former gymnasium. The event will include a dinner and live and silent auctions, said coordinator Cinda Gazaway, one of the numerous artists who have donated their artwork to the fundraiser. Karen Thorson, president of the Sanders County Arts Council, said the nonprofit organization has access to...
