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Sanders County Elections staff on Wednesday conducted a recount of two municipal races. The votes for Thompson Falls City Council seats in Ward 1 and Ward 3 were recounted at the Sanders County Courthouse. While one count was changed by one vote, the overall results did not change with the recount. According to state law, a candidate can file for a recount within five days after the official canvass if the candidate is defeated by a margin of less than one-quarter of 1% or 10 or fewer votes. The...
Cancer Network of Sanders County had a successful event with its annual Lantern Launch at downtown Plains for the first time. Shelley Bertrand, president of the nonprofit organization, felt it was a good move to have the event on the greenway along Railroad Street instead of the fairgrounds because it would be more accessible and it was in conjunction with the Plains Lions Club, which held its event next to the launch. The event was normally held at the Sanders County fairgrounds, but Bertrand...
The Montana Freedom Caucus (MFC) has called for a special legislative session to address tax concerns. MFC consists of 21 Republican legislators, including Senator Bob Brown and Representative Paul Fielder, both of Thompson Falls. Earlier this year, the Montana Department of Revenue argued that counties should be collecting 95 mills in a state school tax, though several counties. The Montana Association of Counties (MACo) in October filed a lawsuit on behalf of Montana counties seeking "to...
The Sanders County Fair Commission selected a new fair manager at a special board meeting at the pavilion last Monday. "They all had some good qualities and strengths and weaknesses, and after interviewing all five and reviewing everything we came up with our best applicant, Kristy Sheehan," said Randy Woods, the board chairman. Hiring a new manager was the only item on the agenda. Board member Brian Crain made the motion to hire Sheehan for the position. It was quickly seconded by board member...
On Tuesday, November 7, I was the only spectator in the lower courtroom of the Sanders County Courthouse as the ballots were counted for the municipal elections in Hot Springs and Thompson Falls. There were three election judges, Sanders County Elections staff members, and me. Municipal elections may not be very important to some people, as evidenced by the low voter turnout earlier this month. During a presidential election year, there have been as many as a dozen spectators as ballot boxes are delivered from around the county. On election...
‘Tis the holidays. Each holiday season most of us generously share our good fortune with others. This includes donating food for food banks and Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. My family does this each year. However, I want to remind everyone – including myself – that food insecurity is an everyday issue for many people. Our food banks need our contributions throughout the year. It can be very easy to continue to donate to this worthy cause all year. Each time you grocery shop, consider buying a couple of extra items to donate to your local...
November. Thanksgiving. Gratitude. Gratefulness. All wonderful words and all worth considering. This is the month David and I celebrate our wedding anniversary. I am grateful that God sent him into my life and that God gave me the wisdom to see the gift he is to our family. And the gift he continues to be. However, I tend to try and look beyond our small world and see the larger world around us. And as I consider what is happening in the world today, I find myself turning towards the foundation...
SANDERS COUNTY C.C.C. by Fredi Pargeter and Glenn T. Garrison Note: The Civilian Conservation Corps was developed as a relief agency during the Great Depression years. President Roosevelt convinced Congress to create the C.C.C. which provided conservation jobs for unemployed men, ages 18 to 25. Milton Butte Milton Roy Butte was born behind the store in Belknap on July 21, 1918, the grandson of German settlers Fritz and Mina Butte who purchased 160 acres after settling in 1904. The property is still in the Butte family. His grandfather and...
DEBRA CASHMAN, Trout Creek - “I am not allowed to put it up until after the day after Thanksgiving.” JESSICA GAYTON, Thompson Falls - “We get a tree from the tree farm in Trout Creek and put it up the first week in December.” KATHY LOGAN, Plains - “I put up our tree the day after Thanksgiving. I like tromping through the woods to find it.” RILEY MONTGOMERY, Plains - “It varies each year. Sometime after Thanksgiving.” KARA BLANTON, Plains - “The day after Thanksgiving only because my boyfriend says it’s too soon otherwise.” DON FEI...
Tabitha Dawn Ballard appeared for sentencing before Judge Molly Owen on Tuesday. Pursuant to a plea agreement between the parties, Ballard was sentenced to three years suspended for felony strangulation, two years deferred imposition of sentence on felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and six months suspended to the Sanders County Jail for misdemeanor criminal mischief. All of the charges will run concurrent with each other, but consecutive to any other sentence. Judge Owen waived the majority of Ballard’s fines and fees and gave h...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 8; Plains, 7; Hot Springs, 3; Dixon, 2; Noxon, 1; Paradise, 1. Monday, November 20 Automated alarm call, Plains. Inmate transport. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Suspicious activity, Hot Springs. Fish and game, T. Falls. Suspicious activity, Plains. Assist motorist/citizen. Request for welfare check, Hot Springs. Suspicious activity, Hot Springs. Civil served, T. Falls. Extra patrol, T. Falls. Theft, Plains. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Business contact, T. Falls. Tuesday, November 21 Trespass, T. Falls. Intoxicated...
Montana Highway Patrol Jordan Grapensteter, 28, failure to carry proof of insurance, 1st offense, $335; day speeding, $70. Travis Felts, 30, failure to have child under 6 & less than 60 lbs properly restrained, $85; speeding in a restricted zone, $75. Christine Bell, 58, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Jennifer Berklund, 50, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Emilie Gelineau, 35, speeding in a restricted zone, $65. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Dennis Littlefield, 64, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Motor Carrier Services Shannon C...
It was still November, but Santa Claus made an early stop in Plains and he even stuck around to help the Plains Lions Club with its annual tree lighting. Santa might have been the star of the show Saturday evening in downtown Plains, but he wasn't the only attraction. Several businesses joined in on the annual "Kickoff to Christmas" celebration throughout the day with special sales, treats, contests, and at Plains Drug Store, the Grinch. Eli Rinker donned the Grinch outfit for the second time....
Spotlight on the Arts Lyndsie Anzar – Noxon Schools Article by Karen Thorson Lyndsie Anzar, a seventh grader at Noxon Schools, is already a talented musician at 12 years of age. She began her musical journey on the piano when she was just five years old. She changed her direction last year and is now a first-rate drummer, playing in the Noxon Pep Band under the direction of music teacher Sari MacArthur. When asked about the change, she says that drumming has always been what she wanted to do. A...
Members of local Lutheran, Methodist and Catholic churches led an ecumenical Thanksgiving service last week ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The joint worship service last Tuesday was led by Jonathan Holland of Plains/Paradise United Methodist Church, Father Jeff Benusa of St. James Catholic Church and Michael Murray of First Lutheran Church, which hosted the evening. Karen Dwyer of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Thompson Falls was the pianist for the service. Ecumenical events support...
Resilience is a team sport, according to Pete Hall. Hall was invited to return to Thompson Falls High School last week by Principal Jodi Morgan. She first witnessed Hall's speaking ability when he came to the district for staff training before school started. "I asked the students what type of speaker they would like to have come to our school to talk about issues and coping skills," Morgan said. They described Pete Hall, she added. The students wanted a speaker who is relatable, covers several...
Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness and the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center are planning a free avalanche education event for the community. The presentation will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 7, at the Whitepine Grange. From seasoned pros to beginners, everyone is welcome at the event. The session will consist of a 1 hour Know Before You Go (KBYG) presentation followed by a question and answer/social hour. Know Before You Go is a free avalanche awareness program, featuring not much science, no warnings to stay out of the mountains, and...
ONE AT A TIME – A wild turkey takes crabapples from nearly bare branches one at a time. Even when she drops one, the turkeys on the ground scramble for the bite size treats....
A Plains teenager was selected as the 2023 Montana Youth Female Referee of the Year. The 18-year-old Claire Wrobleski was officially notified that she was the top female youth referee of the year. "I am excited to get this award because it is some recognition for all the refereeing I have done throughout the years. It's also a big encouragement to know that I am a competent referee," said Wrobleski, who's been a referee for the last five years. Although Wrobleski has known about getting the...
Tanner Laws from Thompson Falls recently received three awards for his music. Laws was honored November 5 in Spokane in the Northwest Country Music Association as male vocalist, songwriter and local solo artist of the year. The award ceremony was held at the Bing Crosby Theater. "It was the first year that I have been nominated for the Northwest Country Music Association awards," Laws said. The region includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. "I don't know how I was nominated originally....
With fall sports wrapped up, local athletes are being honored with All-Conference and All-State status. In District 14C volleyball, Noxon’s senior Mia Vogel earned All-State status, along with Charlo’s Karly Alder and Aida Cote. All were also named first team All-Conference along with senior Maygan Swanson of Noxon, Hot Springs’ only senior Lauryn Aldridge and sophomore Kara Christensen, and Leah Cahoon from Charlo. Athletes named to the second All-Conference team list included Lady Red Devils own Seanna Richter, Charlo’s Shonlea Matt, Alberto...
The Plains Public Library held their first silent auction earlier this month. Bid to the Summit was held November 6-18. Items were on display at the library. People could bid in person or go to the library website and bid online. Over 20 donated items by local and regional businesses will continue to help raise money for the library. “The auction went very well,” Librarian Nikki Ericksen said. The library raised $1,078. Blackfoot Communications donated an additional $1,000, in lieu of a donated item. Eleven of the 20-plus items donated wer...
‘Tis the season for many fun gatherings of well meant hugs and gift giving. Sharing germs is never our intention so staying healthy keeps everyone happy and healthy through the cold winter months. Choosing what works for you is the best way to do that. The pharmacies, health food stores and internet are flooded with preventative and recovery remedies and medicines. I was surprised to hear someone say during COVID that they always wear copper to stay healthy and fight off germs. Stores often have copper bracelets and other jewelry that claims t...
DIXON ELEMENTARY Fourth grade: Sid Boyd, HarleyMae Lindquist, Aaron Mock (4.0). Fifth grade: Liam Howard Sixth grade: Abram Boyd, Joey Matt, Alyra Porter, Madison Vanderburg. Seventh grade: Sonny Matt, Denzel Howard. Eighth grade: Alyson Bigcrane. TROUT CREEK SCHOOL Third grade: Camryn Eaton, Xavean Kinsman, Bobbie McKenzie, Garrett Murray, Conner Mushaney. Fourth grade: Tessa Fedorov, Louis Hannum, Silas Krick, Rough Ryder, Lucylle Williams. Fifth grade: Geneva Almeida-Schmidt, Damion Conley. Sixth grade: Shaylyn Stein. Seventh grade: Eillie...
SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. EDHS 5. STATUE 11. REAPPEARANCE 14. REMARRY 15. TACOMA 18. SETAE 19. UMLAUT 21. TNT 23. INDY 24. AMASS 28. COIN 29. AD 30. HAET 32. ROE 33. HIT 35. CPA 36. NOH 39. ANAS 41. AB 42. ABET 44. GIDAR 46. HOAR 47. TAM 49. AEROBE 52. TABUS 56. STOLID 58. SENATOR 60. PARAMILITARY 62. HEREBY 63. SHIA SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. ERR 2. DEES 3. HAME 4. SPAT 5. SERENADING 6. TAY 7. AR 8. TAT 9. UNAU 10. ECCM 12. PRAT 13. EOLIC 16. MANOR 17. AUDIO 20. TYNE 22. TM 25. AH 26. SAC 27. SEPARATELY 29. AHA 31. TAB 34. TAI 36. NAHA 37. OBES 38. HEART...
