Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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People are driving too fast on a stretch of Montana Highway 200 between Plains and Paradise, and two Plains men approached the Sanders County Commissioners last week proposing that the speed limit be lowered. Rich Magera and Wally Logan met with commissioners last Wednesday with concerns about the highway between mile markers 77 through 82 east of Plains. “There are blind curves and bus stops,” Magera said. “It can get busy.” The two Plains residents are proposing the speed limit be lowered from 70 to 55. Logan, who lives on Terrace Drive, said...
Hecla Mining Company last week met with Sanders County Commissioners to update them on mining operations in northwest Montana. Nick Raines, environmental coordinator for the Montana operations, and Bruce Vincent with Environomics, Inc., both out of Libby, met in Thompson Falls with commissioners last Wednesday. The proposed Rock Creek Mine outside of Noxon would produce an estimated 6 million ounces of silver and 50 million pounds of copper a year, according to the company's website. Raines...
Thompson Falls School Superintendent Bill Cain passed away unexpectedly at his home in Thompson Falls on Friday, February 7. Cain had been superintendent for the district since July 2018. Cain had a passion for education and wanted every child to succeed. His long career in education began with student teaching in Frenchtown before a year teaching in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and 31 years in Hartland Consolidated School District in his home state of Michigan before moving to Thompson Falls. The...
A mysterious package arrived at Trout Creek School a few weeks ago. Gabriele Ohning, the school's secretary, suspiciously inspected the package prior to opening, and noticed the return address was from Dr. Sandy Wacholz of Maine. Neither the name nor location were familiar. Ohning continued to open the package revealing its contents. A POW/MIA (Prisoner of War/Missing in Action) bracelet engraved with "S/SGT. VICTOR PIRKER 11-22-65" was presented along with a note from Wachholz asking the...
As Valentine's Day comes around Friday, we're already getting a little bit of a sugar headache and the local florists are beyond busy. These days, it doesn't seem like much lasts. People move away, change jobs, change cars. We're always looking for something bigger and better. But take a look at the Question of the Week. Bernard and Kay Parker of Thompson Falls will be celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary in June. She was 9 years old when they met. Just by reading their answers, you can tell they love each other deeply. Those sweet...
Ledger Couldn’t help but notice the photo in the Feb. 6th edition of the first graders celebrating their 100th day of school depicting their physical impressions of what a 100-year-old person might “look like.” Is decrepitude what we are all headed for if this is already their sense of our cultural norm? Bent-over, cane leaning, bathrobe-wearing…. Wondering if this may be an opportunity to model and practice by example that “age” is relative to a person’s own expectations and attitudes. Perceptions can influence how and what we prioritize, i...
Editor: There is no safe form of tobacco. Smokeless tobacco (dip, chew, snuff, snus, and dissolvable tobacco products) can cause cancer of the mouth, tongue, cheek, gum, esophagus and pancreas. It also causes gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Montana’s smokeless tobacco rates are higher than the national average for both male youth (10%) and male adults (12%). Feb. 16-22 is “Through with Chew Week,” an entire week dedicated to educating Montanans about the health risks of smokeless tobacco and the health benefits of quitting. The Monta...
After the Mueller report was released, I wrote a column where I expressed the opinion that D.C. Democrats were going to squander an opportunity to move forward and work with President Trump. Unfortunately, I was right. They chose to continue their efforts to discredit President Trump and pushed forward two incredibly weak articles of impeachment. Last week, President Trump was acquitted of both those charges. Not surprisingly, those who support President Trump are delighted with the outcome,...
5 YEARS AGO • FEBRUARY 1, 1970 FALLS, NOXON PHONE LISTINGS INCREASE The number of telephone listings for Thompson Falls and Noxon in the new 1970 directories have increased, but Plains has a few less than last year. The new directories show Thompson Falls with 724 listings this year, up 29 over last year’s 695. This represents an increase of 4.1 per cent. Noxon with 10 more phones than last year has a slightly bigger rate of increase, just over 5 per cent. The 1969 directory listed 191 entries for Noxon and this year the new directory con...
RACHEL WHITE, Trout Creek - “It’s my son’s birthday, so we don’t even celebrate Valentine’s Day, we just celebrate his birthday.” DAVID LOPEZ, Plains - “I plan on spending time with my sweetheart, which is my wife. I always surprise her. She’s still my sweetheart after 40 years of marriage.” LESLIE GINGERY, Thompson Falls - “We plan on going out to a restaurant somewhere.” KAY PARKER, Thompson Falls - “I’ve been celebrating all month. I bought a beautiful bouquet from Courtney’s, so my whole house looks like a valentine. We have been cel...
Montana Highway Patrol Sean Malatare, 28, driving a motor vehicle while privilege is suspended, 1st offense, $285, 4 days jail. Raige Steinebach, 24, operating without liability insurance, 4th or subsequent offense, $285. Christopher Pavlik, 28, speeding in restricted zone, $95. Kerri Pavlik, 28, speeding in restricted zone, $95. Raige Steinebach, 24, operating without liability insurance in effect, 4th or subsequent offense, $285, 10 days jail; seatbelt violation, $20; careless driving, $75. Nancy Burgoyne, 55, operating with expired...
After a defendant told the court he didn’t know he could face his accuser, District Judge James Manley rejected a plea agreement and stated the court would set a trial date in the near future. Defendant Eric Malchow had entered into an Alford plea agreement with public defender Kirk Krutilla, in which he did not admit guilt, but felt the evidence presented in trial could result in a guilty verdict. He stands accused of two counts of sexual assault, both felonies, in which the victims were less than 16 years old, and one count of felony i...
Monday, February 3 Theft, Trout Creek. Theft, Noxon. Tuesday, February 4 Theft, Noxon. Child welfare, abuse, Trout Creek Welfare check. Assault, Plains. Theft, accidental “dine & dash,” T. Falls. Possible theft, Plains. Threats, Plains. Wednesday, February 5 Motor vehicle crash, Noxon. Intimidation, harassment, Trout Creek. Thursday, February 6 Motor vehicle crash, Noxon. Animal complaint, Trout Creek. Other law violations. Suspicious activity. Suspicious activity, Dixon. Suspicious activity, Dixon. Friday, February 7 Motor vehicle crash, Tro...
Noxon students last week celebrated the 100th day of school with activities in the different classes....
William Casper Cain passed away unexpectedly from heart complications on Friday, February 7, 2020, at his home in Thompson Falls, Montana. Bill was born October 10, 1961, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to parents James and Judith Cain Bill had three siblings, Jim, Mike and Candy. He attended Hartland High School and graduated in 1980. He grew up in a wrestling family and his love of the sport took him to North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where he wrestled for the Cardinals and was part of... Full story
CMSgt Jordan Jackson McCann, 96, of Lynwood, Illinois, passed away peacefully and entered Heaven on Sunday, February 2, 2020. He was the beloved husband of Eunice Marie McCann (Conner). He is survived by two sisters: Pat Cameron of Kalispell, Montana, and Joan Eichert of Trout Creek, Montana. He is also survived by his children: Linda (Bruce) Flesher, Les (Pauline) McCann, Debra Starr, and David (Marilyn) McCann; his grandchildren: Jonathan (Faith) Flesher, Patricia (George) Snure, Jenny Flesher, Benjamin (Emma) Flesher, Stephanie Flesher,... Full story
Roxie Ann Hausauer, 63, of Lolo passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at her home. She was born October 23, 1956 in Hot Springs, Montana, the daughter of Harold G. and Aves J. (Freng) Rockwell. Roxie was raised and educated in Thompson Falls. She graduated from high school in 1974 and then attended the University of Montana. Roxie married Wayne Hausauer on May 3, 1985 and together they raised two boys, Max and Will. Roxie spent over 35 years as a legal secretary, over 20 of those years she... Full story
SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. Roe 4. Namas 9. Botha 14. ESC 15. Erase 16. Orion 17. CIO 18. Carl Edwards 20. Tenses 22. Pieta 23. Irons 24. Assuredly 28. Mas 29. SC 30. Deal 31. Saiga 33. Salam 37. Me 38. TLC 39. Roulade 41. Mam 42. OB 43. Ypres 44. Tears 46. Seep 49. NE 50. ADC 51. Separates 55. Tease 58. Ieels 59. Warred 60. Billy Packer 64. One 65. Prole 66. Nooks 67. Nom 68. Degas 69. Assai 70. IRA SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. Recti 2. Osier 3. Economic 4. Necessary 5. Aras 6. Mar 7. ASL 8. Seeps 9. Bower 10.... Full story
In a lengthy information filed by County Attorney Naomi Leisz, a treasurer of the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA) has been charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor for alleged mishandling of the association’s funds. An audit of records determined an alleged loss of over $35,000 from two accounts. LaJean C. Manning appeared in District Court Tuesday with her attorney, Brielle Lande of Stevenson Law (Missoula), and entered a not guilty plea to the charges. Judge James Manley accepted the plea and said he would set a t...
The Plains Council voted last Monday to accept one of three plans to relocate the town's lagoon to a site that wouldn't be impacted by the Clark Fork River. Shari Johnson, the town's engineer consultant, gave an hour-long briefing to community members and the council just before the regular council meeting. Johnson gave three scenarios, which gave the estimated cost of construction and the annual operating costs. The option the council selected - "Alternative 4-Rev" - called for an aerated lagoo...
The poetry presentation last year by the Sanders County Arts Council (SCAC) was so enthusiastically received, they decided they needed to continue the conversation. The poet laureate SCAC worked with last year, Lowell Jaeger, has completed his term. Poet laureate Melissa Kwasny will share her own poetry and lead the audience in an evening of exploring what the river valley means to residents. Melissa will collect thoughts from the discussion, take them home and create a poem to express them. Join SCAC on Saturday, February 15, at the Elks...
MISSION – Feeling good after a fine showing at the Western B-C divisional tournament in Mission Saturday, five Thompson Falls-Noxon Blue Hawks are winging their way east this week to compete in the Class B-C portion of the 2020 Montana All-Class wrestling tournament at Metra Park in Billings. Sophomore Trae Thilmony won his second straight divisional title (this one at 120 pounds after claiming gold at 113 as a freshman) to lead the Hawks' charge in Mission. Three Hawks claimed second place W...
MISSION – Four Savage Horsemen are still riding, riding on to the State B-C Tournament in Billings. The Plains-Hot Springs Savage Horsemen wrestling team qualified four grapplers for this week's State B-C tourney to be held at Metra Park in Billings Friday and Saturday at last Saturday's Western B-C divisional meet in Mission With Conrad Vanderwall taking second place at 138 pounds, Brady Schrenk claiming second place at 113, Mason Elliott finishing fourth at 120 and Bert DeTienne fourth at 1...
It all happens so fast; and then it happens again. During the warmup period before the Western B-C divisional wrestling tournament championship finals, I noticed something that I found interesting – an instance of history repeating itself. Out there on the mat in Mission, senior Conrad Vanderwall, the seasoned veteran and team leader, and Brady Schrenk, the fresh-faced freshman, were warming up together before their title matches at 138 and 113 pounds, respectively. While they were warming up, I could see Vanderwall taking pains to point out s...
Living for the big games and loving it when they come around, the Thompson Falls Lady Hawks played two more important ones last week. Not for lack of trying, coach Chadd Laws and his steadily improving Lady Hawks lost two very tough Western B games last week, falling 58-48 to Loyola in Missoula Thursday and dropping a dramatic 57-55 double-overtime decision to Eureka in Thompson Falls Saturday. And the big games keep coming. On this week’s hot-hoop menu are important District 7B road contests with the Lady Bulldogs in Mission Thursday and with...
