Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Sanders County Commissioners are proposing some changes to how the county operates. Commissioners met with department heads last week, and will hold a public meeting Thursday, Dec. 7, to review two proposals. The first is to combine the elected positions of Clerk & Recorder and Treasurer/Superintendent of Schools. The one elected official would manage both of those offices. In addition, the commissioners would like to hire a full-time Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to take the tasks away from the elected official that are not required by state...
Funding for the county’s roads is depleting, and Sanders County Commissioners are looking at approaching taxpayers next year with a mill levy to get more tax money. The commissioners said last week that funding sources for roads have not been secured. The county has a choice of receiving federal funding from either the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) bill or 25 percent of forest management receipts in the county. Two years ago, the county received $1.2 million in funding. With no funding from SRS, in 2017 the county received $161,000 in forest manag...
Like little elves, young dancers have been busy preparing something to tantalize your senses this holiday season. "Dance Xplosion" is ready to "Celebrate the Season of Joy" through dance and music. Dance instructor Brynn Kenyon has been hard at work honing in 12 young dancers, ages 3 to 14, for this special holiday program since September. "We started preparing for this Christmas gig right after the fair," Kenyon said. "The kids have had to learn discipline and how to work together to get it...
"This was, by far, the best parade I've been a part of," said Joanne Burk, who just completed her ninth year as the Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce's parade organizer at First Security Bank. "Everyone really went all out in decorating their floats. Their effort was evident," she added. Burk had a goal after last year to boost the number of entries for this year. Last week, Burk reported 21 total entries – down ten entries from the previous year. On parade day, Saturday, 31 entries were p...
The Sanders County Commissioners know that change has to happen. Funding sources are changing or have stopped altogether. County offices are short-staffed as it is. The Secure Rural Schools funding for roads didn’t come through last year. Luckily, the county had some reserves that could be used. This year, that funding still isn’t there. The commissioners have tightened budgets, have trimmed where they can, and made staffing changes where possible. We believe the commissioners have done all they can with what they have. But it’s still not e...
Editor, I have concerns about the current state of healthcare in Sanders County. I am very worried about the cost and availability of health insurance in Sanders County and in our country as a whole. How can anyone feel confident that their healthcare is sufficient or secure for even the near future? Healthcare is at the center of a political storm in Washington and the outcome of this fight is uncertain. If you are not worried, either you are lucky to have health insurance that can withstand the political knife fight, or you are living in a bu...
Mary Holo, who now lives in Eugene, Ore., wrote the following column in memory of her father, Oliver "Rip" Holo (1927-2013) and the local friends and supporters who helped him leave a legacy. Rip Holo died Dec. 29, 2013, and Mary Holo attended Thompson Falls Elementary in second through sixth grade. It was a fall day, Tues. Oct. 17, 1972 and it was Opening Day for the new Thompson Falls High School, home of the Blue Hawks. On this day, Oliver ('Rip') Holo, superintendent, stood proudly among...
5 YEARS AGO • DECEMBER 7, 1967 YULE LIGHTS BRIGHTEN FALLS FOR 18TH TIME The lights on the spruce trees along the north side of Main Street went up for the 18th yule season Saturday with members of the Thompson Falls Lions Club and employees of the Montana Power Co. and Mountain States Telephone doing the work. On hand for their 18th year were two Lions – M.C. Sutherland and Harold Jensen – who were members of the original crew moving the trees in the winter of 1949 from the court house. Sutherland said that holes about 10 feet by 10 feet...
LYNNE EATON, Trout Creek – "My family inspires me, especially my husband." BESS PUTNAM, Trout Creek – "God and helping other people." ROBERT HOLMAN, Seattle, working in Thompson Falls – "My family, working, life in general." KERRIE CLINKENBEARD, Plains – "Love, my family and good friends." DEREK Van WYKE, Seattle (here visiting family ) – "Self betterment. I look for ways to improve myself." SUSAN GRAF, Trout Creek – "The Bible. I enjoy reading the Bible. God inspires me. The view... the...
A woman got an early Christmas present in court Tuesday as County Attorney Robert Zimmerman recommended a lighter sentence for a probation violation. Mariah McMillan faced a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines. In 20th District Judicial Court Tuesday, McMillan was offered a two year deferred sentences with the condition that she get treatment. “This is a drug problem,” Zimmerman said. “She either gets a handle on it or not.” To that, McMillan responded that she is “ready to take a step forward, not back.” Al...
Ambulances: Noxon, 3; T. Falls, 6; Plains, 1; H. Springs, 2; Dixon QRU, 1. Sunday, November 26 Dog barking, Plains. Domestic issue, Plains. Erratic driver on Hwy. 200, Plains. Hunter shooting at deer near private property, Plains. Injured deer on Hwy. 200, T. Falls. 4-wheelers being ridden on private land, Plains. Male walking in traffic on Hwy. 200, Plains. Monday, November 27 Loiterer at Clark Fork Valley Hospital, Plains. Domestic issue, T. Falls. Coroner requested, T. Falls. Camper parked on State land, Little Thompson River. Welfare check...
Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Erica Shipstead, $321 and $129 restitution, issuing a bad check. Joe Frields, 19, $185, possessing intoxicating substances while under the age of 21, 1st offense. Shay Lanz, 29: $125 and $20 restitution, theft, 1st offense; $235, driving without a valid license. Montana Highway Patrol Robert Childers, 33, $20, seatbelt violation. Jonathan Wehrman, 23, $235, driving without a valid license. Sakoya Ladeaux, 21, $20, day speeding. Daniele Crandell, 22, $20, day speeding. Cody North, 23: $55, failure to carry p...
It is not uncommon for businesses to open their doors to the public during the Christmas on Main Street event in Thompson Falls, but Thompson Falls Public Library had their doors open for the seasonal hubbub two days prior, as well. The reason for the early open-door policy was to draw library and reading supporters through the municipality's threshold for their annual holiday fundraiser. The fundraiser works in the form of a book and bake sale, as librarians have sifted through surplus books...
It was a busy yet productive day for vendors at the Annual Sanders County Christmas Bazaar. It was a chance for the craftier among us to tout the creations they've been working on and make a few extra dollars for the Christmas season. In addition to the homespun items available, other individuals, groups and churches had their booths set up in the high school gym for the annual local shopping event. As busy as the vendors were, no one at the event was juggling as much as Janie McFadgen, who...
"We were so glad for the community support, it is good to know people appreciate this little performance each year," said Jan Manning, who created Christmas Music at the Rex eight years ago as a way to put a cap on the busy, event-filled day of Christmas on Main Street in Thompson Falls. Before Christmas Music at the Rex was created, many just didn't feel that the evening was over once the Main Street Parade concluded. These days, parade-goers appreciate the open doors of the Rex Theatre to...
Casey and David Hartman welcomed son, Ezra Michael, Tues., Nov. 14, 2017 at 7:49 p.m. at Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains. He weighed seven pounds and measured 19.5 inches long. Welcome, Ezra....
Ronald Pronovost, 71, passed away Nov. 29, 2017, at Clark Fork Valley Hospital. Ronald (Ron) Pronovost was born on Nov. 23, 1946. to Charles and Loretta Pronovost in Kalispell, Mont. He had three siblings (Asa, Debbie and Lorie). His family moved between Montana and Washington most of his life. About 28 years ago Ron moved to Plains to be closer to his parents and other family members. Then about 15 years ago he moved to Thompson Falls where he made many friends and formed a close relationship... Full story
Doris Marie Gubel Breazile passed away Nov. 28, 2017 in Thompson Falls. She was 99. Born Oct. 1, 1918 in Vallejo, Calif., Doris' almost one century of life was full and interesting. Making a big impact was living through the Great Depression. Beginning as a child, Doris loved to dance, and she and other young dance students danced weekly for the Mickey Mouse Club. However, when the Depression came, her family could no longer afford that luxury. Out of necessity, her father William had to work... Full story
Delores Troxell of Plains, Mont., lost her battle with cancer Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. She was born in Akron, Ohio on February 6, 1929 to Ernest and Ruth (Ladd) Smith. She was a widow and is survived by her daughter, Victoria Adams (a widow still close to her husband's family), and her daughter Bonnie Porter. Bonnie is married with two children, 10 grandchildren, and one great grandson. Delores was an artist, a writer, a teacher, and an accomplished professional. She also served the community in... Full story
Thomas C. Vander Velden, 86, passed away at his home November 23 from complications due to Parkinson's disease. Tom was born August 12, 1931 in Little Chute, Wisc., the seventh of eight children born to Martin and Gertrude (LeRoy) Vander Velden. After serving four years in the Air Force, he earned a Conservation and Biology degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, where he also met and married Carol Braun in 1959. Tom spent summers during college fighting fires for the Flathead... Full story
Plains High School art teacher Kristen Cole sent her students out last week to "paint the town." But they didn't go out for a day of drinking and dancing, they spread out around the community to help deliver Christmas spirit by painting windows. The Plains students spent last Thursday painting Christmas themes in the windows of more than 20 businesses from one end of town to the other, including the Clark Fork Valley Hospital Clinic and Plains City Hall. "Our students are amazing. I feel...
The Sanders County Arts Council is one step closer to its goal of having a fully operational art center at the Paradise Center thanks to the generosity at the "Do Your Bidding Over a Baked Potato Dinner" fundraiser Saturday evening. "I think it went really well," said Noxon resident Cinda Gazaway, the chief coordinator and one of the artists who donated artwork to the fundraiser, which included a live auction of 32 donations from local businesses and individuals, and 54 pieces of art for the...
Are you looking for something to add a little excitement to your life while helping your community? How about taking emergency medical classes or joining the ambulance? Noxon ambulance staffers will begin teaching Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) and Medical Emergency Technician (EMT) courses beginning in January. Initially, the training will be offered through Noxon Public School’s adult education series. Course material will offer students training and knowledge to better handle an emergency. Two options will be available to attendees. T...
Trout Creek School will ring in the holiday season with an arts program Tuesday, December 19, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The festivities will take place in the school gymnasium. Students will not only perform holiday musical selections, but they will also entertain with an old-fashioned play. There will be guest speakers, a community sing-a-long, hot chocolate and refreshments, and a special visit by a well-known North Pole tenant. Trout Creek School invites family, friends and community members to attend the program as they say “thank you for m...
It's good to be at the King of the Mountain; it's even better when you do well there. A contingent of five Blue Hawk Wrestling Club grapplers competed in the King of the Mountain youth wrestling tournament in Castle Rock, Colo. (a suburb of Denver) last weekend. One of the largest youth tournament during any given year in the U.S., the King of the Mountain signals the end of the fall season for the local club grapplers. As he has for the past several years, club coach Mike Thilmony accompanied...
