Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 39
Fresh off the heels of school board and special district elections, Sanders County Elections staff is preparing absentee ballots for the June 7 primary election. For voters who have opted to receive absentee ballots, the county elections staff hopes to have those in the mail Friday, May 13. Voters can drop their ballots off at the Sanders County Courthouse during business hours, or until 8 p.m. on Election Day at the courthouse or at any of the following polling places: Heron Community Center, Noxon Community Ambulance Service building, Trout...
The Sanders County Commissioners held a public hearing last week to get public comment as they explore possibly taxing marijuana sales in the county. The public hearing last Wednesday was attended by two community members, including Conor Reishus, who owns A+ Medicinal Dispensary in Trout Creek. The commissioners are proposing a 3% tax on marijuana sales in the county, as allowed by legislation passed in 2020. The commissioners said they plan to let the voters decide on the tax with a resolution on the November ballot. The resolution is not...
A lone bison wanders along Mission Creek at the Bison Range. Read more about what is new at the National Bison Range on Page 9....
The Old Jail Museum's initiative to preserve its history while keeping safety as a priority has gained some traction as some much-needed renovations have finally come to fruition. After meeting with Sanders County Commissioners last year to request financial help, funding was granted through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The museum received $23,400 in ARPA funds and renovations began this January. One of the main projects was the restoration of the plaster ceiling in the office and gift s...
For her upbeat, positive attitude and her drive to be a part of her school and her community, Thompson Falls High School (TFHS) junior Tiana Goatley was presented the Yes I Can Award for 2022. Every year, the Council for Exceptional Children recognizes youth with exceptionalities who have demonstrated their determination and achievements in multiple ways. TFHS Special Education teacher Darcy Farlan nominated Goatley for the award by submitting a short video highlighting the reasons why Goatley...
Last weekend I happened to watch "Field of Dreams" for the millionth time. What a great message of believing in yourself and persevering, even when people think your ideas are crazy. I thought of that movie again Monday night at the Thompson Falls City Council meeting. The Thompson Falls Pickleball Club was there to discuss the partnership between the city and the club to resurface the sport court area near Thompson Falls High School. Half of the site is on city property, half is on school property. The City Council approved a memorandum of...
Ready on day one! I strongly support our current Undersheriff, Lanny Hensley, for Sanders County Sheriff. Undersheriff Hensley has a 27-year career in law enforcement. He was appointed Sanders County Undersheriff by Sheriff Tom Rummel, a position he has held for 10 years. The phrase “constitutional sheriff” has become popular here and indicates a sheriff who will step outside Montana law to “enforce the Constitution,” indicating that Montana law is inadequate and not aligned with the U.S. Constitution. He, like every sheriff in the U.S., w...
As if Americans weren’t divided enough, the recent leak of the Supreme Court’s apparent decision on the fate of Roe v. Wade has added even more fuel to the fire, burning whatever political bridges remain among us. Briefly, it appears that the Supreme Court will overturn the decision that ensured that women would have a legal right to get an abortion and that state laws could not restrict. Now, it appears that those restrictions previously outlawed will be allowed. That pleases some people and...
14 YEARS AGO • 1945 Following is excerpts from the 1945-46 Thompson Falls High School Yearbook EARLY HISTORY OF THOMPSON FALLS The falls of the Clark's Fork River near the present site of Thompson Falls was the meeting place of many Indian tribes of the northwest country who came to hunt and fish. This country was abundant in game. In 1809, David Thompson built the famous Saleesh House, which was said to be the first roofed cabin in Montana. It was situated in such a position that they could s...
ALEC COLE, Plains - “My mom is the art teacher, so it supplied me with meals on the table, and I didn’t get the artistic genes she has.” KRISTEN COLE, Plains - “I just crave art. It’s part of my everyday life.” LEVI BLOOD, Plains – “It hasn’t impacted me too much, except in music. Music is a big part of my life.” MACEY SCOTT, Plains - “It gives me lots of creative outlets. And doing a show like this gives me a good perspective that I can make a career in art.” DENISE MONTGOMERY, Plains - “I couldn’t live without art.” PEYTON WASSON, Plains...
David Johnson entered a plea of not guilty through his attorney, Britt Cotter, to a felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs in 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday. According to the charging documents, on February 11, 2022, the Thompson Falls Police Department received a report of an erratic driver heading toward Thompson Falls. Officer Jason Thornton located the vehicle matching the description and observed the erratic driving behavior prior to initiating a stop. Thornton was familiar with Johnson and noted his behavior was...
Montana Highway Patrol Emily Wilkinson, 32, seatbelt violation, $70. Nicole Granados, 24, reasonable and prudent, 1st offense, $170. Joshua Connolly, 23, seatbelt violation, $20. Skovpen Kostiantyn, 20, day speeding, $120. Cody O’Connor, 41, obstructing a peace officer, $335; reckless driving, 1st offense $275; failure to give notice of accident by quickest means, 1st offense, $275. Vanessa Rinard, 34, failure to stop for stopped school bus, $135. Mark Lincoln, 48, day speeding, $20. Scott Asche, 57, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. S...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 6; Hot Springs, 4; Dixon, 4; Trout Creek, 3; Plains, 2. Monday, May 2 General animal call/complaint, Hot Springs. Animal other, Trout Creek. Other law violations, T. Falls. Abandoned vehicle, Noxon. Trespass, T. Falls. Theft, Trout Creek. Automated alarm call, Plains. Motor vehicle crash, Plains. Threats. Tuesday, May 3 Theft, Trout Creek. Burglary. Civil attempts, Paradise. Fire, Plains. Trespass, T. Falls. Disturbance, Hot Springs. Theft, Niarada. Fire, Perma. Automated alarm call, Plains. Assault, Heron. Sexual assault,...
NAME: Shawn Fielders EDUCATION: High school diploma, 75 credit hours from Linn Benton Community College. Over 4000 documented training hours with the Oregon Police Academy. OCCUPATION: 27-year retired Sheriff deputy, local small business owner “The Shooters Den” Plains. What characteristics make you the best candidate for the job? My primary interest is the welfare of the residents of Sanders County, no matter what their political persuasion is. The power of the people is the only thing that gives the Sheriff his / her authority. I believe the...
NAME: Adam Bache EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Montana Western OCCUPATION: Owner and Operator of Bache Cattle Company, Equipment Operator for Bache Construction, and Office Manager for Gabby Bache State Farm. What qualities make you the best candidate for the job? Grew up in Sanders County. Motivated and see this opportunity as a long term career where I can give back to the community that has given me so much. Ten years of leadership experience in the construction industry. Managed up to 11 major contractors at o...
NAME: Randy C. Arnold EDUCATION: Graduate of Plains High School. Attended University of Minnesota On-site sewage Treatment Program, Certified Advanced Septic Designer, Septic Installer, Septic Inspector and service provider OCCUPATION: My Last Job was Foreman of a Paving Crew, currently working with my brother on our family ranch. What characteristics make you the best candidate for the job? I am a 3rd generation Sanders County resident with knowledge of road construction with over 10 years experience. As a septic designer, part of my job was...
NAME: Pat Barber EDUCATION: State of Montane POST Certified Coroner, Associates Degree in General Studies, Associate Degree in Automotive and Diesel Technology, Preparatory Training in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Anatomy, Physiology, Phlebotomy, EMT/Medicine, Crime Scene Investigation Techniques, Death and Dying, Psycho-Social applications. American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (2022 Certification in process). Federal Aviation Administration Airframe and Powerplant licensed. 20 years United States Coast Guard search and...
NAME: Paul C Fielder EDUCATION: Associate degree in Agriculture from St. Univ. of NY at Cobleskill, NY. Bachelors degree in Fisheries from Murray St Univ., Murray, KY. Masters degree in Wildlife Biology from Murray St. Univ., Murray, KY OCCUPATION: Retired Wildlife Biologist What qualities make you the best candidate for this position? I served in the Montana House of Representatives during the 2021 legislative session. Eight bills that I sponsored were passed into law. I presently serve on the Legislative Environmental Quality Council, the...
NAME: Denley M. Loge EDUCATION: BA Geography w/ certification in secondary Education at that time; Graduated from St. Regis HS 1968 OCCUPATION: I worked 17 years for private contractors building highways, bridges and buildings. I worked 28 years in Highway Maintenance, 6 years in Superior 22 years on Lookout Pass. I raised livestock since grade school and purchased the family ranch in 1986 and continue to raise livestock and hay. I also have timberland that I manage periodic timber harvests. What qualities make you the best candidate for the...
NAME: Kathleen "Katy" French EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science, Chem Engineering (North Carolina State). Masters Studies- Eng, Washington State. OCCUPATION: Consultant What qualities make you the best candidate for this position? I have significant Experience. I served on the School Board, served as Treasurer for local Boards, served as Chair/Co-Chair on local Boards, and have been involved in election operations. I am a strong Team Player. As a Project Engineer, I recognize every team member's strengths, abilities, and professional understanding...
NAME: Doug Dryden EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science Degree-WSU OCCUPATION: Sanders County Justice of the Peace since 2017 What qualities make you the best candidate for this position? As Justice of the Peace, I’ve completed 240 hours of Judicial training and passed the required Judicial exam twice. During my 26 year Montana law enforcement career, I completed 1,600+ hours of criminal justice training and testified in Justice Court, District Court and Federal Court. As a Judge, I look at the nature and circumstances of a crime and the criminal s...
LaRue Hot Springs Museum hosted their annual Spud Fest fundraiser at the end of April with the focus of warm food and good conversation. Spud Fest was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19, but community members and museum board members alike were ready and excited to celebrate again. This year, approximately 100 dinners were sold at the fundraiser, the same number of potatoes sold at the 2019 event. "We sold out of baked potatoes halfway through the event and it was exactly the 100 pounds...
Aiming high for grades took on a unique aspect last week when physics students took to the sky for fun and a few extra points. Eight Plains High School students got a first hand lesson in aerodynamics last Thursday when they gathered in back of the school to participate in the Annual Physics Airplane Competition. The primary goal was supposed to be observing the flights of their airplanes to learn the concepts of airflow, lift, gravity, drag, and other aspects of Bernoulli's Principle by seeing...
The animals are in a big cage - one that covers 18,700 acres - but even in an enclosure, it doesn't guarantee an up close look at animals. "It's not a zoo. You might see them real close or maybe not at all. You just never know, said Stephanie Gillin, the information and education project manager at the Bison Range in Moiese, which is now operated by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation. Gillin said the bison, as other animals, roam throughout the...
The Plains girls’ golf team won at their home course last week, shooting 488 as a team and placing three girls in the top 10. Lexa Craft was fourth with a score of 109, Grace Horton placed fifth with a score of 111 and Genna Deschamps was 10th with a score of 130. Ellie Baxter, the only girl on the Thompson Falls team, took second with a score of 96. The Plains boys came in third behind Thompson Falls by only four strokes, 447 to 443. Brandt Snead led the Plains boys with a low score of 97 which was good enough for sixth place, Cael Thilmony a...
