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Articles from the December 19, 2024 edition


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  • COMPETITIVE NATURE

    Annie Wooden|Dec 19, 2024

    For one Thompson Falls man, dirt bike racing is in his blood. This year, Brandon Wakefield competed in the U.S. Hard Enduro series, a form of extreme racing with courses that Wakefield says are designed for people not to finish. "You get six hours and 90% of people don't finish it," the 32-year-old said of the series, of which he completed eight races across the country from February through August. Wakefield was up for the challenge, and ended up first in the nation in his age group. Wakefield...

  • Noxon discusses bridge options

    Annie Wooden|Dec 19, 2024

    The Noxon community showed up Tuesday to hear what's being done about the bridge leading into their town and find out what they can do to help the effort. Tuesday's meeting brought more than 60 people to the Noxon fire hall to hear from local officials, as well as engineers working with the county to find solutions for the deteriorating 102-year-old bridge. In July, the bridge was closed for a week after a routine inspection by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) found two cracks in t...

  • Church puts on holiday show

    Ed Moreth|Dec 19, 2024

    The Christmas concert at the Plains Bible Chapel is attracting more people each year and last week's performance was no exception. One hundred and fifty-one people attended the hour and a half concert, which included nearly two dozen religious and secular Christmas songs. Most were done by the 20-person choir, directed by Jeanine Croft, one of the concert coordinator, and pianist Donna Scheiter. The choir was comprised of members of different local churches, along with other members of the commu...

  • Fair board looks to upgrade bleachers

    Annie Wooden|Dec 19, 2024

    The year 2025 is just around the corner, but the Sanders County Fair Board is deep into planning next year's events. At the fair board meeting last Wednesday, fair manager Kristy Sheehan and board member Brian Crain recapped the PRCA convention they attended, saying they made good connections. Sheehan is working on procuring additional rodeo sponsors, and Crain, in conversations with bull riders, said that many rodeos are struggling to get bull riders, just as the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo...

  • Our Viewpoint: Feel the holiday stress

    Annie Wooden|Dec 19, 2024

    Here we are, less than a week away from Christmas, and it feels like the feelings are changing. The energy was stressful in our office on Monday, and many people were feeling that way. Employees were out sick. People were rushing to get packages mailed. One friend stopped in my office and said he wished he could just take a long nap and wake up in January. I felt that as well. I joked with my staff that we were going to reward ourselves every time someone with a UPS package to ship came in and wasn't stressed out or frustrated. The holidays...

  • Montana Viewpoint: The scenery tax

    Jim Elliott|Dec 19, 2024

    Remember the “scenery tax”? We used to joke that it was the tax we paid in the form of low incomes for living in a place as remote and beautiful as Montana. Well, now we are paying higher property tax because our scenery has become a marketable commodity for the people who have been buying up our state. Scenery is a real factor in the increase in home values and property taxes. But how do you value something like location? The market is a pretty good way to do that. Buyers value scenery and are...

  • Thanks for your letter

    Dec 19, 2024

    “LET THEM BELLS RING” Kudos to Frank Robirts! Your last week letter shouts out the TRUTH! You should be on the cover of Time Magazine. Sincerely, Colleen Hinds, Heron...

  • Plains lucky to have chief

    Dec 19, 2024

    Dear editor, Praise is in order to Plains Mayor Joel Banham and the city council for their timely investigation and public clearing of Plains Police Chief Brian Josephson of any wrong doing. I worked with Brian Josephson for a number of years when I was in law enforcement and he was one of the most upright, honest and competent officers I have known. His commitment to the community and upholding the law in a fair and efficient manner has always been unwavering. Plains is very lucky to have Brian as its chief and I hope he is not deterred by...

  • Remember When?

    Sherry Hagerman-Benton|Dec 19, 2024

    5 YEARS AGO DECEMBER 12, 1974 M*A*S*H SITE OF MEETING OF NOXON, TF RESIDENTS KOREA - Capt. Ruth Cheney from Thompson Falls and Doug J. Helms from Noxon are both in the Army and stationed in South Korea at the home of the original “M*A*S*H,” which has become a popular TV series. Ruth, who came to Korea in August, is a captain in the Medical Corps and works on a ward as a registered nurse. Doug came to Korea in February and works in the emergency room. Ruth will end her tour of duty in Korea in August 1975 and Doug in February 1975. While being...

  • Justice Court

    Dec 19, 2024

    Montana Highway Patrol Rayanna Roberts, 17, seatbelt violation, $20. Kenneth Hutchings, 56, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Ammon Clarkson, 28, night speeding, $70. Nicholas Jack, 30, day speeding, $20. Brooke Jackson, 18, night speeding, $120. Braden McDonald, 19, seatbelt violation, $20. Stephen Moreland, 70, night speeding, $70. Manford Tempero, 81, day speeding, $70. Joey Homola, 23, failure to carry/exhibit proof of insurance, 1st offense, $85; speeding in a restricted zone, $75. Holly Piper, 18, speeding in a restricted zone, $95....

  • Sheriff's Log

    Dec 19, 2024

    Ambulance: Plains, 6; Hot Springs, 5; T. Falls, 4; Dixon, 1; Lonepine, 1; Trout Creek, 1. Monday, December 9 Assist other agency, T. Falls. General animal call/complaint, Noxon. Other law violations, T. Falls. Civil standby, T. Falls. Trespass, T. Falls. Other law violations, Hot Springs. Person missing, T. Falls. Suicide attempts/threats, Plains. Tuesday, December 10 General animal call/complaint, T. Falls. Drugs/narcotics, T. Falls. Protection order violation, Trout Creek. Automated alarm call, T. Falls. Wednesday, December 11 Other law...

  • Men's Prayer Group gives prizes

    Dec 19, 2024

    by Annie Wooden The Men's Prayer Group in Thompson Falls, along with providing free chili, hot dogs, cocoa and cider during the Christmas on Main Street parade earlier this year, also provided special prizes to five parade entries. The group each year picks five entries to receive a $100 prize. This year's winners the Thompson Falls City Fire Department, Thompson Falls Rural Fire, Falls Chapel, Studs and Sorlie Septic....

  • CORRECTION

    Dec 19, 2024

    The quilt that was the prze in the Thompson Falls Woman's Club raffle at the Rex Afterparty, shown in last week's paper, was created by Lorri Renard, not Rusti Leivestad. The Ledger apologizes to Renard, and also to Mayor Leivestad, who said when she first read the incorrect photo caption thought she had won the quilt. Thank you to everyone who supported the quilt raffle....

  • Question of the Week

    Skye Barker-Hill|Dec 19, 2024

    MATT WEBER, Thompson Falls - “Pretty good at many things.” MICHAEL MITCHELL, Trout Creek - "An expert.” KINNLEY DEANE, Thompson Falls - “Pretty good at many things” YVONNE YODER, Plains - “Pretty good at many things." WAYNE EGBERT, Plains - “Pretty good at many things.” HOPE YOUNGBLOOD, Noxon - “Pretty good at many things....

  • Stakeholders discuss natural resource priorities

    Annie Wooden|Dec 19, 2024

    Natural resource stakeholders gathered last week for a local working group meeting at the Sanders County Fairgrounds pavilion. The group discussed the natural resource needs of the county and reviewed the long-range plan for natural resources. The meeting was led by Dillon Martini with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and included representatives from local agencies such as the county, Green Mountain Conservation District, Eastern Sanders County Conservation District, DNRC and...

  • Deborah J. Davis-Quitt

    Dec 19, 2024

    Deborah J. Davis-Quitt died peacefully in her sleep on December 7, 2024, at her home in Superior Montana. Deborah, otherwise known as Deb or Debbie, was born on June 16, 1948, to Gardar (Gordan) and Margaret Dahl in Hood River, Oregon. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Quitt, sister-in law Margaret (Maggie) Dahl, son David Davis (Kelly Davis), daughter Darcy Boyd (Ernest Boyd), stepson David Quitt (Sara Quitt), stepdaughter Debra Meador (Bill Peters), granddaughters Nicole Davis, Mikaela... Full story

  • Plains School puts on third annual bazaard

    Ed Moreth|Dec 19, 2024

    Hundreds of people roamed the gymnasiums at Plains Schools Saturday, including Santa Claus, though he had to be fingerprinted prior to the event because of the school's new security measures. It was the 3rd Annual Winter Bazaar at Plains School, where 60 vendors filled the two gyms with 74 tables of goods from baked goods to books, from small jewelry to custom made goods from old barrels, and even more baked goods to puppies. Catharine Elliott, one of the bazaar coordinators, guessed there were...

  • Horsemen, Trotters trounce Eagles

    Skye Barker-Hill|Dec 19, 2024

    The Plains Trotters and Horsemen hosted their first home game against the Two Eagle River Eagles with both teams taking the win last Friday. The boys won 57-47, while the girls dominated the court taking the win 61-12. PLAINS 57, TWO EAGLE RIVER 47 The Horsemen took to the court first against the Eagles and it would be over three minutes before Two Eagle was able to break past the Plains defense to put points on the board. Several steals later the Eagles held a five-point lead over the Horsemen...

  • Red Devil boys rack up wins

    Skye Barker-Hill|Dec 19, 2024

    The Noxon teams hit the road first taking on the Clark Fork Wampus Cats last Thursday with the boys taking home the win 79-44, while the girls lost 41-34. The Red Devils then split with Valley Christian on Saturday with the boys winning 72-57 and the girls falling 52-18. NOXON 79, CLARK FORK 44 Noxon hit the court putting full court pressure on the Cats jumping on an early lead, putting up 29 points in the first quarter alone. Headed into the second Noxon never faltered their full pressure and would be able to continue to make their lead...

  • Chapman wins Superior

    Annie Wooden|Dec 19, 2024

    The Plains-Hot Springs wrestling team had their first championship of the season at the Bob Kinney Classic in Superior last Saturday. Senior David Chapman of Hot Springs took the top spot in the 190-pound bracket. After a bye the first round, Chapman pinned Ian Thom of Libby in just under two minutes to make it to the championship match, where he pinned Bridger Smith of Arlee in 53 seconds. Thompson Falls freshman Weston Block again made it to the championship round last weekend. Bock pinned his first opponent in under a minute before winning...

  • Savage Heat successful in P-burg

    Annie Wooden|Dec 19, 2024

    The Savage Heat boys split games last week, losing a close game in Superior 51-43 on Thursday and then getting a 62-52 win in Philipsburg on Saturday. In Superior, Hot Springs led for much of the first half, but the Bobcats came out with intensity in the second half to take the win. Chase DePoe led the scoring for the Savage Heat with 16 points, while Weston Slonaker and Nick McAllister added seven apiece, Ben Aldridge six, Wesley Adams four and Calvin Timmer three. “We had a really good first half against Superior. We ran a really good t...

  • Hawks see tough competition at Shelby tip-off

    Skye Barker-Hill|Dec 19, 2024

    The Thompson Falls teams took the long drive to take on the Shelby Tip-off tournament Friday and Saturday with both teams facing the Fairfield Eagles and the Malta Mustangs. While the Hawks didn’t get a wine in the tip-off, both the boys and girls saw good competition and worked hard in tough games. FAIRFIELD 63, THOMPSON FALLS 47 The Blue Hawks hit the court first taking on the Fairfield Eagles falling 47-63. While the teams came out to go basket for basket, it would be the Eagles who took the lead, holding onto it for much of the first q...

  • Bowling leagues

    Dec 19, 2024

    OVER THE HILL GANG W L Leftovers 33 23 Mixed Nuts 32 24 Fun Team 31 25 Com’bak Kids 29 27 Roll’n Along 23 33 Jokers Wild 20 36 Team Scr. Game: Fun Team, 854; Scr. Series: Leftovers, 2473; Hcp. Game: Leftovers, 1045; Hcp. Series: Leftovers, 3082; Mens Inv. Scr. Game: Bernie Groshong, 212; Scr. Series: Ron Beaty, 553; Inv. Hcp. Game: Cody Brown, 259; Hcp. Series: Steve Herman, 700; Wms Inv. Scr Game: Wendy Kelley, 214; Scr Series: Wendy Kelley, 591; Inv. Hcp. Game: Wendy Kelley, 251; Hcp. Series: Wendy Kelley, 702 . INDUSTRIAL LEAGUE W L Bernie’s...

  • Local emergency services receive state grants for vehicles

    Dec 19, 2024

    The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that 26 local safety agencies will share more than $1.4 million of grant funding to support tourism-related emergency service projects in rural areas. The funding is through Commerce’s Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Grant Program. “Emergency services are critical in rural areas of the state that may have experienced an increase in visitation recently,” said Paul Green, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “At Commerce, we’re proud to support first responders and others wh...

  • Crossword Solution

    Dec 19, 2024

    SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. MGD 4. ALEUT 9. TUMMY 14. IRA 15. LASSO 16. EROSE 17. SIT 18. EMMA ROBERTS 20. TEETHE 22. STEMS 23. IGLOO 24. SNOOTIEST 28. IOU 29. OE 30. ALAE 31. BANKS 33. ROSAS 37. BA 38. RBE 39. EMANATE 41. MEM 42. IA 43. SUSAN 44. REARS 46. ATAR 49. TD 50. EBN 51. RENOVATES 55. NATES 58. AVILA 59. MANILA 60. DELIBERATED 64. SAD 65. AGONE 66. DHOLE 67. ETH 68. HOGGS 69. YARDS 70. SEE SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. MISTI 2. GRIEG 3. DATELINE 4. ALEHOUSES 5. LAME 6. ESM 7. USA 8. TORSO 9. TEBET 10. UREMIA 11. MORSEL 12. MST 13. YES 19. OTO 21. TOOK... Full story

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