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Articles from the December 21, 2023 edition


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  • Cookie extravaganza provides holiday fun

    Shannon Brown|Dec 21, 2023

    Last Sunday the Elks Lodge in Thompson Falls had cookies for children to decorate in order to raise funds for scholarships in Sanders County. Elks Exalted Ruler Charlie Munday said they wanted to come up with an event to help raise money for education. "We created a think tank of people to do that," Munday said. The head of the cookie operation is Nicole Miller, Munday added. Cookies baked by Beagle's Bakery in Thompson Falls offered a variety of cut-out cookies to be decorated by possible...

  • Plains fire hall in need of repairs

    Shannon Brown|Dec 21, 2023

    Plains City Fire Department Chief Anthony Young is seeking renovations to the fire hall. At the Plains City Council meeting this month, Young presented the council with a list of issues and ideas for improvements he is wanting for the Plains fire hall. Young also explained the unsafe structures and environmental issues with the building. “The exhaust is unsafe because the trucks have to be running where the crew changes into their gear,” Young explained. Young said they open the bay doors while the trucks are warming up but if they drove them o...

  • Plains gets festive with stroll

    Ed Moreth|Dec 21, 2023

    Santa Claus, who dabbles in law enforcement in his spare time, took time to make inquiries about the naughtiness and nicety qualities of numerous children in downtown Plains Saturday. Father Christmas was part of the Winter Stroll and Scavenger Hunt in Plains, where more than a dozen businesses participated in the special annual holiday event. The winners of the scavenger hunt in the adult category were Janet Brandon, Amy Hill and her sister, Ashley Hill. For the children's class, it was...

  • Sheriff's Relief Fund has tradition of giving

    Shannon Brown|Dec 21, 2023

    For more than 25 years, the Sanders County Sheriff's Office Christmas Relief Fund has helped make the holidays a little brighter for local children. The Relief Fund supports the Tree of Hearts, a program in which community members pick a heart off a tree with the age of a child, buy a gift and donate it to the program. Last week, volunteers gathered in the basement of Valley Bank in Thompson Falls to organize and finish the wrapping of the hundreds of gifts that had been donated. Some of the...

  • Concert celebrates the season

    Ed Moreth|Dec 21, 2023

    More than 100 people attended the 3rd Annual Community Christmas Concert at the Plains Bible Chapel Saturday night. The 20 member choir included men, women and children, some from the Plains Bible Chapel, some from other churches, and some individual residents who wanted to be part of the holiday musical performance, gathered for an hour and a half and sang a variety of tunes from "Jingle Bells" to "O Come All Ye Faithful." The annual concert is the brainchild of Plains Bible Chapel member...

  • Finding the magic of the holidays

    Annie Wooden|Dec 21, 2023

    It’s been difficult getting in the holiday spirit this year. With no snow, it feels more like a cold fall than winter. But as we were putting together the Holiday Pictorial, the holiday spirit hit me. I was going through photos from the past year, visiting with advertisers and spending some time reminiscing about all that we’ve accomplished this year. Christmas is different when you don’t have small children around. The excitement shifts from Santa and presents to traditions and gatherings. I’ve been trying to shift my holiday focus to the trad...

  • Montana Viewpoint: A way to address high property tax

    Jim Elliott|Dec 21, 2023
    1

    I just read an editorial called “Let's end the property tax blame game” by Kendall Cotton in which he begins by blaming local governments for property tax increases, echoing Governor Gianforte’s attack on greedy county governments. For their part, Democrats are saying that the Gianforte administration ignored the advice of the DOR to implement a revenue neutral tax rate. That’s the rate at which the state would have received the same amount of money after reappraisal as it had before. It was...

  • Remember When?

    Sherry Hagerman-Benton|Dec 21, 2023

    8 YEARS AGO DECEMBER 22, 1988 67 YEAR LODGE MEMBER RECALLS EARLY DAYS When Chuck Duffield attempted to contact Franklyn Rutherford to invite him to attend his installation as Grand Master of the Thompson Falls Lodge Masons, he had a hard time getting through to him. Chuck reasoned that Franklyn may not be around anymore. The address and phone number were old and after all Rutherford had been retired for several years. Later he found out why he was so difficult to contact. In the summer Frank spends his time rockhounding on Rock Creek and in...

  • Question of the week

    Shannon Brown|Dec 21, 2023

    SHELLY WRIGHTSON, Thompson Falls - “From National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, son Rusty says, ‘That tree won’t fit in our yard.’ Dad Clark replies, ‘It’s not going in our yard, it’s going in our living room.’ ” DUSTIN EMMETT, Plains - “People tell me the first Die Hard isn’t a Christmas movie. It takes place on Christmas. My favorite quote is ‘Yippee ki-yay,’ by Bruce Willis’ character” NICHOLAS HILL, Plains - “'It’s all humbug, I tell you.,' from A Christmas Carol." GREG TATUM, Plains - “From the Elf movie, 'We elves try to stick to the...

  • Sheriff's Log

    Dec 21, 2023

    Ambulance: T. Falls, 5; Plains, 5; Trout Creek, 1; Hot Springs, 1; Dixon, 1. Monday, December 11 Person missing, Paradise. Child welfare/abuse, Hot Springs. Attempt to locate, Trout Creek. Civil attempts, T. Falls. Property found, Plains. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Civil attempts. Civil attempts. Civil attempts, Hot Springs. Civil attempts. Civil attempts. Suspicious activity, Dixon. Fire, Plains. Business contact, T. Falls. Tuesday, December 12 Civil attempts, Plains. Civil attempts. Animal other, Plains....

  • Justice Court

    Dec 21, 2023

    Montana Highway Patrol Ashley Masterson, 32, failure to give notice of accident by quickest means, 1st offense, $335, 20 days jail with 20 days suspended. Andrew Bellinger, 39, operating with expired registration, $35; speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Dale Petty, 33, failure to keep vehicle under control on mountain highway, $85. Elizabeth Runkle, 55, failure to carry proof of insurance in vehicle, 1st offense, $85; seatbelt violation, $20. Justin Ryan, 44, seatbelt violation, $20. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Jonah Leisz, 18, p...

  • Traffic law addresses emergency vehicle response

    Stephanie Molzhon|Dec 21, 2023

    Following the passage of HB470, also known as the Yield-Slow Down-Move Over Act, earlier this year new requirements went into effect October 1 regarding how drivers must respond to emergency personnel and highway workers when stationary with their emergency lights and/or siren engaged. HB 470 amended several sections of the Montana Code Annotated that related to emergency vehicles, highway worker’s vehicles, and how the public shall respond when these vehicles have their lights or sirens on. As detailed in MCA 61-8-388, when approaching a s...

  • Churches plan holiday services

    Shannon Brown|Dec 21, 2023

    Sanders County churches have special services planned this holiday season. CABINET MOUNTAIN BIBLE CHURCH in TROUT CREEK Normal schedule on Christmas Eve, Sunday, 11:am and Evening 5:30 to 6:00 FALLS CHAPEL PENTECOSTAL CHURCH of GOD in Thompson Falls Christmas Eve service at 7p.m. No regular services Sunday morning THOMPSON FALL CHRISTIAN CHURCH The church at 306 Church St. in Thompson Falls will not have any services on Sunday morning, December 24. We will have a Christmas Eve communion service at 6 p.m. OPEN DOOR BAPTIST CHURCH in Thompson...

  • Mortgage Minute

    Dec 21, 2023

    by Michael Scharfe The new year is just around the corner and with that begins a lot of New Year’s resolutions. What better time than now to add a resolution to clean up your credit? According to a poll found in Forbes, the #5 most common resolution in 2023 was to improve finances. While improved finances could be considered very broad, part of that likely encompasses credit. Considering that, here are some practical steps you can take to clean up and improve your credit score. 1. This first one may seem obvious, but it is making sure to pay y...

  • Mayor's Corner

    Dec 21, 2023

    by Rusti Leivestad, Thompson Falls Mayor Having moved from our home in Trout Creek where we dug a well for our water system, put in the septic system and shared maintenance and plowing of a quarter mile of private road (all at our expense), I truly enjoy the benefits of living in Thompson Falls. The sound of the snow plow in winter's early hours makes me smile as I remember the "good old days." Public Works took me for a tour of Thompson Falls' infrastructure last week. It was eye opening how much the team accomplishes and the challenges that...

  • Sanders County alum receive degrees at UM

    Dec 21, 2023

    The University of Montana has over 800 students who are degree candidates for fall semester 2023. Students with “cum laude” after their name indicate a GPA of 3.40 to 3.69. “Magna cum laude” indicates a 3.70 to 3.89 GPA, and “summa cum laude” is 3.90 and above. Sanders County graduates include: HOT SPRINGS Joshua Scrivner, Bachelor of Arts: Communication Studies PLAINS Kara Altmiller, BS in Business Administration: Accounting, CUM LAUDE Kati Mitchell, Master of Education: Education Leadership Jared Schmidt, BS in Forestry: Forestry...

  • Choir entertains community at park

    Ed Moreth|Dec 21, 2023

    by Ed Moreth It was dark and cold with the only illumination coming from a lone street light in Fred Young Park, but that didn't stop nearly 70 people from spending time Thursday evening listening to the Plains High School Choir sing Christmas songs in the park. The five girls of the choir - senior Abigail Wessley, sophomore Maddie Carter, junior Kaylynn Boes, junior Kennedy Starika, and sophomore Randie Kilgore - sang 11 Christmas songs, a cappella style, for the "Carols in the Park"...

  • Hawks fall at home, win away

    Skye Hill|Dec 21, 2023

    ANACONDA 58, THOMPSON FALLS 37 The Blue Hawk boys fell to Anaconda 58-37 in the first home matchup of the season as they played host to the Copperheads on Friday. The Hawks struggled to penetrate the Anaconda defense and get inside the paint to score. Thompson Falls was down 3-15 after the first quarter. They gained slightly in the second quarter as they settled into play and went into the locker room at halftime down by just seven points, 14-21. Thompson started the second half with renewed...

  • Clean sweep for Plains basketball

    Ed Moreth|Dec 21, 2023

    It was a clean sweep for both the Plains Horsemen and Trotters basketball teams last week in the non- conference game against Hot Springs at Plains, although the final game of the night was real touch and go to the end. The Trotters varsity team kept the fans at the edge of their bleacher seats throughout the game. The Hot Springs Lady Savage Heat were undefeated going into the game with three straight wins. The Trotters had three wins with their only loss at Darby the previous Saturday. The...

  • Drew, Johnny pin their way to the top

    Annie Wooden|Dec 21, 2023

    The Savage-Horsemen wrestling team brought home plenty of hardware from the Buzz Lucey memorial tournament in Eureka last weekend. Drew Carey finished a champion on Saturday, pinning Flahead’s Brett Chivers in 1 minute, 54 seconds in the championship match. Carey pinned his way to first place, with none of his matches reaching the third period. Carey first pinned Polson’s Daniel O’Roake in 2:45 before making quick work of Ryle Sheppard of Florence, pinning him in 1:04. Carey won his semifinal match against Brayton Fitch of Flathead in 3:34...

  • Hannum fourth at CMR Classic

    Skye Hill|Dec 21, 2023

    The Thompson Falls wrestling team hit the road taking on the C.M. Russell Holiday Classic this past weekend. There was no shortage of competition as 57 schools came together. Blue Hawk senior Max Hannum proved to be a master of the mats, getting a bye for his first round. He then went on to pin Joshua Sironi of Billings. For round three Hannum pinned Gage Allen of Great Falls, which put him in the quarterfinal. Going up against Alexander Beck of Missoula, Hannum was able to get the pin, but ultimately lost by decision in the semifinal. Hannum...

  • Red Devils split games with Troy

    Skye Hill|Dec 21, 2023

    TROY 35, NOXON 24 The Lady Red Devils hit the court to take on the Lady Trojans of Troy falling 24-35. The aggressive Troy team came out putting full court pressure on Noxon, leaving the Lady Red Devils scoreless for the better half of the first quarter. Noxon was able to find holes in the Lady Trojans defense to put down a few baskets. Going into the second quarter Troy was up six points,. The young Lady Red Devils tried their best to break through the pressure but were unable to close the...

  • Horsemen dominate Alberton at home

    Skye Hill|Dec 21, 2023

    Plains faced the Alberton Panthers at home taking the win 67-30. Quickly the Horsemen came out winning the jump off and getting the first points. Alberton tried to answer with a three but was unsuccessful. From a swift steal by Darren Standeford Plains was able to gain another basket before the Panthers were able to get points on the board. The Horsemen put full court pressure on Alberton, gaining another steal and basket. With only a minute left in the first quarter Plains had a colossal 21 point lead over the Panthers. The Horsemen were able...

  • CROSSWORD SOLUTION

    Dec 21, 2023

    SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. SAGS 5. BOSON 10. SAFE 14. AMAH 15. CRAPE 16. ARIA 17. PILI 18. DALEY 19. GADS 20. SALAD 22. TOR 23. SABOT 24. SERENADES 27. OPS 30. MAD 31. TEA 32. TAT 35. SACKED 37. SIB 38. SAME 39. STOAS 40. MAC 41. SABER 42. ENOW 43. SOD 44. SATEEN 45. TAP 46. DAD 47. RAT 48. SRI 49. TYPEFACES 52. SABRE 55. RAG 56. SABIN 60. AURA 61. SABLE 63. MIAO 64. SBIC 65. STEAK 66. ALMS 67. HEME 68. TORNE 69. SEBE SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. SAPS 2. AMIA 3. GALL 4. SHIAS 5. BCD 6. ORATED 7. SALON 8. OPERATIC 9. NEY 10. SAGAS 11. ARAB 12. FIDO 13. EAST 21.... Full story

  • Rex hosts local singers for caroling

    Shannon Brown|Dec 21, 2023

    Sunday afternoon the Rex Theater was filled with music by the Clark Fork Valley Singers. Several people, including children, came out to listen to their singing of holiday classics with a couple of extras thrown in. Artistic Director Rob Viens and Jeanie Gentry accompanied on the piano. Soprano singers include Denise Montgomery, Joanna Williams, Patty Johnson, Sara Czerwinski, Sara Tunnel, and Serena Pearson. The Alto group includes Bev Czerwinski, Deb Wilson, Kelsey Rehm, Lisa Mickelson, and Pam Peters. Baritone singers are Danny Moore and...

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