Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Trouble with cellular service in the Thompson Falls area has prompted questions and comments from readers. Several readers have reported not being able to make a call or not having service. The Ledger has heard from Verizon Wireless customers unhappy with their service and reached out to the company. First, The Ledger contacted Verizon customer service from our Verizon phones. On a call last week, we were told by a representative that there were no open service calls in the area. The Ledger then reached out to media representatives for the...
The sounds of gunshots and screams for help echoed through the hall of Thompson Falls High School last week, but no one was in danger. Local law enforcement and first responders received training on how to respond when there is an active threat. After two days of classroom work, lectures and going through scenarios, last Thursday the 29 police officers, fire department and volunteer ambulance staff enacted four scenarios in the Active Threat Integrated Response Course (ATIRC). The course is put...
The Sanders County Fairgrounds caretaker and assistant have been working on the nearly 10 acres of lawns since April, getting them as green as possible. Kim McNeil, the fairgrounds caretaker for 30 years, helped by his wife, Margaret, have been mowing the lawn for months and for the last few weeks have been running the sprinklers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That all comes to a temporary halt in the near future when thousands of people get to enjoy the grassy fairgrounds for the 2022 fair, starting on Aug. 1, and at the same time...
Ambulance: Plains, 11; T. Falls, 4; Hot Springs, 3; Noxon, 2; Trout Creek, 1; Paradise, 1; Dixon, 1. Monday, August 8 Motor vehicle crash, Plains. Civil attempts, T. Falls. Motor vehicle crash, Paradise. Trespass, Trout Creek. Property damage/criminal mischief, Plains. Trespass, T. Falls. Property damage/criminal mischief, T. Falls. Search and rescue call, Trout Creek. Nuisance complaints, Hot Springs. Fire, Trout Creek. Assault, Dixon. Intoxicated subject, Dixon. Suspicious activity, Plains. Tuesday, August 9 Suspicious activity, Dixon. Civil...
Montana Highway Patrol Aaron Kruse, 34, operating without liability insurance, 4th or subsequent offense, $585; driving while privilege suspended/revoked, 1st offense, $275. Brent Jameson, 38, operating non-commercial vehicle with 0.08% BAC or greater, 1st offense, $935. Dora Papay, 50, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Marvin Harrison, 77, seatbelt violation, $20. Joshua Lang, 27, operating without liability insurance, 1st offense, $85; seatbelt violation, $20. Blake McDonald, 20, day speeding, $20. Michael Boys, 25, seatbelt violation,...
The Cancer Network of Sanders County (CNSC) is once again helping people in need and is doing so by selling luminaries and placing them on the streets of towns in Sanders County for their CNSC Luminaria event. "Every year our non-profit organization holds this fundraiser that helps contribute to the financial needs of patients and families suffering from a diagnosis of cancer," commented volunteer and CNSC Vice President Sherryl Wachob. "The event also helps to serve as a reminder that many of...
The local Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN) is looking to recruit more volunteers to ensure the program serving Sanders County veterans continues to run smoothly. The Sanders County Local Area DAV VTN team of six volunteers is running as many days a week as possible from Thompson Falls and Plains, transporting local veterans to their Veterans Administration (VA) scheduled appointments to Missoula, Kalispell and Fort Harrison in Helena. Increasing the number of volunteers ensures that drivers are available...
A military veteran outreach organization in Plains will be using art to help raise the issue of veteran suicide, and it’s not just reaching out to the people of Sanders County, but going coast to coast. Dave Williams, founder of Joint Operation Mariposa, is sending the painting of a green horse across the United States as a tribute to Green Star Families. The six-foot tall painting for the Veteran Suicide Awareness Journey will be starting its trek in Neah Bay, Washington, and will travel all the way to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.,...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 10; Plains, 10; Hot Springs, 5; Trout Creek, 3; Noxon, 3; Dixon, 1. Monday, August 1 Assault, Paradise. Animal other, T. Falls. Property damage/criminal mischief, Plains. Motor vehicle crash, Hot Springs. Civil attempts, Trout Creek. Civil attempts, Paradise. Request for welfare check, Paradise. Trespass, Hot Springs. Fire, Hot Springs. Motor vehicle crash. Civil standby, Trout Creek. Disturbance, Trout Creek. Disturbance, Heron. Property damage/criminal mischief, Plains. Assault, Heron. Tuesday, August 2 Theft, T. Falls....
Montana Highway Patrol Jonathan McCormick, 26, speeding in a restricted zone, $65. Taggert Klauder, 20, improper pass - approaching crest of hill or curve, $85; day speeding, $120. Christian Siguaw, 18, day speeding, $20. Robert Pusey, 22, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Timothy Mathews, 37, day speeding, $70. Brooke Singleton, 23, day speeding, $20. Robert Hall, 34, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Vaughn Rouse, 25, seatbelt violation, $20. Noah Luna, 25, speeding in a restricted zone, $65. Annette Reid, 57, seatbelt violation, $20....
One male driver was charged with multiple counts including driving under the influence after Sanders County Deputy Morgan Grimm responded to a one-vehicle accident Saturday, June 23, at approximately 2 a.m. Deputy Grimm found the vehicle partially submerged in water and reported there was only one victim in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Grimm stated she was able to pull the driver from the vehicle but could not elaborate any further. “Sanders County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Thompson Falls officer Jason Thornton and Mon...
Minuteman Aviation helicopter pilots stationed out of Missoula quickly responded to a small fire in the Minton Peak area west of Trout Creek the morning of July 31. "The fire was a smaller one that burned about a quarter acre before being extinguished by the Minuteman pilots," said Matt Martens, Assistant Fire Management Officer with the Cabinet Ranger District. "The fire appears to have been started by lightning strike activity in the area. Pilots put the fire out quickly and the crew was...
Near 100-degree weather stopped an elderly Plains man from walking the streets to get signatures for a petition to eliminate a 20-year ordinance, but it didn't stop him from speaking his mind at last Monday's monthly town council meeting. "These ordinances making it illegal to use or occupy a mobile home older than 1986 are more than ridiculous; they can't even be used for a tool shed or for storage. There's something wrong with that," said Pat Killgore, who spoke for about 10 minutes during...
The Thompson Falls City Council on Monday approved the second reading of the town’s zoning ordinance, which will take effect in 30 days. The ordinance sets forth guidelines for types of buildings, usage and maintenance. The zoning ordinance approved by the council sets boundaries for commercial properties and residential. It also includes details such as the number of tiny houses that can be erected per city lot, how many parking spaces are required, and what type of fencing can be used. The zoning ordinance states that marijuana sales can o...
The Costner Care Family Clinic of Plains will be reaching out to offer “Free Health Screening Day” on Friday, August 26, from 1-5 p.m. at the Gospel Way Church at 414 Railroad St. in Plains. This is the second time the Costner family has conducted a free clinic session. The first one was in April in Thompson Falls. The free health screenings are a service of Costner Care Family Ministries, a new 501c3 nonprofit in Plains. “As healthcare providers, we are here for the mission of service and bringing hope, even in the midst of illness,” said Fa...
The 50th season of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP) is set to open with this season’s performances of Twelfth Night and for the first time in the company’s history, King Lear. Twelfth Night will show at Trout Creek Park on August 19 and King Lear will show at the Sanders County Fairgrounds in Plains on August 24. Both plays will begin at 6 p.m. and are free to attend. “We couldn’t be more excited to be back on the road performing for audiences and inspiring everyone with a passion for Shakespeare’s greatest works,” said MSIP Executive A...
Green Mountain Conservation District (GMCD) Administrator Sarah Busmire's love for conservation and the outdoors started in 2015 when she spent seven years working on a dude ranch in northern Idaho. "Working there is when I realized I could make a career in working outdoors," Busmire said. "I didn't want to stay in hospitality, so I went back to school." After receiving her bachelor's degree in fisheries and wildlife sciences, Busmire spent two seasons working for Avista as a fishery technician...
Due to the hot, dry weather conditions, Sanders County is moving to Stage I fire restrictions on Monday. Commissioners signed a resolution Thursday imposing the restrictions, which will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday. Under Stage I, campfires are prohibited except in a developed recreation site or improved site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren...
River Town Dental has been open and serving patients in and around Thompson Falls since March of 2021. The team at River Town is expanding in an effort to offer accessible dental care to the community. "We believe in helping the community as much as possible so they don't have to travel to a bigger city for treatment," said owner operator and practicing dentist Dr. Timothy Bagnell. "We are growing and expanding rapidly. We have added two doctors and have another hygienist coming in September to...
Montana Highway Patrol Skyler Cech, 29, aggravated driving under the influence, 1st offense, $1,135. Shane Laber, 30, careless driving, $75; driving while privilege suspended/revoked, 2nd offense, $275; driving under the influence, 1st offense, $935. John Comunetti, 30, seatbelt violation, $20. Gerald Matthew, 73, seatbelt violation, $20. Heather Shavin, 44, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Michael Hochstetler, 17, speeding in a restricted zone, $65. Jesse Chapen, 31, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Jeremiah Stahlberg, 25, seatbelt...
Ambulance: Plains, 5; T. Falls, 4; Hot Springs, 3; Trout Creek, 2; Paradise, 1; Heron, 1; Noxon, 1; Dixon, 1. Monday, July 25 Nuisance complaints, T. Falls. Nuisance complaints, Hot Springs. Property found, Trout Creek. Animal stray/lost, Plains. Livestock. Request for welfare check, Hot Springs. Threats, Plains. Abandoned vehicle, Plains. Harassment/privacy in communication, Noxon. Fire, Hot Springs. General animal call/complaint, Plains. Request for welfare check, Trout Creek. Civil standby, T. Falls. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Civil...
Appearing before Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher on Tuesday for his initial appearance, Jay Anderson pleaded not guilty to felony counts of aggravated driving under the influence (fourth offense) and criminal endangerment, and misdemeanor counts of failure to exhibit proof of insurance and reckless endangerment of emergency personnel. According to the charging documents, on July 12, while assisting with a traffic stop, a green Dodge Ram nearly hit Deputy Devin Wegener. The deputy returned to his patrol vehicle and started following the tru...
Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA) is lending a helping hand in this year’s luminary fundraiser hosted by the Cancer Network of Sanders County (CNSC). The Luminary Lighting Ceremony is one of CNSC’s and fundraising events and TCCIA wants to help with the cause. There will be a booth at the Trout Creek fire hall selling luminaries for $5 from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, August, 13 during the Huckleberry Festival. “The cutoff to normally purchase luminaries is August 5,” said TCCIA chairperson Liz Stender. “The cancer network i...
Thanks to a recent plea for help, the Plains Community Food Bank received enough food and cash donations to sustain them for another couple of months. Though the nonprofit organization is still extremely short on meat, donations from within and outside Sanders County has given them the needed boost to help them help families in need, said Bill Alde, who heads the food bank in Plains. Donations started coming in just over a week ago after Alde asked for help through the Sanders County Ledger...
Sanders County Commissioners last week reviewed a resolution they plan to have on the November ballot for county voters. Resolution No. 2022-06 details the county’s intent to have voters decide whether or not to tax recreational and medical marijuana sales at the county level. House Bill 701 passed by the Montana Legislature allows counties to impose a 3% tax on marijuana sales, but the measure must be passed by the voters in the county. HB701 applies only to counties in which the majority of voters voted to approve Initiative 190 in the 2...
