Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Thompson Falls Elementary is heading into the school year with new faculty members and an increased enrollment. Principal Len Dorscher said the school will welcome five new teachers this year. Samantha Varner, who graduated high school from Bigfork, is the new first grade teacher, Morgan Owen will be the school’s new English language and arts teacher, the school’s new band director for grades 5-12 will be Haile Ward, Karli Thomas, a Thompson Falls graduate, will be welcomed as the new k-8 physical education teacher and Sarah Naegeli, who has...
Thompson Falls Police Department (TFPD) officers are investigating a fire last week that destroyed the pavilion at NorthWestern Energy's Power Park in Thompson Falls. The pavilion burned early in the morning of August 20. The pavilion was a popular event location for gatherings like the Chicken Jamboree, the American Radio Relay League Field Day and many more. According to Thompson Falls Police Chief Chris Nichols, the fire resulted in the destruction of the pavilion and restrooms. TFPD is...
The Thorne Creek fire seems to just keep going and going and going. A moving, growing, often glowing fixture on the landscape in the mountains north of Thompson Falls for over 40 days now, the Thorne Creek blaze, which was ignited by lightning on July 7, saved some of its most explosive runs for last week, burning over 6,000 acres Sunday and almost 4,000 more Monday to arrive at its current estimated acreage of 35,993. Notes from Monday night's infrared mapping flight indicated that large smoke...
A fire destroyed the pavilion at NorthWestern Energy's Power Park in Thompson Falls in the early-morning hours on Friday. Officials at the scene said the call came in about 12:15 a.m. Friday. The state fire marshal's office was en route to investigate the incident. No further information was available as of Friday morning....
Thompson Falls Police Chief Chris Nichols recently recognized some members of the National Guard who are helping on the Thorne Creek fire, including a Thompson Falls alum. Detachments from the Army National Guard and the Air Force National Guard are relieving both fire crews and local police officers. Knowing this, Nichols decided to recognize some of them. As the Thorne Creek fire moves along the ridge behind Thompson Falls and up Thompson River, the fire crews have had their hands full....
The Sanders County Sewer District at Paradise board continues to plan for its new sewer system and though opposition also continues, the community division is getting narrower, according to Terry Caldwell, who conducted the sewer board meeting Friday. "My goal is to bring the community together - the board, Bridger and the community, because we're all neighbors and friends, and that's important to me," said Caldwell, who ran the meeting in the absence of Sunny Chase, the board president. Chase...
Montana Highway Patrol Alexander Blair, 27, driving while privilege suspended, 1st offense, $285. William Glover, 19, night speeding, $70. Michael Doty, 62, seatbelt violation, $20. Dakotta Kinser, 27, seatbelt violation, $20. Justin Carr, 33, careless driving, $45. Julian Jacobs-Mosher, 23, day speeding, $20. Haden McDonald, 26, day speeding, $70. Scot Vaniman, 41, night speeding, $70. Nicholas Schaeffer, 29, day speeding, $20. Michael Abrams, 43, day speeding, $70. Samantha Burden, 25, night speeding, $20. Allan Heller, 46, night speeding,...
Ambulance: T. Falls, 6; Plains, 5; Hot Springs, 2; Noxon, 1; Heron, 1; Dixon, 1; Trout Creek, 2; Paradise, 1. Monday, August 9 Business contact, T. Falls. Livestock, Plains. Road hazard/blockage, T. Falls. Livestock, Perma. Livestock, Dixon. Animal other, Perma. Mental health issue, T. Falls. Disturbance, Plains. Suicide attempts/threats, Noxon. Tuesday, August 10 Person missing, Plains. Fire, Dixon. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Livestock, Paradise. Threats, T. Falls. Juvenile runaway, T. Falls. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Trespass, Hot...
A Whitepine resident was charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, by the Thompson Falls Police Department (TFPD) August 11. Several days prior, the individual publicly threatened bodily harm toward U.S. Forest Service firefighters at the Town Pump in Thompson Falls. In a TFPD press release, Police Chief Chris Nichols said the man then made taunting remarks at several nearby firefighters. “Any threats of bodily injury are taken seriously and dealt with accordingly,” Nichols said. He reinforced that the TFPD has been regularly rea...
Plains High School is welcoming a new principal this school year. Ryon Noland, 46, will be taking over for Kevin Meredith, who is transitioning to the K-6 principal post. Noland's first day was Aug. 12. "I have been working in the school since July 1 to get a jump start on the upcoming school year," Noland said. The new principal took several days last spring to become better acquainted with all the stakeholders of Plains school district, including conversing with fellow staff and volunteering...
A group of citizens is demanding action from the Sanders County Commissioners regarding the county's board of health. More than 70 residents attended a meeting Tuesday at the courthouse. The meeting was requested by resident Stacy Kandel to discuss the board of health. Kandel, who previously worked at Clark Fork Valley Hospital, called herself a conservative patriot. Kandel stated that during a board of health meeting on July 13, 2021, public comments were stifled by board members, adding that...
Rep. Paul Fielder of Thompson Falls attended a cyber symposium last week that focused on the 2020 presidential election. Fielder returned from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Sunday evening. He was one of six legislators from Montana who attended the symposium. Fielder said there was a lot of information and evidence presented at the symposium, which was sponsored by Mike Lindell, founder of the My Pillow company. Speakers included mathematicians and experts in cyber security. "They looked into...
The Trout Creek Huckleberry Festival is returning this year and festival planners said they are excited to be back. Elizabeth Haagenson, Huckleberry Festival chairperson, explained that they are excited to be hosting the festival again, especially after a year without. The festival theme this year is "Together Again," and volunteers say it may be one of the biggest years yet. According to Haagenson, there will be a few changes and additions this year. One such change will involve the pancake...
The battle with the Thorne Creek fire is slowly but surely being won. Since the lightning-caused fire in the rugged Thorne Creek drainage sprang to life way back on July 7, it has dominated the skyline just north of Thompson Falls for over five weeks now, billowing smoke and producing spectacular views of the forest afire to residents of the Clark Fork Valley below, especially at night. Battling not only the fire but also continuing shortages of personnel and vital firefighting equipment and...
The American Red Cross conducted a three-day blood drive in Sanders County last week. The drive consisted of three locations on three separate days, two in Thompson Falls and one in Plains. The first of the three was held at St. William's Catholic Church in Thompson Falls on Tuesday afternoon. The drive at the Catholic church got help from a couple church volunteers, including Alice Wozniak and Jim Krogman, head of the Knights of Columbus. They saw about 20 people donate blood. "We just help...
Thompson Falls Police Department (TFPD) discovered and dismantled two meth labs in the city late last month. Police officers, including lead officer Roy Scott, spent numerous hours building the case, investigating leads and filing paperwork needed to apprehend those involved. "They get into a lot of overtime, long weeks and a lot of paperwork, especially the lead officer on the case," according to TFPD Chief Chris Nichols. He explained that in a case like this, the lead officer can put in well...
Montana Highway Patrol Mark Thomas, 55, failure to keep vehicle under control, $85. Tanner Collins, 30, operating without insurance, 1st offense, $85; speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Tanner Demott, 27, expired registration, $45; day speeding, $20. Mario Lavergne, 50, day speeding, $70. Jeremy Connor, 51, day speeding, $20. Kay Silverman, 75, improper passing, $85; day speeding, $120. Cody Stratton, 30, day speeding, $70. Phillip Stover, 30, seatbelt violation, $20. Josiah Hager, 20, day speeding, $20. John Kreiman, 49, day speeding, $20....
Ambulance: T. Falls, 9; Plains, 5; Dixon, 1; Paradise, 2; Trout Creek, 1; Hot Springs, 1. Monday, August 2 Disturbance, Hot Springs. Theft, report of possible fraud with a propane company, Heron. Threats, Plains. Trespass, Plains. General animal call or complaint, Plains. Road hazard/blockage, Hot Springs. Disturbance, domestic violence arrest with vehicle seizure pending search warrant for drug activity, Noxon. Mental health issue, Plains. Other law violations, Paradise. Assist government agency or citizen, Plains. Theft, Report of stolen...
Michael Hicks of Kalispell appeared before the 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday to argue for a bail reduction and his release. Hicks is facing the felony charge of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs after a witness placed him in a bar in Hot Springs May 15. Charging documents explain that Hicks has been implicated in a drug deal that resulted in the death of a Hot Springs man. His attorney, Kirk Krutilla, explained that Hicks has a wife and kids in Kalispell who rely on his income in construction. County attorney Naomi Leisz was...
As Hot Springs heads into another academic school year, superintendent Gerald Chouinard reflects on his first year in the position. “It has been a very good year,” he said of the 2020-2021 school year. “I’ve signed on for three more years and will be contracted through 2024.” While Chouinard continues furthering the connection between students and teachers, he also plans to create and maintain a stronger outreach with the community. “I absolutely love Hot Springs,” Chouinard said. “The community has been extremely supportive in what most educa...
Hunters will be able to obtain the 2021 Block Management Area (BMA) program information beginning this week. Hunters are encouraged to request their 2021 BMA Access Guide online and download or print individual BMA maps at fwp.mt.gov/BMA. By utilizing the FWP website fwp.mt.gov/BMA, hunters will have instant access to the Access Guide and up-to-date BMA maps and rules for every individual BMA enrolled in the program. “Obtaining these individual BMA maps and rules via our website are key to successfully utilizing the BMA program as not all r...
The Thompson Falls School Board met last week to discuss the end of summer and upcoming school year. The principals mentioned enrollment being up. Though the number may be only up by 10, according to superintendent Bud Scully, the school is feeling positive. “We won’t know the final numbers until they actually show up,” said Scully, “but we like to emphasize the positive.” Scully explained that right now enrollment is sitting somewhere around 450 students for the district. Another discussion was the 2021 salary schedule of elementary school pr...
Mayor Mark Sheets delivered an update on the Thorne Creek fire to the Thompson Falls City Council at their Monday meeting this week. According to Sheets everything has gone well so far, with firefighters having basically contained the fire from Graves Creek to Weber Gulch. They are currently setting up holding operations up Ashley Creek around the city’s water line. Currently, helicopters are dumping water constantly to hold the fire on the west side to avoid what the mayor referred to as a fuel change were it to reach Goat Creek on the east si...
by Annie Wooden Officials reported Friday morning at the Thorne Creek fire burning north of Thompson Falls is 9% contained. Friday's report noted that the fire has grown to 19,100 acres. Since lightning sparked the fire on July 7, air resources have dropped 730,000 gallons of water, 28,000 gallons of retardant and delivered 31,000 pounds of cargo in efforts to control the blaze. According to Friday's update, "Work continues along the northwest perimeter in Division Charlie as firefighters work... Full story
Don’t be fooled by a few days of reduced fire behavior brought on by Sunday’s welcome rain – the Thorne Creek fire is still up there on Silcox Mountain, waiting for another chance to roar back to life. And it has a lot of summer, and a lot of unburned forest left to work with. “The fire is still up there, a living breathing thing, capable of more big runs,” Thorne Creek fire deputy incident commander Mark Goeller of the Northern Region Type 1 incident management team (IMT) told the audience at a...
