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Independently owned since 1905
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Two Plains women were the only local competitors at the "Sparks Fly Showdown Show" at the Sanders County Fairgrounds last weekend. Michele McGuigan of Plains and Lisa Wood of Thompson Falls took part in the two-day horsemanship event Friday and Saturday. A dozen men and women took part in Friday's activity, which was a clinic to help competitors prepare for the next day's competition. Twenty-seven riders took part in the show on Saturday. A dozen more were signed up, but dropped out due to the...
The air was stifling as Thompson Falls City Council members met to discuss several issues with a full house last week. After months of discuss and changes, the council approved the second reading of the updated city zoning ordinance. With last Monday's vote, the changes will go into effect in 30 days. The zoning ordinance updates and changes created much discussion with public comments, mainly regarding yard fences on corner lots. The issue of blocked vision of traffic through homeowners' fences...
The office of Troy Downing, Commissioner of Securities & Insurance and Montana State Auditor, released a reminder to Montanans regarding protection during the fire season. Downing reports: On Wednesday July 10, 2024, the Horse Gulch Wildfire grew rapidly near Canyon Ferry Lake and claimed the life of a wildland firefighter pilot, Juliana Turchetti. “Our deepest condolences go out to this brave pilot, her family, and friends during this difficult time,” said Commissioner Downing. “We are grateful to all those putting their lives in danger to pro...
County commissioners welcomed the new Public Health Department Nurse, Kjirsten Mercer, during the quarterly Board of Health meeting last week. The agenda included variance requests and public comments. Presiding officer Commissioner Dan Rowan, informed all present that the meetings are now being recorded and video taped. Also present were Cassandra Ward, executive assistant, and new board member Catherine DeWitt, Sanitarian Jeremy Leavitt, Tina Scott, Environmental Health Tech and Chris McComas, Land Services. Of the two variance requests, the...
Bears can be found throughout Montana. In recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded. As you make plans for the July Fourth holiday, be sure to review these precautionary steps to “Be Bear Aware”: Carry bear spray close at hand and know how to use it. Travel in groups whenever possible and plan to be out in the daylight hours. Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers. Watch for signs of bears such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses. Make noise,...
Kjirsten Mercer is the new Sanders County Health Department Nurse/Director, but she's not new to the county. She has grown up in Libby, Plains, and Noxon. "I graduated from Montana Tech in Butte with my nursing degree," Mercer said. She searched for the best options for nursing programs in Montana. "Tech is renowned for its National Council Licensure Examination, NCLEX, for registered nurses, and I had family members who were attending Tech as well," Mercer explained. Mercer graduated high schoo...
UPDATED JULY 13: The Noxon bridge remains closed after cracks in the structure were discovered during an inspection on Friday. Sanders County Commissioner Tony Cox on Saturday said the county is developing a plan to re-open the structure. A contractor, Neal Structural Repair, has been procured and will be working on repairs this week. NSR will work on a plan with the county and engineering firm Morrison-Maierle, who recently completed a study on the bridge for Sanders County. On Friday, commissioners declared a state of emergency in order to...
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Frontier West have substantially completed work on the Flathead River – Perma Bridge project. The goal of this project was to rehabilitate the bridge that carries Secondary Highway 382 traffic over the Flathead River near Perma. Traffic control has been removed over the bridge. Crews will return later this summer to complete minor tasks and apply final pavement markings. Traffic control will be in place while this final work takes place. Travelers should expect intermittent single-lane t...
Ambulance: Plains, 10; Hot Springs, 6; T. Falls, 5; Trout Creek, 4; Heron, 3; Noxon, 2; Dixon, 2; Lonepine, 1. Monday, July 1 General animal call/complaint, Plains. Trespass, T. Falls. Welfare check, Heron. Property damage/criminal mischief, Plains. Parking problem, Plains. Inmate transport, Plains. Assist miscellaneous, T. Falls. Livestock, Hot Springs. Fireworks, Plains. Disturbance, Dixon. Tuesday, July 2 Business contact, T. Falls. Assist other agency, Dixon. Theft, Plains. Animal other, T. Falls. Inmate transport, T. Falls. Theft, Trout Cr...
Montana Highway Patrol Corey Franck, 38, seatbelt violation, $20. Tiffany Collier, 35, violation in a construction zone, $105. Daniel Hoffman, 41, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Eugene Lutz, 72, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Holly Warner, 48, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Kendra Henning, 27, violation in a construction zone, $75. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office John Hotchkiss, 35, criminal trespass to property, $185; operating without liability insurance in effect, 4th or subsequent offense, $525, 5 days jail with credit for 2...
Nicholas Robert Smalley made his initial appearance before Judge Molly Owen on Tuesday, entering a not guilty plea to a new felony charge of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and misdemeanor charges of driving while license suspended and unlawful possession of alcoholic beverage container in motor vehicle. Judge Owen set this matter for an arraignment on July 23, after discussion between the parties regarding a potential global resolution following a revocation also being filed in Missoula County. As alleged in the filed...
HELENA – As boaters and other water recreationists gear up for the summer, they need to follow the rules to prevent aquatic invasive species from affecting Montana’s waters. Those rules include: All boats must stop at all open watercraft inspection stations they encounter including canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to $500. Always be sure to clean, drain and dry your boat. All watercraft entering Montana are required to be inspected for aquatic invasive species. An inspection is required before laun...
HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking up to 12 people to serve on a statewide River Recreation Advisory Council. The River Recreation Advisory Council’s purpose is to develop a set of recommendations for managing river recreation in Montana and administering the use of water-related activities. The focus area extends to department lands and water bodies that are restricted under the authority of FWP. This includes recreation use on and along the water way, including fishing access sites. Montana boasts an abundance of publicly acc...
When Ryan Davis came to Thompson Falls from Alberta, Canada, two years ago, he saw one thing missing, a burger truck. So he got together with a friend and built one. Main St. Burger opened this month at 709 Main Street in Thompson Falls, offering a variety of smash burgers, sandwiches, and fresh-cut french fries. "The real dream is a big restaurant overlooking the beautiful water, serving not only burgers but hot dogs too," he said. However, he wanted to test the waters with a truck and gain...
The American Legion of Montana recognized the fire chief of the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District for his firefighting efforts in Paradise. Steve Rogue, commander of American Legion Post 152 in Thompson Falls, presented James Russell with the American Legion Montana Firefighter of the Year Award at Fred Young Park during the Independence Day celebration. Legion District Commander Bob Lehman of Post 137 at Kalispell read the citation that accompanied the award. Lehman said that Russell was one...
Nearly 80 people gathered at the old brick schoolhouse for the Fourth Annual Paradise Alumni Reunion Friday and Saturday to talk of old times and look at themselves through lenses of the past. "I've asked many and there is no doubt that the Paradise alumni have a special bond to the former school building," said Dave Colyer, the primary coordinator for school reunion. Between 15-20 former students and their families attended the reunion on Friday, fewer than last year, but more showed up on...
There's a new voice in Sanders County and it can be heard on the airwaves circulating from Plains. Raf Viniard of Plains created Clark Fork River Radio Station as Internet station CFRR on FM 91.9 located in a separate studio building at his Plains residence. "It has no call letter assigned for FM yet, as we are still brand new and operating under construction license," said Viniard, who added that the station was actually "born" at the end of February, but they just completed the Beta test on Ju...
Montana Highway Patrol Calista Drake-Snyder, 26, failure to carry/exhibit proof of insurance in vehicle, 1st offense, $85; driving without a valid driver’s license, $85. Bryndal Moore, 38, seatbelt violation, $20. Dell Jones, 63, failure to carry/exhibit proof of insurance in vehicle, 1st offense, $285; seatbelt violation, $20. Willard Kelly, 83, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Joel Varland, 57, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Jennifer Killorn, 46, violation in a construction zone, $105. Daniel Castillo, 74, failure to obey red (stop) t...
Ambulance: Plains, 7; T. Falls, 6; Trout Creek, 1; Paradise, 1; Hot Springs, 1; Heron, 1. Monday, June 24 Inmate transport, T. Falls. USFS campground check, T. Falls. Civil served, Trout Creek. USFS campground check, T. Falls. Motor vehicle crash, Trout Creek. USFS campground check, T. Falls. Civil standby, Plains. Intimidation/harassment, Plains. Request for welfare check, T. Falls. Theft, T. Falls. Intimidation/harassment, Plains. Theft, Plains. Trespass, Trout Creek. Other law violations, T. Falls. Welfare check, Hot Springs. Body found/coro...
Appearing before Judge John Mercer on Tuesday, Michael Ellis McBride entered his general denials to allegations that he violated the terms of his probation. McBride allegedly admitted to using methamphetamine and absconded from supervision for 413 days, according to the filed affidavit in support of the revocation. McBride was on probation for charges of burglary, theft, and bail jumping, for which he was sentenced in 2010. Judge Mercer set this matter for a hearing on the merits on July 16, 2024....
A group of 4-H kids are getting a jump on this year's showmanship competition by getting tips on how to properly present their sheep and goats at the Sanders County Fair. Juli Thurston and Raelyn Cox taught eight 4-H'ers the proper way of showing their animals at the fairgrounds last Tuesday evening. This was the first time they've held a goat showmanship clinic and though they've had clinics for sheep, it's normally held at a private residence, according to Thurston, who heads the 4-H program i...
Sanders County will take over the Hot Springs refuse site next month. The decision comes after the Hot Springs Refuse District voted in May to have the county take over the site and the county commissioners unanimously voted last week to take over the site. “I thinks it’s very positive for the community of Hot Springs,” Commissioner John Holland said. “It takes the pressure off of Hot Springs with having to make do with what they could afford and the county can offer more flexibility financially if something comes up.” Holland also said that...
Montana Highway Patrol Randy McReynolds, 35, unlawful possession of marijuana/products/paraphernalia in vehicle on highway, $75; failure to carry/exhibit proof of insurance in vehicle, 1st offense, $285. Timothy Dudley, 54, day speeding, $70. Oscar Perez, 42, failure to carry/exhibit proof of insurance in vehicle, 1st offense, $285; speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Sandra Berge, 70, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Alfred Gaitan, Jr., 51, speeding in a restricted zone, $65. Trever Harris, 23, day speeding, $20. Mark Rhinehart, 47,...
Ambulance: Plains, 11; T. Falls, 7; Hot Springs, 7; Heron, 3; Dixon, 2; Trout Creek, 2. Monday, June 17 Animal other, Plains. Business contact, Hot Springs. Security check, T. Falls. Civil served, T. Falls. Theft, Hot Springs. Business contact. Protection order violation, Noxon. Disturbance, Hot Springs. USFS campground check, T. Falls. USFS campground check, T. Falls. Civil attempts. Business contact, Plains. Business contact, Hot Springs. Tuesday, June 18 Animal other, Plains. Civil served. Suspicious activity, Plains. Welfare check, Dixon....
The Plains Town Council held a special meeting Friday to discuss the contract for the town's new well, which will be located at the corner of Kruger Road and Upper Lynch Creek Road. Cold Water Drilling and Pumps out of Arlee was awarded the contract for $79,030. The town approved the 180-page contract, which was looked over by Loren Fitzpatrick, the town attorney, and Shari Johnson, the town's contract engineer. Mayor Joel Banham said the contract doesn't state the exact starting date, but he...
