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  • Nonprofits combine to support arts

    Ed Moreth|Aug 26, 2021

    Two Sanders County nonprofit organizations have merged to become one entity in an effort to be more effective and to help administratively streamline operations. The Sanders County Arts Council recently dissolved and is now part of the Paradise Center, which continues under the umbrella of the Paradise Elementary School Preservation Committee. Instead of the two groups sometimes competing for fundraising money, they will now consolidate fundraising efforts for a common goal, according to Karen Thorson, the Paradise Center’s secretary. H...

  • Justice Court

    Aug 26, 2021

    Montana Highway Patrol Clarence Bean, 64, operating without liability insurance, 1st offense, $75; operating under the influence of alcohol, 1st offense, $735, 180 days in jail, 179 days suspended. Sonia Petersen, 44, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Joe Guevara, III, 49, operating under the influence of alcohol, 1st offense, $685. Demi Appleby, 31, day speeding, $120. Morgan Molzahn, 24, day speeding, $20. Jennifer McPherson, 43, failure to yield, $85. Grant Sexton, 46, habitual offender operating vehicle, $1,035, 30 days in jail; seatbelt...

  • Sheriff's Log

    Aug 26, 2021

    Ambulance Trout Creek, 3; T. Falls, 9; Plains, 11; Paradise, 2; Heron, 1; Hot Springs, 3; Dixon, 4; Camas Prairie, 1. Sunday, August 15 Fire, Plains. Assist motorist/citizen, Hot Springs. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Suspicious activity, Trout Creek. Assist motorist/citizen, Trout Creek. Motor vehicle crash, plains. Welfare check, T. Falls. Other law violations, T. Falls. Coroner called, Plains. Alarm-intrusion/holdup, Plains. Livestock, Hot Springs. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Motor vehicle crash, Paradise. Monday, August 16 Motor...

  • Man pleads guilty in case of threats to f iref ighters

    John Dowd|Aug 26, 2021

    The man who was cited for publicly threatening firefighters August 6 appeared in Thompson Falls Municipal Court on Monday to plead guilty. Douglas Brester pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, and was fined $185. The Whitepine resident was witnessed by several persons at Town Pump and was seen directly threatening firefighters that were in close proximity. In a press release, Thompson Falls Police Chief Chris Nichols said, “Any threats of bodily injury are taken seriously and dealt with accordingly....

  • TFHS welcomes new staff

    Miriah Kardelis|Aug 26, 2021

    Thompson Falls High School welcomes a familiar face as its new principal this year. Jodi Morgan has been the school's counselor for the last 13 years and with the support of her staff, she has the confidence to take on her new role. "I care deeply about this school district and the students in it," Morgan said. "I want to make this a better place." Morgan has spent many years getting to know the district and its community, but says it has never felt like the right time to take on a new position...

  • TF schools monitor COVID as year starts

    Miriah Kardelis|Aug 26, 2021

    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...

  • Fire destroys TF park structure

    John Dowd|Aug 26, 2021

    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...

  • Thorne Creek fire tops 35,000 acres

    John Hamilton|Aug 19, 2021

    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...

  • Fire destroys TF park pavilion

    Miriah Kardelis|Aug 19, 2021

    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....

  • TF police chief recognizes National Guard

    John Dowd|Aug 19, 2021

    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....

  • Paradise to vote on sewer board

    Ed Moreth|Aug 19, 2021

    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...

  • Justice Court

    Aug 19, 2021

    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,...

  • Sheriff's Log

    Aug 19, 2021

    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...

  • Charges filed after threats to firefighters

    John Dowd|Aug 19, 2021

    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...

  • PHS welcomes new principal

    Miriah Kardelis and Ed Moreth|Aug 19, 2021

    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...

  • Group questions county health board actions

    Annie Wooden|Aug 19, 2021

    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. Fielder attends cyber symposium

    Annie Wooden|Aug 19, 2021

    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...

  • Huckleberry Festival returns to Trout Creek

    John Dowd|Aug 12, 2021

    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...

  • Crews work to contain blaze

    John Hamilton|Aug 12, 2021

    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...

  • Residents help others through blood drives

    John Dowd|Aug 12, 2021

    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...

  • TF man faces drug charges

    John Dowd|Aug 12, 2021

    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...

  • Justice Court

    Aug 12, 2021

    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....

  • Sheriff's Log

    Aug 12, 2021

    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...

  • Defendant argues for bail, release

    JOhn Dowd|Aug 12, 2021

    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...

  • Hot Springs schools ready for new year

    Miriah Kardelis|Aug 12, 2021

    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...

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