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Independently owned since 1905
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Offering propane gas delivery and fuel oil services, John's Fuel Farm has opened a location in Thompson Falls. The new site will allow the company to offer services to the entire county, year-round. "We are 100% locally owned and have been in the Mission Valley forever," said Levi Wadsworsh, John's Fuel Farm manager. Plans to open a new fuel farm developed last fall and Wadsworth says deliveries started in Thompson Falls at the end of July 2020. "The expansion of the propane market and changes...
Producers can list hay for sale or donation using Montana Hay Hotline As severe drought conditions and wildfires persist across the state, the Montana Department of Agriculture is reminding agricultural producers of the availability of the Hay Hotline, an online tool that connects those interested in buying, selling, or donating hay or pasture. The Hay Hotline allows producers to enter new listings with descriptions of the forage they have available to sell or donate. It also provides users with an option to search for available hay or...
The Water Resources Division (WRD) of Montana Dept. of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC) has launched new tools, including a fact sheet and a new webpage, to increase transparency and provide succinct data on water rights filings. Changing demographics and differing geologic and hydrologic conditions influence the number and type of water right applications filed statewide. The number of permits, changes, and exceptions has increased significantly over the past decade, generally coinciding with high growth areas and whether a basin is...
Paradise Gardens has had an army of workers tackling the flowing fields of purple over the last two weeks. They have a large tract to go and there's no end to the heat wave in sight. That doesn't impact the rows and rows of lavender to be harvested, but owner Paula Scoggins is concerned with the health of the 11 volunteers plucking and packing the plants and limits their time in the sun accordingly. "I want them to have fun and not act like it's just a job. You're hanging out with the bees and...
by John Dowd The serial number on a firearm found Sunday afternoon at the Flat Iron Fishing access site west of Thompson Falls matches that of a firearm purchased by former Thompson Falls Danielle Wood in 2018, according to court documents filed this week state. Wood is currently serving a 100-year sentence at the Montana State Women's Prison. According to a motion filed Tuesday in 20th Judicial District Court, the Sanders County Sheriff's Office was notified that a male had found a pistol in...
Too hot, too dry, too soon. The 2021 wildland fire season could very well turn into one of the longest campaigns in modern firefighting history if this area does not receive a break from the seemingly unending heat wave residents have been suffering through for several weeks now. As a result of the situation, Sanders County remains under Stage 2 fire restrictions and the current fire danger is rated at Extreme in all parts of the county. The organization in charge of more than 10...
The Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA) opened the new playground they have been working on for the last couple months. The Bob Green Memorial Playground unveiling brought more than 50 visitors to the park. According to TCCIA Board Chair Liz Stender, there was a lot of work and love put into it. "It looked like a shipwreck, leaning to its side, when we first got it," said Stender. The new pirate ship-themed playground was revitalized from Noxon and donated to the Trout Creek...
MT West Dentist in Plains has changed hands, but the previous owner and new owner hope to continue excellent care to its community of patients. Dr. Blake Sherwood and his wife, Dana, purchased MT West Dentist from Doctors Andrew and Elizabeth Ordelheide, who had the business since 2011 when it was in a rented building in downtown Plains. The Ordelheides then purchased the former Wildhorse Elementary School in 2015 and converted the 83-year-old building into a dental business. The Sherwoods and...
Montana Highway Patrol Kyle Hermann, 22, expired registration, $45; failure to carry proof of insurance, $75. Gary Lammert, 57, seatbelt violation, $20. Chanel Elder, 34, seatbelt violation, $20. Alexander Johnson, 27, day speeding, $70 Terra Clinkenbeard, 26, operating without insurance, 3rd offense, $85. Christopher Sommer, 27, day speeding, $20. Logan Goodwin, 23, following too closely, $85. Grace Kast, 57, failure to control vehicle, $85; open alcoholic beverage container, $75. Laura Calatayud, 41, day speeding, $70. Darren Greeno, 42, day...
Ambulance: Noxon, 2; T. Falls, 10; Hot Springs, 2; Trout Creek, 3; Plains, 8; Dixon, 1. Monday, July 12 General animal call or complaint, T. Falls. Theft, male reported chainsaw stolen over the weekend, T. Falls. Civil standby, Trout Creek. Nuisance complaints, Plains. Request for welfare check, Plains. Property damage/criminal mischief, Noxon. Suspicious activity, Hot Springs. Theft, T. Falls. Civil standby, T. Falls. Request for welfare check, Hot Springs. Person missing, T. Falls. Fire, Heron. Animal other, Trout Creek. Business contact, T....
The Town of Plains has applied for a new COVID-related grant that could mean a new well and help with several other water issues. With only six hours before the deadline, Mayor Dan Rowan filed a two-page American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) application to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation last Thursday. With the aid of Shari Johnson, the town's contracted engineer, Rowan listed four of the top priority projects, starting with asking for $1,375,000 for a new well, which Rowa...
The Foundation for Wildlife Management, a nonprofit organization based in Idaho, will host a Sanders County Chapter Fundraising Banquet on Saturday, July 24, at Sanders County Fairgrounds pavilion. The foundation’s mission is to promote population recovery in areas that have been negatively impacted by wolves. “It’s the first banquet in Sanders County but it’s also the first in Montana,” said Glen Schenavar, Sanders County Chapter Chairperson. “The foundation is here to educate the public on what the negative impact and successful reintroduct...
The Town of Plains is instituting a voluntary water restriction program in response to the lack of rain, the extensive heat, and the capability of the town’s water pumps to keep up with the community needs, particularly if a fire were to occur in town. The Declaration of Voluntary Water Use Restrictions was signed by Plains Mayor Dan Rowan on Monday. “Whereas, the citizens of the Town of Plains have experienced a pattern of severe weather, which has burdened the town in serving the potable water needs of the users ... it has been determined by...
Thompson Falls City Council met last week to discuss raising the sewer and water hookup rates. It was then sent to the Sewer and Water Committee for discussion. These fees would apply only to new connections to the system, according to Thompson Falls Mayor Mark Sheets. Currently, hooking up costs $350. The council was concerned about this because there are several lots where one house traditionally stood that may now have numerous “tiny homes.” Each of these small residences alone would place the same use and stress onto the system that the...
The first Plains road work of the year was done last week with new smooth asphalt on North Central Avenue. Plains resident Doug Wipplinger and his road crew completed the 440 feet on Central Avenue in front of the Assembly of God Church last Thursday, followed by two sections of West Lynch Street on Monday. Wipplinger said he planned to do some patchwork on McGowan Street later this week. Central Avenue had been next on the town's worst roads list created by Mayor Dan Rowan, the Plains Town...
For over 12 years Darla and Alan Reisinger have owned and operated Al's Sports Bar, Creekside Inn and Grill in Hot Springs. After the pandemic they found themselves needing some help to stay afloat. At several thousand dollars in the hole, the couple is, as Alan put it, "on our last leg." Alan and Darla bought the business in 2008 and have since provided a location, not only for sports fans, but the local community to use. The Hot Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lone Prairie Springs Post...
Job Service Thompson Falls says they are seeing more job listings than they ever have, according to a Facebook post on their page, Job Service Thompson Falls. Currently they have over 100 job listings throughout the county. The listings include a variety of employment opportunities from full to part-time. An array of fields is represented in those listings, from hospitality to food service and construction to schools. According to Erin Schock, manager for the services in both Sanders and Lake counties, this is “the most I have ever seen.” Sch...
Mortgage broker Renee Konstantine opened Montana Home Loans in Thompson Falls in January of this year. Notably in today's housing market, people are unaware of where to turn when they are unable to secure a loan through a bank or credit union. "I am a full-service brokerage," Konstantine said. "I can do a lot of things that some types of banks and credit unions are not able to do for various reasons." As a mortgage broker, Konstantine has the flexibility to shop around and find the right...
The real fireworks waited until after July 4 this year. Sparked by several thunderstorms carrying little precipitation but lots of lightning, over a dozen new forest fires sprang to life in Sanders County the morning of July 7, and several of them grew large quickly. Viewing the larger picture in western Montana and northern Idaho, the local fires are part of a huge wildfire bust which is ongoing across the entire Pacific Northwest and other parts of the country. Recognizing the complexity of...
If you didn't believe it before, believe it now – the wildfire situation in Sanders County is dire. Recognizing the danger presented by additional fire starts when several large fires are already burning in the area (see other story), the Sanders County Commissioners have elected to enact Stage II fire restrictions across the county beginning Saturday, July 17. Under Stage II guidelines, the building, maintaining, attending or using of a fire or campfire is prohibited; smoking, except within a...
For 30 years the Men's Prayer Group has been putting on the Chicken Jamboree, drawing in community members for a day of music, prayer and delicious chicken. "It's a lot of work, but it's worth it; I really enjoy doing this event," said Don Burrell, the man in charge of the Men's Prayer Group and who himself has been organizing the event for over 20 years. The food and music were free to all visitors, though donations were appreciated. The event got help from several other groups, including Reflections Academy and Wood Creek Academy (WCA),...
Three people were transported to Clark Fork Valley Hospital (CFVH) Thursday afternoon after a two-vehicle accident. The incident occurred about 1:15 p.m. Thursday on Highway 200 east of Thompson Falls, near Grocery Surplus, when a dump truck heading west struck the left side of a Thompson Falls ambulance. The ambulance was transporting a life flight patient to CFVH. Thompson Falls Rural First District (TFRFD) and Sanders County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene to sweep up debris...
Ambulance: Plains, 15; T. Falls, 15; Trout Creek, 1; Hot Springs, 1; Heron, 1; Paradise, 1. Monday, July 5 Fire, T. Falls. Fire, Plains. Harassment/privacy in communications, T. Falls. Motor vehicle crash, Heron. Disturbance, Paradise. Juvenile criminal, Heron. Disturbance, Hot Springs. Civil standby, T. Falls. Fireworks, Plains. Fireworks, Plains. Disturbance, T. Falls. Tuesday, July 6 Fireworks, Plains. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. General animal call or complaint, T. Falls. General animal call or complaints, Plains. Fire, Noxon. Assault,...
Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Christopher McCallum, 56, driving while privilege suspended or revoked, 2nd offense, $585; no liability insurance, 4th or subsequent offense, $525. Justin Mandagvit, 42, night speeding, $20. Stephanie Jewell, 40, day speeding, $20. Jace Beagle, 19, speeding in restricted zone, $55. Monil Shah, 29, speeding in restricted zone, $55. Timothy McKevitt, 33, speeding in restricted zone, $55. Roman Sparks, 18, day speeding, $20. Montana Highway Patrol Kody Carter, 17, seatbelt violation, $20. Kelly Indreland, 46, day s...
The Sanders County commissioners met last week with both Sanders County district rangers to discuss the 2021 fire season. According to the Plains/ Thompson Falls District Ranger, Dave Wrobleski, “We are about to head into what could be a potentially significant fire season. Where we are, this early in the year, could play into that.” With over 11 fires already, both rangers spoke to the commissioners about the upcoming threats of such a fire season. Mike Feiger compared it to the one in 2015. Feiger, of the Cabinet Ranger District, said tha...
