Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Some Sanders County school districts received email threats late Tuesday, but law enforcement says the threats are not credible. Administrators at Thompson Falls and Hot Springs schools received bomb threat emails around 8 p.m. Tuesday. Thompson Falls Superintendent Bud Scully said he did not see the email until the morning because it went to his spam folder. Scully said the threat was not credible. “We notified law enforcement and the Montana Attorney General has been notified as well,” Scully said Wednesday. “We do everything we can to keep...
The failed sewer system in Paradise is creating frustrations for at least one resident. At the Sanders County Board of Health meeting last Wednesday at the courthouse, Seth Beech expressed concerns about property he owns in Paradise. Beech owns a lot in Paradise on which there were two existing dwellings and to which he added a trailer in December 2023. "I understood I had usage of that septic because it encroaches over the property line," Beech told the board of health. A dwelling on Beech's...
The new Sanders County Fair manager gave a surprise during her first board meeting last week. Manager Kristy Sheehan was able to find a new carnival company for the Sanders County Fair, something the board felt would be almost impossible to do. The owner of the last carnival, Paradise Amusements of Post Falls, Idaho, said they would not be returning to the Sanders County Fair because of all the complaints. Sheehan told the fair board at last Wednesday's meeting that she's waiting for a bid from...
Ronnie Maxwell Goodrum made his initial appearance before Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher on Tuesday, pleading not guilty to a felony count of assault with a weapon. A jury trial was set for June 3, 2024. According to the filed affidavit, on December 26, 2023, Thompson Falls Chief of Police Chris Nichols received a call from Sanders County dispatch regarding a report from a resident saying that Goodrum had been at his home, making threats, and refusing to leave. The resident stated that Goodrum was attempting to locate his ex-girlfriend, who wa...
Montana Highway Patrol Tuesday Yocum, 31, failure to carry/exhibit proof of insurance in vehicle, 1st offense, $85. James Petersen, 67, seatbelt violation, $20; speeding in a restricted zone, $65. Louis Vanicek, 19, speeding in a restriction zone, $85. Hipolito Chacon, 60, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Melissa Phillips, 39, speeding in a restricted zone, $105. Wayne Trahan, 42, careless driving, $75; operating without liability insurance in effect, 1st offense, $285. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Dean Miller, Jr., 26, speeding in a rest...
Ambulance: Plains, 12; T. Falls, 7; Hot Springs, 4; Dixon, 2; Trout Creek, 1; Camas Prairie, 1; Noxon, 1; Heron, 1. Monday, January 8 Nuisance complaints, Hot Springs. Disturbance, Plains. Fire, Plains. Inmate transport. Inmate transport, Plains. Disturbance. Motor vehicle crash, Plains. Body found/coroner, Lonepine. Protection order violation, T. Falls. Threats, Plains. Motor vehicle crash, Plains. Tuesday, January 9 Fire, Hot Springs. Welfare check, T. Falls. Protection order violation. Intimidation/harassment, T. Falls. Assist other agency,...
Mayor Joel Banham has spent the last week going through files and familiarizing himself with his newly appointed duties. He's no stranger to the workings of council, since he'd been a council member of Ward 2 for seven years, but he said he was nervous with his first council meeting in the executive position. "But that comes with any new responsibility. Just taking things one day at a time and learning as I go," he said later. Nearly 20 people attended the council meeting, including former...
Ainsworth Park in Thompson Falls is getting an upgrade thanks to a donation by a local company. At Monday's meeting of the city council, held in the junior high gym and attended by more than 30 people, Mayor Rusti Leivestad announced that Montana-Dakota Services, Inc. (MDS) of Thompson Falls is donating more than $100,000 for playground equipment for the park. The playground equipment will include two separate installations, with a large structure on one side of the park and some equipment suita...
After a relatively mild holiday season weather-wise, winter came to Sanders County this week, with more than 6 inches of snow reported in some areas. Road crews were busy clearing streets for residents as one business owner said they couldn't shovel fast enough on Thursday. School has been canceled in Thompson Falls, Noxon and Trout Creek for Friday, Jan. 12. The Thompson Falls wrestling team will not be traveling to Choteau and the Blue Hawk basketball games in Eureka set for Saturday have...
Sanders County businesses have been awarded funding to purchase electric buses. A press release on Monday announced that Thompson Falls, Trout Creek and Dixon schools will benefit from the Clean School Bus Program grants. Funding for the buses is from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). “In rural Montana, school buses are the vital link between families and the nearest school—and it’s critical that these buses are safe, up-to-date, and efficient,” said Senator Jon Tester. “I’m proud to see my bipartisan infrastruct...
The new Sanders County Sanitarian, Jeremy Leavitt, is learning the ropes with training in Helena and continuing classes as he takes on the responsibilities of his new position. Leavitt moved to Thompson Falls from Yakima, Washington, where he worked for a large produce company. Leavitt, born in Spokane, grew up in Wenatchee and went to pharmacy school in Eastern Washington. He sold pharmaceuticals when he finished college. "I have a strong background knowledge of environmental health and...
Anthony T. Worth appeared before Judge Molly Owen on Tuesday, pleading guilty to one felony charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, as well as three misdemeanor charges of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended/revoked, and a seatbelt violation. A jury trial was set for June 24, 2024. According to the filed affidavit, on November 23, 2023, Trooper Steven Spurr was patrolling Upper Lynch Creek Road near Plains when he observed a white box truck exceeding the posted speed limit. As he slowed his patrol vehicl...
Montana Highway Patrol Samuel Deal, Jr., 66, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Anton Lobanovskiy, 28, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Devon Lunsford, 50, day speeding, $20. Kyran Neer, 22, stop sign violation, $85. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Jillian Hanson, 24, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Christian Gingerich, 20, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Motor Carrier Services Juan Ramirez, 35, failure to purchase trip permit immediately upon arrival in state, $85....
Ambulance: Plains, 11; Hot Springs, 4; T. Falls, 4; Trout Creek, 2; Heron, 1. Monday, January 1 Disturbance, Plains. Fire, Noxon. Child welfare/abuse, Heron. Suspicious activity, Plains. Suspicious activity, Plains. Tuesday, January 2 Suspicious activity, Hot Springs. Suspicious activity, Plains. Suspicious activity, Trout Creek. Welfare check, T. Falls. Intimidation/harassment. Civil attempts. Civil attempts. Intimidation/harassment, Plains. Wednesday, January 3 Assist motorist/citizen, Hot Springs. Disturbance, T. Falls. Civil attempts....
“Elections: Integrity and Involvement” will be the theme of a bi-partisan forum Sunday, Jan. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m., at The Paradise Center. The forum will feature three presenters from a broad spectrum of political backgrounds. Jesse Mullen, Democratic candidate for Secretary of State, will report on the role of the SOS to continue to assure voters of the integrity of Montana's election process and the findings resulting from the state legislature’s 2023 Election Integrity Commission which confirmed the integrity of Montana’s election process...
The Forest Service invites the public to provide feedback on the Wilkes Cherry Project on the Plains/Thompson Ranger District, located south of Thompson Falls in Sanders County. This project includes a variety of management activities supporting vegetation, fuels reduction, road management, watershed improvement and recreation management on nearly 68,000 within the Wilkes Cherry and Cherry Creek drainages on the Lolo National Forest. The project includes activities that aim to reduce fuels, restore vegetation conditions, update existing...
The owner of the newest fitness center in Plains is really pumped to open up its establishment and feels it'll provide a needed activity in the community. Rebecca and Matt Fields of Plains opened up their Warrior Fitness gym this week and even though they had some minor painting and touch up work to do, members were utilizing the facility and exercise classes were already taking place. "I have always had a passion to help others reach their goals to be healthier and move better," said Rebecca...
Montana legislators voted last week to not have a special session. A majority of at least 76 legislators was needed to approve the call for the special session. Only 55 legislators (54 Republicans and one Democrat) approved the call, including 37 in the state House of Representatives and 18 in the state Senate. Sanders County legislators Bob Brown and Paul Fielder voted in favor of the special session and Representative Denley Loge voted against the special session. The Montana Freedom Caucus, a group of 21 Republican legislators (including...
Maralee Schall had an experience that forced her to take the leap and open the store that she had been wanting to for years. For eight years Scholl worked from home in her basement. She sold Lularoe clothing and then started buying and selling accessories such as jewelry. Selling the clothing and other items online, Schall said she became bored with the business. Scholl knew that she wanted to do more but was reluctant to leave the security of her home. In July 2023, the decision was made for...
Nicholas Ray Needles pleaded not guilty to six felony counts of incest before Judge Deborah Kim Christopher on Tuesday during his arraignment. As Judge John Larson has assumed jurisdiction over this matter after a motion for substitution of judge, Judge Christopher held the arraignment on his behalf. Judge Larson’s office will issue a date for the jury trial in the near future. As detailed in the filed affidavit, on November 16, Thompson Falls Police Officer Michael Derry was dispatched to a home in Thompson Falls following a report of possible...
Montana Highway Patrol Robert Johnson-Holiman, 23, reckless driving, 1st offense, $285; operating with expired registration, $75. Ashley Sanford, 27, speeding in a restricted zone, $85. Brian Kester, 43, owner permitting operation of vehicle without liability insurance, 1st offense, $285. Daniel Maus, 33, speeding in a restricted zone, $55. Robert Berg, 70, seatbelt violation, $20; operating with expired registration, $85. Michael Brooks, 56, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Thomas Larson, 73, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Sanders...
Ambulance: Plains, 8; Trout Creek, 6; T. Falls, 6; Hot Springs, 5; Dixon, 4; Camas Prairie, 2; Heron, 1. Monday, December 25 Fire, Hot Springs. Motor vehicle crash, Trout Creek. Welfare check, Plains. Suspicious activity, Plains. Child welfare/abuse, T. Falls. USFS campground check, Trout Creek. Livestock, Plains. Business contact. Business contact, T. Falls. Child custody issues, T. Falls. Juvenile runaway, Heron. Tuesday, December 26 Person missing, Paradise. Fire, T. Falls. Threats, T. Falls. Livestock, Hot Springs. Motor vehicle crash,...
Starting Jan. 1, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will require Hunter and Bowhunter Education students aged 12 to 17 who take the online course to pass an in-person field day. Students in that age group must pass both the online exam and the field day to earn a course completion certificate. For Hunter Education, the in-person field day will require students to practice and demonstrate key safety skills related to firearm handling, the four main rules of firearm safety, and the PROVE procedure, which stands for “Point, Remove, Observe, Verify, a...
The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) located in Plains has a long-range plan that was compiled and updated at their October 2022 meeting. “We will be having another meeting sometime in 2024,” Dillon Martini at the Plains office said. The report covers all of Sanders County and includes information from land ownership to the prioritized projects for NRCS’s financial incentive programs. The report looks at population growth in Sanders County and its effects on water usage, soil concerns and forestry. The plan combines local and regio...
by Lolo National Forest The Lolo National Forest would like to express their appreciation to the community of Thompson Falls for their continued engagement in discussions around “The Orchard.” “I want to sincerely thank the community residents and the partners involved for their time and input regarding the piece of land now called The Orchard,” said Carolyn Upton, Forest Supervisor, Lolo National Forest. For the last couple of years, the community has been engaging in conversations around 150 acres of Forest Service lands recently named ...
