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Sanders County Health Nurse Debbie Lang reported at last week’s Board of Health meeting that the county will no longer be administering COVID vaccines. “This is for safety reasons,” Lang told the board and community members at last Wednesday’s meeting. During public comment, Mindy Ferrell from Trout Creek voiced her concern about COVID vaccine availability. She was against the county ending this service because she feels that there are not enough options for people who cannot make the trip to Missoula or other distances to get vaccina...
The Sanders County Health Department offers free flu shots for the season. Last Wednesday, the department's tent was set up at the rural fire hall at the west end of Thompson Falls. It was in operation from noon to 4 p.m. "We have had 40 people so far today," said Lisa Richmond, the public health assistant. That was at 2 p.m. "On Tuesday they administered a total of 49 shots in Trout Creek," said Bill Naegeli, the Sanders County Emergency Manager. Ashley Bache, who works for the county as the...
by Shannon Brown The Dollar General will be opening in Thompson Falls in the near future. The first one to open in Montana was in Columbia Falls, in September 2023. "The new store at 1092 Main Street in Thompson Falls is currently under construction and is slated to open in fall 2023," a Dollar General Public Relations representative told The Ledger. The Dollar General's mission is serving others, the company representative said in an email. "Dollar General is deeply involved in the communities...
Cancer Network of Sanders County (CNSC) switched up their fall fundraiser this year, holding the event at the Elks Lodge in Thompson Falls. About 100 attendees enjoyed a prime rib dinner and a Phantom of the Opera themed event with variety of fundraising activities. "This is completely amazing," CNSC President Shelly Bertrand said during Saturday's fundraiser. "I could never ask for a better turnout for one of our fundraisers." Bertrand introduced her fellow board members and noted that since...
NorthWestern Energy began lowering the drawdown of the reservoir above the Thompson Falls dam on Friday. Once the level is 16 feet below full pool, crews will work to replace wooden flash board on the main dam (left)....
Voters in Hot Springs and Thompson Falls will choose city council representatives this fall. The municipal general election is set for November 7. Sanders County Election Administrator McKenna Wallace said that ballots will be mailed October 18. The elections in Thompson Falls and Hot Springs will be held by mail. Ballots can be delivered to the Elections Office on Main Street in Thompson Falls across from the courthouse, or mailed. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. In Thompson Falls, three council...
Two Plains businesses are now merged under one owner and they continue to flourish as one. The 406 Outlet closed its doors at the old Town Pump building site several weeks ago and is now taking up space at Colleen's Country Store on the other side of town. Jessica (Holland) Gergen purchased Colleen's Country Store from Colleen Mesing at the end of September and moved her inventory alongside the country store's merchandise. Both businesses will be represented under one roof and the Colleen's...
Clark Fork Valley Hospital has a new doctor, but she's not new to Plains. "Barbie" Steward is a 2006 graduate of Plains High School. At 7 years old she was already operating heavy machinery at her father's rock business and as a teenager, she was benching over 200 pounds. Now she's Dr. Barbara Steward helping her former neighbors stay healthy. The 35-year-old Steward started at Clark Fork Valley Hospital last Monday and already has patients lined up. As the hospital's newest osteopathic physicia...
Sawtooth EMS will begin serving the Heron area next week. Sheriff Shawn Fielders told The Ledger on Tuesday that the sheriff’s office has agreed to dispatch the private ambulance service within the boundaries of the Heron Fire District. “We got a tremendous amount of comments both ways,” Sheriff Fielders said. “What it boiled down to was what was the best service for the community.” Fielders stated the target date is October 15 for dispatching to Sawtooth. He said a few tests have already been completed, with more scheduled for this week. He...
Ambulance: Plains, 11; T. Falls, 4; Hot Springs, 4; Noxon, 2; Dixon, 1; Heron, 1; Trout Creek, 1; Paradise, 1. Monday, October 2 Civil attempts. Civil attempts. Civil attempts. Fire, Plains. Assist other agency, Paradise. Tuesday, October 3 Automated alarm call, Hot Springs. Sexual assault, Heron. Road hazard/blockage, Plains. Assist motorist/citizen, Trout Creek. Sexual assault, Hot Springs. Suspicious activity, Hot Springs. Disturbance, Trout Creek. Suspicious activity, Plains. Theft, Paradise. Animal abuse, Hot Springs. General animal...
Montana Highway Patrol Veronica Richard, 25, driving while privilege suspended/revoked; obstructing peace officer/other public servant. Walter Bolieu, 57, driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, 2nd offense, 365 days jail with 360 suspended, time to be served as home arrest, 1 year probation, $1,335. Gary Hall, 54, seatbelt violation, $20; seatbelt violation, $20. Scott Benson, 62, failure to keep vehicle under control on mountain highway, $85; seatbelt violation, $20. Logan Dinkelspiel, 28, failure to give notice of accident by quickest...
Appearing for his initial appearance before Judge Molly Owen on Tuesday, Gordon Seymour Johnson pleaded not guilty to one misdemeanor charge of partner or family member assault, first offense, as well as felony charges of sexual intercourse without consent and assault with a weapon. Judge Owen set this matter for jury trial on March 11, 2024. Johnson’s attorney, Cheryl Copperstone, requested a bail reduction to an own recognizance release as Johnson has some medical issues requiring treatment and needs to return to his work as a wood cutter. C...
WARD 1 NAME: Catherine DeWitt Education: Graduate Nathan Hale High School, Seattle, WA; Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Bachelor of Science in Nursing University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Sigma Theta Tau Occupation: Retired RN. I worked as a Critical Care nurse for 35 years. What qualities make you a good candidate for council? First and foremost, I am good at problem-solving. I am a good listener and have been complimented on my diplomacy and peacemaking skills. When...
NAME: Crystal Graham Education: High School Diploma Occupation: Business Owner What qualities make you a good candidate for council? I feel that I am a team player with good communication skills. I keep a positive attitude and am willing to jump in and help solve problems that arise. I am very willing to learn new things as needed. I have lived in Hot Springs for 15 years and care about seeing the town and surrounding area thrive. What do you like about living in Hot Springs? I love how close our community members are, they truly come together...
The Plains Town Council passed five motions at its monthly meeting at City Hall last week, but the mayor and four council members present spent some 20 minutes on something that was suggested by a resident at last month's council meeting and tabled it until next month. Mayor Chris Allen put on the agenda the idea of the town having some type of written declaration or statement, possibly an ordinance, that allows for people in Plains to decide for themselves whether or not to mask up if the...
Local district rangers provided Sanders County Commissioners an update of the Plains/Thompson Falls and Cabinet districts last week. Former Thompson Falls resident Dan Castillo is back in the area with the Forest Service, serving as interim ranger for the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District until a new ranger is hired. Previous District Ranger David Wrobleski accepted a new position within the agency. Castillo has worked for the Forest Service for 25 years, with the last nine as a timber contracting officer for the Lolo National Forest. Casti...
The second year of Ag Day in Sanders County had a first time special attraction for the kids - "Barney the Bison" - and it wasn't a fake purple dinosaur, but a real life American buffalo. The 4-year-old bison from the Harlow Bison Ranch of Thompson Falls was one of a dozen stations - one more than last year - in the Second Annual Ag Day at the Sanders County Fairgrounds last Wednesday. "I'm so proud of our agriculture community in Sanders County and their willingness to volunteer to put on this...
Citing mounting challenges in staffing, training and patient numbers, Clark Fork Valley Hospital (CFVH) announced that they would be discontinuing the delivering of babies effective January 1, 2024. Hospital CEO Dr. Greg Hanson said it was like a perfect storm of challenges. “First, deliveries have steadily declined over the past 10 years, then it has become increasingly difficult to recruit sufficient skilled medical personnel to provide obstetrical care with round the clock coverage and finally the delivery volumes did not provide the o...
by Ed Moreth The Sanders County Fairgrounds manager has called it quits after more than four years at the helm. Melissa Cady put in her resignation last Thursday, citing health as her primary reason for moving on. "After this year because of my health and the stress of all that took place my doctor has advised me to seek a different path," said Cady in her resignation letter to Commissioner Tony Cox and Fair Commission Chairman Randy Woods. "It'll be extremely tough shoes to fill," said Woods,...
Another veteran suicide awareness month has come and gone, but the message is spreading, said Ed Foste, who has been putting up the flag display every year for the last six years. The retired Navy veteran added 22 American flags to the display each day, usually at dusk, to illustrate the 22 veterans that pass away each day from suicide. Saturday was the last day to add to this year's awareness exhibit, but it was the first time he had a World War II veteran assist with the flags. It took less...
Ambulance: Hot Springs, 10; T. Falls, 9; Plains, 8; Paradise, 2; Trout Creek, 1; Lonepine, 1; Heron, 1. Monday, September 25 Animal other, Hot Springs. Animal other, T. Falls. Inmate transport. Drugs/narcotics, Plains. Harassment/privacy in communications, Trout Creek. Livestock, Plains. Animal other, Dixon. Abandoned vehicle, Plains. Suspicious activity, Heron. Suspicious activity, Trout Creek. Protection order violation, T. Falls. Trespass, Hot Springs. Disturbance, Dixon. General animal call/complaint, Plains. Assist other agency, Dixon....
Montana Highway Patrol George Goatley, Jr., 68, seatbelt violation, $20. Simon Schiller, 23, day speeding, $120. Becky Freeman, 65, seatbelt violation, $20. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Jamie Giddings, 37, operating without liability insurance, 1st offense, $285. Motor Carrier Services Dale Meyer, 23, exceed 34,000 lbs tandem axle weight limit, $110; operating commercial motor vehicle without proper endorsement for type/passengers/cargo, $125....
Desiree Dawn Ballard appeared for an initial appearance before Judge Deborah “Kim: Christopher on Tuesday, entering not guilty pleas to a felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and a misdemeanor count of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. Judge Christopher set this matter for jury trial on February 19, 2024. As laid out in the charging documents, on August 30, after receiving credible information regarding possible drug activity at Ballard’s apartment, Sanders County Sheriff’s Deputy Devin Wegener received a searc...
The students at Plains School spent last week showing their school spirit and getting revved-up for its homecoming showdown against Arlee. The school had a myriad of activities throughout the week to get them excited and pumped, starting with "Spirit Days" last Monday, when they dressed up in Hispanic apparel, and finishing with the crowning event of naming the king and queen. "The big sombreros were pretty funny, and they had colorful ponchos," said Luanna Revier, who works in the front office...
For the second consecutive year, the Plains High School seniors were the winners in the annual Horsemen Olympics Friday afternoon, defeating the juniors by only one point. The scores between the four high school classes were within nine points, but the final tally put the seniors on top with 34 points and the junior class at 33 points. The sophomores finished with 27 points and the freshmen with 25 points. The Olympic games got off to a late start, but organizer Ken Nelson and the student counci...
