Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Joshua Alan McKnight was found guilty of a felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, following a jury trial on September 12, 2022 with Judge Molly Owen presiding. McKnight appeared with his attorney, Robert Long, at the start of the trial, however, McKnight failed to come back before the court after the lunch recess. Following discussion and further instruction from Judge Owen, the trial continued in McKnight’s absence. Judge Owen set sentencing for this matter on December 13, 2022. An arrest warrant was issued and served on M...
by Annie Wooden The Cabinet Ridge Riders (CRR) say they are moving forward with plans to rebuild the warming hut structure near Gem Peak outside of Trout Creek and that they hope to have reconstruction done before snow flies. CRR members met with Sanders County Commissioners and Cabinet District Ranger Mike Feiger on Tuesday to discuss plans for reconstruction. The county will maintain the special use permit with the Forest Service until construction of the new warming hut is completed, then CRR will pursue their own application for the...
This year's fair had some minor problems, but overall it went well, said Sanders County Fair Commission Chairman Randy Woods, who spent much of the week roaming the grounds and helping in various capacities, whether it was answering questions in the office, directing foot traffic or running the water truck for events. "We're still learning and with more people coming we're still learning, but now we need to polish the turd," said Woods at the fair board annual recap meeting at the fairgrounds...
The Clark Fork Valley Elks got into the fall spirit with an Oktoberfest celebration Saturday at the lodge in Thompson Falls. Organizer and Elks member Beth Moore said the event hadn't occurred since 2019, and they were excited to bring the community together again. Oktoberfest is traditionally a beer festival in Germany, but Elks volunteers provided family-friendly fun including games and crafts with German polka music filling the patio area of the lodge. Along with fun and games, Elks chef RT...
Dozens of community members spent a Saturday morning getting to know nature at the Forest Fest in Thompson Falls. The event was presented by Eastern Sanders County Collaborative, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness and Kaniksu Land Trust and featured demonstrations and information about forests and forest land management. The morning demonstrations were held at the Mule Pasture north of Thompson Falls. Guests received information from organizations including the sponsors, Kootenai Forest Stake...
Montana Highway Patrol Adam Aziz, 38, operating without liability insurance, 1st offense, $275; driving while privilege suspended/revoked, 1st offense, $285. Tyler Ashlock, 34, driving while privilege suspended/revoked, 1st offense, $335. Anthony Henkel, 34, driving without valid driver's license, $235. James Borgmann, 39, seatbelt violation, $20; operating without liability insurance, 4th or subsequent offense, $525, 10 days jail with 3 days time served; driving while privilege suspended/revoked, 1st offense, $285. Christopher Matson, 58, care...
After retiring from 20 years as a personal chef, Valerie Zlendick has found her way back to the kitchen, taking on a new venture. Zlendick started Z-Best Pretzels a year ago and says so far, business is good. "I was always making them for parties and everybody said I should start selling them," Zlendick said. Those who stopped by Zlendick's booth at the Huckleberry Festival were a lucky bunch, as she sold out of product during the weekend, which she says was only the second time selling her...
A staff member's vehicle caught fire Thursday afternoon at Thompson Falls Elementary School. Vehicle owner Callie Jacobson said Krystal Park discovered the fire and notified Jacobson only minutes after she returned from lunch. "The only thing I could think about was, 'is everyone ok?'" she said. Jacobson was not injured and was told by fire fighters that the fire appeared to have been caused by electrical issues. Elementary principal Len Dorscher said no other faculty members, students, cars or...
The new Plains sewage treatment plant is getting closer to completion and might be operational by the end of October, said Mayor Dan Rowan, who visits the site to get a progress report almost weekly. "This is huge for Plains; it's been in the works for years," said Rowan, who turned down a temporary appointment as a commissioner to see the project through. Rowan has been pleased with the progress and is hopeful the project will be done by contract deadline, which is October 16. However, Ed...
Gaining insight into what watershed conservation looks like coincides with the mission of local nonprofit organization Project ASCENT, which is to introduce participants into the natural world through education and expedition. This summer, two Project ASCENT interns had the opportunity to team up with Lower Clark Fork Watershed Group (LCFWG) to learn about and be a part of their continuous conservation efforts. “One of the largest ongoing projects is in the Bull River where we are partnering w...
The Sanders County Elections office has a new office space with more room to focus on county election procedures. The office, which was previously located within the Clerk and Recorder's office at the courthouse, has moved across Jefferson Street to 1037 W. Main St., Suite 102. The location was formerly rented by the Montana Department of Revenue and is next door to Clark Fork Title. "We needed more room and this allows us a more focused approach to elections," Election Administrator McKenna...
It was a busy summer for the Thompson Falls City Pool. Manager Sandra Kazmierczak detailed the 2022 pool season for the city council at its meeting Monday. Kazmierczak said the 10-week season from the June 13 opening to the August 19 closing was great. “We had a strong staff that interacted well with the public,” she noted. Mayor Mark Sheets commended how well the pool staff did despite challenges. Sheets noted that the pool ran on reduced hours due to a smaller number of lifeguard applicants. “I was very thankful to have such a great staff...
Community groups have come together to plan a day of fun in the forest on Saturday, September 17, at the Mule Pasture in Thompson Falls. The Forest Fest is an outdoor educational event for forestland owners and those who enjoy living near the forest. The free event will offer demonstrations, information and activities for all ages. The Mule Pasture is located just north of Thompson Falls Elementary School on N. Columbia Street. The land is owned by the U.S. Forest Service and offers several miles of family friendly trails through 150 acres of...
Montana Highway Patrol Taira Flute, 40, seatbelt violation, $20. Nathan Phillips, 23, careless driving, $85. James Cummings, 49, seatbelt violation, $20. Joel Romansky, 39, seatbelt violation, $20. Jeremiah Andrick, 43, day speeding, $120. Ethan Tijerina, 19, violation in a construction zone, $85; seatbelt violation, $20. Shannon Creekmore, 40, speeding in a restricted zone, $105. Teresa Kelly, 62, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Ryan Lawrence, 48, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Lucas McGregor, 31, speeding in a restricted zone, $95....
Ambulance: Plains, 9; T. Falls, 7; Trout Creek, 4; Hot Springs, 2; Heron, 2; Dixon, 1. Monday, September 5 Body found/coroner, Plains. Property damage/criminal mischief, T. Falls. Livestock, Dixon. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Assist motorist/citizen, Plains. Theft, Trout Creek. General animal call/complaint, Plains. Civil attempts. Theft, Dixon. General animal call/complaint, T. Falls. Suspicious activity, Hot Springs. Civil attempts, Hot Springs. Trespass, Dixon. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Road hazard/blockage, Dixon. Fire, Heron....
Chazarae Swaney appeared before Judge Molly Owen on Tuesday in 20th District Judicial Court with her attorney, Britt Cotter, for a change of plea hearing. Per the presented plea agreement, Swaney pled guilty to an amended felony count of criminal endangerment. Sentencing was set for October 25, 2022. Matthew McCrossen also came before the court for a change of plea. McCrossen entered guilty pleas, with the assistance of his attorney, to three felony counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Judge Owen set sentencing for October 25,...
School is back in session for Thompson Falls High School (TFHS) with some new and exciting additions for the students. With current enrollment standing at 202, the school was able to add a second full-time English teacher and a full-time business teacher. The school's GEAR UP liaison is now serving in the position full time rather than splitting time with her other teaching responsibilities. The school's art teacher is now offering one more art class at the high school this year. "Adding...
by Annie Wooden Several wildfires are burning on the west end of Sanders County. The lightning-caused fires were the result of recent thunderstorm activity. The Kootenai Ranger District is referring to a group of fires as the Bull Gin Complex, which as of Tuesday encompassed 834 acres and was 0% contained.. Included in that complex is the Government Fire, which is visible from Noxon and Highway 200. The fire is estimated at more than 202 acres and over the weekend, a helicopter dumped buckets of...
Thousands of residents and visitors gathered last weekend for the annual Sanders County Fair & Rodeo. For four days, the Sanders County Fairgrounds were busy with carnival rides, three nights of rodeo action, 4-H project judging and animal shows and endless entertainment. Clockwise from left: Judge Jodi Pauly talks with South Side Sparks member Colt Browning in the junior swine competition. Rides at the Sanders County Fair give adults and kids alike the thrill of speed. Easton Deal of Thompson...
Aaron Eugene McLaughlin appeared before Judge John W. Larson on August 30 for sentencing. McLaughlin in June was found guilty of deliberate homicide by a jury in the October 2020 death of his roommate, Raymond Wachlin. Judge Larson handed down a sentence of 80 years in the Montana State Prison, with no time suspended and credit for 693 days time served. McLaughlin killed his roommate in October 2020 by blunt force trauma that caused a massive brain hemorrhage. McLaughlin called 911 after the assault and said he beat the victim, Raymond R....
Montana Highway Patrol Marilyn Sisler, 62, seatbelt violation, $20. Anthony Zimmerman, 47, failure to have child properly restrained, $85. Serenity Barrus, 17, right of way violation, $85. Jacob Soennichsen, 36, violation in a work zone, $65. Derek Kloberdanz, 33, seatbelt violation, $20. Stefanie Martin, 45, speeding in a restricted zone, $105. Derrick Winslow, 29, speeding in a restricted zone, $95. Shantonu Biswas, 36, passing in a no passing zone, $85. Stan Sinclair, 77, passing in a no passing zone, $85. Elizabeth Perry-Walters, 61,...
Ambulance: Plains, 13; T. Falls, 9; Hot Springs, 6; Noxon, 3; Trout Creek, 1; Paradise, 1; Dixon, 1. Sunday, August 28 Motor vehicle crash, Perma. Motor vehicle crash, Dixon. Livestock, Plains. Livestock, Plains. General animal call/complaint, Hot Springs. Child custody issues, T. Falls. Civil attempts, Paradise. Civil attempts, Dixon. Attempt to locate, Hot Springs. Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Welfare check, Plains. Monday, August 29 Suspicious activity, T. Falls. General animal call/complaint, Plains. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Theft,...
Seconds after the 4-H poultry showmanship competition ended Friday and Claire Wrobleski was told she had taken the grand champion title in the senior division, her bird, "Coyote," took flight and landed in the rafters, discharging feces matter below. Doug Horner, the rabbit barn superintendent, was able to climb up and get the bird down. Poultry Judge Gordon Cummings smiled and told her that she was lucky the bird took off after the show was officially over. He said a similar thing happened to...
The Sanders County Demolition Derby was a big success with a complete sellout with 3,868 tickets sold for the three and a half-hour show. "They definitely got their money's worth, it was a great show," said Randy Woods, the fair board chairman, who received comments from dozens of people telling him it was the best derby they had seen. The fair made $121,868 on the derby alone, the biggest moneymaker of the fair. Nearly 30 cars were part of the "Carnage on the Clark Fork" Sunday evening, the...
Having a horse in a parade is not unusual, but a green one seems to stand out, especially when it's being pulled by people. The horse is a painting done by local artists to pay tribute to Green Star Families - those who lost veteran family members to suicide - an epidemic that seems to be a constant rise in the United States, according to David Williams, who created the Green Star painting four years ago with Plains resident Hailee Steinebach. Williams is also the founder of Joint Operation...
