Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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A few years ago I was talking with a man who raised an interesting question: “There’s only one God, why do we need so many different churches?” I let that one slide right by because I like to limit my controversial discussions to politics, for better or worse. But I was curious as to why he belonged to the church he did and not another one of the some 200 Christian denominations in America. I didn’t raise that point, either. Religion is a serious topic in America and has been ever since the Pil...
I am writing to express my appreciation for the support from our community of the Thompson Falls Class of 2024. As a parent of a graduating senior as well as one of the senior class advisors, I am astounded by the generosity of the local businesses and residents. As a teacher, I have respect and admiration for the residents and organizations who go out of their way to provide scholarship opportunities for students to continue their education beyond high school. Furthermore, many local businesses and residents donated to the Class of 2024 so...
The Ladies League had another stunning day of golf at the River’s Bend Golf Course, with Tina Wheeler and Jeanne Holleran getting the low team gross score of 102. Danice Toyias and Kristy Beaty earned the low team net score with a 69, while Tina Wheeler earned the low individual gross score with 46. Chris Kelly earned the low individual net score with 32. Annie Wooden earned the closest to pin on No. 1, while Katie Miller earned the closest to pin on No. 2. Kelly Wheeler earned the closest to pin on No. 5, while Healy Ramey earned the c...
The primary election is over. While we didn't have many local races on the ballots in the primary, statewide and federal elections are heating up. Turning on a local television or radio station, you'll see even more aggressive ads for congressional candidates. Campaign signs will become more prominent on the Sanders County landscape as the general election nears. There's so much attention on the people running for office and political issues that sometimes we lose focus on the hard work that is happening right here in our communities. Every...
Recently I had the good fortune to travel to Maine, a state I’d never been to and wanted to visit since I was a teenager and became obsessed with Stephen King and later Elizabeth Strout. When our local librarian, Jennifer Z., moved there, I hounded her for updates until she admitted, (and I paraphrase) “it’s a lot like Montana but with more people and an ocean.” I still wanted to go see it for myself, but it reinforced a belief I hold that Montana truly is the last best place because of the lack of population (there are other reasons of cour...
by Rusti Leivestad, Thompson Falls Mayor Thompson Falls city water system is part of the original water system built for the railroad in the late 1800’s. The City’s water supply system consists of a spring supply source (Ashley Creek watershed), two operating water wells, two concrete storage reservoirs, transmission mains and the distribution system. A Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) in 2005 showed the existing water supply had adequate capacity to serve the community through 2025. (This projection was based on the service at that tim...
Earlier this year, at the request of the city, the Department of Transportation extended the 25 mph and 35 mph speed zones in Thompson Falls. With that, there was a request to add speed radar signs that warn approaching motorists of their speed. The Thompson Falls Woman's Club has taken on fundraising for the speed radar signs, which run about $5,000 each. TFWC felt that the signs were so important that they started the fundraising effort as one of their community service projects. They have solicited donations from local businesses and...
I don’t know when the Merriam turkey was introduced to Western Montana, but it was and they have prospered. I can vouch for it. In the 1980s and 90s I broke out about 65 acres of timberland into cropland and I planted a lot of oats to “tame the soil”. I put up a lot of the oats as hay and word spread fast in turkey-dom. In short-order my haystacks began to look like the rear end of a threshing machine because the turkeys scratched the bales to get at the oat kernels and popped all the strin...
Do you ever feel like a book finds you when you need it? Like the Universe or God or the interconnectedness of all things is working together to ensure you read a book when you need it most? May was one of those months. Nearly every book that found its way to me came when I needed it most. Now, I’m hoping all the summer books find me: the books that are light, quick, and full of love, humor, and easily resolved problems. Recommendations wanted. In May I read 14 books, 10 of which were four stars or better. Here they are, in no particular o...
May has been a wet, but beautiful month and the flowers were gorgeous. As to the real estate market, spring definitely sprang! The only stats that were down were average sold price for homes and average list price for land. All other categories were up or the same. Which means the market is churning toward balance. The inventory levels pushed up, with inventory still feeling low, but on the rise and prices actually came down for the average sale on residential over Sanders County. Average land...
June 1 marks seven years since I bought The Ledger. On June 1, 2017, I walked in The Ledger and then owners Tom and Bina Eggensperger announced to the staff - many who I had worked with when I was in high school - that I had bought the business. It was the scariest and most exciting day of my life. I've worked at newspapers in some capacity since I was 15. Even when my career path ventured into other industries, I worked as a freelance journalist. Owning a business and being responsible for information that goes out to a whole county, as well a...
Annie, My name is Linda Weygint. I presented the Budget on May 14 at the Rex. My main reason for this presentation was to bring "awareness" to the citizens of their Constitutional Rights as afforded to them by the Constitution of the State of Montana ....Right to Participation, Right to Know and Freedom of Speech. I had tried on more than one occasion to exercise these rights at City Council meetings. I have met with Mayor Rusti and City Clerk Chelsea and had a very productive and positive meeting on May 22. City Hall was well aware of this...
Bruce Springsteen recorded “57 Channels and Nothin’ On” in 1992. We’ve made incredible — ahem — “progress” since. Thirty-two years later, there are over 100 networks, some of which broadcast on multiple channels; giving us so many choices that even the internet doesn’t know how many we have. In fact, the internet is home to its very own channels. Not all channels come with advertising, but most do. Vehicles that make your neighbors jealous while making you, your kids and your pets ecstatic — and improve your sex life. Drugs for every ailment k...
I attended a forum last Tuesday called "Sanders County Talks". The forum, on flyers posted throughout town, was billed as "an engaging community event where facts meet discussion." In attendance were more than 90 community members in person and another couple dozen via Zoom. Presenters talked about their issues with local government. One presenter gave information about how a budget works and what information should be included with a budget or financial report. I attend nearly every city council meeting and many of the meetings with the Sander...
The furor over immigration is an issue that won’t go away – can’t go away – because once it does it will no longer provide political ammunition for Republicans to use against the Democratic Party. The easiest way for Republicans to win politically on that issue is to propose solutions that – at least to Democrats – defy logic and are unrealistic. Why? Because Democrats are suckers for logic and reject solutions that don’t make sense “logically”. Years of failure by Democrats to deal with thei...
I was a part-time resident of Plains for 15 years, and now full time for the last two. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know reporter/photographer, Ed Moreth. I am writing this letter to share what a remarkable man Ed is and he is a great representative of the Ledger. I have been interviewed by Ed several times and present at many events that he has covered. Ed is always polite, respectful, and professional. He really cares about his community and the stories he writes. Ed is well known throughout the town of Plains and...
Better late than never! I hope that I am one of many senior citizens who thank all the great, caring people who volunteered hours and hard work cleaning up yards during Beautification Days. I very much appreciated being one of the persons on their list. I sincerely thank everyone from the coordinators to the volunteers who raked my leaves. I am most grateful. Carol Baylor, Thompson Falls...
Greetings, fellow travelers! I'm thrilled to introduce myself as your local travel advisor and the new writer for the Ledger's travel column, "Let's Talk Travel". My husband and I moved to Trout Creek a few years ago, and we love calling it our full-time home. In March 2023, I purchased the travel agency with our son, and we are proud to be a Veteran Owned Business. Even before becoming a resident, I was an avid subscriber to the Ledger. Interestingly, my dad, Blaine Blackstone, also had a column here for a while! I'm excited to contribute...
Dear Main Street Business Owners, For many businesses on Main Street Thompson Falls, it has become obvious that the 25 mile per hour speed limit designed to allow pedestrians and motorists to travel safely on Main Street is seldom obeyed. This puts pedestrians at risk and prevents motorists from safely taking advantage of parking along Main Street with the ability to get into and out of traffic flow. Maintaining the proper speed allows motorists to stop and shop at local businesses, the heartbeat of our community, safely. As a solution, the...
I remember being in high school when the movie Titanic was released. My friend and I drove to Missoula to see it on opening weekend. It was a big deal to be able to go to the big city for opening weekend of a movie. That was a whole decade before Netflix first started its streaming service. Now, you can rent a movie and watch it from your own home. However, you miss the joys of the theater. The buttery popcorn, the fountain soda, the oversized boxes of candy and the energy that comes from a crowd breaking out in laughter or screaming and...
Thank you! When I first moved to Thompson Falls almost 10 years ago I was amazed at the way the community came together to help people in need. Fundraisers, auctions and spaghetti dinners were just some of the ways those in need were helped. It really didn’t seem to matter what your views were, what church you went to, or your politics. It was all about people helping people. What has happened? Why have we forgotten that it’s the people who make a town. Why are we judging people who decided to sell their homes & businesses to “outsiders”? Why a...
The Local Government Review (LGR) seems to still generate questions. The 1972 Constitution mandated this be put before the electorate every 10 years. And FYI – what this is not – among other things: Removing or disciplining staff members or individuals serving in public office, Adding, changing, or removing services, programs, policies or ordinances, Changing the election process, Fees, assessments, taxes, or other services funding mechanisms. I’ve written Mayor’s Corner articles to give an overview and links for information. Montana State U...
It’s the last few days of spring and we’re heading so quickly into summer my head is spinning, although that may be the pollen. Already, we’re looking at pool hours and swimming lessons, at camping trips and vacations, at summer reading lists and summer camps. It’s also the time when everyone scurries to finish cleaning and decluttering, gearing up for the annual Sanders Saleing event next month. The other day at the library, another mom and I were discussing the clutter in our homes, the need to really get in there and clean everyth...
A frequent question I get asked when someone applies for a loan is whether pulling their credit report is going to affect their credit score. The answer to that question is “it might.” In general, inquiries have a small impact. A single inquiry can lower your score by less than five points. Inquiries only represent one type of characteristic and account for less than 10% of the score. Credit scoring models use specialized logic that accounts for rate shopping for student, auto and mortgage loans. In general, student loan, auto and mortgage rel...
A couple weeks ago, I wrote on the lost art of communication. It seems more arguing gets done during some public meetings than actual work. Last week as citizens and commissioners debated the issue of whether or not to have local candidates list political party affiliation on ballots, there was productive discourse and it gave me hope. Jim Elliott of Trout Creek and Greg Hinkle of Thompson Falls, who historically identify with opposite political parties, weren’t so divided in that meeting. A long-time Republican and a long-time Democrat had a...
