Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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I’ve never run for a political office and suspect I never will. There’s a reason. I don’t think I could do what I’ve seen career politicians (from all parties) do my entire life … straddle the fence. My personal integrity won’t allow it. Recent case in point, Montana Governor Steve Bullock. Last month, Gov. Bullock was interviewed by CNN reporter Jake Tapper. When asked if he would support a ban on assault weapons, Bullock responded, “You know, I would Jake.” Interesting! In his run for his sec...
The news last week that rising costs are forcing changes to the county’s recycling program really hit home. We have read articles about the amount of plastics in the oceans, the billions of tons of trash in landfills. We have to admit, we took for granted that the recycling program would be here and we could do a little bit to help the earth. The cuts to the county recycling program are hard. We’re thinking more about consumption (have you noticed local restaurants cutting back on straws unless you specifically ask for one) and waste. We...
Medicaid is so much more than just another insurance provider—my story is proof of that. When an abusive relationship set myself and my children back, I needed help to get back on my feet. With the help of Medicaid, I was able to bounce back and give my children the life they deserve. Montana’s decision to expand Medicaid included the creation of the Help-Link program to provide free workforce training programs to many Montanans covered under Medicaid. Thankfully, I was one of them. I was not looking for a handout, simply some assistance in get...
This is a congratulatory letter for Tyler Riffle, Karen Dykstra’s grandson. Karen, for years, has been the Floriculture Superintendent at the fair. And she used her grandson whenever she needed assistance. Over the years, the fair had used a program called ShoWorks for all open class entries. And to say it was user friendly would be untruthful. Well, Tyler got intrigued about the open class entry program and wrote the program the fair is currently using. What a God send the new program is. There is almost zero human action required; T...
It’s Labor Day, but organized labor doesn’t seem to be doing so well. Since 2012 six state legislatures have passed “right-to-work” laws, bringing the right-to-work total to 28 states, and the Supreme Court has recently decided a major case (Janus vs. AFSCME) by holding that government employees do not have to pay union dues if they don’t want to, thus disregarding the fact that those employees are entitled to all the benefits that the union negotiators have won. Once you get away from the...
With the passing of Arizona Sen. John McCain, we’ve heard a lot about his patriotism, his service and his commitment to this country. If you didn’t know before, after his passing you’ve learned more about his time as a prisoner of war and his leadership that kept him in the U.S. Senate for more than 30 years. What we were most moved by, however, was his strength and tenacity. Most people couldn’t survive five days, let alone five years, being held captive in Japan. And most people, when they are defeated in life, such as he was in the 2000 el...
Two weeks ago, during the fire that started along Highway 200 just west of Weeksville, I was told to prepare to evacuate. At the time I must have been in a mild state of shock as I really didn’t comprehend what the firefighter was talking about. As it turned out, all the regimented training that the various agencies involved had subjected their firefighters to paid off. While one landowner lost a mobile home and various equipment and two neighbors lost quite a few trees around their property, their homes were protected. The helicopter crews w...
I respect the importance Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has in ensuring protection of Montana’s environment. We acknowledge Director Livers’ support for Hecla when he accurately stated, “DEQ recognizes that Hecla’s track record of mine operations and reclamation has earned the company a favorable reputation for commitments to safety and to minimizing environmental impacts from mining.” We also support the intent of the law to hold operators accountable for compliance. However, the director’s actions and public statements make it cle...
I recently submitted a letter to the editor regarding my thoughts on the NFL players actions during the playing of our National Anthem. I'm happy to say that the feedback from that letter has been very positive. As a result, I was approached by The Ledger's editor, Annie Wooden, suggesting that I consider writing a bi-weekly column for the paper. Initially I was flattered by that idea. Next... I was intimidated! I've never done such a thing and frankly didn't know where I would start. However,...
As the mornings get cooler and preparations continue for the Sanders County Fair, parents, kids and teachers are getting ready to head back to school. We’re excited for the return of the routine, but just not quite ready for summer to be over. For those heading into kindergarten, we know it’s a scary transition. But think of all the new friends you’ll make and oh, the places you’ll go, to quote Dr. Seuss. As those high school seniors walk the halls for their final year, don’t forget to stop and enjoy your last few months of “kid life.” Grow...
Dear Editor, Sanders and Lincoln counties have parallel paths to common goals in economic and community development. This includes strengthening small businesses, beautifying our communities, increasing environmental health and social welfare, and generally enhancing our quality of life. At the heart of these strategies is the significance of our public lands. Our counties’ separate governing bodies experience systemic challenges that mirror one another. The communities within Sanders and Lincoln County share the economic distress seen in w...
Editor: I-186 will appear on the November ballot. If it passes, Montana DEQ will be required to deny a permit to any proposed hard rock mine, if the reclamation plan requires perpetual water treatment. The purpose of I-186 is misleading because: Under today’s standards, Montana’s mining industry already must comply with the State Water Quality Act, Federal Clean Water Act, and multiple other provisions to ensure that any water discharged from a mine is clean. The language for I-186 says “The terms ….within I-186 are not fully defined and would...
The word “socialism” is getting tossed around a lot these days without much thought for what it actually means. It seems to fall either into the category of very good things or the category of very bad things. On the left it seems to be seen as a panacea for curing all things bad in America, and on the right as something to fear and close to treasonous. The truth — as always — is elusive. Here’s a definition from an online dictionary: “…a political and economic theory of social organization...
Editor, I would like to commend Debb McNary, and all the people of Trout Creek, for the 2018 Huckleberry Festival, as I feel from all I saw and heard from all whom attended, nothing but praise for the extremely clean grounds and operation from beginning to end was a very welcome and enjoyed by all attending – many comments were heard from guests about the great family atmosphere presented. Many praises for the extremely clean grounds as a whole, no clutter, beer cans, cigarette smoke or such present. I noticed the largest crowd ever of e...
Several friends and I enjoyed a lovely and very fun evening at Big Eddy’s Saturday night, visiting and enjoying the band, Nobody Famous. During the evening, the owner of Big Eddy’s was subjected to threatening and ugly phone calls over music that ended at 10 p.m. We all benefit when local businesses are successful and appealing, particularly on Main Street. I look forward to many fun evenings at Big Eddy’s and I sincerely hope the people harassing their owner and staff refrain from being so self-centered and juvenile. Ruth Cheney, Thomp...
Editor, As a patron of Big Eddy’s, I think what happened Saturday night was unjust and simply not true. The owners Katrina and Mark are valued residents of Thompson Falls. They not only have built and improved the town greatly but created jobs and a destination for tourists, who might not have stopped at all, if not for the very inviting Big Eddy’s! The town should be grateful to these two young folks. Live music, outdoor events, the community having the chance not only to enjoy the last days of summer but to mingle and get to know their nei...
Saturday the 11th of August early in the evening, my wife and I saw smoke rising just to the west and behind our house. I dialed 911 reported a fire and location. Just a few seconds later a neighbor called saying they could see smoke. I rushed out the door and two neighbors were coming in my driveway. I went out located the flames and started back to the house, fire fighters , fire trucks were already coming across my field. Within just a few minutes, not over 15, they were on the fire. Three helicopters were there shortly after the ground...
In journalism school, every students has to take an ethics course. You don’t get that with every area of study. Projessional journalists hold themselves accountable to their readers, and do their best to be objective and truthful. The founding fathers felt freedom of the press important enough to put it in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The media is the eyes and ears for the community. We’re there for city council meetings, high school football games and elections. We do our best to keep our audience informed and present both sid...
Dear Editor, I’m a huge NFL fan! I love the games but the actions of the players during the National Anthem is infuriating. Beyond that, the NFL being afraid to take action is ridiculous. In my opinion, Roger Goodell is a coward! I’ve considered boycotting the NFL and refusing to watch the games. Unfortunately, I’d be the one missing out because I enjoy the sport so much. Instead, I’m embracing an idea that will work to show my anger/frustration over these players kneeling or raising a fist during the Anthem and still be able to watch the gam...
When critics of the Mining Bad Actors Law attacks Montana’s enforcement of a state law that protects taxpayers from shouldering the clean-up bill for mining companies, it’s clearly time to impose an old-fashioned smell test. In weaving together their argument, they got many of their facts wrong. I live in the community where Baker’s company proposes to mine. And as the retired owner of a sawmill and wood products company I know the challenges of creating jobs and making a livelihood in rural Montana. I also understand the obligations busin...
Thank you to the Thompson Falls community and reservoir users. Just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for their patience and understanding on the recent dam repairs that kept the water levels down most of the summer. With repairs completed, the reservoir was filled August 9. We’ll do our best to keep that a rare event. Again, I apologize for any inconvenience and wish everyone a great rest of the summer. Noel Jacobson, Dam foreman, NorthWestern Energy...
We’ve spent the last few weeks in our favorite huckleberry picking spots. It’s been a great year up in the mountains, and it always makes us a little sad when the huckleberry season is about over. We tend to take advantage of the fact that most years we’ll have plenty of huckleberries to make milkshakes and pancakes throughout the year. And we always look forward to Trout Creek’s annual celebration of all things huckleberry. It’s interesting, though, when you talk to people not from our area who (gasp) have never tried huckleberries or who ha...
From the early 1970’s through the early 2000’s I made, eight or 10 budget-priced treks into the Bob Marshall Wilderness, sometimes afoot, sometimes on horseback, accompanied by friends or family members. Outside of a few livestock wrecks and occasional blistered feet, I never had a bad trip. I learned a lot about camping, landforms, livestock, and about myself. I learned to love the Bob just for its existence, whether or not I ever visit it again, and I learned to admire the far-sighted folks who set this ground aside in its most isolated pos...
As November elections loom in America different forces are at work in both major political parties to find a theme common to the political compartmentalization of their respective constituencies. With the forces of Trump loyalists against traditional conservative Republicans the establishment Republicans seem to be losing the ability to control their own party. The Democrats, thankfully, do not have that worry because they seem to never have been in control of their party in the first place....
A lot goes into planning events such as the Big Sky Blues Festival, Plains Day, or the Huckleberry Festival. Debb McNary, chairperson of Trout Creek’s Huckleberry Festival, said the committee plans for 10 months to make each year great. McNary is also on the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association, and gives hundreds of hours a year to these organizations. Volunteers keep our communities thriving, and work countless hours to put on top-notch events that drive local tourism and boost the local economy. Using the Huckleberry Festival as a...
