Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Dear Editor, Today I went into True Value Hardware in Thompson Falls and all the employees were wearing masks. I told them how much I appreciated that and it made me want to shop there. This is notable because I, who try and support our local businesses as much as possible, have been shopping on-line and in other counties whose stores have stricter protocols for the pandemic because I am not feeling safe in much of Sanders County. Yes, I’ve gone to other, more virus-affected areas because I feel safer - just because of masks and more a...
Cancer Network of Sanders County and First Lutheran Church in Plains are moving forward with plans for a yard sale next month. That does not come with a guarantee that it will happen. Everything is very fluid and can change very quickly. If the planning committee believes – we can’t do the sale in a safe environment and within the Governor’s guidelines, we will not do it. We plan to have a cut-off date July 31 on the go/no-go status. The current plans call for the Yard Sale to be held August 7-8, 2020, at the First Lutheran Church. Sale items w...
Last week when arriving at City Hall, I was informed of an incident that took place at Ainsworth Park. Someone had taken a CRAP on the floor of the unfinished bathroom! This is the most disrespectful thing I have heard of. I could not believe some lowlife would stoop to something like this. I know that this is too much to ask for, but I would hope that whoever did this had the balls enough to fess-up. Ainsworth is in the final stages of construction. Many years, untold hours of effort, monetary support, planning and community support have gone...
To the CSKT Tribal Council: After reading page 2 of the June 25, 2020 edition of the Char-Koosta News that explains how the COVID-19 telief funds allocated to our tribe is going to be distributed, I became quite alarmed as an elder of the tribe. I was shocked to see that there was apparently no substantial funds directed to the Tribal law enforcement department. It saddens me to think that the Council does not think this should be the number one priority for financial aid. We have tribal members murdering each other, missing people, numerous...
Editor: Have you heard what happened to Sex Peak last week? Some low-life individuals took it upon themselves to graffiti “Black Lives Matter” on the lookout’s exterior. My friends who discovered it when visiting the historic site with relatives over the holiday weekend did their best to rub out the graffiti, but the damage had been done. I wish someone would explain to me how defacing a beloved local site with this slogan – which, ironically, is now fomenting far more resentment than good will – furthers their “cause.” Jan Manning, Trou...
Apologies in advance for a lengthy letter that first cites a portion of Montana Code Annotated 87-6-404: “(1) (b) A person may not purposely, knowingly, or negligently permit a dog to chase, stalk, pursue, attack or kill a hooved game animal. If the dog is not under the control of an adult at the time of the violation, the owner of the dog is personally responsible. A defense that the dog was allowed to run at large by another person is not allowable unless it is shown that at the time of the violation, the dog was running at large without the...
Dear Editor, So, what was the purpose of the armed citizens across the street from the peaceful protest Sunday afternoon? As most people know, many peaceful demonstrations have been hijacked by violent groups who vandalize, loot, and burn businesses. With this peaceful protest posted on Facebook, where those with violent intent could see it, it seemed very wise to bring in protection. The young man with the modern rifle felt the need to protect the peaceful protesters. However, he would have had a huge challenge if a busload of violent... Full story
While was a participant in the peaceful gathering on Main Street Sunday afternoon, I don't condone the private posting on Instagram that followed. It does not reflect or adhere to the guidelines set by the organizer. Respectfully, Katherine Maudrone, Thompson Falls...
Dear owner and writers of The Sanders County Ledger, Congratulations! In the newspaper printed May 21, 2020, I was impressed by the story and photos done by Shana Neesvig titled "Freedom Journey." Yes, I did read all the way through the story. I thought to myself, how unusual it is for a small-town newspaper to take the time and labor and effort to write and publish such a detailed and interesting story. You clearly stand out. You demonstrate how good a small-town newspaper can be with its printed stories. Also, I did take time and look...
Dear Editor, I was so proud to read of the Plains teens who peacefully protested last Monday and those who gathered and raced in the rain on Saturday against racism. They are courageous to be so visible and are to be commended for their patriotism. It gives me hope for our future and makes me proud of our community. Thank you, Lynne Kersten, Thompson Falls...
After reading the Priscilla Peak articles in today’s Ledger by John Hamilton it is obvious that the decision to move the lookout to Driveway Peak has been cast in stone. I wonder how many government hours/dollars have been spent just to formulate the plan. I have enclosed my comment letter to the Project Leader “While I agree that the Priscilla Peak Lookout is quite unique and definitely deserves to be preserved, I feel quite sure that if the lookout was put back in the rental program today it would be quite popular. Although the lookout was se...
I’d like to address the nearly six-minute diatribe by a board member at the April 30 meeting. It was inappropriate. This time is set aside for public comment. Trustee Stough was speaking as a trustee because he referenced “we the board” over a dozen times. He should’ve never been acknowledged by Board Chair Pafford to give his rant. However, history has shown that this chair disregards rules when its favorable to him. It really became inappropriate (and should’ve been shut down by the chair) when the trustee called out a teacher by name. The...
Dear Editor, "Attention Sanders County Republicans." Thus is headlined an ad published in the Ledger recently from a “concerned Montana citizen” from Winifred, Montana. I’m not sure why Sanders voters need to be instructed by someone from Winifred, but in politics, I guess stranger things have happened. The ad attacks Republican Legislator Denley Loge, accusing him of being a Democrat-in-disguise because in 610 votes, he voted with Democrats 196 times, approximately 32%. This and other assertions make the ad full of logical holes. Suffi...
The Sanders County Arts Council will not be as visible as usual for the next several months. We have cancelled or postponed our events and programs out of concern for the health of our residents and visiting artists and out of respect for needed redirection of public fundraising efforts to support food banks and other organizations providing direct assistance to those in need during this difficult time. We will connect with the community through publications and technology as we explore and learn strategies to provide arts and culture...
I am currently a teacher and coach employed by the Noxon School District. When I began my teaching career 14 years ago, I promised myself I’d always try to attack each day with vigor, excitement and a knowledge that I have an opportunity to positively impact a young mind. Countless educators across the country can say the exact same thing… but I was also naive. I was oblivious to the political, underhanded and personal agenda driven nature to which some school districts are sadly exposed. I thought tenure was a practice that didn’t make a lot...
To our community, Thank you! Thank you to everyone who has stayed home these four long weeks. Governor Bullock’s shelter-in-place order has been difficult for everyone, we understand how much stress this has caused and how eager people are to return to normal life. People are not working, they are losing income, and are missing out on community. We are all missing our personal, social, church, and community activities. Our kids are missing school and sports too. We wish this could be over soon, but it won’t be. Please know that eve... Full story
Nothing political here, just an observation. I went to the new landfill on Wednesday with my truck full of garbage. While I was unloading next to a truck of young men one of them came over and said “need any help sir.” I did not need any help and said thanks I got it. Don’t have a clue who he was but I got to thinking later. What a nice thing to do, offer help. So, to his parents out there, you are doing things right. He saw an old man and offered assistance. What a great community we live in. Ron Hawkinson, Thompson Falls...
To the Thompson Falls School Board of Trustees, I have four children in the Thompson Falls School District, two current students and two graduates. My husband Noel and I have been active in our children’s education and the wellbeing of our public school system. I am writing to you about the decision made unanimously by board members on the non-renewal of high school principal Rich Ferris’s contract. To my knowledge, Rich has done an extraordinary job. Our family has gotten to know him and his family through school and having sons in the same gr...
It has been quite a while since my service to you as your State Legislature of HD 13 came to a close do to term limits and that of my “Keeping in Touch” articles. I thought that maybe with all the craziness and the unforeseen impacts that the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has had on our everyday lives as, yet as we wait eagerly in anticipation of our day to day lives eventual restoration, that is might be a good time for a “Keeping in Touch” article to address an important issue that seems to be getting lost in the shuffle just a bit, that of...
Just over the hill from Sanders County, a Washington gubernatorial candidate recently declared Governor Inslee’s business closures “unconstitutional.” My initial reaction was to assume this labeling was made-for-TV campaign rhetoric that might fizzle away in another week or two, probably harmless, and instead of chewing on it, I should chew peacefully on my breakfast bagel. But over the past forty years or so I’ve heard the words “unconstitutional” and “constitutional” so many times from so many seemingly unqualified voices that I’ve becom...
It's taken far too long to take a minute to write this and send it. Every time I go into the newly owned Thompson Falls Family Pharmacy I am reminded how comforting Pharmacist Doug and crew were. For years Doug took care of all of us with his advice, expertise and compassion. He kept prices as low as he could. He always made time to answer a question. We miss him. We miss the crew. We are appreciative that a few of the old staff remained for the new owners. This is in no way a criticism of the new staff. Purely a belated thanks to Doug and his...
Editor: In this difficult and challenging time dealing with the coronavirus, there has never been a better time for smokers to quit and for people to protect their health by avoiding use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Scientists have noted that the coronavirus (COVID-19) attacks the lungs. Behaviors that weaken the lungs put people at more risk. Matthew Myers, president of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, notes that “we all know the impact of smoking on the lungs. There is conclusive evidence that smoking increases the risk f...
Editor: What unabashed BS from “cat lovers.” From the Ledger’s 27 Feb 2020 edition. I suppose it would be okay for them to have their children run amok, crap in neighbors’ gardens, rip apart lawn furniture, kill and leave (or eat) native birds in their neighbors’ yards, spread leukemia and allergies among the neighborhoods they invade, and otherwise stink up areas in which they were not welcomed in the first place. How would cat lovers like it if their properties were invaded and they had found dead or ripped apart animals in their own bird...
Response to Blackstone Maybe because I’m pretty much home-bound because of the coronavirus, or maybe because he struck a cord – and possibly both, I must respond to Blaine Blackstone’s epistle about Chuck Schumer’s comments. I wish that Schumer hadn’t apologized on his blasting of the Supreme Court Justices about their taking on abortion cases. There appears to be a concerted effort to chip away at Roe vs Wade – a decision that protected a women’s right to privacy concerning a decision to terminate a pregnancy. Gorsuch and Kavanaugh wer...
Dear Editor, After reading the letter titled “Media Causes Concern” (March 12, 2020), as well as answers to the “Question of the Week” in the March 5 issue, I have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of very uninformed and/or misinformed people out there. I am not an alarmist or a fear monger by nature, but I am a card-carrying realist. One can’t blame the media for reporting the truth just because one doesn’t want something to be true, or one doesn’t believe something to be true. Unfortunately, there is fake news in the world, but it...
