Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 579
Musicians from the Piatigorsky Foundation will once again be offering a world class performance here in Thompson Falls. Violinist Linda Rosenthal and pianist Maxim Pakhomov will perform at the Thompson Falls Christian Church on Friday, April 12, at 1 p.m. This concert is open to the public and free, having been paid for by the Clark Fork Enrichment Corp. I have been very fortunate to be able to attend the last three concerts held here. Famous cellist Evan Drachman, grandson of Gregor Piatigorsky, has come here twice along with an accomplished...
I love it when people feel the need to share their opinions on how your opinion is wrong; with statements like, “I think you will find that America is not the dark and dangerous place you think it is.” (Therefore, what I think must be true because I think it). Such [flawed] circular logic always leads to the same inevitable disastrous conclusions- “dark” beliefs absent of Light. The darkened soul of man comes to these false assumptions; not because they can’t think for themselves; or listen to the “mainstream” news; but because they refuse;...
Thanks to Chris Hill for his informative letter about the MAGA belief system. The letter helps clarify why Trump and his MAGA followers are so intensely critical of what they call mainstream media. Since the information they get from the MAGA media universe are routinely discredited by fact-based news sources, the MAGA believers have good reason to attack anything like real journalism. It is harder to believe that Trump is committed to our Constitution, if you are aware that he tried to violate the peaceful transfer of power which is spelled...
With a truly broken heart, I am paying tribute to one of Thompson Falls most beloved citizens, Neil Carman. Neil was so reflective of what this community has always been - caring, kind, generous, ever helpful to each other in so many ways. Many of us over many years have been recipients of Neil’s kindness and generosity, and benefited from his hard work on our behalf. Neil dedicated much of his time doing work for others, creating, always thinking of ways to be helpful or make things better. He would remind me he wasn’t college educated, and...
Taking exception to Mr. Elliott’s column on the 14th of March Mr. Elliott’s lamentations of the Republicans of old falls flat on its face in every aspect of those who have lived and learned and seen our political and judicial processes of our elected officials in D.C. become more and more perverted as the two parties became incestuous seemingly right under our eyes. Mr. Elliott further laments how the Republican Party has been taken over by a radical right movement we call MAGA, inspired by former president Trump during the 2016 pre...
Dear Editor, Schools set protocols for improving mental health (March 14, 2024). Although I appreciate the positive attention to this topic and the implementation of counseling sessions, school assemblies, and motivational speakers, I wonder if we are getting to the root of the problem or just putting out the fires. Should we not return to the foundation of education and approaches that improve our mental health in the schools and the community? Should we not return to teaching our children the skills they need to be successful members of a...
I believe it is unfortunate that open public meetings are used to divert the city council’s time, taxpayer money, annoy public employees and elected officials in attempts to find something, anything, that proves alleged illegal or underhanded activity by TF city. Facebook is no place to conduct public business. Read the postings of agendas, legal notices and minutes in the newspaper, on buildings and the city website. The website has a wealth of information on numerous city related topics. It is citizen’s responsibility to be up to date on iss...
For the record, no babies or women were physically harmed in the making of the heart-wrenching Biblical story of Solomon and the two women fighting over the baby. Also, because Solomon asked for wisdom rather than other things, he got those as well. To clarify on the subject of ectopic pregnancies, a medical professional with several decades dealing with saving lives and pregnancies has addressed the moral issues eloquently: “TERMINATION OF ECTOPIC/TUBAL PREGNANCIES HAVE NEVER BEEN CONSIDERED ABORTION. The purpose of the procedure is not to d...
The 15th of March is fast approaching. It’s been five years since Mark Legard was taken from us. What are the reasons? No one has come forward with any information on what happened to Mark and the investigation into his death has become a cold case. His family and friends are left hanging onto his memory praying for peace and closure. Each year brings no new news and the heartache only deepens. We wanted this letter not to be somber, but to celebrate the person that our beloved son, father, brother, cousin, and friend was. We keep Mark’s mem...
Thank you for your patience during this time as you await communication regarding budget cuts and potential staff reductions. I know there is anxiety and concern, which is understandable. Please be aware that the difficult discussion of budget shortfalls and the subsequent steps of considering how to best reconcile the situation is fluid and continually evolving. Knowing what to communicate (and when) is challenging until we get through that process and reach a consensus, some of which has occurred in the past four weeks as the budget committee...
I was disappointed to see the letter opposing a four-day school schedule last week. It followed the formation of a calendar committee at the school, which happens before every school calendar is submitted to the board. No plan was presented, for either a four- or five-day schedule, so having an opinion was premature. Once the proposed calendar, or calendar options, become(s) available, I'll look it over, and maybe ask a few questions, before forming an opinion. I'd encourage other concerned people to do the same. Pat Crowder, Thompson...
Dear school superintendent and school board members, I am sending this email to express my concerns with the possible switch from a five day to four day school week. I am writing as a licensed clinical social worker, who has been working with children/teens and their families for over 20 years. I do not need to educate you on this poor rural community and the economic disadvantages many of these children/teens and families are experiencing today. The school has always been a refuge in times of stress and insecurities for many of those who are...
Sanders County Community Housing Organization, doing business as Community Housing is an independent, non-profit organization that was formed in 2003 to provide affordable rental housing solutions for working and retired individuals and families in Sanders County. Community Housing currently has ten rental units in Plains that house members of our community. Sanders County, along with much of Montana, is experiencing a housing shortage for renters as well as buyers. Affordable housing is the backbone of community, housing essential workers as...
I finally subscribed to a local paper again after quite a lapse due to the lack of engaging content and the slant of my former small town's paper. Upon receiving my first copy of the Ledger, the first article I read is "On being worried and enraged in 2024." What an introduction! I (one who chooses to be neither worried nor enraged in 2024) feel compelled to respond. Please note, it seems appropriate to use the "new word" a couple times. I hope you won't mind. 10. I could not care less. 9. That one did make me laugh. 8. I enjoyed the use of...
Due to medical reasons, I was unable to attend the Thompson Falls City Council meeting on 8 January, but I certainly heard about it, and for all the wrong reasons. Members of the council were elected by voters to do the business of the city on behalf of citizens. Whether you voted or not, and whether or not you voted for those elected, our council members are the people elected by majority vote. As a long time resident of Thompson Falls, I am watching the behavior of those attending city and county meetings deteriorate over time. There is a...
The job of the City Council is to conduct the City’s business. We are responsible for facilitating the democratic process. To do this, we need to all be civil by respecting the rules. Recent attempts to hold meetings in venues other than City Hall have made our job next to impossible as the Council could not even hear themselves discuss among themselves. Monday’s meeting was a prime example of the difficulty by the entire gathering having to share one microphone. Total chaos. For this reason, future meetings will be held at City Hall. Rus...
We’re all familiar with the Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” In recognition of the holiday season, I’d like to share some of the good work your state lawmakers accomplished in the legislative session at the beginning of the year, in a shortened format of the song. Without further ado, here are the Twelve Days of Christmas, Legislative Edition. The Legislature passed: TWELVE major infrastructure and investment bills. These included investments in roads and bridges, water and irrigation systems, wildfire fighting, the state prison,...
Skyrocketing property taxes. Astronomical energy rates. Homes that are unaffordable to most Montanans. And yet more big tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy, while the rest of us are left to foot the bill. When we look back on the last year, all these changes and more were brought to you by one party and its supermajority: Montana Republicans. The Good. Montana Democrats at every level are speaking out, standing strong, and demanding accountability from the Republican administration. First, Montana Democrats pulled off the impossible in the 2023...
I would like to thank the couple who paid for my groceries today at Harvest. It was a really nice surprise to me, as something like this has never happened to me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year. And thank you. Linda Lanier, Thompson Falls...
Dear Editor, December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. It opportunely coincides with the holidays when folks are going to parties, reconnecting with old friends, and maybe indulging more than they do the rest of the year. Wherever you’re going this Christmas season, please never get behind the wheel impaired. While I’m encouraged that this year our alcohol-related traffic fatalities are down from the last two years, just one death on our highways because of drugs or alcohol is too many. This year, there have been 53 alc...
I'd like to address an occurrence from last month's city council meeting, in which a time for public comment was, in my perception, seized as an opportunity to intimidate and bully. I became a member of TF city council in January 2020, a year no election was held, as all three candidates were running unopposed. This was also a time when Thompson Falls began experiencing inconsistency in the mayor's position. I will be serving another four years, as this year, I was uncontested. The document that was referenced last month, was the Sanders County...
Median residential property taxes in Montana went up 21% this year. That’s $213 million more from working Montanans. Meanwhile North Western Energy property taxes went down 20%, that’s a decrease of $36 million. Collections on industrial property are down by about $52.9 million. An extra holiday bonus was given to Montana ratepayers from the Public Services Commission, the cost of electricity from North Western Energy is going up 28%. In appreciation for the big lump of coal in the holiday, send a thank you to Governor Gianforte and the Rep...
Editor: Community members missed an invaluable refresher class on Home Fire Safety last week at Whitepine Grange, presented by Scott Donovan who has 42 years' experience in fire service. Turnout was low, but those of us in attendance appreciated being reminded of things we'd heard maybe 20 years ago about how to keep from losing your house, property and lives to fire, especially this time of year. Plus, times have changed, along with home fire threats. We learned a lot of new things. Just as it's necessary to stay current on first aid/CPR...
Dear Editor, I believe the decision to have Jessica Gayton be the director of the Sanders County bookmobile was a wise decision. Jessica brings an expertise to the position that most likely is not to be found in anyone else in all of Sanders County. She is an asset to the taxpayers of our county. I visit the bookmobile monthly and Jessica is always happy to greet the patrons when they arrive. In fact, she demonstrates an upbeat and positive attitude, and people know they are welcome when they are greeted. Her knowledge of the books she has on...
‘Tis the holidays. Each holiday season most of us generously share our good fortune with others. This includes donating food for food banks and Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. My family does this each year. However, I want to remind everyone – including myself – that food insecurity is an everyday issue for many people. Our food banks need our contributions throughout the year. It can be very easy to continue to donate to this worthy cause all year. Each time you grocery shop, consider buying a couple of extra items to donate to your local...
