Week of October 10, 2024
Week of October 10, 2024
The Sanders County Fairgrounds had its first train wreck when it ran into a truck last week, leading to bystander injuries and two women running into each other on bikes. Response time by several emergency services vehicles was quick and all 10 injuries were treated. However, since there are no railroad tracks at the fairgrounds, it must have been a drill. The county's Emergency Management Department, headed by Bill Naegeli, put on the "Fair Hazmat Exercise," which involved more than 30 men and...
The event's biggest attraction of last year, "Barney the Bison," didn't make it, but the Harlow Bison Ranch was represented with a bison hide and skull for the kids at the Sanders County Fairgrounds last Tuesday. "They say you can make a bison do anything the bison wants to do and Barney didn't want to get into the trailer this morning," said Melinda Anakalea, who owns the Thompson Falls ranch with her husband, Adam. Nevertheless, the 115 third grade students from Noxon, Trout Creek, Thompson...
Grant Alan Skinner made his initial appearance before Judge Molly Owen on Tuesday, pleading not guilty to felony charges of criminal endangerment and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense, as well as a misdemeanor charge of assault. A jury trial was set for March 10, 2025. Making her initial appearance, Sharlyn Ann Vadnais pleaded not guilty to a felony count of assault on a minor. Judge Owen set a jury trial for March 10, 2025. Both Skinner’s and Vadnais’s charges stem from an altercation on...
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking information on two incidents of wildlife being killed and left. FWP reported Monday that an elk was killed and left to waste on private property near Thompson Falls, and a cow moose was shot and left to waste outside of Plains. The elk was found October 4 on private property off Thompson River Road, and game wardens reported that the head was removed and the rest of the elk was left. Anyone with possible information is asked to visit tipmont.mt.gov or call the local game warden at (406)250-9498 to...
The final step of repairs to the Main Street project in Thompson Falls will occur on Friday. The Department of Transportation and Razz Construction are scheduled to complete final striping operations Friday on Main Street, weather and other factors permitting. This work concludes the warranty repairs of the Thompson Fall-Urban project. Drivers can expect single-lane closures, reduced speeds, potential width restrictions, delays and parking restrictions on Friday. MDT stated in a press...
The following are profiles of candidates for Sanders County positions. Coming next week, profiles of state legislature candidates. CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT Name: Cynthia Neste Occupation: Clerk of District Court Education: Regent University, VA; Campbell University, NC; Community College of the Air Force; Austin Community College, TX. Numerous Information Technology Certifications. Currently working towards Certified Clerk of Court through Montana State University and the Montana Association of Clerks of District Court curriculum. What...
Gusty wind caused a downed power line last Friday, sparking a fire along Wilkes Creek Road in the Prospect Creek area southwest of Thompson Falls. Crews responded and were able to contain the blaze to under 6...
Montana Highway Patrol Clifton Jones, 65, speeding in a restricted zone, $135, deferred imposition of sentence. Thomas Caputo, 66, day speeding, $250, deferred imposition of sentence. Scott Payne, 58, operating vehicle not properly registered, $45. Joaquin Calderon-Cetina, 32, day speeding, $70. Cheyann Phillips, 27, day speeding, $70. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Danny Lindquist, 58, operating without liability insurance in effect, 2nd offense, $135. Austin Varner, 24, reckless driving, 1st offense, $285. Kaarina Wedrick, 47, night...
The veteran suicide rate continues to grow but that doesn’t stop one veteran in Plains from his objective of getting the word out about the troublesome issue, just as he did last month for Suicide Awareness Month. Starting on Aug. 31, each night Ed Foste and a volunteer added 22 American flags to the display — representing the 22 veterans who die by suicide each day. Foste and Bill Beck of Plains added the final batch to the display last Monday evening. This is the seventh year for the...
Voters in Hot Springs passed a $183,000 levy last week. Ballots were counted last Wednesday at the Hot Springs school, with 293 voters casting ballots for the levy and 282 against. “We’re very happy within the district and heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone that voted. Our community came together and was able to pass this. We are absolutely elated,” Hot Springs Superintendent Gerald Chouinard said on Monday. The Hot Springs school board was scheduled to certify the election results at Wednesday’s meeting, along with voting on a...
Ambulance: Plains, 11; T. Falls, 6; Trout Creek, 4; Noxon, 1; Dixon, 1; Hot Springs, 1. Monday, September 30 Assist other agency, Dixon. USFS campground check, Trout Creek. Business contact, Lonepine. USFS campground check, Noxon. USFS campground check. Civil attempts. Theft, Heron. Theft, Noxon. Livestock, T. Falls. Civil attempts. Child welfare/abuse, Trout Creek. Civil attempts. Civil attempts. Civil attempts. Animal other, T. Falls. Business contact, T. Falls. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Tuesday, October 1 Suspicious activity, T....
EUREKA 30, THOMPSON FALLS 6 The score of Friday's game in Thompson Falls may not seem like the 7-B conference matchup between the Lions and the Blue Hawks was tough, but the game was tough. Eureka came out early to put eight points on the board in the first quarter, but both defenses were determined to protect their territory. The Hawks would find the end zone for the only time during the game early in the second period, but they didn't give up and kept pressure on the Lions the entire game....
The Plains Horsemen finished homecoming week with a big win against the Troy Trojans. The Horsemen stampeded their way to a 47-24 victory Friday at Plains to keep the Trojans from getting their first win of the season. "A homecoming victory is always sweet. It has been awhile," said Mike Tatum, head coach for the Horsemen, who thinks that this homecoming win might be the first one for this senior class. The Horsemen now have two wins and three losses. Troy has five losses. The first quarter...
THOMPSON FALLS 3, TROY 0 Thompson Falls sent Troy home early last Thursday as the Hawks beat the Trojans in three straight sets, 25-19, 25-6 and 25-8. It may have taken the Hawks a bit to warm up in the first set, as the teams went point for point and neither team was able to get a lead of more than two points. But with the score 16-13, the Hawks went into overdrive and didn't look back. They finished the first set and in the second, capitalized on some Troy errors to take a more dominant lead....
The Thompson Falls soccer teams both had their first triumph at Plains and both games were shutouts. "It really is historic. This is the first time the high school soccer team has ever won a game in Sanders County or at Thompson Falls High School. I think it really speaks to the quality of the girls program that they got the win first," said Lady Hawks head coach Nick Lawyer. The boys and girls soccer teams faced the Browning Indians and Lady Indians at Amundson Sports Complex at Plains last...
The Plains and Thompson Falls cross country teams hit the road for the Arlee Hatchery Challenge/Guppy run with the Lady Hawks taking first place as a team, with the Trotters taking second place. The Horsemen took first place as a team while the Blue Hawks took fifth place. The Plains Horsemen had a great day with all but one runner placing in the top 10. Freshman John Owen Jermyn took second place for the Horsemen with his marvelous time of 17 minutes, 17 seconds. Simeon Costner took fourth place for his time of 17:35, with teammate Cord...
OVER THE HILL GANG W L Leftovers 12 4 Roll’n Along 9 7 Mixed Nuts 8 8 Fun Team 8 8 Com’Bak Kids 6 10 Jokers Wild 5 11 Team Scr. Game: Fun Team, 940; Scr. Series: Fun Team, 2638; Hcp. Game: Mixed Nuts, 1144; Hcp. Series: Mixed Nuts, 3257; Mens Inv. Scr. Game: Ron Beaty, 227; Scr. Series: Ron Beaty, 627; Inv. Hcp. Game: Cody Brown, 265; Hcp. Series: Cody Brown, 673; Wms Inv. Scr Game: Wendy Kelley, 198; Scr Series: Wendy Kelley, 489; Inv. Hcp. Game: Anita Brown, 256; Hcp. Series: Anita Brown, 671. INDUSTRIAL LEAGUE W L Bernie’s Auto 14 6...
For actors that tend to be on the shy side, the play put on by the Paradise Players last weekend was perfect for them. All were behind partial or full masks for "The Works: A Grass Menagerie," a comedy about life on the farm from the animals' perspective. The play, written by Robb Willoughby of Ohio, was one story, but divided into eight segments, all related to the central theme. Chickens, cows, pigs, sheep, crows, horses, dogs, cats, and even wolves are the stars of the two-hour long play,...
105 YEARS AGO • OCTOBER 9, 1919 CLEAN UP WEEK The local town council has designated the week commencing Monday, October 13 as clean up week and requests all residents to gather all the rubbish and garbage etc. around their places during that week, and on Monday, October 20th they will have teams to haul the rubbish away providing it is put in boxes or barrels so that it can be handled conveniently This is done at the request of the Board of Health, who will make a thorough inspection on Thursday, October 23, and those persons not having...
Thompson River Animal Care Shelter is holding their annual holiday raffle. The funds collected allow TRACS to offer one incredible rockin’ prize, valued at nearly $1,500! The winner will receive an outdoor freestyle rocker chair, donated by Studs Building & Home, and a pair of 2-foot classic gliders from Montana Structures. Raffle tickets are $5 each or $20 for five. Tickets will be sold at local bazaars and markets, and scheduled times at local businesses. The raffle coordinator, Karen Olson, can also be contacted at: 4tr...
SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. TEGG 5. MTV 8. TRAM 12. ABOUT 14. AHA 15. HEBE 16. TABLET 18. RUM 19. ELIS 20. SNIPES 21. IMP 22. NIBS 23. TIME PIECES 26. HIPBONE 30. ERRED 31. ADAPTED 32. DEY 33. HOLLA 34. SELMA 39. LAD 42. CHILEAN 44. CLEPE 46. HAPLESS 47. QUARANTINE 49. SUBS 50. CIA 51. GLADES 56. PIAS 57. HAP 58. SAFARI 59. ANNE 60. ELI 61. SARAN 62. SESS 63. SSR 64. RISE SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. TATS 2. EBAN 3. GOBI 4. GULP 5. MARIE 6. THUMPED 7. VAMPIRE 8. THENCE 9. RELIED 10. ABIBS 11. MESS 13. TEETOTALER 17. TESINE 24. MED 25. ERYSIPELAS 26. HAH 27. I...
President Franklin D. Roosevelt must have known just how today’s Montana Republican leadership feels. Full of important ideas for rebuilding America in the wake of the Great Depression, Roosevelt was stymied by the Supreme Court which ruled that many of his grand plans were unconstitutional. He decided that the most effective means toward having his way was to change the only branch of government that stood against him, and the plan he devised was to expand the number of justices on the court...
Anybody who read Carol Brooker’s letter in the 3 October Ledger who goes on to vote for Jennifer Fielder is voting solely for the political party and against their own best interests. Please be an informed voter and read the many facts included in Carol’s letter, detailing how Jennifer Fielder has performed her duties as an elected official over a number of years. Unless you are unconcerned about utility rates that continue to rise in the face of enormous profits for utility companies, vote for the change Elena Evans will bring to the...
Anybody who read Carol Brooker’s letter in the 3 October Ledger who goes on to vote for Jennifer Fielder is voting solely for the political party and against their own best interests. Please be an informed voter and read the many facts included in Carol’s letter, detailing how Jennifer Fielder has performed her duties as an elected official over a number of years. Unless you are unconcerned about utility rates that continue to rise in the face of enormous profits for utility companies, vote for the change Elena Evans will bring to the...
Truly one of the richest aspects of living in a small community like Thompson Falls is reaping the benefits of the many “community-minded” people who chose to call this place home. This community mindedness manifests itself in many ways/occasions. Beautification Days is only one of many. It has been our fortune to witness this on a much “closer to home” scale. Over the course of the last five months, there have been many improvements made to our senior citizens’ center. Among these are: the acquisition of 20 padded chairs with arms,...
A September to Remember! Gorgeous weather and a steady market. This is one of the most abundant closing markets for the real estate season and a beautiful interest rate drop will most certainly help this along. The election is heating up, with instability sending people our way once again. They feel safe in the mountains. . . and so do we! As to the real estate market, the seasonality is setting in with fewer new listings on the market. Those older loans with low interest rate loans are also...
I've written the story about how my brother and his buddy, when I was little, told me that deer were aliens and that's why their eyes glowed. I was scared of deer until I could hunt. Then I became a hunter and took out one of those alien deer each year. I don't know if it's age or hormones or what, but I have found myself feeling guilty with hunting these days. The last elk I killed, I felt really bad. I was happy to help provide for my family, and I love eating elk and deer and cows and pigs and chickens, but I just don't want to do the...
Jerry C. Branson, 94, passed away peacefully at his home in Lind on September 22, surrounded by his loving family. Born on April 12, 1930, in Spokane, Washington, to Leslie and Laura Branson, Jerry spent his early childhood in Belknap, Sanders County, Montana, near Little Beaver Creek. In 1936, his family moved to a wheat farm in Lind, Washington, where he became a proud resident and graduated from Lind High School in 1948. While in high school he was a member of FFA, and played baseball,...
