CFVH to stop delivering babies in '24
Citing mounting challenges in staffing, training and patient numbers, Clark Fork Valley Hospital (CFVH) announced that they would be discontinuing the delivering of babies effective January 1, 2024. Hospital CEO Dr. Greg Hanson said it was like a...
County fair leader resigns
by Ed Moreth The Sanders County Fairgrounds manager has called it quits after more than four years at the helm. Melissa Cady put in her resignation last Thursday, citing health as her primary reason...
Veteran helps place final flags in Plains display
Another veteran suicide awareness month has come and gone, but the message is spreading, said Ed Foste, who has been putting up the flag display every year for the last six years. The retired Navy...
Sheriff's Log
Ambulance: Hot Springs, 10; T. Falls, 9; Plains, 8; Paradise, 2; Trout Creek, 1; Lonepine, 1; Heron, 1. Monday, September 25 Animal other, Hot Springs. Animal other, T. Falls. Inmate transport. Drugs/narcotics, Plains. Harassment/privacy in...
Justice Court
Montana Highway Patrol George Goatley, Jr., 68, seatbelt violation, $20. Simon Schiller, 23, day speeding, $120. Becky Freeman, 65, seatbelt violation, $20. Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Jamie Giddings, 37, operating without liability...
Paradise woman pleads not guilty to drug charges
Desiree Dawn Ballard appeared for an initial appearance before Judge Deborah “Kim: Christopher on Tuesday, entering not guilty pleas to a felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and a misdemeanor count of criminal possession of...
Plains shows school spirit for homecoming
The students at Plains School spent last week showing their school spirit and getting revved-up for its homecoming showdown against Arlee. The school had a myriad of activities throughout the week to...
Plains seniors crowned Olympic champions
For the second consecutive year, the Plains High School seniors were the winners in the annual Horsemen Olympics Friday afternoon, defeating the juniors by only one point. The scores between the four...
Cabinet RD hosts forest project tour
The Cabinet Ranger District, including District Ranger Michael Feiger and district staff, hosted a well-attended field trip on September 19 for an upcoming forest project in the Tuscor Creek area, about 5 miles west of Trout Creek. The district is...
Milestone win for Hot Springs
HOT SPRINGS 56, WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS 0 Even the rain couldn't put out the fire the Hot Springs varsity football team had this past weekend in their lightning quick 56-0 win against the White Sulphur...
Homecoming wins for Savage Heat
HOT SPRINGS 3, ST. REGIS 0 The Hot Spring Lady Savage Heat took on the St. Regis Tigers last Thursday, winning in three sets 25-13, 28-26, 25-12. Hot Springs' Kara Christensen led with eight aces,...
Birthday sweep for Trotters
by Annie Wooden and Skye Hill The Plains Trotters are rising through the ranks of District 7B volleyball. Last week, the Trotters added another win to their record as they took down the Troy Trojans...
Warriors defeat Horsemen
The Plains Horsemen were pumped for their bout against the Arlee Warriors and for a while it looked as though Arlee had met its match as the Horsemen kept pace with them for the first quarter. The...
Clark Fork girls stay undefeated
The Clark Fork Soccer U19 girls added two wins to their perfect season last week. They put on an impressive performance against the Whitefish JV girls last Tuesday at home with a 9-2 win, then...
Runners head toward postseason
The runners of Thompson Falls took to Whitefish to run on Whitefish Lake Golf Course, taking advantage of the cool cloudy day and the gentle curves of the grassy course. "We moved three eighth...
Remember When?
90 YEARS AGO • OCTOBER 4, 1933 LOCAL SHINGLE MILL BEGUN AT TROUT CREEK Henry Kraus before settling at Trout Creek had operated a shingle mill in Wisconsin for years. He brought his mill along with him, dismantled, and it has only been in the last...
Question of the week: Are you ready for pumpkin spice season?
CRAIG LIEN, Camas Prairie - “No, I am not a pumpkin spice kind of guy.” KYLIE ALDRIDGE, Hot Springs - “Yes, I like pie and cookies and I think they should make pumpkin spiced Pop-Tarts.” RENA HENSON, Hot Springs - “I like pumpkin spice...
Woman's clubs thank teachers
As an annual event, the Plains Woman's Club (PWC), a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, delivered baked goods to the Plains schools for Teacher Appreciation Day. This was led by Janet...
FALL VISITOR
Photo by Linda Elliott A male red-shafted Northern Flicker (identified by the red "mustache stripe") keeps a watchful eye on its surroundings. In October, Northern flickers are preparing for their...
Forest fun, education planned for Saturday
Community groups have come together to plan a day of education and fun in the forest on Saturday, October 7, at the Mule Pasture in Thompson Falls. The Forest Fest is an outdoor educational event for forest landowners and those who enjoy living...
Blackfoot celebrates co-op month
Throughout Montana’s history, cooperatives have played an important role in stimulating economic development and providing access to critical goods and services while remaining committed to local ownership and governance. Blackfoot Communications...
Spotlight on the Arts
Alex Horodyski, Plains High School Interview by Mrs. Cole-PHS Art Teacher Alex Horodyski is 17 years old and a senior at Plains High School. Under the direction of Terry Henry, he is furthering a...
Elks, foundation donate to nonprofit
The Clark Fork Valley Elks Charitable Fund, along with the Jack Esler Foundation, donated $20,000 to the Patrol Base Abbate Return to Base nonprofit organization. Kevin Fallon, chief operations...
FALLING INTO THE SEASON
by Annie Wooden and Shannon Brown The crisp fall air and changing colors of the local landscape have inspired local shop owners to roll out special fall creations. Pumpkin spice gets much of the...
Crossword Solution
SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. MESA 5. SMOKE 10. GABBED 12. TALENT 14. UNABASHEDLY 16. HS 18. ALI 19. OIL 20. AECIA 22. CAM 23. TREES 25. DHAL 26. EGO 27. POB 28. SAT 30. EMU 31. SPAT 33. DECEIT 35. BRIAR 37. AISNE 38. RATTED 40. BRAE 41. ELI 42. SSR 44. ELY... Full story
Slice of Life
QUESTION AUTHORITY!!!! This was a bumper sticker from the late 1970’s. I recall seeing it around town, wondering why people would want to question authority. I was young enough that ,to me,...
Do MT schools need change?
Among several potential candidates for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction in the next election is Sharyl Allen, who works as an assistant to Elsie Arntzen, current OPI chief. Allen is in the news because her work history is a bit sketchy;...
Stop and smell the pumpkin spice latte
The other day I was walking through Rose Garden Park in Thompson Falls with my trusty sidekick Walter the Jack Russell Terrier when I got a text from a friend that said "What are you looking up at?" The truth is, I'm looking up a lot these days....
Open Meadows
From the beginning of our existence flowers have captivated and healed us in one way or another. They were on this planet before we were. They have energy that radiates out to us. Why? Many theories are there to add understanding of their charm....
Whatcha Readin'?
Do y’all realize this is the twelfth Whatcha Readin’ article? Crazy! That means one full year of you sitting down with me once a month to email me a picture of your bookshelf (yes, I really do get those emails and I LOVE them!) or what you just...
The Average Gamer
It was a little over five years ago in June of 2018 when Bethesda Game Studios announced they were making a new game set in an entirely new universe. They called the game “Starfield.” Bethesda didn’t give us a release date yet. In truth they...
Real Estate Trends
by Tina Daugherty September feels like fall, not only in weather. . . August, September and October are always the most active selling months of the season, but all numbers are down but one. The inventory levels are down slightly in September...
Leo King
Leo King, aged 68, of Hot Springs, Montana, passed away on September 20, 2023, in Plains. He was born on February 26, 1955, in Lonepine, Montana, to Tom and Rosie King. As Leo endured sickness in his... Full story
William Forrest Johnson
Mr. Johnson was a decent and honest man. He was born in San Diego, California, on October 5, 1927. After high school, he served as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Regiment and later became a postal letter carrier for 30 years. At retirement,... Full story
Ean James Hunter Putnam
Ean James Hunter Putnam passed away on September 24, 2023. Ean was born December 10, 1950, in Swan River Manituba, Canada to Melville Hunter and Mina Robb Putnam. His father passed away in October of... Full story