Articles written by John Dowd
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Electric bikes gaining popularity
Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are seemingly becoming the companion of the future for recreationists. Though the technology has been around for a while, a new trend has seen modern bikes become more efficient, practical and reliable. These three aspects...
Question of the Week
JUDY RIPKA, Thompson Falls - “Totally a dog person! I was born and raised with dogs; my whole life has been dogs! They call me the dog mom!” BOBBY JO FISHER, Trout Creek - “I love my animals! I have both cats and dogs.” LEON HELSTAD, Trout...
Project ASCENT prepares for 2022 camp season
Project ASCENT is opening camper sign-ups April 1 for statewide application. The nonprofit has been providing free summer camps to Montana youths ages 12 to 17 for the last seven years. The adventure camps provide a chance for exploration to any...
Paradise sewer accepts agreement amid dispute
The Paradise sewer board voted on Monday to proceed with the newest version of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) defining the roles in a possible agreement to purchase land on which to put the...
Question of the Week
Beau Mccormick, Thompson Falls - “My best prank is putting a video on YouTube of a screen breaking paused on the new TV and letting my parents walk in and see it.” Virgil Holtrop, Thompson Falls - “We were tricked into getting up an hour...
Agents donate funds to local organizations
Since 1993 Clearwater Montana Properties say they have been working to build their communities, and this year donated over $15,000 to local nonprofit groups in Sanders County. 20 different local...
Preparing early for ice fishing
One thing I have not done a lot of is ice fishing. As the year warms up, I find myself wanting to learn more about how to be successful next year. Just getting into it, I’m learning that it is like an extreme version of ordinary fishing in the...
New restaurant opens in Thompson Falls
A new restaurant in Thompson Falls has big plans for the summer. Heather Thompson recently opened The Barrel House and wants to bring to the area an environment befitting its historic name. According...
Question of the Week
ALEXANDER HORODYSKI, Plains - “Cleaning up camp sites because of the sewage and all the plastics they leave out.” KENDYL ELIAS, Roseburg, Oregon - “Dusting because it takes forever!” EMMA STILES, Roseburg, Oregon - “My least favorite thing...
Defendant pleads not guilty
A Dixon woman was released on her own recognizance during 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday. Chazara Swaney pleaded not guilty to felony charges of aggravated assault and false reports to a peace officer. According to charging documents, on...
Group bonds over button collections
A local button club has formed following a surge of interest in buttons after a display was set up in the Thompson Falls Public Library by Willina Lueb. The club has been operating for almost a year...
Council discusses fiber optic project
The Thompson Falls City Council met last week for a public hearing to discuss city zoning related to marijuana sales. The city passed Ordinance 350, which would act like an “emergency zoning ordinance,” as Mayor Mark Sheets put it. The ordinance...
Question of the Week
JEFF SHUTTLE, Thompson Falls - “No, because no matter what it costs, it’s immaterial. I’m going to do what I want to do anyway. It’s just that I’ll have to do without something else.” FIONA WALKER, Thompson Falls - “I’m making fewer...
Agencies discuss fire suppression
Representatives from several area agencies met with Sanders County Commissioners last week to discuss the process and procedures of fire suppression. The meeting was led by Plains/Thompson Falls District Ranger Dave Wrobleski and Cabinet District...
Karate kids enjoy local classes
Of the many benefits that come from an active lifestyle, Blue Heron Karate Sensei Jason Williams explains that some of these benefits are especially important for youth. Williams has run three...
Elks reintroduce youth program
Clark Fork Valley Elks is set to be the first lodge in the state to reintroduce the Antlers program. A youth community service program, the Antlers actually has very old roots among the Elks host of programs. According to the organizer Denise...
Trout Creek School starts archery program
In an effort to expand their extracurricular activities, Trout Creek School has started a community archery team, run through the school. The team pulls participants from all over the county, and has...
Defendant changes plea in drug case
Jimmy McCracken changed his plea to guilty in the 20th Judicial District Court on Tuesday. He was facing the felony charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and the misdemeanor charges of driving while a habitual offender and not having the...
Question of the Week
JESSICA NELSON, Plains - “My grandmother because she just makes the family complete. Always happy, always has her hair and makeup done, raised a huge family successfully, never heard her complain a day in her life. She just is an amazing woman....
Students detail love of country in essay contest
"You need to care about your country because it is a free country," said Noxon sixth grader Jasmin Risch when asked about Americanism. Risch was the third-place winner for the 2021-2022 Sanders County...
Noxon Schools eases restrictions
Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic, Noxon Schools are further loosening their restrictions. As part of the Noxon School District Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan, the Noxon administration and board continue to revise their...
Question of the Week
SEAN ADAMS, Thompson Falls - “I don’t have a favorite president. I believe all the presidents have had their good points and their bad points throughout the course of history. If anything, I give props to Barack Obama for breaking the color...
TF to use funds for street paving
The City Council of Thompson Falls met earlier this month to appoint and accept a new fire department chief. Nate Saint stepped up to the task, moving up from assistant chief. He was accepted with high regards from council member Shawni Vaught, who...
Woods Journal
While living in Montana, many who travel into the outdoors are often concerned with what they may need to know to survive in the woods. Often the edibility of many plants is something easy to read about. However, identifying the plants that provide o...
Question of the Week
RUTH CRABTREE, Plains - “I do. It doesn’t happen to everybody, but I think most people get it even though it might not be the first time. I really feel that if you open your eyes, you will find someone.” GEORGE CRABTREE, Plains - “Yeah, I...
