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Articles from the March 3, 2022 edition


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  • Cancer Network draws prizes, opens off ice

    Ed Moreth|Mar 3, 2022

    The Cancer Network of Sanders County held its big fundraiser drawing, along with an open house for its new office space at Paws Here Pet Styling, in Plains last week. CNSC raised $20,447 with the drawing of three items. Eight-year-old Xander Mathis of Plains plucked the raffle winning tickets Saturday afternoon. Craig Fowler of Plains was the winner of the biggest item, a custom bolt action Remington Model 700 rifle chambered in a 340 Weatherby magnum with a muzzle break and scope. It also came...

  • UNWANTED VISITORS

    Mar 3, 2022

    A young whitetail deer kicks away a couple of turkeys near Plains....

  • Students prepare for county spelling bee

    Mar 3, 2022

    Students will compete in the annual Sanders County Spelling Bee this week. The Sanders County Ledger and First Security Bank have sponsored the county spelling bee for 35 years. It is the longest privately sponsored bee in the state, according to Annie Wooden, Ledger Publisher. Students will meet at the Sanders County Courthouse on Friday for the challenge of determining who will move on to the state bee. The top three finishers will receive trophies from The Ledger and gift cards from First Security Bank. Schools throughout the county held...

  • Trout Creek business has new owners

    Miriah Kardelis|Mar 3, 2022

    The Local Store in Trout Creek is under new ownership. Ross and Michelle Fitchett took over operations last November and they say business has been steady. "We were able to keep all the original employees and we were able to hire a few new people," Ross said. While the purchase of licensing to sell tobacco and alcohol took longer than expected, the owners say once those were approved, running the store has been pretty smooth so far. With the idea of expansion in mind, the owners have started...

  • Our Viewpoint

    Mar 3, 2022

    Several times during the week, I check the county website to see if new candidates have filed for local elections. This year we are electing several county and state officials, as well as school board members and special district representatives. Very few open positions thus far are uncontested. We have five candidates to file so far for county sheriff, and each of the two open county commissioner positions have two candidates, with the filing deadline still a few weeks away. It makes me optimistic that so many people are filing for positions....

  • Montana Viewpoint

    Jim Elliott|Mar 3, 2022

    I have been writing this article in my head for the past week, and now that Ukraine has been invaded and perhaps by now, conquered, my thoughts remain the same, and they are that the level of dissent in the United States of America plays directly into the hands of the leaders of Russia and China and so threatens the freedoms of Americans in the future. Russia and China have entered into a mutual aid pact that has as a major goal the lessening of America’s power in the world. Putin and Xi J...

  • Remember When?

    Sherry Hagerman-Benton|Mar 3, 2022

    3 YEARS AGO • MARCH 5 18, 1992 COOK HANGS UP APRON An appreciation party was held at the Thompson Falls Christian Church in honor of Annie Sloan, who has been associated with the Sanders County Sheriff’s Department in various capacities since 1955. Approximately 90 guests, mostly law enforcement personnel, joined together to say thanks to this dedicated woman who has worked for a total of eight sheriffs in succession since she began washing blankets used by the prisoners when Wally Britton was sheriff in the 50s. She has cooked meals for the p...

  • Question of the Week

    John Dowd|Mar 3, 2022

    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.” BLAKELY LAKKO, Plains - “My grandma. She takes care of me and she’s always there for me and she’s my best friend.” TERRI BAKER, Plains - “My mom. Basically, she raised six children on her own. My father died when I was young. She’s just always been a really wonderful example to me.” Robert Siperly, T...

  • Sheriff's Log

    Mar 3, 2022

    Ambulance: Plains, 5; Trout Creek, 5; Heron, 1; T. Falls, 2; Hot Springs, 2. Tuesday, February 22 Suspicious activity, Hot Springs. Message delivery, Trout Creek. Wednesday, February 23 Nuisance complaints, Plains. Message delivery, Plains. Intimidation/harassment, Trout Creek. Mental health issue, Hot Springs. Animal other, Plains. Thursday, February 24 Disturbance, Trout Creek. Civil standby, Plains. Abandoned vehicle, Heron. Protection order violation, T. Falls. Trespass, Plains. Child custody issues, Plains. Coroner called, Plains. Civil at...

  • Justice Court

    Mar 3, 2022

    Montana Highway Patrol Aida Zagouri-Sano, 44, day speeding, $70. Kyle Olsen, 38, day speeding, $20. Johnathan Tveit, 54, day speeding, $70. Celsey Vonheeder, 18, seatbelt violation, $20. Dane Chojnacky, 19, basic rule, reasonable and prudent, 1st offense, $120. Eric Reatz, 43, seatbelt violation, $20. James White, 60, night speeding, $70. Donna Bauer, 63, day speeding, $20. Melissa Chandler, 32, seatbelt violation, $20. Mary Cinfo Lucas, 29, day speeding, $70. Thomas Hohman, 57, day speeding, $70. Eric Meidinger, 51, day speeding, $70. William...

  • Legislative Update

    Denley Loge|Mar 3, 2022

    As a result of legislation requested from the Montana Department of Transportation, House Bill 56 allowed the department to use alternate-colored lights on their snowplows. In the winter of 2020-21, 20 snowplows were hit while clearing and sanding our highways. So far this winter, 21 snowplows have been hit. You may have noticed recently, green flashing lights are showing up on snowplows around the state. One hundred trucks have been fitted with these lights so far, starting with the newer...

  • Not guilty pleas entered in sexual assault case

    Annie Wooden|Mar 3, 2022

    A Trout Creek man made an initial appearance in 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday, entering not guilty pleas to three felony charges before Judge Deborah "Kim" Christopher. Matthew Yanke pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and one count of sexual assault. The charges stem from alleged incidents in December 2021 involving a child under the age of 16. Charges were filed February 4 and Yanke was arrestend on February 10. Judge Christopher set a trial date of June 20, 2022, for Yanke....

  • Students detail love of country in essay contest

    John Dowd|Mar 3, 2022

    "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 portion of the nationwide Elks Americanism Essay Contest for the fifth and sixth grade division. The contest asked participants to write an essay that speaks to a certain patriotic theme. The theme this year was "What does it mean to love your country?" Risch participated last year and plans to ent...

  • Robert Thomas "Skip" Baxter

    Mar 3, 2022

    Robert Thomas "Skip" Baxter was born on July 2, 1940, in Spokane, Washington, and passed away at his home in Thompson Falls, Montana, on January 25, 2022. Skip will be remembered by many for his great sense of humor, strong work ethic, quick wit and love for his Lord, family, church, community and the Thompson Falls Blue Hawks. Skip moved to Thompson Falls with his parents Claude A. "Jack" and Elsie Katherine in 1945 and graduated from Thompson Falls High School in 1958. After graduation, he...

  • Christine Therese Nowak

    Mar 3, 2022

    Christine Therese Nowak reunited with her Lord and Savior on February 22, 2022. She was born June 24, 1944, to Raymond and Margaret Nowak in Chicago, Illinois. Christine met Edward Wayne Boniecki soon after high school and married on June 30, 1962. In 1974, they moved with their five children to Thompson Falls, Montana, with a sense of adventure to live off the land. While her husband worked as a local meat cutter, she was the center of love and warmth for the family's ranch home. She was...

  • Modern Homesteader

    Miriah Kardelis|Mar 3, 2022

    As we leave the winter season behind, many will begin the yearly ritual of spring planting. Some may even dig a bit deeper by starting to prep the soil for those spring plants. The health of our soil is just as important, if not more, as the health of our plants. Soil health will ultimately determine if your garden will thrive. There are a lot of ways to improve the health and quality of your soil other than compost and conventional fertilizers. Many of those eco-friendly options can be found right in your kitchen. Coffee grounds contain a sign...

  • Hawks end season at divisional

    Annie Wooden|Mar 3, 2022

    The Blue Hawk boys basketball team finished their season at the divisional tournament last weekend, going 1-2 with opponents in Ronan. The Hawks tipped off the tournament against Florence on Thursday. The Hawks hit the floor with energy as they took a quick 5-0 lead in the first quarter. However, the Falcons quickly rebounded to take the lead and ended the first quarter up 11-10. Thompson Falls was plagued with turnovers in the first half and went into the locker room down 25-18. They kept up...

  • HAWKS HEADED TO STATE

    Annie Wooden|Mar 3, 2022

    The Lady Hawks basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the first time in nearly two decades. The Hawks took second place at the divisional tournament in Ronan last weekend, securing a bid to state. It was 2003 the last time the Lady Hawks advanced to the state tournament. The Thompson Falls Lady Hawks took a different approach to a familiar opponent in the championship game at divisional. Saturday evening, the Hawks found themselves facing the Bigfork Valkyries once again. Bigfork...

  • Noxon Schools eases restrictions

    John Dowd|Mar 3, 2022

    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 plan to stay current. The process, two weeks ago, during the regular monthly school board meeting, saw the school drop restrictions even more. The administration advised that the school will only shut down due to an inability to fill staffing positions, among other things. “We’re becoming more per...

  • Bowling Scores

    Mar 3, 2022

    MONDAY NITE GALS W L Dangerous Dames 66 34 Nascar Freaks 64 36 Talk of the Town 53.5 46.5 Dolls with Balls 53.5 46.5 Rock ’n Bowl 52 48 Team Scr. Game: Rock ‘n Bowl, 448; Scr. Series: Rock ‘n Bowl, 1255; Hcp. Game: Rock ‘n Bowl, 658; Hcp. Series: Rock ‘n Bowl, 1885; Inv. Scr. Game: Shelly Wrightson, 188; Scr. Series: Simone Schilthuis, 471; Hcp. Game: Koko Herreid, 238; Hcp. Series: Koko Herreid, 657. BOWLING BEAUTIES W L Lane Blazers 60.5 27.5 Elliott Realty 43.5 44.5 The Dinkers 43 45 Sunflower Gals 42 46 Gardner Ranch 38.5 49.5 Aspire PT...

  • WALL OF LEGENDS

    Mar 3, 2022

    Blue Hawk senior Trae Thilmony had his name added to the Blue Hawk Wrestling Wall of Fame at Thompson Falls High School this week. Thilmony was added as the first three-time state champion and the third four-time state placers. Previous four-time state placers were Don Breitenbach and Steve Lyons....

  • Crossword Solution

    Mar 3, 2022

    SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. CRAVAT 7. SCALES 13. CUISINE 14. CALIBER 16. RD 17. SPIDERMAN 19. MA 20. AGUES 22. IRE 23. SAPIR 25. TENS 26. PUREE 28. CETE 29. ELI 30. JAM 31. DKR 33. ROB 34. VIOL 36. GEMINI 38. ALEPH 40. RAMET 41. SARONG 43. SATE 44. EBS 45. SAP 47. RAN 48. TAB 51. PRAT 53. TACET 55. SERA 56. TALAS 58. DOT 59. SARAN 60. ID 61. WHIRLIGIG 64. BD 65. CORNICE 67. RESEALS 69. RHYMES 70. EMERGE SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. CUDGEL 2. RI 3. ASSES 4. VIPS 5. ANI 6. TEDIUM 7. SCREED 8. CAM 9. ALAS 10. LINAC...

  • New quilt store opens in Plains

    Ed Moreth|Mar 3, 2022

    A new quilt shop opened last week with a better-than-expected number of grand opening customers. The Fabric Pixie opened for business last Tuesday on the corner of McGowan and Farmer streets in Plains with a flood of customers there when the doors opened at 11 a.m. and dozens of people stopping by throughout the day, according to owner and operator Melissa Compton. "I was so excited to open the doors today," said Compton, who decided last December that she wanted to pursue the dream of having he...

  • TCCIA's Redneck Ball is back

    Miriah Kardelis|Mar 3, 2022

    After last year’s hiatus due to COVID-19, the annual Redneck Ball is back, giving some relief to those with cabin fever from the long winter. A night out on the town, hosted by the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA), is just what every redneck needs right now. This year’s event is set for Saturday, March 5, at the Lakeside Motel and Resort in Trout Creek. A no-host social hour sets off the night at 5 p.m. with food specials from the Lakeside. The show begins at 7 p.m. This marks the seventh year for the Redneck Ball and TCC...