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Articles from the October 31, 2019 edition


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  • Busy weekend for hunters

    Oct 31, 2019

    The first weekend of the big game hunting season brought more hunters and more harvested white-tailed deer through the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) check station at Thompson Falls. The big game season opened Saturday. Over the weekend, 405 hunters, checked in at the FWP station west of Thompson Falls, compared with 320 during opening weekend last year. Hunters at the check station reported 15 white-tailed deer, including 10 bucks. The number of elk harvested during opening weekend was down this year, with three reported at the check sta...

  • CREATIVE CARVERS

    Ed Moreth|Oct 31, 2019

    They might not be as nimble with the carving knives, but that didn't stop a group of seniors from making jack-o'-lanterns at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital Long Term Care Tuesday morning. Six nursing home residents from 76-year-old Sharon Wilson to 92-year-old Laurayne "Toddy" Silverthorn showed their pumpkin carving skills and artistic talents during a pumpkin carving session to decorate the facility for Halloween. Some went with the traditional jack-o'-lantern look, while others made their...

  • Local 4-H member's hog earns state honor

    Shana Neesvig|Oct 31, 2019

    The Sanders County Fair has come and gone, but the awards keep coming. For first-time swine project member Dallas Berman and breeder Samie Helvey, the Montana Symbol of Excellence program found their heavy-weight hog to have the second-best quality in the state. After rating out at the top of the carcass evaluations at the county level, Berman's and Helvey's results went on to the state level earning them these honors. Berman's hog, "Bacon," was the prized gilt that has given him incentive to...

  • Hwy 200 project resumes

    Oct 31, 2019

    Construction crews returned to Highway 200 east of Thompson Falls this week, working to install an electric wildlife deterrent system across the roadway. The Montana Department of Transportation (DOT) project will take 2-3 weeks to complete, depending on weather. Crews will be working on both ends of the project area to install electric mats across the roadway. The mats discourage wildlife from crossing by delivering a mild, but harmless, electric shock. Traffic will be reduced to one lane with pilot cars guiding vehicles through the constructi...

  • Investing in public spaces helps towns

    Oct 31, 2019

    Growing up in Sanders County, you didn't want out-of-staters to move in for fear that they would come and change everything. As we have spent most our lives here, we realize the old "not much changes in a small town" is true. Each of our communities has that small-town feel that we love. In Thompson Falls and Plains, we've seen the cities investing in resources such as roads and infrastructure. In both of those communities, work is progressing on much needed repairs to the public pools. To some, repairs and improvements to the city pools and...

  • Community deserves the truth

    Oct 31, 2019

    Dear Editor, I am writing today in response to your August 22 article published about a friend of mine, Mark Legard, who was murdered in his house in Plains, Montana. As you mentioned, his father Pat, is begging for information about what happened to Mark that evening of March 14 and is not getting any from the local law enforcement. This is so exceedingly troubling for those of us who loved Mark dearly, and for everyone living in this small community. Why has there been no leads or updates? Why has there been so many mistakes made by law...

  • Montana Viewpoint

    Jim Elliott|Oct 31, 2019

    The worst thing about a Congressional closed-door hearing is that the opposition does not get any press when they posture and pontificate on the unfairness of whatever. The best thing about closed-door hearings is that, “The private ones always produce better results.” That’s not my opinion, it’s the opinion of former Republican Congressman Trey Gowdy referring to criticism of his holding closed-door hearings on the Clinton-Benghazi issue. I can attest to the fact that many politicians speak t...

  • Remember When?

    Sherry Hagerman-Benton|Oct 31, 2019

    5 YEARS AGO • OCTOBER 23, 1969 LAWYER NURSERY BUSY Harvest operations are in full swing at the David Lawyer Nursery, a comparatively new operation which specializes in providing wholesale understocks for nurseries all over the United States which sell directly to consumers. An added problem this fall at the Lawyer Nursery is the fact that Dave underwent cranial surgery Friday in the University of Colorado Medical Center at Denver and this shifts the burden to Mrs. Esther Lawyer. The business of supplying root stocks to other nurseries was s...

  • Question of the Week

    Shana Neesvig|Oct 31, 2019

    LARRY EDDY, Trout Creek – “Handmade popcorn balls! Caramel. That’s my best memory.” RON HAWKINSON, Thompson Falls – “Candy corn. Everybody hates it, but I love it!” CODY BROWN, Thompson Falls – “Honey, oh…Bit-O-Honey. Every time I eat it, I lose teeth though.” PEGGY RELLER, Thompson Falls – “ALL OF IT!” CATHY JOHNSON, Thompson Falls – “It’s not candy, but hot chocolate. A packet of hot chocolate.” JO ELLEN MORRIS, Plains – “Snickers!...

  • Sheriff's Log

    Oct 31, 2019

    Ambulance calls: Thompson Falls, 9; Plains, 9; Hot Springs, 2; Noxon, 1. Monday, October 21 Suspicious activity, Hot Springs. Theft, Thompson Falls. Motor vehicle crash. Welfare check, possible domestic situation, Plains. Welfare check, abandoned vehicle, Thompson Falls. Assault, Plains. Property damage, Plains. Suspicious activity, Heron. Property lost, Plains. Alarm, Plains. Alarm, Hot Springs. Tuesday, October 22 Suspicious activity, T. Falls. Motor vehicle crash, Plains. Warrant service, Noxon. Wednesday, October 23 Assist other agency,...

  • Justice Court

    Oct 31, 2019

    Montana Highway Patrol Dwight Bouldin, 58, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, $185; criminal possession of dangerous drugs, 1st offense, $175. Juan Gomez Castillo, 27, day speeding, $70. Liam Gaul, 16, day speeding, $70. Faith Larson, 21, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, 1st offense, $685 and 1 day jail. Jim Gurden, 86, improper passing, $85. Curtis Kegel, 63, improper passing, $85. Colter Posey, 25, careless driving, $85. John Selleck, 33, seatbelt violation, $20. Tyler Gordon, 30, day speeding, $20. Susan Wall, 60,...

  • Hot Springs musicians earn all-star honors

    Sanders County Ledger|Oct 31, 2019

    Each year the University of Montana hosts the All-Star Band and Orchestra Festival. In order to be selected for these groups, students must be nominated by their school director and then selected by the University of Montana. This year, the university received nominations from 65 high schools across five states, as well as Alberta. Two students from Hot Springs High School have been chosen to participate in this unique experience. Cameron Stearns, a senior, age 17, and Laneya Miller, a junior,...

  • RARE SIGHTING

    Oct 31, 2019

    A hot air balloon rises in front of the Mission Mountains last Thursday. Travelers on Highway 200 near Dixon last Thursday were treated to the unusual sight as the balloon took off and glided over the valley....

  • Elks collecting winter clothing

    Oct 31, 2019

    Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge in Thompson Falls is again collecting winter clothing for local children this year. With the Keep 'Em Warm program, Elks members are collecting items including coats, boots, mittens, gloves, socks and snow pants. Items in new or good used condition can be dropped at boxes at the Elks Lodge or Harvest Foods. Michelle Blackstone, exalted ruler of the Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge, said the items will be distributed to kids throughout Sanders County. “With the cold coming so early, we are trying to get items d...

  • Help available for Medicare recipients

    Oct 31, 2019

    The annual Open Enrollment Period for Medicare has rolled around again. Last year at the Area VI Agency on Aging Polson office alone, the agency served more than 300 clients and saved folks approximately $246,000 for 2019. The agency also assists beneficiaries in Lincoln, Mineral and Sanders counties. Medicare beneficiaries have until Dec. 7 to look over next year’s plans and make changes if they choose. Since Dec. 7 falls on a Saturday this year, Friday Dec. 6 is the last day the Agency on Aging will be able to assist Medicare b...

  • TFHS Honor Society plans blood drive

    Shana Neesvig|Oct 31, 2019

    Thompson Falls High School Honor Society is once again hosting their annual American Red Cross Blood Drive. Unlike prior years, the society is opening the event to the public in hopes of serving more donors. Tuesday, November 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the high school gymnasium, the American Red Cross will be available to take donations. Appointments can be made by contacting school Counselor Jodi Morgan at (406) 827-7209 or registering online at redcrossblood.org. Donors must be in good...

  • Edna Phyllis MacDonald

    Oct 31, 2019

    Edna Phyllis MacDonald, aka Edna P. Chadwick, Edna Philis MacDonald, Trafina Kozlo Darling; Mother, Grandma, Great-grandma, passed away Tuesday, October 27, 2019, 1:14 p.m. at the Libby Care Center, Libby. Her partner Mark Wagner was at her bedside. She was 93 years on this earth. Born in Detroit, Michigan to Donald Grey MacDonald and Maud Ellen Beecraft. The youngest daughter of four. Edna was a one of a kind lady, who lived through a rapidly changing world. She lived and grew up during the...

  • William Edmond Daugherty

    Oct 31, 2019

    William Edmond Daugherty, 62, of Charlo, Montana passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula. He passed away on his brother Michael's birthday due to complications from COPD and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Ed was born December 8, 1956 in Joplin, Missouri to William Henry and Jaffra Arlene Daugherty. He grew up between Neosho, Missouri and Marshall, Arkansas with a strong passion for reading and history. He was also a proud member of his high school football team,...

  • Crossword Solution

    Oct 31, 2019

    SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. TPA 4. Este 8. Aims 10. Tread 11. Cnut 12. Frappe 13. Kilos 15. Blister 16. Loewi 17. Dairies 18. Entertainment 21. EDD 22. FMG 23. Arc 24. Ale 25. Mem 26. MBA 27. Marilyn Manson 34. Fanatic 35. Peace 36. Pirated 37. Tubes 38. Unites 39. Slat 40. Lanes 41. Sene 42. Alae 43. SSR SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. Tackle 2. Pinion 3. Amulet 4. Erasing 5. Septet 6. Taped 7. Eder 9. Stowe 10. Trireme 12. Flimflam 14. Sir 15. Ban 17. Did 19. Termites 20. ADC 23. Aerates 24. ABN 25. Manatee 26....

  • LOVELY LARCH

    Oct 31, 2019

    The calmness of a crisp fall morning brings reflections of the changing colors of larch trees along the Clark Fork River....

  • Repairs begin at T. Falls pool

    Miriah Kardelis|Oct 31, 2019

    Construction has started on the Thompson Falls City Pool, and is set to be done by Thanksgiving weekend, according Thompson Falls Mayor Jerry Lacy. “By doing the construction this time of the year, we are able to make sure the concrete sets up in time, and we can also make sure that if there are any problems, we will have enough time to fix them before the normal June opening,” stated Lacy. “The contractor for the project, Bob Parker with Design and Construction, hopes to have everything finished before winter hits.” When asked if there w...

  • New Wayside owners plan few changes

    Shana Neesvig|Oct 31, 2019

    If it isn't broke, don't fix it. These are words Erick and Kristin Miller are living by. As new owners of the Wayside Bar, Grill and Casino in Trout Creek, they took ownership of a good thing in September and plan to keep it that way. "The only thing changing is employee based," Erick stated. "We will be making our employees' lives easier." He included updating the kitchen as one of the items benefiting his staff, who both he and wife Kristin gave accolades to. Other than that, "we don't plan...

  • Blue Hawks vanquish Blackhawks

    John Hamilton|Oct 31, 2019

    It has been a season of high-scoring accomplishment for the Thompson Falls Blue Hawk football team. Taking their first season as 8-Man entity by storm, coach Jared Koskela and his Hawks quickly established themselves as one of the best teams in western Montana early this season, and finished the regular campaign with a flourish last Friday night, taking down the visiting Seeley-Swan Blackhawks 55-0 on Previs Field to clinch the No. 2 seed from the west into the State 8-Man playoffs. Earning a...

  • State XC meet is a snow go

    John Hamilton|Oct 31, 2019

    Running in a winter wonderland. Although it seems a little early to be talking about winter this is, after all, Montana and anyone who has spent any amount of time here knows that the weather can change in a hurry. Changing from warm and windy Friday in a Big Sky heartbeat, the weather at last week's Montana All-Class cross country meet held at Eagle Falls Golf Course in Great Falls Saturday was nothing if not winter-like, with bitter winds blowing and snow accumulating as race time approached....

  • View from the Sidelines

    John Hamilton|Oct 31, 2019

    There’s no place like home for the playoffs. And there has never been this many local teams even making it this far at the same time before. The Montana high school sports post season begins this weekend across the Big Sky Country, and Sanders County will be an epicenter of activity like never before at this time of year. For the first time in recorded sports history in these parts, three of the county’s four football teams have advanced into the MHSA state playoffs. What’s more, all three have earned home games in the first round this weeke...

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