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Articles from the December 28, 2017 edition


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  • County plan moves ahead

    Shana Neesvig|Dec 28, 2017

    After much discussion with Department Officials and holding a public hearing on Dec. 7, 2017, Sanders County Commissioners have recently passed two resolutions to consolidate future positions, believing it to be in the best interest of the county. The office of Treasurer/Superintendent of Schools will consolidate with the office of the County Clerk and Recorder/Assessor/Surveyor position, effective when the present Treasurer/Superintendent of Schools expires. Secondly, commissioners have signed off on a resolution approving consolidation of...

  • Election season just ahead

    Shana Neesvig|Dec 28, 2017

    As we approach a new year, Montana Secretary of State has released dates and deadlines for 2018 election processes. The 2018 Primary and General Election dates are set as follows: January 11 will be the first day for candidates to file for office. March 12 is the deadline for candidates to file for office and/or withdraw primary election candidacy. April 27 write-in candidates must file Declaration of Intent for the primary election. May 7 is the closing date for regular voter registration; all forms must be postmarked by this date. June 5...

  • Idaho ranch offers close getaway

    Shana Neesvig|Dec 28, 2017

    The sound of bells jingling is perceived, the bite of cold air touches the cheeks, the glorious sight of snow clinging to evergreen branches is appreciated, and the scent of crisp, fresh air is rejuvenating. The wondrous beauty of Mother Nature in winter overloads all senses, bringing glorious smiles to those partaking in an old-fashioned sleigh ride. Gliding over the snow on a horse-drawn sleigh is quite arguably the most traditional winter experience one could have. So many feelings come to...

  • All in the name of science

    Ed Moreth|Dec 28, 2017

    Dropping eggs off the gymnasium roof at Plains High School was not a prank – it was done in the name of science. Plains High School maintenance supervisor Bill Hayen has been the official egg dropper for Carl Benson's physics class "Egg Drop Project" for some 20 years. He's seen some interesting contraptions. "There are a lot of duties that come with this job, but this in a fun one," said Hayen, who dropped each student's project from the roof to the pavement below. The idea for the class was t...

  • Getting through a rough patch

    Jim Elliott|Dec 28, 2017

    This has nothing to do with Christmas (which I hope was wonderful) or New Year's, (which I hope is great), but often at this time of year folks could stand a good laugh, which I hope this delivers. Whenever I am faced with a daunting task and wonder how I will get it done, I think back 35 or so years ago when I had to face what was then, and may still be, the most dauntingest task in my life. I had been away on a two-week trip to visit family and had left the ranch in charge of my hired man-it...

  • A miracle on the Clark Fork River

    Annie Wooden|Dec 28, 2017

    As 2017 comes to a close, we reflect on the highs and lows of our year. For me, one special moment of 2017 wasn’t even about me. Katrina Nygaard (pictured below) is a math teacher at Thompson Falls High School, and one of my most special friends. Each summer, my girlfriends and I get out on the Clark Fork River for a day float. During our 2017 float trip, we launched our tubes and giant yellow ducky just below the Cascade Campground above Quinn’s Hot Springs and floated to Katrina’s mother-in-law Kay’s house. Just before the Highway 200 bri...

  • Benefits outweigh risks when vaccinating your animals

    Dec 28, 2017

    I would like to set some facts straight in regards to the letter to the editor regarding vaccines for dogs. *Parvo virus in dogs is a mutation of the actual feline distemper VIRUS, and it is not associated with the vaccine for feline distemper. Just like flu viruses can mutate in people, viruses in animals can do the same thing. *The parvo virus vaccine is a modified live virus (MLV) vaccine, not a live virus. The MLV cannot give the animal the disease since the virus has been modified. *Since veterinary clinics are very aware of the disease,...

  • Remember When?

    Sherry Hagerman-Benton|Dec 28, 2017

    5 YEARS AGO • JANUARY 4, 1968 HOWARD BUCK TO BE HONORED AT OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY Howard Buck, one of the best butchers in this area, will start a new life Saturday when an open house is held at the Buck’s Grocery all day, so his friends may wish him well. He is going to retire. For 28½ years Howard and Eddie Buck have owned and operated Buck’s Grocery in Hot Springs. Now Eddie is buying Howard’s share in the store. Eddie’s son-in-law Mike Wigton, will be working with him. After World War II, both Howard and Eddie worked at other jobs for a few y...

  • Judge denies release for man in drug case

    Annie Wooden|Dec 28, 2017

    by Annie Wooden In 20th Judicial District Court on Tuesday, Suede Shuttle made an initial appearance in court, entering not guilty pleas to charges of criminal possession of dangerous drugs (methamphetamine), a felony, and criminal posession of drug paraphenalia, a misdemeanor. On Sept. 26, a 9-1-1 call from the Wild Coyote Saloon included a report that someone had claimed he killed someone and that he was loading a gun. Police were called and Shuttle was found about a quarter-mile from the Wild Coyote. Officers found Shuttle walking along the...

  • Sheriff's Log

    Dec 28, 2017

    Ambulances: Noxon, 2; T. Falls, 6; Plains, 8; H. Springs, 5; Dixon QRU, 2. Sunday, December 17 Private intrusion alarm, Plains. Verbal dispute, Plains. Vehicle slide-off, Plains. Horse running down Hwy. 200 west of T. Falls. Welfare check requested, T. Falls. Disturbance at H. Springs business. Monday, December 18 One vehicle roll-over crash on Hwy. 200, T. Falls. Violation of protection order, Plains. Rocks on Hwy. 200, Eddy Flat. Tuesday, December 19 Criminal mischief/property damage, T. Falls. Tree across Upper River Rd., Plains. Private...

  • Have you ever followed through on a New Year's resolution?

    Justin Harris|Dec 28, 2017

    COLBY LANTZ, Thompson Falls – “I’ve always tried really hard. I may have slipped a few times, though.” JACOB TILLMAN, Thompson Falls – “Yes. I made a goal to get out of my hometown in Michigan, and here I am!” JASON THORNTON, Thompson Falls – “I don’t typically make them, so I suppose I have a perfect record.” LILY BUCHANAN, Thompson Falls – “I always make the goal to keep my grades up, and I’ve always followed through.” ROB CHRISTENSEN, Thompson Falls – “I don’t really make any, I just do everything right the first time.” SUSANNE STOVER, Th...

  • Marilyn May Becker

    Dec 28, 2017

    Marilyn May Becker, aged 83, passed away surrounded by family on Sunday November 26, 2017, at Harborview Hospital in Seattle. She was born in Wadena, Minn., to Zoa and Ervin Anderson. She was the youngest of nine children. Marilyn served her community for 30 years as a registered nurse in the Surgical Services Department at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash. Following retirement, Marilyn relocated to Thompson Falls, Mont., where she served her new community as an operating room nurse at...

  • County adopts food grade scale

    Dec 28, 2017

    The Sanders County Board of Health recently adopted a retail food inspection grading program. This pilot project is intended to provide consumers with information on the level of compliance with Montana’s retail food rules. It may also serve as a tool for consumers to make informed choices about where they want to eat. Montana’s retail food rules are modeled after the Food and Drug Administration’s 2013 Food Code. Sanders County will incorporate existing risk-based food inspections with a new scoring system, which was designed to clearly and o...

  • Plains students get into the brain game

    Ed Moreth|Dec 28, 2017

    The students of Plains School didn't spend their final day before Christmas vacation crunching numbers, memorizing historical dates, or learning proper grammar, but they couldn't just flip off their thinking caps either. They had to use those caps for the annual Brain Bash competition. The 135 junior high and high school students were divided into 14 teams, each named for a Disney movie or character. For more than three hours Friday, the teams moved through 13 stations to test their mental and...

  • Snowy Seizure

    Ed Moreth|Dec 28, 2017

    Despite the snow dump, a young white-tailed buck finds leftover green plants on a porch just west of Plains....

  • Money saved as shop class helps band

    Justin Harris|Dec 28, 2017

    Wherever a school district can save money, it is a good thing. And when that money can be saved because other departments can provide a service while educating students, that is all the better. When Thompson Falls School District's band teacher Adam Craw had a need for some instrument repairs, he was not looking forward to the process of getting the instruments out of town for fixing. "It is always a bit of an ordeal when instruments go to the shop," said Craw, "our available instruments for...

  • Session set to focus on depression and anxiety

    Justin Harris|Dec 28, 2017

    A free information session will help those struggling with anxiety and depression decide if an upcoming workshop would be right for them. During the Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program, attendees will learn to identify depression and anxiety, as well as their causes. Tackling these issues will help improve emotional intelligence, a trait that is considered by experts to be vital in navigating relationships with family, friends and employers. The classes hope depression and anxiety recovery will enhance energy levels and moods – both of w...

  • Fundraiser set at Rex Theatre

    Justin Harris|Dec 28, 2017

    WITH MODERATE AND EXTREME remodels and fixes over the years, the Rex Theatre in Thompson Falls is a Main Street landmark that has been the venue of county entertainment for over 75 years. Since the movie industry’s expensive switch to digital, the local theatre has leaned heavily on live performances and generous donations to keep the doors open and the stage available for local and traveling musicians, high school plays, birthday parties and fundraisers. Those who have a special place in their hearts and memories of the old theater can help o...

  • Scrappy Heat girls top Eagles, fall to Mission Bulldogs

    John Hamilton|Dec 28, 2017

    Hot Springs Lady Savage Heat coach Richard Jackson likes to say his young team is a scrappy one that will only get better with time. Proving their coach to be correct in his scrappiness assessment, the Savage Heat girls battled past Valley Christian 50-27 in Missoula Thursday and then fought to the finish before dropping a 54-53 decision to Mission in Mission Friday. Both games last week were non-conference encounters. The Heat return to action at Noxon Jan. 5 and will host Plains Jan. 6 in a pair of important conference games to kick off the...

  • Hot Springs boys never surrender but lose two

    John Hamilton|Dec 28, 2017

    Other teams may beat the Hot Springs boys basketball team on the scoreboard, but the Savage Heat will never surrender. Coach Ricky DePoe and his six-strong boys team dropped a pair of games last week, falling 51-35 to Valley Christian in Missoula Thursday and 69-30 to Mission in St. Ignatius Friday. The Heat return to action Jan. 5 hosting Noxon and will visit Plains Jan. 6 to open the 2018 portion of the schedule. Against Valley Christian, Brandon Knudsen led the Heat with 13 points, Luke Waterbury added 10, Tyler Carr nine and Justin Salmi...

  • Sanders County Scoreboard

    Dec 28, 2017

    GIRLS BASKETBALL Tuesday Plains 44, Thompson Falls 31 Florence 63, Mission 50 Charlo 59, Two Eagle River 11 Arlee 38, St. Regis 21 Drummond 25, Twin Bridges 24 Darby 58, Valley Christian 25 Deer Lodge 42, Manhattan 34 Hamilton 51, Ronan 47 Corvallis 52, Stevensville 41 Wednesday Dillon 42, Corvallis 27 Thursday Troy 48, Thompson Falls 36 Arlee 59, Plains 51 Charlo 46, Noxon 18 Hot Springs 50, Valley Christian 27 Two Eagle River 41, Victor 36 Deer Lodge 53, Anaconda 35 Columbia Falls 68, Bigfork 63 Frenchtown 41, Polson 27 Friday Mission 54,...

  • Bowling Scores

    Dec 28, 2017

    THOMPSON FALLS BOWLING BEAUTIES W L Gardner Ranch 33.5 22.5 Realty Northwest 31 25 B & D Trucking 31 25 Mad Hatters 28 28 Sunflower Gallery 24 32 Clay Pots 20.5 35.5 Team Scr. Game: Realty Northwest, 578; Scr. Series: Realty Northwest, 1594; Hcp. Game: Realty Northwest, 724; Hcp. Series: Realty Northwest, 2032; Inv. Scr. Game: Mary Thomas, 196; Scr. Series: Mary Thomas, 497; Hcp. Game: Renee Klinger, 255; Hcp. Series: Renee Klinger, 709. OVER THE HILL GANG W L Com’ Bak Kids 37.5 18.5 1st Security Bank 34 22 Leftovers 25.5 30.5 Joker’s Wild 25...

  • Scarlets hold off Trotters in early 14C showdown

    John Hamilton|Dec 28, 2017

    PLAINS - It appeared as if the game could go either way but, in the end, it fell Arlee’s way. The Plains Trotters and Arlee Scarlets faced off in an early season matchup of District 14C heavyweights Thursday and, after a close battle most of the way, the Scarlets managed to pull away and put away the game at the free throw line, finally winning 59-51. Coach Jessica Nagy’s Trotters trailed only 39-38 heading into the fourth quarter but the Arlee girls made eight of 10 free throws after that to surge to the important conference win. Lindsay Law...

  • 37th Keg Bowl will be for Randy

    John Hamilton|Dec 28, 2017

    This one is for Randy. The 37th annual Keg Bowl, also known as the Blue Hawk Grid Iron Club Scholarship Bowl, will be played at the old mill site east of Thompson Falls Saturday, and it will not be just for fun this time, it will also be played for Randy Pirker. A long-time Keg Bowl participant, either as a player years ago or, in more recent years, as one of the game’s referees, Randy has recently come down ill and his expenses are piling up. As a result of Randy’s situation, Grid Iron Club president Doug Willhite says that all money raised fr...

  • 2018 Fun Run set for Monday

    Dec 28, 2017

    The Fun Run will be done – again. The 19th annual New Year’s Day Fun Run will be held starting and ending at the Elk’s Lodge just east of Thompson Falls at 11 a.m. Monday. Jan. 1. Pre-registration before Dec. 28 will cost contestants $22 per customer for those wanting the event T-shirt, or $10 without the shirt. Race day registration will be $27 with a shirt or $15 without. Shirts for late entrants will be subject to availability. To register early or ask questions about the race, contact race organizer Sarah Naegeli at 827-4887 or at tfl44...

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