Your Best Source For Sanders County News
Your Best Source For Sanders County News
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With back to school, the beginning of soccer, and the fair, many families are dealing with high emotions, not just in the littles, but the bigs. Another parent recently explained their childs’ meltdowns to me and all I could do was nod along and smile, “I feel that way too,” I blurted. Sometimes it’s too many people, sometimes it’s being hungry, sometimes there’s no obvious reason. Another parent came up and told me how their child may not realize they’re overheating, if they become grumpy to ask them to shed a layer and see if that fixes it...
Do you love to read and discuss books, but struggle to leave your comfy home in order to do so? I sure do. I have the best snacks here, a cozy blankie if I get a chill, and I never have to worry that I forgot my pen. In an effort to bring book club to you, Thompson Falls Public Library and I have teamed up with The Sanders County Ledger and this column, to bring you Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club: free, monthly, and fun! Check out my quick review of our first book below as well as details for joining us later this month.* In August,...
I very vividly remember my first day of kindergarten. My mom took me to school, walked me to Mrs. Garrison's class in the dorm building, started to walk away, and I burst into tears. I think the only way she got me to stay was by having my friend Brooke distract me. I still get those same first-day-of-school jitters when I start a new project, go somewhere I've never been or even when I pick up the phone to conduct an interview. It always turns out just fine and I'm happy for new experiences and new acquaintances. As kids go back to school this...
I’m sure it is just a coincidence that Montana homeowners’ property tax bills come out just a couple of weeks before the election. Coincidence or not, it’s a good reminder for taxpayers to take a closer look at the person who wants their vote. We need no reminders that last year’s property tax bills were a real eye opener, and that this year’s will present more of the same awakening. That’s in spite of the governor’s largess in offering a $675 property tax rebate for taxes paid in 2022 and anot...
Just in case you're wondering about those who compete for the office of and for the people's expectations, we must adhere to the truth using only words that are proven to be documented; in fact, anything less is deception — of the people, by the people, for the people does not justifiably adhere to deception — so don't waste people's time, admiration, and hope. John Middlemiss, Trout Creek...
As most people reading this will know, the levy to supply added funding to Plains Public Schools did not pass. This very directly affects the ability of the school district to continue to provide quality enrichment educational opportunities to our children. In light of this, the Plains Parent and Teachers Association (PTA) wants to invite the greater community to assist with meeting some of the needs of our students attending our public schools. Budget shortfalls are impacting the ability to hire educational support staff, meet cost of living... Full story
by Crystal Molidor As autumn sweeps across New England, the region transforms into a tapestry of stunning reds, oranges, and yellows. Fall cruises are an ideal way to experience the season's beauty while also exploring charming coastal towns and historic cities. From the comfort of a cruise ship, travelers can witness this dazzling foliage while only unpacking one time! New England is famous for its fall foliage, and cruises in the region are perfectly timed for peak leaf-peeping season, usually from late September through mid-October. There... Full story
There seem to be no shades of gray in the political landscape of the United States. You're either red or blue or right or wrong. There's not much compromise or debating when people have their minds made up so early in races. I am one of those voters who loves absentee ballots. I like to think of myself as pretty well informed, given my profession, but sometimes there are statewide races for which I have no clue who either candidate is. In that situation, I like to Google the people, at the very least, and try to get some idea of what they...
Dear Editor. While reading through last week’s edition of your excellent newspaper I noticed the USFS Campground checks listed in the Sheriff's Log. From the staff at the USFS Plains – Thompson Falls Ranger District I want to thank the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff and staff, for conducting the campground checks. Thank you very much. This level of support from the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office and community is very valuable and directly assists in the provision of a safe recreational environment for Sanders County residen...
Digging around in the dictionary recently led to monogenesis, a theory that all living things evolved from a single cell — some combination of proteins and acids and God knows what else that became able to duplicate itself. Maybe this tiny accretion floated in primal seas for eons waiting for the final magic ingredient to adhere to it, maybe it instantly coalesced when a lightning bolt struck; but somehow suddenly there were two of whatever it was. If this wasn’t miracle enough, the other whatever was also able to duplicate itself. So began the...
Why Move to a town/city? What motivates a family or an individual to move from a rural setting to a town or city? If you look through the list below, some reasons may be more important to you than others and in a different order of priority. You may have additional wants and/or needs. Depending on the size of the municipality, these services will vary. The challenge of providing “something for everyone” or a “one size fits all” is next to impossible. Utilitarian philosophy is that the most ethical choice is the one that will produce the gre...
I joke that my parents were super excited when I bought my own house because it meant that I wouldn't move back in with them again. Growing up in little old Sanders County, I couldn't wait to go out and explore the world. I branched out for college, going out of state. Then I moved home. I made stops around the country for college my journalism career. And when I got divorced, the only place I wanted to go was home. Once I got back to Sanders County, I didn't want to leave. In fact, I only leave the county once every other month or so, and...
Apologies to F. Scott Fitzgerald: “The very rich are just different from you and me.” We worry about the next mortgage payment; they paid cash for their home(s). Without insurance, medical care is only “an option” for us. For the wealthy, when insurance won’t cover it, there’s always cash. We plan for our retirement, denying short-term pleasures for long-term security. Retirement? The wealthy are born “retired”. Our wallets are full of basic credit cards with too high-interest balances; their cards are “titanium” levels without balances. O...
Several years ago I paid a visit to the Mayor of Flaxville, Montana. Her honor was not only the CEO of Flaxville, she was also the Chair of the Democratic Party in Daniels County, which was the main reason for my visit in my capacity as the State Chair of the whole shebang—the Montana Democratic Party. That’s just to explain why I was there and that’s all the politics this article will contain. So, I’m in Flaxville at a pancake breakfast put on by some organization for some good cause. Flaxville...
Last week as I was walking down Main Street in Thompson Falls, distracted by waving at someone driving by, I nearly ran into a doe huddled in some shade just off the sidewalk. It shocked me and I jumped back a bit as the deer just stood there. (As a side note, one thing that's important to know about me is that my brother and his best friend told me that deer were aliens and that's why their eyes glowed. It still influences me to this day.) Finally the deer just stepped aside a bit, but never was bothered by me being there. Later that day, I... Full story
When she was a puppy, I could smoosh my nose into our dogs’ paws and inhale corn chips. I could stuff my nose into the scruff of her neck and smell sunlight and grass and a touch of joy. But somewhere along the way, she lost her puppy smell and gained a stink. We added those green doggie toothbrushes, but it wasn’t her breath that needed fixing, and the treats didn’t seem to affect anything anyway. We started bathing the dogs every week, which decreased the number of dog-hair-tumbleweeds rolling through the house, but still didn’t take her sme...
July was a sudden scorcher! The meteorologist seems to have the best job on the planet, as he has been paid to be pretty egregiously incorrect quite often this season (apologies to any meteorologists out there). May the huckleberries be benefitting from these last few nice rains. As to the real estate market, the inventory is still growing, but it is still at a much slower rate seasonally. Those low interest rate loans are hard to part with when you have to start over with a much higher rate. The sales were down for both land and homes for the...
Usually, I read more frivolous and fun books in the summer, and I used to think it was because that’s what I wanted to read, but now I’m beginning to think it’s simply because that’s what’s published and available to me at that time of year. I’m curious, how does it work for you? Do you prefer quick and dirty books, what I call “page turners,” like those by John Grisham, Colleen Hoover, and Emily Henry, or deeply engrossing books, what I call “think traps,” like those by Barbara Kingsolver, Elena Ferrante, and Abraham Verghese? Do your t... Full story
Last week, we installed a new sign on the front of the Ledger building. We make signs, banners, photo canvases and other items in our print shop, and our work can be seen all over town. However, the front of our own building lacked adequate signage. Someone I know who drives through town several times a week asked me recently where the Ledger was. That got me motivated to create our new sign. It only took me seven years, but now no one can say they didn't know where we are. We also recently branched out in our offerings. In an effort to...
I asked a friend of mine if he had ever known a man named Bat O’Callahan who lived in Trout Creek years ago and was married to my good friend Jessie O’Callahan. Whether that marriage ended because Bat left town or died I never did know, but since Jessie had remembered him so fondly I thought he must have been a good man. “Yeah, I remember him,” my friend said. “He used to drive home from the bar, pull off the highway onto Swamp Creek Road, turn off his car right there in the middle of the inter...
There is a saying… “You are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts.” As Thompson Falls mayor, I do have actual facts about Wild Goose Landing contrary to some comments I’ve been made aware of on Sanders County 411. Northwest Energy has an easement signed December 2023 by Northwest Energy and the City. Thompsons Falls Public Works had maintained Wild Goose until this year. There are copies of the easement and all correspondence between the City and Northwest Energy for anyone who would care to view it. Happy to clarify any que...
I spoke with Sanders County Sheriff Fielders yesterday (July 18, 2024). The conversation concerned dispatching the ‘tax-supported’ Community Ambulance Service to emergency 911 calls within the Heron Rural Fire District boundaries. This has been a divisive issue in the Heron community for a couple of years. Last year, the sheriff halted dispatching the Community Ambulance in favor of a ‘privately owned’ ambulance in Heron, much to the dismay and anger of many Heron citizens. Sheriff Fielders told me that there were a few more ‘hoops to jump t...
The state of Montana has been “renting” our waters of the Clark Fork river from Thompson Falls to the Idaho border to Avista energy. With the two dams that they built, the Noxon rapids and Cabinet Gorge, placed 18 miles from each other. I’m not sure if somehow Montana has lessened it’s water protections or if the Avista cooperation has changed somethings with the way the operate but our river is rapidly turning into a sludge pond. There are dead fish all over the shore. The fear of being contaminated with toxic chemicals is very prevalent. Stag...
The big news in politics this week is President Joe Biden announcing he won't seek reelection and the Democratic party is deciding how to pick a new nominee. However, the big news isn't the big business. Montana's Senate race has gained national attention for the big dollars raised. According to the Montana Free Press, as of July 17, incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, has raised $43.7 million in campaign funds, while Republican candidate Tim Sheehy has raised $13.7 million. By contrast, in the race for U.S. Representative for District 1,...
In the June 27 issue of The Ledger, I confessed to gathering odd words and the names of short-lived famous people from American Heritage Dictionary’s booster seat edition. For two-plus years, I’ve put them in a notebook for further research. I’m not done with the Dictionary (two-thirds of the way through “P” at “pronate”), but research has begun. People of the Month are Southern writer Flannery O’Connor, who died at age 39 of lupus; and Alexander the Great died at age 32 in 323 BCE of nobody is quite sure what. Mystery Word of the Month is: ...
