First half of year included Jake Ryan's capture, Plains' state track title

A look back at the stories, people and events who shaped life in Sanders County from January through June 2016. Part two of this series will be published in the Jan. 11 edition.

JAN. 6

— The Plains and Paradise rural fire departments responded to a Plains residence, which was believed to have burned from a wood stove. The home was a complete loss. There were no injuries or fatalities from the fire.

— Quinn’s Hot Springs completed and opened the events center. Denise Moreth, the general manager and convention director, said “Building it has boost our net and having the proper facility makes all the difference in the world.”

JAN. 13

— Fires plagued Plains area: Three fires in Plains kept the Plains city and Plains rural fire departments very busy. The fires began due to various causes; ashes placed on a back porch, the improper use of space heaters and an electric heater. All three structures were saved and there were no injuries in all of the fires.

— Plains Mayor Greg Eitelberg swore in John Curry, Danny Rowan and Sandy Chenowith as members of the Plains City Council. The council addressed the ongoing concerns of deer being killed by vehicles in the city limits and the drainage problem on Farmer Street.

JAN. 20

— Plains Police chased an armed gunman to Paradise. Two armed men were reportedly threatening individuals in Plains and a chase commenced. One suspect was caught in Paradise, while the location of the other suspect was not known.

— Area youth from schools in Sanders County displayed their works of art at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital. Macey and Jessica Malmend showed their paintings during the annual Artists of Sanders County juried art show.

— Clark Fork Valley Hospital joined the National Rural Accountable Care Organization. Dr. Hanson, the chief executive officer at the hospital, discussed how this would benefit the hospital and patients by improving to the way payments are accepted.

JAN. 27

— Chief Shawn Emmett provided more information on the armed individuals who had been chased to Paradise. A total of three individuals were involved and two of them ended up in the custody of Sanders County Sheriff’s deputies. Police cited the individuals with brandishing a deadly weapon. Other charges were filed by the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office.

— A light snow pack in the area continued drought conditions. The Missoula National Weather Service indicated that snow pack in the upper Clark Fork region is 96 percent of normal. An El Nino weather system caused many of the storms to move along the coast.

— The Plains Trotters were victorious against their long time rival, Thompson Falls, in basketball. The Trotters won 49-41 and game was very close and had many of those in the home crowd nervous. The Lady Hawks attempted to rally in the third quarter of the game though they were unsuccessful.

— Rocky Mountain Bank renovated its drive-up teller operations in Plains. The installation of remote cameras to the drive-up lanes allows the bank teller and customer to see and hear each other, which can make transactions must faster.

FEB. 3

— Hot Springs elementary and junior high school students participated in a geography bee. Ten students participated in the event, and kids were asked about locations in the United States. Austin Campbell was named the champion.

— High Country Cowboys performed at the Rex Theater in Thompson Falls. The Kosel brothers, John, Joe and Marty sang country songs that had been made famous by Marty Robbins.

— The Hot Springs and Plains wrestlings team recognized seniors Demi Horton and Jake Lile.

— The Plains Trotters won their game against the Arlee Scarlets with the final score of 39-36. The Plains Horsemen played a close game against Arlee and came away with a final score of 61, while Arlee won with 70 points.

FEB. 10

— The Circle in Plains had $300 dollars stolen and several of the cash machines vandalized.

— Rose Goldhann, Serena Carter, Corrie Williamson and Laura Garber spent time at the Montana Farmer’s Union Women’s Conference learning leadership skills.

— The Paradise American Legion continued work around the frame of its new building. The new American Legion building will have a commercial kitchen, larger meeting space and be open as an events center for the community.

— The Plains police department welcomed new officer Chris Reyna. Reyna has lived in the area since 2010 and worked on ranches in Thompson Falls.

— The Hot Springs and Plains wrestling teams placed second and seventh at Florence. Those placements allow the teams to go on to the state competition in Billings.

FEB. 17

— The Annual Chinese New Year’s parade was held in Hot Springs. This is the year of the Monkey. Many participants in the parade were playing cymbals and drums while walking beside or behind a Chinese dragon costume.

— The National Bison Range was under negotiations between U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT).

— Hot Springs Superintendent Mike Perry discussed a rewards program. Students who show good behavior would receive so-called hot bucks.

— The Plains and Hot Springs wrestling teams competed at state in Billings. The final scores for the teams were Thompson Falls: 60, Plains 33.

FEB. 24

— The Clark Fork Valley Press and Mineral Independent moved into the new building, replacing one that had been in existence since The Plainsman. The Plainsman printing office sign was discovered when much of the front of the building was removed.

— Jared Blake, who was on the television show The Voice, was with the motorcyclist Flash to speak to Dixon school students. Their message focused on how to “redefine cool” and ending bullying.

— Hot Springs students competed in a spelling bee. Sarah Rosil was named the champion of the contest. She went on to represent Hot Springs at the county competition.

— Plains Trotters basketball team won the District 14C championship. Plains edged out Arlee to in the tournament championship game.

— The Plains Horsemen won second place at the District 14C competition. The Hot Springs boys were third place at the tournament.

— Long time Montana resident Everret L. Young (94) died at his home in Plains. Mr. Young served in World War II and remained in the army for two years. After retiring from the railroad he and his family moved to Plains.

MARCH 2

— Sanders County Commissioners approve the transfer of the Paradise elementary school to the Paradise Elementary Preservation Committee. Benita Jo Hanson stated, “We have been so excited.”

— Plains and Thompson Falls both received grants from the USDA for wastewater improvements. Plains received $30,000 to examine the wastewater treatment lagoon. Thompson Falls also received $30,000 for engineering and sewage treatment.

— Plains sent 18 football players to Bozeman to participate in the Montana State football camp. Players raised the money from family and friends. Carmen Sheehan and Tandy Powell went the extra mile.According to Assistant Coach Dave Kirkwood, “They went nuts.” Both raised between $1,200 to $1,500 toward the cost of the camp.

— Scott Walker located coins that had been lost nearly a hundred years ago, many of them old dimes that had been made with silver.

— Hot Springs wrestler James DeTienne went to Germany with 16 other athletes from Montana for an 18-day trip. He stayed with different families who hosted him.

MARCH 9

— County Commissioners review the floodplain policy. Several amendments to the floodplain were brought up and then tabled until a later date, as there remained many questions

— Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce nonprofits consider not participating in Sanders County Fair this year. There were rules changes, which may require non-profit volunteers to work at other booths. The decision was tabled until the next meeting.

— Dr. Don Damschen joined the Clark Fork Valley Hospital staff after many years as a general surgeon and consulting surgeon.

— Brooke Bowlin won the 29th annual Sanders County spelling bee, beating out 18 others. Brooke Bowlin competed in the state competition in Billings on March 19

MARCH 16

— A deer that stayed in town was put down in Plains for safety reasons. Troy Henke shot the deer, which had visited town the previous week. He stated, “We have no choice and have to follow the law when a deer comes into a populated area.” Terry Caldwell, who said she helped take care of it, had released the deer near town.

— Hannah Hardcastle of Plains received a scholarship from Lake Region State College. Hardcastle is majoring in sign language interpreting.

— Vivian Philburn her 100th birthday at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital. “I think I had three children ... I am not much of a story person, see,” she said.

— Plains High School students put on the play “Box Steps.” Each character would tap a colorful box and ask questions. The questions and responses ranged from the humorous to the radical.

MARCH 23

— The Wild Turkey Federation held their banquet at the Sanders County Fairgrounds. Tony Columbo said, “The wild turkeys we planted in the past were trapped and hauled from Nebraska.”

— Quinn’s Hot Springs received the distinction of being featured in the March/April edition of Montana Magazine. Denise Moreth, general manager and convention director, said, “The resort motto is rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.”

— The Plains High School prom was held at Camp Bighorn. Art teacher Kristen Cole helped the junior class with the prom decorations, which fit an Arabian nights theme.

— Anna Snell won the local and state Voice of Democracy essay contest held by the VFW. She is home schooled and plans on attending Wyoming Catholic College. Here is an excerpt from her winning essay: “In a unique way, America is intrinsically tied up with the idea of independence and freedom. After all, she was established because our founding fathers would not suffer their independence to be taken away.” In November, Anna plans on voting in her very first presidential election.

MARCH 30

— The Plains community recognized Glenn Hadley for his 62 years of service with the Plains Lions Club. Mayor Greg Eitelberg revealed a new sign at the Plains wading pool. Clyde Terrell stated, “He has been a real watchdog for this pool over the year.”

— A Plains man, Jake Ryan, is wanted in connection with a standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is sought by the FBI. Sheriff Tom Rummell stated, “I want you to know that federal officers have not been operating in this county without my knowledge.”

— Leah Thompson of Plains was among winners in the 2016 Junior Duck Stamp art contest. Leah plans on attending either Brigham Young or the University of Montana after she graduates from high school.

APRIL 6

— Plains Police reported a man was walking on Main Street with a gun. It was determined that the man did not pose a danger to anyone.

— Hot Springs students participated in “I Love to Read” month activities. Many students dressed up and posed for photos taken by student Alisha Pablo. The students reading earned tickets for the in school carnival.

— Longtime Plains resident Glen Hadley died at his home with his family by his side. He lived and worked in Plains as a saw filer, as well as serving many roles in county and city government.

APRIL 13

— A Paradise fire destroyed a home and two vehicles. Dave Knudson lost his home and vehicles. He was not home at the time of the fire.

— Jake Ryan was captured in Vancouver, Washington. He was wanted by the FBI for his role in the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

— The Kootenai National Forest extended public comments on the Rock Creek project, a proposed underground copper and silver mine near Noxon. RC Resources (a subsidiary of Hecla Mining Company) is behind the project.

APRIL 20

— Sanders County Commissioners unanimously denied supporting any attempt to move refugees into the county.

APRIL 27

— More than 60 friends of Jake Ryan met at the Plains VFW to show their support for the Plains man held by federal officials.

— A museum consultant met with the Paradise Elementary School Preservation Committee to determine the best way to proceed with turning part of the former school into a museum. The committee received a $3,750 grant from the Montana History Foundation.

MAY 4

— Plains residents raised $4,000 toward getting a new irrigation system. Ken Jones, who is the Plains cemetery sexton, estimates the irrigation system will cost $20,000.

— Montana Governor Steve Bullock announced that one million dollars are available for many different projects including restoration, fuel reduction and forest health.

MAY 11

— A dishwasher was recognized by Plains Schools for her service.

— Karen Soper received a service award for her 25 years working at Plains schools. Superintendent Tom Chisholm presented the award.

— Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that Plains’ Jessica Thompson won the Congressional Art Competition. Her art is a drawing of Walt Whitman. The drawing will hang in the U.S. Capitol this year.

— Warm April weather created some snowmelt. Snow pack had reached its peak early in April and was bringing many of the rivers and reservoirs in the state less water.

MAY 18

— Ordelheide Dental gave many residents free dental care. Kristi Scott, the marketing coordinator, estimated that 56 individuals came in for dental work they may not have been able to afford.

— Plains junior and senior high school students participated in their annual spring music concert. Plains music director Brittany Majerus smiled after the rousing performance included that music from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

MAY 25

— Plains gets a new ambulance for EMS professionals and patients. There is more room in the ambulance for the EMS workers, patients and gear.

— Interstate 90 construction caused many more wide load vehicles to be diverted onto MT Highway 200. The Montana Highway Patrol was busy with making certain drivers of the large vehicles were observing all weight limits, width limits and speed limits.

— At the western divisional tournament, Plains track and field star Kimberly Earhart set a record for her javelin throw. Leah Thompson sets a record for shotput.

JUNE 1

— The Plains Trotters won their fourth consecutive Montana High School Association Class C track and field state championship.

JUNE 8

— Plains Day was held and many local businesses and nonprofit organizations gave back to the community with a parade, free ice cream supplied by Rocky Mountain Ban, and many friendly competitions like a classic car show, turtle races and a limbo contest.

JUNE 15

— Lightning struck the Lakeside Motel. “It sounded like the building exploded,” Julie Harris said, adding that two witnesses across the street saw the lightning hit close to the motel. The power was restored and there were no injuries.

JUNE 22

— Sanders County Commissioners approved the transfer of the Paradise Elementary School to the Paradise Elementary Preservation Committee. The first event is scheduled for Aug. 13.

— Plains and Thompson Falls receive $30,000 from USDA for wastewater improvements. Both grants are intended to help each community make necessary repairs and replacements to aging wastewater treatment.

JUNE 29

— Three men: John Holland, Jim Henry and Carl Benson are retiring after providing more than 20 years of volunteer service to the Plains Paradise Rural Fire Department.

— As three men retired, four new recruits joined the Plains Fire department: Jake Glace, Tom Ziegler, Chris Sawyer and Dustin Emmett. Chief Jason Williams noted that the fire department was looking to gain new people. “This is huge for us,” Williams said.