Flood 1122
Jason Place, front, and other Libby volunteer firefighters take a pizza break at the fire hall at noon Monday after the flooding began to subside.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Flood 1169
By early afternoon flood victims began pumping water out of their basements. Don Emery, whose rental home is pictured, also began packing his belongings into a moving truck.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Flood 1099
Dr. Jay Maloney and his son Cree dig through the ice and snow that buried the basement entrance to Randy Wiza's house on Nevada Avenue. When the ice jam broke up, it threw chunds into Wiza's yard and filled his basement with water.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Flood 1015
Logan Neubauer hands his brother, Levi Neubauer, a sandbag on West Bush Street just off of Nevada Avenue.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Flood 0992
Workers travel Nevada Avenue by way of back hoe. City and county crews, as well as a few contractors, helped break up the stream's ice with excavators in order to prevent further ice jams.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Flood 0962
Roger Johnston watches as Frank Burkett helps a driver move his pickup out of the flood's path on Nevada Avenue at about 9:50 a.m. on Monday. After a few tries, the tires gained traction but had to back up with the current of the water.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Flood 0893
Rosie Roberts looks outside her window on West 10th Street before evacuating her home. Minutes later, a stronger current of water broke through, causing authorities to close the street.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Troy hires school superintendent
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
City workers speak out in Troy
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Board cuts special ed director position
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Asa Wood to close this summer
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Dog's death leads to fund for surgeries
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Educators face tough decisions
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Schools take threat of flood seriously
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Closed pot store promises litigation
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Council OKs mill levy for flood
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
EPA closes in on Libby toxicity value
An important step in the development of a risk assessment for Libby’s unique form of asbestos is almost complete, Environmental Protection Agency officials told the Libby City Council at a presentation Tuesday.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Libby voters say no to bond
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Troy Taser lawsuit settled out of court
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Negligent homicide suspect remains behind bars
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Troy council fills vacancy
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Troy Fourth of July in jeopardy?
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Grizzly bear research could be on horizon
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
High-tech program to test use of electricity in Libby
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Historian to remember: Mark White
Where the casual observer only notices trees, U.S. Forest Service archeologist and historian Mark White saw remains of settlements and a glimpse into life of northwest Montana’s pioneers.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Troy still without city attorney
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Mill levy expected to help cover expenses
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Committee considers arranging grizzly study
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Ice jam leads to flooding in Libby
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Drowning claims life of Libby woman
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Troy City Council's Jones resigns
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
First air quality alert since 2008 goes smoother
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Local need leads to new welding course
Bridge parts fabricator Stinger Welding plans to add much-needed jobs to the local economy when construction of its new building is completed in the coming months.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Body found after 2 1/2 months
LIBBY, Mont. - A broken water pipe is what finally led to the discovery of a Libby man's body in his home on 10th Street last week about 2 1/2 months after he died.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Boom, flash mystifies Troy on Christmas
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Outgoing sheriff looks back on storied career
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Troy council passes July 4 park ordinance
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Man's body found after 2 1/2 months
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Konzen works final days for county
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Lofts owner, investors file suit
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
County battles air quality challenges
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Commissioners pass lakeshore regulations
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
City tells pot store to relocate
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Troy mayor, council divided on city attorney
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Reintsma takes Libby city attorney post
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Couple escapes blaze with lives
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Tough questions greet EPA's Martin
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
School meeting draws low turnout
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Libby plans meeting on pot business
The Libby City Council plans to hold a public meeting with representatives of medical marijuana dispensary, Helping Center of Libby, later this month to determine whether to revoke its city business license.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Medical marijuana questions in Libby
LIBBY, Mont. - The Libby City Council dodged a bullet this spring when a new medical marijuana dispensary took up shop 40 feet outside the city limits.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Gold coin caper ends with arrest of Libby man
Police believe they’ve caught the man responsible for stealing more than $30,000 worth of gold coins from a Libby jewelry store this past fall.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Thieves target Woodway Park
A rash of opportunity thefts were recently reported in the Woodway Park area west of Libby.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Hospital hopes to break ground in spring
The first artist’s rendering of a new future hospital in Libby was released back in January 2009. Now, St. John’s Lutheran Hospital officials say blueprints are being drawn up for the $33.5 million project with plans to break ground in spring.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Troy council, mayor trade jabs at meeting
Though 15 items were on the agenda, the Troy City Council made it only to number nine before adjourning last week’s meeting in protest.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
School bond issue to go before voters
The Libby School Board approved a resolution Monday to ask voters in a February mail ballot election for permission to issue $12 million in bonds. If passed, the funding would pay for additions and renovations to accommodate consolidating schools into two buildings and closing Asa Wood Elementary.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Troy students bond through 'Three Cups'
First cup as strangers, second cup as friends and third cup as family.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Troy council, mayor challenges continue
The atmosphere and effectiveness of a work meeting next week may be a litmus test for how well the Troy City Council and mayor will collaborate in the future.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Local schools improve marks
The test results are in and Libby and Troy’s elementary schools made pretty good progress.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Former shipmates find each other after 55 years
The sailors were permitted to rest in four-hour intervals as they fought along the coast of Korea but the pounding of the ship’s gunners made it nearly impossible to sleep. Two guns mounted at the front of the USS Herbert J. Thomas and one over the destroyer’s berthing compartment caused …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Asbestos research projects reach public through unique event
Researchers study Libby’s unique asbestos fiber, analyze statistics of people who suffer medical complications from it, and examine the social and psychological impacts that it has had on the community.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Longtime Troy city attorney resigns
Troy city attorney Mark Fennessy admits that the timing of his retirement at the end of the calendar year may seem fortuitous but that it has nothing to do with the ongoing quarrels between the council and mayor.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Council approves McLeod promotion
The Troy City Council unanimously consented to promote Bob McLeod to chief of police at last week’s meeting … eight months after the mayor appointed him to the position.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Motocross event adds mud boggin'
Motocross racing this Saturday will have a little extra flair that organizers hope will draw a bigger crowd and maybe lead to more races of its kind.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Jam-packed in jail: County's female inmates find little elbow room
Lincoln County Undersheriff Jerry Rust recently sent out a message to deputies – don’t arrest women unless you have to.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
City wants project's road problems fixed
The City of Libby will withhold payments to the Cabinet Heights Sewer Project contractor until perceived shortcomings can be corrected, Mayor Doug Roll said.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Libby goes back to '50s with reunion
With poodle skirts and drive-in movie theaters, James Dean and the birth of rock ‘n’ roll, the 1950s really was fabulous – just ask the hundreds of former Libby High School students who will be in town next week.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Drilling begins to measure ground water treatment success
A contractor for International Paper Co. began to drill wells last Thursday under direction of the Environmental Protection Agency to better delineate the boundaries of contamination within the Libby Ground Water Contamination Superfund Site.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Judge halts Kootenai logging projects
LIBBY, Mont. - Federal District Court Judge Donald Molloy halted three Kootenai National Forest logging projects last week after ruling that the U.S. Forest Service failed to properly evaluate how the work would affect endangered grizzly bears.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Drilling results: Mine's life could be expanded
TROY, Mont. - Exploratory core drilling has indicated that higher-grade silver and thicker veins of minerals exist in areas 1,120 feet below current Troy Mine operations, a finding that could eventually double the mine's current six-year plan, officials said.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Libby man served on the high seas
Ralph Hildreth, a lanky 30-year-old, enjoyed a sailor’s breakfast the morning of June 7, 1944, as he traveled through the English Channel on the USS Susan B. Anthony.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Disposal of contaminated soil questioned
TROY, Mont. - Several people voiced opposition this week to the possibility of burying 35,000-37,000 cubic yards of vermiculate-contaminated soil at the city-owned landfill site 1-1/2 miles southeast of Troy.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Bears awake to plenty of spring green
Hungry bears are waking from their winter slumber and seeing a sight for sore eyes - the beginnings of spring green-up.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
Bears awake to plenty of spring green
Hungry bears are waking from their winter slumber and seeing a sight for sore eyes – the beginnings of spring green-up.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
Troy School Board to hire HS principal
The Troy School Board voted Monday to vacate a proposal to cut one of its three administrator positions, choosing instead to move forward in hiring a replacement for resigning high school principal Jeff Ralston.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
County approves financing for Stinger
Lincoln County commissioners voted last week in favor of financing a $3.37 million building at the Kootenai Business Park Industrial District that will house Stinger Welding Inc., a bridge fabricator based out of Coolidge, Ariz.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
Herbicide ruling has little impact on KNF program
A federal judge’s recent ruling that the U.S. Forest Service can’t use helicopters to spray herbicide in the Kootenai National Forest will have little impact on the agency’s invasive plant management program, an agency official said.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
Surveillance cameras 'tabled indefinitely'
The Libby City Council voted unanimously Monday to put to rest the mayor’s controversial proposal of placing surveillance cameras on Mineral Avenue to solve downtown vandalism.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
Emergency crews get workout to reach hiker in woods
Emergency responders had to hack their way through trees and brush last week to rescue a man complaining of chest pain as he was hiking in the woods south of Troy.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
City scales down cycling ordinance
The Libby City Council passed a scaled-down version of its proposed bicycle ordinance on Monday, striking the contentious portion that would have prohibited riding a bike on Highway 2 and California Avenue sidewalks.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
Bill for legal fees in restraining order case could land in city's lap
Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield ruled Tuesday that a Libby city councilmember who obtained a temporary restraining order against the city clerk and then withdrew his petition would not have to pay the clerk’s legal fees because there was not enough evidence that his petition was “frivolous.”
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
EPA moves forward with cleanup RODs
Environmental Protection Agency officials this week announced that it expects Record of Decision documents for the former export plant and former screening plant sites to be issued by next month – soon enough to begin cleanups this construction season.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
Marijuana providers meet with Libby Council
LIBBY — A meeting between two medical marijuana providers and the Libby City Council did little last week to advance city ordinances to regulate the trade, but did reveal that council members are open to further dialogue and suggestions.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
Car accident survivor returns home to Eureka
The sole survivor of a two-vehicle crash that killed five people last week was released from the hospital Thursday.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
County sheriff looking to upgrade dispatch system
Lincoln County Sheriff Daryl Anderson asked the county board of commissioners last week to consider spending $68,000 in equipment to improve radio communication and to give the county the ability to dispatch emergency responders in the Troy area.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
Troy considers consolidating administrative positions
The Troy School Board may consolidate administrative positions in a cost-cutting effort to address ever-shrinking funding from declining enrollment.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
Council, medical marijuana providers open dialogue
A work meeting between two medical marijuana providers and the Libby City Council did little Tuesday to advance city ordinances to regulate the trade, but did reveal that councilmembers are open to further dialogue and suggestions.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Rock Creek Mine stopped again
U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy rejected the U.S. Forest Service’s approval of the proposed Rock Creek Mine in an order released Monday, just days before Revett Minerals planned to issue its 20-day notice to begin construction.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Surveillance camera issue in Libby to be discussed
Libby Mayor Doug Roll plans to introduce to the city council his latest proposal for Mineral Avenue surveillance cameras at Monday’s council meeting.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Victims of Libby crash identified
LIBBY — The horrific two-vehicle crash on U.S. 2 west of Libby on Monday morning claimed the lives of five Lincoln County residents.
DAILY INTER-LAKE | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Rest of Fishtrap wolf pack to be removed
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks ordered the entire Fishtrap wolf pack of the McGinnis Meadows area to be removed since it recently carried out its fourth confirmed livestock depredation since the beginning of January.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Four vie for 2 spots on Troy School Board
Four people are vying for two full-term positions on the Troy School Board.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
McDougall appeal denied by state
The Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction dismissed a Troy School Board trustee’s case against the school district, upholding the Lincoln County Superintendent of School’s October decision.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Major law firm working with citizens group
With membership that’s growing daily and legal representation working pro bono, the recently formed Citizens for a Healthy Community and Environmental Justice is working toward two goals – to stop asbestos exposure and to protect private property rights in the cleanup.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Conditions could lead to bad fire season
Low snowpack and a forecasted warmer than average spring could lead to a bad fire season, though summer rain will be the final indicator.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Kiwanis struggles to keep local demolition derby alive
Kootenai Kiwanis Club members discussed at their meeting Tuesday the possibility of not hosting the annual demolition derby anymore because they say the fundraiser has experienced a decline in participation and profits over the years.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Landmark bill to aid asbestos victims
The landmark health-care reform bill that was expected to be signed into law by President Barack Obama on Tuesday is slated to expand Medicare coverage to locals suffering from asbestos-related health conditions.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Maffit decides not to seek re-election
Following a 28-year career in teaching, it seemed natural to serve on the local school board. And for the past nine years, Sylvia Maffit did just that with the Troy School Board of Trustees.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Woman charged in hit-and-run death of Parsons
More than two years after Troy native Bronson Parsons was killed in a hit-and-run in East Missoula, a Stevensville woman faces felony charges related to his death.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Rock Creek mine ruling could be close
A status conference last week in federal court appeared to indicate that, after a two-year break in proceedings, a ruling to determine whether the proposed Rock Creek mine can begin developing is only weeks away.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Troy Food Pantry stays put for now
Troy city councilmembers agreed at Tuesday’s work meeting that the food pantry housed in city hall is not a burden to the city and should not be forced to move.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Libby tackles concerns with medical marijuana providers
Current city ordinances prohibit medical marijuana providers from working within Libby, Mayor Doug Roll told councilmembers at Monday’s meeting.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Primary election picture complete
The filing deadline to run for county and state elected positions ended Monday, beginning the 12-week countdown to the primary election.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Testing finds no asbestos in mill fire ash
Lincoln County commissioners gave the Environmental Health Department the go-ahead Wednesday afternoon to set up a hotline for residents to request their yards be cleaned of debris from the mill fire.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Lack of snow forces local ski area to close early
A lack of snow forced the Turner Mountain Ski Area to close, cutting the ski season a month short and prompting the annual Crazy Days celebration to be canceled for the first time in over a decade.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
LHS hopes to find ways to reduce dropout rates
School officials had hoped to glean insight from survey results of Libby High School dropouts that would help steer the district’s efforts in increasing graduation rates.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Injured car accident victim survives freezing temps, long wait
A Libby woman who endured freezing temperatures overnight after her vehicle slid off a steep embankment on a dirt road near Happy’s Inn was found alive Sunday morning, law-enforcement officials said.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Tragic accident claims 4 lives
A 17-year-old Libby boy, a 59-year-old Columbia Falls woman and her two grandchildren were killed Saturday evening in a two-vehicle collision near Happy’s Inn.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Officials continue followup on fire
The mill fire in Libby is no longer smoldering, but the aftermath is keeping people busy.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Law enforcement finds challenges with medical marijuana
Medical marijuana has put law-enforcement agencies in a sticky situation – and Libby is no exception.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Getting in their kicks: Tae Kwon Do becomes popular activity for family
With their bare feet lined up in a neat row, 11 Tae Kwon Do students listen attentively to their instructor. They’ve been anticipating this day for weeks and training for it for months – the test that will determine if they’ve gained enough knowledge and skill to move up to …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Grant expands local recycling options
Recycling options in southern Lincoln County will soon expand since the Montana Department of Environmental Quality awarded the county a $25,000 grant to put toward recycling infrastructure.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Lumber company burns to ground
LIBBY, Mont. - It took a mere three minutes to arrive on site Thursday night after the 911 call came in but Libby firefighters found the former Stimson Lumber Co., plywood plant fully engulfed in flames.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Fire destroys plywood plant in Libby
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, with help from a state fire marshal, is still investigating the cause of the fire that burned the former Stimson Lumber Co., plywood plant to the ground last Thursday, though the area of origin has been determined, a fire investigator said Monday.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Financial loss from plywood plant fire 'significant'
The financial loss from the massive fire that consumed the former Stimson Lumber Co., plywood plant last week had not yet been determined as of Monday.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Water main project begins in Troy
A water main replacement project to stop 500,000-plus gallons of city-owned water from leaking into the ground on a daily basis got under way on Monday in Troy.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Casino robber gets 10-year prison sentence
A man who robbed the Lucky Logger Casino in Libby last fall and led authorities on a high-speed chase to within miles of the Idaho border was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Fire damages Swede Mountain home
A Swede Mountain home suffered extensive smoke and fire damage last week after the heat from a fireplace contributed to shorting out an electrical switch and setting a wall on fire.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Massive fire destroys plywood plant
It took a mere three minutes to arrive on site Thursday night after the 911 call came in but Libby firefighters found the former Stimson Lumber Co., plywood plant fully engulfed in flames.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Group promotes reading through fun atmosphere
“I know! I know!”
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Spelling titans square off for county title
W.F. Morrison Elementary School’s Kasey Faur spelled “palatable” only for Brian Chupp of Tobacco Valley Home Educators to correctly string together “adjudicate.”
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Wolf pack in Yaak next to be reduced
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has authorized the lethal removal of two wolves from the Candy Mountain Pack in the Yaak Valley since a federal agency confirmed Friday that the pack is responsible for the death of three cows.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Troy PD up to full staff
Troy police officer Frank “Colin” Barnett was trained and certified before hire, and a second new officer, Nathan White, is concluding his field training, making Troy Police Department’s three-officer force whole again.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
'Joyriding' lands 4 suspects in jail
Three teenagers and a man in his 20s are being held on felony charges for allegedly stealing three pickups out of the Lincoln County Landfill in Libby late Tuesday night and leading local law enforcement on multiple chases that ended with two crashes.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Wolf pack to be reduced: Officials make decision after McGinnis Meadows incidents
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has determined that four of the seven wolves in the Fishtrap Pack should be killed to reduce livestock depredation at McGinnis Meadows. The pack is believed to be responsible for killing a cow last month and then injuring a calf at a neighboring ranch two …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Food pantry in Troy searches for new building
The Troy Food Pantry is able to serve more families now than ever before, owing part of its success to the city for housing it for the past six years.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Mayor: All to have say on cameras
The controversial idea to place surveillance cameras on Mineral Avenue to prevent vandalism wasn’t on the Libby City Council meeting agenda Tuesday, but it was brought up anyway.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Asa Wood study moves forward
Libby School Board trustees agreed that their top five choices in companies to perform a school building needs assessment would all serve the district well, but they awarded the bid Friday to a company with a Kalispell office.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Group hopes to erase political, religious lines
Self-reliance, constitutional rights and reduced meddling from the federal government were among the topics presented by a Hamilton group last week at a rally in Libby that attracted about 50 people.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Reaching out to Haiti: Students, school staff raise money
One month after a magnitude-7 earthquake killed more than 200,000 Haitians, students and staff at Libby and Troy schools have raised over $2,500 from bake sales and penny drives to help the devastated country.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Snowmobilers warm up on Keeler trail near Troy
The Keeler snowmobile trail in Kootenai National Forest’s Troy Ranger District became more family friendly this winter with the addition of a warming hut.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
EPA report: Asbestos levels declining at Libby schools
The Environmental Protection Agency announced during a public meeting on Monday that asbestos levels in and around Libby schools are much lower than in years past and do not pose a risk to children.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Police arrest pair following gas station robbery
Two California men were arrested Sunday night in Libby after an officer reportedly witnessed them run a stop light a block from the gas station that one of the men allegedly robbed just minutes before.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Troy High School principal resigns
After a rocky past year, Troy High School Principal Jeff Ralston turned in his letter of resignation last week, effective at the end of the school year.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
EPA nixes suggestion of interim RODs
Environmental Protection Agency officials presented a preview at Monday’s meeting of what will likely show up in the agency’s formal response to public comments on the proposed cleanup plans for the former export plant and screening plant.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Effort to establish VA clinic in Libby moves forward
Within two months, a local clinic is slated to begin providing primary care in Libby for Lincoln County veterans, said Chuck Marsden, executive assistant to the director for Spokane Veterans Administration Medical Center.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Libby considers 10-year plan for capital projects
New Libby City Administrator Jim Hammons suggested at Monday’s city council meeting that the city invest in a professional 10-year capital improvements plan that would prioritize infrastructure needs.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Dancer avoids prison: Heart problems play into judge's decision
Convicted embezzler William Dancer, 53, won’t spend time in prison for stealing $237,000 from his former employer, Sagle, Idaho-based Independence Home Center Inc., over three years ago.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Grassroots effort tries to make dent in political process
The newspaper advertisements and glossy brochures promised a way to boot the 435 politicians out of the U.S. House of Representatives and replace them with “everyday Americans.”
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Troy City Council fills vacant seat
The Troy City Council filled a vacancy last Friday that was created by councilmember Larry Coryell’s resignation in January.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Our Town: Students prepare for Feb. 4-5 'Sleeping Beauty' shows
After the lockers empty and the school buses take off, Libby Middle School is quieter, but not yet silent.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Student embraces rural setting for medical training
Samantha Michelena, a student at the University of Washington School of Medicine, grew up in a small town, so it was natural for her to choose a rural setting like Libby to receive medical training.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Rogers, Wise win state drama title; LHS as team places 3rd
Libby took third in drama at the Class A state speech, drama and debate meet this past weekend in Corvallis, with seven of the 11 Libby High School participants taking home medals and all competitors making it to the semifinals.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Memorial Center tackles challenges
A reduction in contributions over the past year has taken its toll on the Libby Memorial Center. As a result, the Kootenai Heritage Council board of directors laid off the Memorial Center’s sole employee and has taken over his duties indefinitely.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
City considers reclassifying minor offenses
Mayor Doug Roll asked the Libby City Council last week to consider following Whitefish and Kalispell’s example of converting some minor misdemeanor criminal offenses into municipal infractions.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Searching for a father: Libby man finally finds answers
Over the summer of 1953, a teenage mother abandoned her 9-month-old baby, William Albert Davis – named after his father – on a bench at a bus station in Ephrata, Wash.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
'Sleeping Beauty' musical coming Feb. 4-5 to Memorial Center
Dancing, singing and wielding props – Libby Middle School students have been rehearsing since December to present the musical production of “Sleeping Beauty” next week at the Memorial Center.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Troy Mine shows sign of recovery
Starting Monday, Troy mine worker wages will be completely restored to pre-December 2008 levels, a sign of recovery for a company that was on the brink of closing one year ago.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Life in the 'husky chariot': Yaak woman discovers passion for dog sledding
At least a couple times per week throughout the winter, Linda Stehlik can be seen standing at the helm of a dog sled while the team’s silent feet pound the ground, and they, not so silently, pant in unison. Stehlik is sensitive to the movements of her dogs, gripping the …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Annex building options all carry high pricetag
Results from an informal analysis determined the cost of refurbishing the aging Lincoln County annex building in Libby to modernize the electrical, plumbing and heating systems are cost prohibitive county commissioner John Konzen said.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Election battles take shape across county
Election 2010 officially started on Thursday with candidates intending to run for various county, district and state offices filing their paperwork.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Help on way for self-representing civil case litigants
An AmeriCorps volunteer will travel to Libby from Kalispell at least monthly, starting this coming Wednesday, to help guide self-representing litigants through civil legal matters.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Our Town SlideShow: Libby Scatterguns
There are no strangers among the Libby Scatterguns.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
No charges filed against Walters, Pearson
Troy’s former chief of police Mitch Walters and officer Kit Pearson, whose resignation goes into effect Monday, will not be charged for alleged criminal wrongdoing related to a Nov. 19 conversation that they unintentionally broadcast over a police radio.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Troy's new officers under microscope
A state board in charge of certifying law-enforcement officers has been asked to look into the Troy Police Department’s two recent hires – an officer suspended from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office reserve program in 2007 and an officer who was fired from the sheriff’s office last year.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Story followup: Fishtrap wolf pack safe for now but will be watched
The Fishtrap Pack is safe for now after killing a cow at McGinnis Meadows last week, but that could change if the wolves make a habit out of dining on livestock, according to Kent Laudon, wolf management specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Our Town: Libby Scatterguns
There are no strangers among the Libby Scatterguns.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Incident with wolves has McGinnis Meadows couple on edge
Jan Bourdeau can point out each of her 15 cows and bulls by name. Some are named after old television shows – “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “Little House on the Prairie” – while others have Gaelic names that stem from the breed’s Irish heritage.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Local entities finalize comments on OU1, OU2 cleanup plans
The Environmental Protection Agency is not using or does not yet have the proper science or data to impose final remedies on operable units 1 and 2, according to the County/City Health Board, Libby City Council and Libby Area Technical Advisory Group.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Troy PD sees more changes
Staffing at the three-officer Troy Police Department has shuffled since the chief and an officer inadvertently broadcast a controversial conversation over a public frequency in November. The exchange, which was recorded by dispatch, launched a state investigation and the chief shortly thereafter resigned.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Troy appoints new police chief
In one of his first actions as Troy mayor, Don Banning promoted officer Bob McLeod to chief of police.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Skiers, boarders hit Turner Mountain slopes
Skiers and boarders took to the slopes this past weekend after Turner Mountain Ski Area announced that it had accumulated enough snow to open up for the season.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
County's costs for inmate medical treatment to increase
The two physician’s assistants that have made house calls to county inmates for the past year will quit after Jan. 31, which means more inmate trips to Prompt Care or health clinics – and more cost for Lincoln County.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Commissioners leave intersection alone for now
Lincoln County commissioners decided not to create a three-way stop at the Snowshoe-Shaugnessy-Cabinet Heights intersection against the wishes of nearly 150 people who signed a petition last month requesting a stop sign be put back up on Cabinet Heights Road.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Local soldiers scheduled to return home Thursday
Libby and Troy soldiers from the Montana Army National Guard’s 639th Quartermaster Company are scheduled to return home Thursday night after a yearlong tour in Iraq – getting back just in time for the New Year.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Life lost, lives saved: Story of Bronson Parsons
Supplied with a paint-by-number style portrait of their son, glue and a tray of diverse “paints” – poppy seeds, coffee grounds, crushed wheat – Paul and Carol Parsons and their two daughters created Bronson Parsons’ smiling face using organic materials.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Holiday house fires impact locals
Christmas won’t be the same this year for residents who lost their homes and belongings in three separate house fires over the past two weeks.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Mine, Ivins family settle lawsuit
Revett Minerals’ insurance company has reached a settlement agreement subject to court approval with the widow of a man who was killed two years ago in a cave-in at Troy Mine.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Veteran Troy judge relinquishes spot on bench
Twenty years ago last September, Troy’s mayor handed over the keys to the city courtroom to John Duehr. Although he hadn’t yet received any formal training for the part-time city judge position, Duehr possessed intelligence and an unbiased attitude – qualities needed to get started.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Mayor plans to request action against councilmember
Citing the use of false accusations and the creation of a hostile work environment for city employees, Libby mayor Doug Roll announced that he will request that the city council investigate councilmember D.C. Orr for official misconduct with the intention of removing him from office.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Hearing ends with embezzler's sentencing delayed
Sentencing for convicted embezzler William Dancer was pushed back another month during a status conference hearing on Monday. The hearing was called to discuss Dancer’s condition after he reportedly suffered a heart attack Dec. 8.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Former Troy mayor files civil suit against Walters
Former Troy mayor John Allen Brown filed a civil lawsuit Dec. 4 in district court against Troy chief of police Mitch Walters and the City of Troy, alleging misconduct mostly stemming from Brown’s September 2008 arrest by Walters.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
County hires new officer for Troy
A new Lincoln County sheriff’s officer began field training this week to become the Troy resident deputy, a position that has been vacant since spring.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Inmate health insurance gets OK from county
Lincoln County recently signed up for inmate medical insurance that could mean big savings for taxpayers.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
District looks for answers on Asa Wood
Proposals have been coming in for a needs assessment to guide the Libby School District with decisions concerning the future of Asa Wood.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Libby councilman drops restraining order request
Justice court expected a full house Wednesday afternoon for a hearing to determine if a Libby councilmember’s temporary restraining order filed last month against the city clerk should be extended.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
City finds skateboard park funds in amount of $2,000
The proposed Libby skateboard park encountered a setback at last week’s city council meeting as Mayor Doug Roll read off a letter stating that the sale of the land of the old skateboard park – money to be set aside for the new park – was only $2,000, considerably less …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Coker to begin new job in Helena
Former Libby chief of police Clay Coker will start a new job next week in Helena, a recently formed position under the Montana Peace Officers Standards and Training bureau.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Libby fills chief of police post
Sgt. Jim Smith agreed last week to take on the permanent title of Libby chief of police after performing the duties for more than four months.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Suspect arrested for Eureka justice office arson, burglaries
A 20-year-old man allegedly confessed Monday to a string of Eureka burglaries and an October act of arson in the Eureka justice office that shut down the North Lincoln County Annex Building for over a month.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Magazine publicity benefits ski area
Seats were scarce at the Red Dog Saloon on Saturday night as Turner Mountain enthusiasts consumed pizza, salad and pitchers of beer all in the name of the beloved volunteer-run ski area that was featured in a national magazine this year.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Schrader wraps up 16 years on Troy council
If Laura Schrader has learned one thing in her time on the Troy City Council, it’s that a good decision isn’t always a popular one.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
McLeod back on job for Troy PD
Troy police officer Bob McLeod went back to work Friday following two weeks of administrative leave that stemmed from a civil lawsuit launched against him alleging improper use of a Taser.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
City of Troy may not revisit annexation issue
The idea to annex nine lots that are surrounded by city limits will most likely not be heard at Troy City Council’s next meeting Dec. 16.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Hospital construction likely beyond 2010
Unless Santa drops off a generous $7 million gift, construction on the proposed new hospital in Libby won’t begin next year.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Long weekend sees spike in search, rescue calls
Rescuers kept busy over the long Thanksgiving weekend, receiving multiple reports of missing or distressed hunters and hikers.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Troy School Board tackles issue of individual actions
At the suggestion of an attorney defending the school district against an appeal by one of its own trustees, Troy School Board passed a motion last week to publicly acknowledge that the board is not liable for a trustee’s individual actions.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Intersection change draws fire
The Lincoln County road crew has been replacing a stop sign weekly on Snowshoe Road in Libby since first putting it up mid-July – the vandalism costing taxpayer money and demonstrating neighbors’ overall discontent with the intersection’s new layout.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
CAG plans to continue meetings
“So, CAG lives,” Mike Giesey said at the conclusion of Thursday’s Community Advisory Group meeting, the first time it convened in three months.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Community shows support for Troy officer
Troy residents have rallied around Bob McLeod, showing support for the police officer who was recently placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the city’s insurance company.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Troy police under investigation for radio conversation
The future of the Troy Police Department appears shaky after one of its officers and chief unintentionally broadcast a conversation Thursday morning on a frequency accessible to the public.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Discord over 2002 deal: Councilmember files complaint
Libby city councilmember D.C. Orr continues to allege wrongdoing concerning a deal seven years ago between the City of Libby, the Environmental Protection Agency and W.R. Grace and Co. concerning asbestos-contaminated buildings that were demolished on the former export plant property.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Conquering all challenges: Libby native leads active lifestyle despite disabilities
Wade Kuntz can feel the cool powder speckle his face, perhaps more acutely than others, as he shifts his weight to accommodate the changing terrain under his skis. He has negotiated the run many times before, but he must be careful – an abrupt variation in incline or another skier …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Libby councilmember obtains order of protection
A Libby city councilmember obtained a temporary restraining order against the city clerk last week to allegedly protect himself from what he says is harassment dating over five years ago.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
School district finds success with reading skills program
Reading skills of Asa Wood Elementary students have noticeably increased since implementing a federally-funded program five years ago aimed at increasing the number of students reading at benchmark standards and reducing the number of struggling readers.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Property owners react to taxes
The Department of Revenue has received 712 requests countywide for informal property tax reviews – most originating from the Eureka area. That portion of northern Lincoln County saw the largest tax increase, according to a department official.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Veterans Day: Soldiers' stories serve as way to reach students
Of the 28 men Terry Andreessen served with during the Vietnam War, five died in action, 20 were wounded and three killed themselves after they returned home.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Libby building from pioneer period coming down
The building on Mineral Avenue went up around 1906 when booming downtown Libby boasted its first cement sidewalks, electric lights and water systems. More than a century later, it’s coming down.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Libby continues search for administrator
Libby has been without an administrator since the beginning of the month after Dan Thede retired and the city’s first crack at hiring someone to head city departments failed.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Flathead Electric makes changes in Libby
Flathead Electric recently cut its staff in Libby, but emphasized that it will respond to emergencies in a manner no different from the past.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Proposed skateboard park site changes
Organizers proposed at Monday’s Libby City Council meeting a new location for an over 12,000-square-foot skateboard park that councilmembers said last month won’t fit in the initial site between Lee Gehring Field and Highway 37.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Vandals shoot up windows around Libby
Vandals used a pellet gun to shoot through multiple windows at businesses, cars and a residence this weekend, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage in Libby, according to officials.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Election: Voter turnout higher than usual across country
The county and municipal elections experienced substantial voter turnouts that election officials attribute to more contenders this year and the new application of mail-ballot elections.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
CAG's future in Libby appears unclear
The Community Advisory Group, which has discussed Superfund-related issues at monthly meetings and operated as an Environmental Protection Agency watchdog for the past nine years, hasn’t convened since August and doesn’t have immediate plans for its next meeting.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Federal grant to help asbestos victims
A $6 million grant announced in May from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will begin to take effect next week to provide asbestos screening and health care for former and current Libby-area residents.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
H1N1 shots roll in to Lincoln County
The most recent batch of H1N1 flu vaccinations – 400 injectable doses – are now available from providers in Libby, Troy and Eureka.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Troy chief of police cleared of wrongdoing
The state attorney general’s office recently cleared Troy’s chief of police of criminal wrongdoing related to a dispute the official had with a local gun club.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Revett officials meet with governor on Rock Creek Mine
Officials from Revett Minerals met with Gov. Brian Schweitzer and his top economic adviser last week to discuss Troy Mine’s success in the face of low metal prices, and the company’s desire to proceed with Rock Creek, a proposed silver and copper mine located in the Cabinet Mountains between Libby …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Column: Carrying on Halloween tradition
When I was a kid, Halloween rivaled Christmas as the best holiday of the year. Sure, there were no presents, but parading around school in a pointy witch hat (thanks Kmart) and black ensemble (compliments of St. Vincent de Paul and a handful of safety pins) and spending the evening …
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
EPA's No. 2 visits Superfund site in Libby
The City-County Health Board meeting in Libby Thursday featured a top Environmental Protection Agency official that embraced the theme of increasing the EPA’s transparency, accessibility and cooperation with the community.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Libby City Council ponders Cabinet Heights street situation
Cabinet Heights residents could end up with better streets than they started out with once the sewer extension project is completed next summer. Libby City Council is contemplating options after hearing a proposal Monday from project engineer Ryan Jones.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Troy Mine finds way to survive
Bruce Clark shut off his truck headlights, leaving only the glow of his parking beams so as not to blind an oncoming vehicle.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Historic train steams through Libby, Troy
Local train enthusiasts gathered Monday morning at the rails in Libby and Troy to catch a rare glimpse of a restored steam locomotive pulling a train of vintage rail cars on its way home to Portland, Ore., from the Train Festival in Michigan.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Libby family safely escapes fire
Marcia Fantozzi was teaching her grandkids – ages 2, 4 and 6 – how to make caramel apples. Amy Fantozzi, their mother, was tidying up the kitchen, her 6-month-old was napping, and her father-in-law, Al Fantozzi, sat in the family room.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
County renews pledge to economic development district
The county board of commissioners agreed during Tuesday’s meeting to renew its commitment as a member of the Northwest Montana Economic Development District for another year starting in January 2010.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
County schools superintendent turns away appeal
The Lincoln County Superintendent of Schools ruled last week that he would not hear a Troy School Board trustee’s case against the school district because she failed to file her Notice of Appeal within 30 days of the board’s decisions concerning each of the alleged offenses.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Prescription drug abuse on rise in county, state
The Montana Department of Justice is forming a special drug-diversion unit to combat prescription drug abuse in the state, a solution for an escalating problem county and statewide.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Supporters, opponents turn out for Tester talk in Troy
Sen. Jon Tester was greeted Saturday morning by both supporters and critics of his proposed Forest Jobs and Recreation Act as he took his place behind the podium at the Troy High School auditorium.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Sampling chili on chilly day in Libby
An estimated 120 chili testers brought their appetites to Heritage Museum’s fourth annual Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, pleasantly surprising organizers who feared a low turnout would correspond with a slow-to-signup group of cooks.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Libby City Council considers skateboard park
Teenagers and pre-teens, some clutching skateboards, watched in awe at Monday’s Libby City Council meeting as preliminary designs for a first-rate skateboard park in Libby were projected on the wall in front of them.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Sheriff recall effort dies
A group of Eureka-area residents failed Tuesday to turn in the nearly 2,000 signatures required to hold a special election to remove Lincoln County Sheriff Daryl Anderson from office.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Veterans gather in Libby for annual Stand-Down
A man in a red T-shirt marked “volunteer” peered around Libby’s VFW Hall Saturday morning at a line of veterans flowing from the entrance, across the parking lot, around the fence and down the street.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Troy Mine responds to spill into waterways
Troy Mine continued Monday to clean up a tailings spill that leaked into nearby waterways, but is so far not considered detrimental to the environment.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Political issues take center stage at 'tea party'
The Lincoln County Tea Party last week had nothing to do with overtaxed tea and everything, according to organizers, to do with the frustration and fear that the community feels about a range of current state and federal legislative issues.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Young chef with local connections appears on TV show
Joy Skogas would always set up a space for her granddaughters to “help” in the kitchen when they visited during Christmas and summer vacations.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Local bar, casino owners react to smoking ban
Local bar and casino owners are begrudgingly preparing to turn their businesses smoke-free as their four-year grace period from the statewide smoke ban will expire Thursday.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Jury finds Dancer guilty in embezzlement trial
William Dancer sat stone-faced Friday afternoon as the court clerk read off three guilty verdicts that could put him in prison for up to 30 years.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Troy School Board member disputes district actions
A Troy School Board member has accused its board and superintendent of violating a list of school policies and state laws in an array of alleged actions ranging from not following the proper bidding procedure to not gaining board approval in purchasing a new driver’s education vehicle.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Jury finds Dancer guilty of embezzlement
William Dancer’s solemn expression changed little Friday afternoon as the court clerk read off three guilty verdicts that could put him in prison for 30 years.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Much-needed legal guidance to serve region
There is no question that the need is there.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Troy opts to contract out animal control to county
The City of Troy will join Libby and Eureka in contracting out animal control to Lincoln County starting in October, a new arrangement that the city council approved during this past Wednesday’s meeting.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
EPA agrees to extend OU1-OU2 comment period
The Environmental Protection Agency agreed during Wednesday’s City-County Health Board meeting to extend the comment period for the proposed plans of the former export plant and former screening plant by two months.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Family resource centers attempt to ease parents
Some parents are comfortable speaking to their child’s teacher or principal when they have questions or concerns. But others have never stepped a foot into the school, don’t know the names of the teachers or principal, and would feel awkward just stopping by.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
City, EPA views differ on cleanup
Libby City Council presented a professional design of its future plans for the old export plant during Monday’s meeting, a week after the Environmental Protection Agency released its proposed cleanup plan for the site.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Stimulus funds help schools complete window projects
W.F. Morrison School in Troy replaced the last of its single-pane windows on Tuesday. Libby High School expects to receive its window supplies within a week or two. And Eureka Elementary School replaced some windows that had been boarded up for the past 20 years.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
School board looks to consultant on Asa Wood
Libby School Board members don’t all agree on how to address the problem of an aging Asa Wood elementary school building, but they did agree Monday that a professional would be able to provide the best and most objective answer.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Washington couple injured in accident
A Washington couple was seriously injured Thursday morning after striking a deer on their motorcycle as they traveled on Highway 2 south of Libby.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Obama message in local schools
Libby Middle School kids and various other Libby and Troy students watched President Barack Obama’s address to schoolchildren last week – a speech that initially drew fire from conservative groups and parents.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Casino robbery leads to high-speed chase
The bond for two men suspected of robbing a Libby casino Friday was set at $500,000 during their initial appearance Monday afternoon in justice court.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Judge OKs wolf hunts; tag sales brisk
U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy gave the OK Tuesday night for wolf hunts in Montana and Idaho to continue as scheduled after denying an injunction requested by environmentalists.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Relocating Fifth Street Extension prompts questions
Relocating Fifth Street Extension away from the river and further south toward the railroad tracks would turn homeowners’ land into valued riverfront property and allow for the building of a safer railroad crossing.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
New owners keep local bookstore open
New owners will within a week reopen Cabinet Books and Music after it faced the possibility of permanent closure.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
KV Quilt Guild honor goes to Mabel Edington
The content of Mabel Edington’s booth at this weekend’s Quilt Show will reveal that quilts are not solely made of cloth, batting and thread – but also of love.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Law-enforcement agencies working way to full staffs
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Libby Police Department are working their way up to a full force, good news in a county that has experienced law-enforcement shortages.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Nordicfest spirit continues in celebration;s 25th year
When members of a small community get together and put all their energy toward a goal, good things tend to happen.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
No major fires on Kootenai - so far
The fire season seems pretty mild in the Kootenai National Forest this year, though officials say that’s only because the past decade has seen above-average wildfire activity.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Yaak woman, 79, survives night in woods
A 79-year-old Yaak woman was found cold and wet but “in good spirits” Saturday after getting lost and spending the night in the woods, according to rescuers.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Kootenai Karacter Kraziness: The Boardinghouse
Director Shanda Jennings knows that the Nordicfest crowd – a merry bunch filling up on lutefisk and Ole and Lena jokes – won’t want to retire in the evening to a theater with solemn characters and foreboding music.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Simulated emergency serves as test for responders
A snow load collapsed the Ajax Furniture Co. roof, and many of the 26 victims died on scene or at the hospital. While emergency response crews sifted among the wreckage for signs of life, families of the victims pleaded for information about their loved ones, and the media demanded details.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Police chief search continues
The City of Libby will more-than-likely set a new deadline for chief of police applicants, as only one person has shown interest so far after a month of local and statewide advertising.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
County fair kicks off this week in Eureka
A century ago, the few existing roads in the county were rough with wagon wheel ruts, and it was inconceivable for Libby and Troy residents to travel to Eureka for the Tobacco Valley Fair.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Mine settlement pending approval
A settlement between Revett Minerals and government regulators concerning a fine levied after a Troy Mine worker’s death two years ago was reached last week and is pending a judge’s approval.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
EPA's Montana director suffers fatal fall on hike
A 64-year-old Environmental Protection Agency official died after tumbling down a cliff Thursday night while descending Snowshoe Peak with a fellow hiker, law-enforcement officials confirmed.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Honors long overdue: Veteran, now 81, receives decorations
Jack Cunningham never talked about the horrors he witnessed while moving through the treacherous Pacific Ocean during World War II in a cargo ship full of food, explosives and fuel.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
EPA's Montana director dies from fall on Snowshoe Peak
A 64-year-old Environmental Protection Agency official died after falling off a cliff Thursday night while descending Snowshoe Peak with a fellow hiker, law-enforcement officials confirmed.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Gun club votes to back Walters
A Troy gun club voted at its Tuesday meeting to support the efforts of Troy’s chief of police in his dispute concerning assets belonging to another gun club.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Libby council votes on employee raises
The Libby City Council at Monday’s meeting granted all city employees a 1.5-percent cost of living increase and the standard 1-percent longevity rate.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Back to School: Elementary PE classes among additions in Troy
Troy teachers are preparing their classrooms and school officials are scrambling to get everything in order before the buses fire up and the schools come back to life on Aug. 26.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Golf course prepares for cleanup
The Environmental Protection Agency didn’t achieve its Monday target date to begin asbestos removal at the Cabinet View Golf Course but has begun preparations for the six-week cleanup.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Commissioners approve salary plan
Lincoln County commissioners approved salaries Wednesday, granting a 2-percent cost of living increase to all non-union county employees and giving a 1-cent per hour increase to elected officials.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Libby Dam operation earns national recognition
Libby Dam project manager Mick Shea first learned that his crew won a national award when he stepped off a plane in Spokane, Wash., and checked his voicemail.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
State investigating actions of Troy police chief
The Montana Department of Justice is investigating Troy’s chief of police for allegedly refusing to surrender property owned by a gun club that members say will cost $7,000 to replace.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Relay's spirit visible all night
Cleone Spiering changed into her walking shoes Friday night for her 57-year-old daughter in Las Vegas.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Agencies plan emergency response drill
The heavy snows of 1996 collapsed the roofs of dozens of local businesses and homes, including the VFW Hall only hours after it had been crowded with people.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Dropping party affiliations from ballots catches county's interest
If Lincoln County commissioners give final approval at an Aug. 19 meeting in Eureka, the county will hold a special election this fall to decide whether or not to continue conducting county elections as partisan or to switch to non-partisan elections.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Bigger staff on horizon for police
The City of Libby is in the process of replacing three police officers it lost and, with the help of federal stimulus fund grants, plans to hire two more to fill a full-time and a part-time position.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
EPA cleanup process sees change
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s new role in property cleanups this fall should improve efficiency and change very little else, according to an official with the agency.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Huckleberry season not over just yet
It’s already August, but huckleberry picking season is not over yet, according to Greg Hall, who has been fascinated with the pastime since moving to Libby in 1990.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Hunting huckleberries is tradition for longtime resident
Jeanne Spooner plucked each ripe huckleberry carefully, holding a certain amount of reverence for the wild fruit collecting at the bottom of her heavy cup.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Troupe puts final touches on Oliver
“Louder, guys! I can’t hear you!” director Rebecca Sporman hollers, with clipboard in hand, from a back row seat. She races down the aisle to the stage to give further instructions and then returns to the back.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
KPFL continues work on building
Though work on the new Kootenai Pets for Life animal shelter in Libby has experienced delays due to funding and volunteer shortages, the organization moved forward Friday in fulfilling its agreement to take over housing, medical needs and adoption of all county animals.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Effort to get Swamp Creek road section repaired intensifies
Whether he’s eating out for lunch, shopping at a convenience store or attending Rotary Club, county commissioner Tony Berget is handing out postcards to everyone he bumps into.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
City begins task to fill new position
Libby City Council will move forward next week in the hiring process for a new city administrator. The new position will replace the current supervisor of city services, who is retiring in the fall.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Governor visits Libby to hail Stinger operation
The Montana Department of Commerce awarded more than $5.7 million in grants and loans to fund a bridge-building operation that is expected to provide at least 200 jobs within the next four years.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Community Advisory Group begins to rebuild
It has been a long haul in the nine years since the Community Advisory Group formed.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Belly laughs: Teacher-turned-rodeo clown makes name for himself in arena
In the lull of the rodeo when organizers are transitioning between events, spectators can get antsy. That’s when J.J. Harrison strolls in.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
City of Libby finds positives with its budget
The City of Libby fared well over the past fiscal year despite the country’s economic woes.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Finding hope with 'Ate Annette'
It’s 5:30 in the morning and Annette Fosgate is boiling hundreds of eggs in her small kitchen.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Water meter readings in Troy questioned
When it came time for public comments at the Troy City Council meeting Wednesday, local resident Jerry Kensler stood up, unfolded a piece of paper from his shirt pocket and began discussing his household’s monthly water use.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Mother, 2-year-old son killed in trailer blaze
A woman and her 2-year-old son died in the early morning hours Saturday after a fire destroyed their trailer home on Spencer Hill Avenue in Libby.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Mother, toddler son die in home fire
A woman and her 2-year-old son died in the early morning hours Saturday after a fire destroyed their trailer home on Spencer Hill Avenue in Libby.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Excellence on high seas: Recalling 36 years in U.S. Navy
Herbert Gregory says it’s an experience a man never forgets.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
In a positive light: Libby tries to work past negativity
Vans equipped with rooftop satellites scoped out opportunities to illustrate a town that had been declared by the federal government as a public health emergency.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Libby awaits final OK on loan to begin sewer project
The City of Libby is awaiting final approval of a federal loan in order to begin construction on the Cabinet Heights sewer extension project.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Coker resigns as chief of police
After 13 years as Libby’s chief of police, Clay Coker will resign Aug. 1 to pursue a law degree. He submitted a letter of resignation last Friday.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Disaster avoided on Highway 2
A man’s quick thinking may have avoided a disastrous head-on collision Tuesday evening after a woman apparently passed out and veered into his lane about 22 miles south of Libby on Highway 2.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Revett increases wages at mine
Only a matter of months ago, Troy Mine workers were unsure about whether or not they would have jobs as silver and copper prices plummeted.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Libby council by narrow margin grants CD to Troy
After approving it in May, then voting to withdraw approval, then discussing it and voting on it two more times at Monday’s meeting – Libby City Council presumably made the final decision, by a narrow margin, to transfer ownership of a certificate of deposit to the City of Troy.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Police find quiet Fourth around county
Lincoln County law-enforcement and emergency response agencies reported a fairly quiet Fourth of July weekend.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Stinger production only weeks away
Bridge manufacturer Stinger Welding Inc. plans to hire 10 local welders this month to train and begin production in an alternative building while the permanent facility is being constructed.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Libby begins search for city administrator
Libby’s new city administrator will work less in the field and play more of an administrative role than the current supervisor of city services, according to Mayor Doug Roll.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Recall group clears hurdle for petition
The Lincoln County clerk and recorders office approved on Monday a petition drafted by a group of Eureka-area residents to remove Sheriff Daryl Anderson from office.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Jury acquits teen on deliberate homicide charge
Stephen Thomas was justified for shooting Larry Kingsley to death last July, a jury concluded Wednesday after less than two hours of deliberation.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Thomas trial: Testimony shows victim as disturbed individual
Just when two teenagers told law-enforcement officials a seemingly fictional account of why they shot a 67-year-old man to death at a remote campground, a third witness fell from the sky like a gift for defense attorneys.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Troy celebration on the Fourth dates back nearly a century
Locals are proud of events like Troy’s Timberbeast Disc Golf Tournament because it represents a cutting edge activity popular in today’s world. But Troy’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration is cherished for the exact opposite reason.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Thomas acquitted in Kingsley shooting
Stephen Thomas was justified for shooting Larry Kingsley to death last July, a jury decided Wednesday after less than two hours of deliberation.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
CAG considers ideas for future
The Community Advisory Group took a timeout Thursday from its usual discussion of asbestos cleanup and health care to engage in a candid dialogue about how the group can draw in the community and work more efficiently.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
New status give EPA more authority with cleanups
Along with the run-of-the-mill line of questioning about the Superfund process, the Environmental Protection Agency at Monday’s public meeting answered questions about the Libby area’s public health emergency status.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Troy opts for mail-in ballot for fall election
The City of Troy on Wednesday became the fourth and final municipal in Lincoln County to pass a resolution to hold its fall election by mail-in ballot.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Former girlfriend takes stand in Thomas trial
Heather Henson took the stand Wednesday in Stephen Thomas’ murder trial, recounting the bizarre events that led the two teenagers to shoot to death 67-year-old Larry Kingsley last July at a remote campground outside Libby.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Kids get hooked at fishing derby
Junior anglers hurled their lines into the Troy Community Pond on Saturday morning with hopes of catching the biggest fish and winning the grand prize – a fishing pole with flashing lights on the reel.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Children's theatre production coming to Libby
The opportunity to participate in theater – to plan, act, sing, dance, design and build – is not always available in small towns like Libby.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Defense: Thomas justified for shooting Kingsley
Opening statements and testimony in the murder trial of 18-year-old Stephen Thomas revealed a storyline and defense Tuesday consistent with the trial of his alleged accomplice, 20-year-old Heather Henson.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Conquering the Kootenai: Disc golfers take on river at Troy event
An amateur disc golfer won “Discs Across the Kootenai” – an event that has been referred to as the icing on the cake of Troy’s Timberbeast disc golf tournament.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Accident near Troy claims life of woman
A 37-year-old Troy woman died and two others were injured Thursday evening in a Highway 2 accident one mile south of Troy.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
County considers options for walking, biking path
It’s Libby’s turn for a new walking and biking path, and Lincoln County commissioners are taking suggestions.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Health declaration: Finally, some justice
“It’s about time.”
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Grant could lead to new fire station
With $210 million in stimulus funds available nationwide to build or renovate fire department buildings, firefighters see a good opportunity for the Libby Volunteer Fire Department. Their original idea of tearing down the old city hall and building new, however, is not likely to happen on Libby City Council’s watch.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Tennis court resurfacing draws board's attention
A sense of urgency could be heard in the voices of Troy School Board members while discussing the need to resurface the district’s four tennis courts.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Special event organizers change alcohol sale policies
Organizers of summer events in Libby and Troy are upbeat about implementing measures to reduce drunk driving, over-drinking and underage drinking this year.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Incredi-Bull: Event decided on final ride
As the second and final round came to an end at the Incredi-Bull Riding Blowout Saturday night at J. Neils Memorial Park, cowboys – a few pleased, but many defeated – changed out of chaps and spurs.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Forest Service's stimulus funds create questions
U.S. Forest Service officials spoke Wednesday with county commissioners regarding stimulus funds, and the burning question was, “When?”
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Unique competition to include local trainer
Using a rod with a crinkly piece of blue tarp taped to the end, Phil Gunning worked Tuesday to desensitize a horse to quick movement and sudden sounds. He rapidly swished the rod back and forth in front of the horse, on each side and directly behind it.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
River rafters survive spill over Kootenai Falls
A 20-year-old man was rescued by helicopter Saturday afternoon from an island downstream from Kootenai Falls after the river overturned his and a friend’s raft.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Blackout leads to rollover
An 80-year-old man blacked out and rolled his pickup Tuesday afternoon while traveling north on Highway 2 outside Libby.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Teens fine but vehicles totaled in Libby accident
Two teenagers are OK after an accident south of Libby on Highway 2 totaled both of their vehicles Tuesday.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
New ID requirement at border impacts locals
Though a new requirement that mandates a passport or similar document to enter the United States through Canada has been in the works for five years now, many have put off applying for one or are unfamiliar with the details.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Libby 5-year-old girl carries on family tradition on track
Blond hair whipped around under her helmet like the orange flag sticking out from her four-wheeler. The boys, many of them bigger and older, easily passed by on their dirt bikes.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
City of Libby considers mail-in ballots
Libby City Council may decide to hold its municipal election completely by mail-in ballot this November.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Troy teen mom beats odds to earn high school diploma
Sitting among her classmates in cap and gown, 19-year-old Lacey Erickson leans forward and smiles wide.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Quiet holiday weekend for police
While locals took advantage of sunny blue skies and temperatures that reached 85 degrees over Memorial Day weekend, law-enforcement officers and emergency responders enjoyed a relatively quiet three days.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Museum plans big opening day
Heritage Museum’s opening-day festivities will feature a new living history exhibit this year with characters from an 1839 river expedition.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Mysterious blaze: Officials baffled by overnight fire that burned junk vehicles
A fire that consumed about 270 junk vehicles at the Lincoln County Landfill in Libby went unnoticed until workers found the smoldering heap when they showed up for work Tuesday morning.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Troy embraces era of high-tech teaching
Hana Coy’s second-grade students were squirming with excitement to meet their pen pals, students from a Billings school that they had been writing back and forth to throughout the year.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Federal grant to help fight asbestos-related diseases
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is giving Lincoln County $6 million to fund health care for people with asbestos-related diseases and, according to Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), there may be more help on the way.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Motorcycle riders suffer broken legs
Two motorcycle riders suffered leg injuries after a deer struck them Sunday afternoon in a remote area east of Libby Dam.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Grant leads to CARD expansion
The Center for Asbestos Related Disease put in for a Senate appropriation this year to help fund its operations and ended up, instead, receiving a grant to build an addition.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Locals organize 'e-waste' disposal
The U.S. population throws away 130 million cell phones each year, contributing to electronic waste that makes up 40 percent of lead found in landfills.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Lincon County Crimestoppers calls it quits
The board for the Lincoln County chapter of Crimestoppers voted to dissolve the organization last week as a result of declining community involvement and five years of operating costs surpassing donations.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Troy Mine sees conditions improve
Improved metal prices and continued improvements in productivity has led Revett Minerals to stop issuing 60-day notices to its Troy Mine employees, the company announced Thursday.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Troy finds challenges with finding music teacher
With two of three applicants accepting jobs elsewhere, Troy Schools is scrambling to decide how to fill next year’s high school music teacher position.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Teenager recovering from spill on track
A Libby teenager was released from a Spokane, Wash. hospital Wednesday after suffering a head injury from a dirt bike accident in Libby on Sunday.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Family cruise: Libby native, daughter serve together on carrier
Twenty-year-old Lisa Kyes sees her father, John Kyes, more now than she did when she was growing up.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Swamp Creek project doesn't make cut
The Swamp Creek road construction project on Highway 2 will not receive stimulus funds and the Montana Department of Transportation continues to list it as a “beyond 2013” project.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Derby winner has special connection to annual event
George Earle doesn’t participate in many fishing competitions, but the annual Trout and Salmon Derby at Lake Koocanusa Resort and Marina is dear to his heart.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Libby Dam operations to benefit recreationists
Recreationists can expect a deep Lake Koocanusa for boating and a gentler Kootenai River for fishing this summer, Libby Dam officials said during Wednesday’s annual operations meeting.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Grace trial: Reaction around Libby toughest on Judge Molloy
A jury acquitted W.R. Grace & Co. and three former executives last week of all criminal charges relating to Libby’s asbestos poisoning.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Dispatch center to replace antiquated system
The Lincoln County dispatch center will get a much-needed system upgrade, using grant and county funds to replace equipment that was installed as early as the 1970s.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Cycling in God's country: Libby-area event has grown into popular annual activity
Motels are booked, cookies and pies are baked and riders are conditioned – it must be time for the annual Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River bike ride.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Map details city's plans for export plant area
The Libby City Council continues to solidify plans for the old export plant so that the Environmental Protection Agency’s approaching asbestos cleanup can coincide with the area’s future use.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Stimulus money goes to Libby Dam
Libby Dam is set to receive $220,000 of federal stimulus money as part of a nearly $17 million package to fund Montana rural water projects, Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced Thursday.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Lincoln County ready if swine flu hits home
Though Montana had no confirmed cases of swine flu as of Monday morning, the Lincoln County Health Department has kept busy distributing information and readying for a possible outbreak.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
'Rumple Report' finally goes public
An internal memo criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency’s cleanup of asbestos in Libby was released to the public last week under less stringent Freedom of Information Act guidelines set by President Barack Obama’s administration.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Mine accident injures employee
A Troy Mine employee suffered two broken legs Friday in an accident at the Revett Minerals facility.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Troy Mine employee injured in accident
A Libby man was airlifted to Kalispell after a vehicle pinned him against a building Friday morning at Troy Mine.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Vandals strike businesses, homes, vehicles around Libby
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is following possible leads as to who may be responsible for breaking windows in more than 50 vehicles, businesses and homes throughout the Libby area in the wee hours of Thursday morning.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Local members show support for pro-union bill
A union with nearly 100 local members hosted events in Libby last week to support health-care reform and a federal pro-union bill.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Nonprofit aims to help disabled youth
A Troy man says that locals will plant the seed money for a nonprofit that he hopes to grow into a multi-million dollar recreational area for the nation’s disabled children.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Wet highway plays role in pair of single-car accidents
Two single-car accidents on Thursday between Libby and Troy disrupted the railroad’s schedule and delayed delivery of The Western News to Troy.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Glass stores try to keep up with chaos
Thursday morning was chaotic, to say the least, for Cherry Creek Glass business owner Loren Dodge.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Troy picks up steam on massive water project
Troy wasn’t in good standing to receive regular state funding for a massive project to fix its water distribution system, but the city continued to aggressively push the congressional delegation and state legislators for stimulus funds.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Revett's new chairman of the board hails from Troy
As approximately 180 Troy Mine workers toil underground, board members for the mine’s parent company, Revett Minerals, make all of the mine’s major decisions from an office in Spokane Valley, Wash.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
School board selects Asa Wood principal
The Libby School Board last week selected a local with more than a decade of teaching experience to become Asa Wood Elementary’s principal this fall.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Council grants city water users discount
After months of consideration, the Libby City Council voted this week to grant city water users a discount on their summer water bills.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Column: Yard work with a little help from my friends
Full with Easter dinner, I set out Sunday afternoon to do some overdue yard work.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Residents offer opinions on Montanore
Comments regarding the proposed Montanore Mine followed a loose theme during Thursday’s formal public hearing – locals support the mine, but only if it doesn’t cause unnecessary human disruption or environmental harm.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Accident claims life of 21-year-old Troy man
A Troy man died Tuesday from head injuries he received after driving through a school concessions building and hitting a construction trailer Monday afternoon.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Troy School Board considers options on programs
The music, art and physical education classes at Troy’s Morrison Elementary have been fluid over the past two years, and the Troy School Board will be considering different ways to formulate those programs as it conducts interviews to fill five teaching positions.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Proposed mine tries to find support
The public comment period for the proposed Montanore Mine will come to a close next month and before that time, the company is looking to gain all the support it can.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Murder-for-hire case goes to Appeals Court
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Seattle has agreed to consider re-trying a Libby man after he was sentenced in U.S. District Court last year on charges of arranging for his wife’s murder – a scheme that never materialized.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
A new home, a thankful recipient
Rhoda Richardson raised three children on her own. She moved to the area 20 years ago, bought eight-tenths of an acre off of Bull Lake Road near Troy and paid off a trailer house that rested on the property.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Sign vandals strike Libby
Snow mounds have shriveled and disappeared in the past week, along with several road signs.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Group organizes activities to mark county centennial
The year was 1909 and Lincoln County had just formed. Somehow, Libby became the county seat after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its own decision to grant that designation to Eureka.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Vincent legislation designed to help the timber industry
The Senate listened to hearings Monday for a two-bill package aimed to help the state’s struggling timber industry and to make Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks more fiscally responsible.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Retired housewife takes role of 'madam'
From her flashy feathered hat to her high-heeled boots, Mary Gleim presented herself to the library audience as an entrepreneur – a smart, law-abiding businesswoman who must be the most persecuted woman in the entire world.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS AGO
Mistrial: Jury cannot agree on verdict; case may be retried
District court judge Michael Prezeau declared a mistrial Monday evening in the William Dancer embezzlement case after jurors were unable to reach a verdict in 13 hours of deliberation spread over two days.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Lincoln Theatre's legacy lives on
For a dime per child and a quarter per adult, Troy residents watched silent movies and accompanying Vaudeville acts at the Lincoln Theatre when television was only an idea in the mind of an inventor.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Prosecution builds its case against Dancer
A bank account that William Dancer’s defense maintains he opened to legitimately conduct business for his former employer revealed that the money that came in was business-related, but the money that went out wasn’t, according to an auditor’s testimony Wednesday.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Tourism campaign targets Lincoln County
The Kootenai River, the Rocky Mountains, over 2 million acres of national forest and a variety of wildlife make northwestern Montana a unique region, but that alone doesn’t attract crowds of tourists.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Libby City Council swears in new member
Libby City Council voted and swore in its newest councilmember, Ron Carter, during a brief special meeting Thursday evening.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Mistrial declared in Dancer case
District court judge Michael Prezeau declared a mistrial Monday in the William Dancer embezzlement case after jurors were unable to reach a verdict in 13 hours of deliberation spread over two days.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Jurors in Dancer trial not able to reach verdict before weekend
Jurors in the William Dancer embezzlement case were dismissed for the weekend after not being able to reach a verdict in nearly six hours of deliberation Friday, according to court recorder Deb Kambel.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
County, cities had to respond fast for stimulus money
The Montana Association of Counties sent commissioners across the state an urgent e-mail Thursday afternoon entitled “Important! Stimulus funding requests needed!”
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Troy business mall fills vacancy
B-Rocks Basics, Troy’s first clothing store in at least a decade, is scheduled to open sometime in May.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Dancer embezzlement trial begins
What the prosecution characterized as greed and breach of trust, a former Libby businessman’s defense called a business dispute.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Libby City Council interviews to fill seat
Libby City Council conducted interviews Monday to fill the vacancy created when Charlene Leckrone resigned to move to Washington state.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Jitterbuggin' in Libby: Longtime school tradition continues
From the “basic step” to the “chute through,” 100 Libby middle-schoolers jitterbugged to the likes of The Everly Brothers and Flash Cadillac, showing judges their best moves at Friday’s annual Jitterbug Competition.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Animal shelter taking shape
Wandering from room to room, Judy Hyslop’s smile gets wider and wider. She describes to volunteers the importance of each space in what will become Kootenai Pets for Life’s new animal shelter.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
EPA gives update on OU1 process
During a presentation to the Libby City Council on Monday night, the Environmental Protection Agency indicated that the Record of Decision on the old export plant site is tentatively scheduled to be finished within six months.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Police arrest 2 for cat shootings
Two men were arrested early Monday morning after allegedly shooting out a window of Troy’s animal shelter and killing four feral cats outside the building.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
School plans family centers on 3 campuses
The vision is a comfortable room near the main entrance with sofas, a play-area for small children, coffee and cookies, parenting resources and, most importantly, a smiling face with time to visit and listen.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Snowmobilers survive long night in the snow
A multiple-agency search-and-rescue mission ended when two men were found unscathed after spending a chilly Saturday night trapped in a remote area outside Troy.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Troy School Board renews high school principal's contract
Despite protests from a group of high school staff members, Troy School Board unanimously voted Monday to renew Principal Jeff Ralston’s contract for another year.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
8 Seconds: Libby 18-year-old chases dream of one day conquering bull riding
His face met the bull’s horn, hammering his nose and cheekbone. He took two steps and passed out.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Sullivan to bring complaints to EPA
A former longtime Community Advisory Group member plans to file a complaint later this month with the Environmental Protection Agency’s general accounting office division of fraud, waste and abuse, accusing the agency of six acts of misconduct.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Smile you're on 'Eagle Cam'
In a much-welcomed sign of spring, a pair of bald eagles has moved back into the Souse Gulch nest at Libby Dam – and the Eagle Cam is once again catching rare glimpses of them.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Effort to bring in employer progresses
A bridge part building company that is estimated to employ 150-200 people at Libby’s Industrial District is closer to becoming a reality.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Union, county discuss pay raises
Union members and county commissioners agreed on one thing at Wednesday’s meeting – they would rather negotiate directly than through representation.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Council moves forward on water plans
The Libby City Council moved forward Monday with its discussions on how to spend $400,000 the city received for its water budget in a December settlement with International Paper Co.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Cell phone texting operation targeted credit union's customers
Multiple Lincoln County residents received a cell phone text message last Wednesday and Sunday that is part of a scam to obtain personal banking information, law-enforcement officials confirmed.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Fire destroys unoccupied home in Libby
An unoccupied Libby house went up in flames Thursday morning, destroyed by a fire that took 2 1/2 hours and more than two dozen firefighters to quell.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Logging truck accident blocks Highway 2 early Wednesday
A truck scattered logs hundreds of feet across Highway 2, blocking the road for over three hours Wednesday morning.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
New class helps special students make transition
They march into the building, sign in and report to their stations.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
National Guard recruitment on the rise
Jay Walters was laid off from Moyie Springs Mill in Idaho three years ago. The current economic crisis had not yet struck but finding a job in Libby was already difficult.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Fortine student takes top honor at spelling bee
“Fennel,” a plant in the parsley family, put sixth-grader Tristian Thomas of Fortine Elementary into the 10th and final round of the Lincoln County Spelling Bee Thursday in Troy.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
W.R. Grace trial: Libby residents ready to put it all behind them
The national media has descended upon Libby once again, highlighting the town full of residents who have died or been sickened by W.R. Grace and Co.’s asbestos-contaminated vermiculite mine.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Leckrone resigns from city council
It’s been two months since Libby City Council made its last member appointment, and next week the council will start advertising to fill another vacancy.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
New dentists find Libby to be good fit
They share an office and a love for good dental hygiene.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Mine safety questions lead to 4-day shutdown
Troy Mine resumed underground operations Tuesday after a four-day interruption that stemmed from questions about the mine’s safety.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Contract issues lead to absence of pay raises
Seventeen frustrated Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office employees will meet with county commissioners next month to demand a raise that they believe was promised to them more than seven months ago.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Detective starts new chapter with position at local church
Dean Byrns quietly observed pre-sentencing testimony for a pedophile that he helped put behind bars.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
EPA study shows safe air in Libby
Asbestos levels in Libby’s air are low enough that they don’t pose a significant cancer risk, according to a two-year study presented at Monday’s town hall meeting by the Environmental Protection Agency.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
'Ugly' and family relocate outside city limits
Ugly the pit bull – or American bulldog, depending on who you ask – is living a quiet life now after gaining local fame last fall from his owner’s dispute with the City of Libby over a pit bull ordinance.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Living, working the rural life while learning on the job
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains in the heart of Kootenai Valley, Libby’s beauty and remoteness are known more for attracting outdoorsmen than providing a resource for medical training.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
City ponders how to best spend water budget funds
Libby City Council members are torn on how to spend water budget money received from International Paper Co. – repair major water leaks, provide financial relief to city water users, reduce debt owed on the water system or a combination of the three.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Woman faces felony elder exploitation charge
The Lincoln County Attorney’s Office filed an elder exploitation charge against a Libby woman for allegedly taking advantage of an 84-year-old Alzheimer’s patient who was under her care.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
In a hurry to arrive: Troy woman gives birth to son in ambulance
A newborn flew into Libby’s hospital on Thursday evening of last week but it wasn’t by stork – it was via Troy Volunteer Ambulance.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
County hires former cop to fill justice of peace job
In a whirlwind last week, Lincoln County commissioners sifted through 26 resumes and interviewed five candidates, announcing Friday afternoon that a Lincoln County deputy would become the next justice of the peace.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Henson sentenced to 5 years in jail
A 19-year-old Kalispell woman was sentenced Wednesday for fatally shooting a 67-year-old man last July in Lincoln County with the alleged help of her boyfriend.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Police nab prison ecapees in Troy
Two federal fugitives who were caught Monday afternoon in Troy made an initial appearance Tuesday before U.S. District Court Judge Jeremiah Lynch in Missoula.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Troy treading water on project
Troy Mayor Jim Hammons took a discouraging trip to Helena two weeks ago to compete for grants to replace his community’s aging water system.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Fugitives on run after jail break caught in Troy
Two federal fugitives who escaped from Mineral County Jail made it about 150 miles away before they were caught Monday afternoon in Troy. As of Tuesday, they were sitting in Missoula County jail.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Officials, residents discuss air quality
The cleanliness of the air in the Libby area has been a longstanding, delicate issue for residents. Throw in woodstoves and the inability to use them during air alerts and those issues intensify.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
St. John's hospital site revealed
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital finally made public at Tuesday’s Libby City Council meeting what many suspected all along – the new hospital will be built adjacent to the current facility.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
County trying to hire justice of the peace quickly
Lincoln County commissioners hope to have a new justice of the peace by the end of next week, an ambitious goal as applications are being accepted until Tuesday.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Panel to discuss Libby's air quality
When an air quality alert banned Libby-area residents from using wood-burning stoves for three days last October, upset residents rallied at the courthouse.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Improving market gives hope to Troy Mine
Troy Mine workers found out this week that they will keep their jobs at least through February, a momentary relief after receiving a 60-day notice last December that the mine could temporarily close due to low metal prices.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Libby Care Center hires local administrator
After going through three administrators in the past two years, the Libby Care Center opted to choose a local to take on the job.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
County lays groundwork for job education program
Historically dependent on natural resources for its economic vitality, Lincoln County has not been an easy place to obtain a steady job for years now.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Libby man gets prison time for molesting young son
Christopher Haines, 26, of Libby was given a maximum 20-year sentence, with 15 years suspended, on Tuesday after being charged for sexually molesting his young son.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Roll delivers first 'State of the City' address
Though revenues have been sluggish for years, Libby’s city budget is keeping up with expenses, Mayor Doug Roll said during his first “State of the City” address on Wednesday.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Snow, ice disrupts cell phone, Internet service in region
Snow and ice severed a fiber-optic cable southeast of Libby last Wednesday night to create over two days of sporadic cell phone and Internet service for customers in northwestern Montana.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Rock Creek Mine gets DEQ approval
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality approved changes to the Rock Creek Mine’s draft Environmental Assessment last month, granting conditional approval to begin digging an adit, part of the project’s first phase.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Severed fiber-optic cable interrupts cell, Internet service
Snow and ice severed a fiber-optic cable southeast of Libby Wednesday night to create sporadic cell phone and Internet service for customers in northwestern Montana.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Libby police up to full staff
The Libby Police Department has a full staff – for now.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Council amends snow ordinance
The Libby City Council at Monday’s meeting unanimously passed an emergency ordinance amendment that outlaws pushing snow into city streets.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Heavy snowfall provides challenges for residents
Preventative measures and relatively low snow density has helped Lincoln County residents stay safe during what has seemed like non-stop snow.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Excessive snow creates difficulties in Libby
Mail carriers can’t get to mailboxes, firefighters can’t get to fire hydrants and residents can’t get their cars out of the driveway – it must be winter.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Shooting leaves brother hospitalized
A Libby man allegedly shot his brother early Christmas morning in an altercation over a bottle of rum.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Coker goes through FBI training
After taking a 10-week law-enforcement program, Libby Chief of Police Clay Coker has a Rolodex full of law-enforcement professionals to call if ever needs advice.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
School gives Libby teacher special sendoff
Present and past students swarmed around Tom Gallagher – laughing, hugging, crying – all bidding him “Good-bye,” “Keep safe” and “Come home soon.”
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Henson trial: Brother testifies for prosecution
Heather Henson’s 14-year-old brother testified Thursday that his sister spoke of killing Larry Kingsley just hours before the fatal shooting on July 12.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Hospital continues negotiations on new site
Design plans for a new hospital in Libby are moving forward this week while negotiations on its location are ongoing.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Henson trial under way in Libby courtroom
The prosecution called Heather Henson’s shooting of 67-year-old Larry Kingsley premeditated deliberate homicide. The defense characterized the victim as unstable and dangerous with extreme mood swings.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Online exclusive: Thomas takes stand in Henson trial
Drugs, sex and shopping sprees.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
City sees no rush of council candidates
The Libby City Council has until Dec. 24 to fill former councilmember Doug Roll’s vacancy, and as of presstime on Wednesday, there had been no applicants.
THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 16 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
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