Sheriff candidate took disability retirement in Washington

Lincoln County sheriff candidate Bill Clark said he had no intention of returning to law enforcement when he retired 11 years ago as chief of police position in a small town in Washington state.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Troy food truck combines handy, homemade

Food trucks have been growing in popularity at farmers’ markets and county fairs – and now Troy has one of its own open for business.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Medical study tests autoimmunity in Libby area

Results from a medical study looking at autoimmunity issues in Libby in connection with asbestos show there is a small group dealing with very severe and progressive lung illness – a sub-group of up to 15 people at a time, who may have been previously overlooked.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Tech scammers dupe, steal information

A computer shop in Troy is concerned that scammers are finding lesser known ways to dupe residents into giving out their personal information before taking their money – and with some success.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

EPA plans to leave asbestos 'remnants'

A recent discussion between the Environmental Protection Agency and a Lincoln County representative had the local health board up in arms on Wednesday over fears that the agency could pass the financial responsibility of asbestos contamination onto homeowners and future real estate developers.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Guatemalans visit Rotary Club of Kootenai Valley

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Elk Foundation returns to Troy roots

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) co-founders Bob Munson and Charlie Decker returned to their roots in Troy last week, during a trip down memory lane to the old dental office, an abandoned grocery store and a trailer house – all locations that housed the foundation in those first years after …

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Sheriff investigating sex assault

A sexual assault reported in Troy earlier this month is still under investigation and no arrests have been made, the Lincoln County Sheriff says.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Lightning strikes spark two fires

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Langston contests information released by commissioners

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Larson appointed as county commissioner

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Decision on commissioner appointment pushed back to Wednesday

Lincoln County Commissioners Tony Berget and Mike Cole decided to reschedule the vote for a third commissioner appointment until Wednesday at 3 p.m.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Emergency crews prepare as more crude oil trains travel through county

Chances of a train derailment involving crude oil are minimal. But as the quantities of tank cars coming from North Dakota increase, so does the potential risk, Libby Volunteer Fire Department assistant chief Steve Lauer said.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

county trims budget; some cuts will have impact next year

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Number of crude oil trains through county increases

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

A life of racing, riding and rodeo

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

County to regulate RV parks, sub-divisions

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Four finalists selected for commissioner role

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Yaak, parts of Troy powerless after storm hits county

The Yaak and some parts of Troy could be out of power through the weekend, following Wednesday night’s storm that leveled trees, closed roads and damaged power lines.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Kootenai Valley Quilters ready to show some color

A colourful display of quilts will be taking over the Fred Brown Pavilion on the Kootenai River at Quilt Fest this weekend.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

RC Flyers ready to soar through Libby

Gwyneth Hyndman

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Elvis' visit remembered at Troy Museum officially becomes part of city

One of Troy’s landmarks is only now becoming part of the City of Troy, after a long, colorful history as an information point for tourists, a gathering place for the community’s history - and more than 50 years ago, a scenic hub that was a quick stop-off for Elvis Presley.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

County seeks stiffer penalties for drivers who damage roads

Drivers who do significant damage to Lincoln County roads could soon be charged with criminal mischief and face up to 10 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine if convicted.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Troy seeks annexation of museum

A public meeting is being held on Wednesday night to discuss the annexation of the Troy Museum.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Troy lighting to be voted on this week

Better lighting for one of Troy’s prime walking areas is being voted on at the Troy City Council meeting on Wednesday.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Group reports body floating in river

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Authorities say fires are suspicious

Spot fires in the Libby area are being treated as suspicious, a spokesperson for the Kootenai National Forest said yesterday.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Eight vie for commissioner role

A varied list of applicants to replace Lincoln County Commissioner Ron Downey next month includes State Rep. Jerry Bennett.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Mines Management hit with lawsuit

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Cabinet Mountain Wilderness turns 50

From “Wild Yoga” to a backcountry horsemanship presentation, the 50th anniversary celebration of the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness has something for everyone in this weekend’s line-up.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Geiger joins the Western News

Reporter Abigail Geiger realized she was destined for photojournalism after seeing Robert Capa’s “The Falling soldier” at a photography exhibit in New York City when she was 14.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Proposed sidewalk and alcohol laws signal Libby is "open for for business"

A revised set of city ordinances that would allow Libby’s first brewery to serve alcohol at outdoor tables on Mineral Avenue sends the message that Libby “is open for business” a brewery co-owner told Libby City Council members on Monday night.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

$4.7 million grant goes to City of Libby for Flower Creek Dam replacement

The City of Libby will receive nearly $4.7 million in federal assistance to finally replace the Flower Creek Dam.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Eureka JP office to be eliminated

Lincoln County Commissioners have voted to eliminate the Eureka Justice of the Peace office, however the County Road Department will not face the $400,000 cut they had braced themselves for last week.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

New sidewalk, alcohol rules go to council

Libby businesses could be charged as little as $1 for a permit that owners need to have before they place items on the sidewalk.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Cole, Langston: financial analysis of JP consolidation needed

It was hoped that the consolidation of two justice of the peace roles into one would be a “smooth transition,” County Commissioner Tony Berget said last week, but a recent meeting of the commissioners indicated there were still rough patches.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Maki prepares for retirement after 46 years

As his 46-year career in education comes to an end, Kirby Maki is finishing off a long to-do list for Libby School District’s incoming superintendent Craig Barringer.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Barringer prepares to take helm of school district

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Crash claims life of Yaak business owner

The 54-year-old woman who died in a motorcycle crash near the Yaak on Sunday afternoon was Sheila Higgins Markley, former owner of the Golden Nugget Bar and Grill, Markley’s family confirmed Monday night.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Washington man wins Montana 500 Model T race

Mike Stormo of Davenport, Wash., was ecstatic as the engine of his 1927 Deluxe Model T Roadster was given the thumbs up by inspectors at Timberline Auto Center on Wednesday afternoon, following his preliminary win at the 54th annual Montana 500.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Libby woman's donkey wins world championship

Kit Branch of Libby knew exactly when she fell in love with the breed of equine she refers to as “the 4x4 of the horse world.”

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Biggest turnout so far at Troy folf tournament

More than 90 disc golfers and their families descended on Troy for the 9th annual Timberbeast Challenge on Saturday.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

More cuts coming for Lincoln County

Lincoln County commissioners are looking at making a five percent cut to several county departments, as the 2014-15 budget talks continue this week

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Dropout and graduation rates in Lincoln County analyzed

High school dropout and graduation rates in Lincoln County are being compared as heads of education send their most recent numbers to the state for analysis.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Crawdads back in the Yaak at the Dirty Shame Saloon

Crowds of crustacean lovers gathered at the Dirty Shame Saloon during the weekend to enjoy a revival of the once-renowned Crawdad Festival in Yaak.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

School board won't fight move to go from Class A to Class B

The Libby School Board has voted not to fight a decision to move from Class A to Class B starting in 2015.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Commissioners travel to Washington D.C., Denver, to meet with officials as budget deadline looms

As Lincoln County’s 2014-15 budget edges closer to being finalized – with a $200,000 cut to the sheriff’s department that was confirmed last week - Lincoln County commissioners are hoping last month’s trip to Washington D.C. and Denver gave federal officials a strong visual of further cuts the county faces.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

City ordinance talks continue to cause friction

A draft of revised ordinances is continuing to cause friction between the Libby City Council and Libby store owners who don’t like the idea of paying a permit fee to have items outside.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

County prepares to replace Commissioner Downey

Phone calls are already coming in about the Troy commissioner seat that will open August 1.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office budget cut $200,000

A $200,000 hit to the Lincoln County Sheriff Department in the upcoming county budget will result in the removal of as many as two sworn deputies.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Savage in as new Kootenai National Forest supervisor

Coming from a city of 3 million to a town of 2,688 wasn’t the culture shock one would expect for new Kootenai National Forestry Supervisor Chris Savage.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Downey steps down from County Commission

A surprise resignation from County Commissioner Ron Downey this week will mean two out of three commissioners will be new to the job in 2015, with the most senior commissioner only in the position for two years.

THE WESTERN NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO