Thursday, December 29
Wounded man facing charges
By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter
MEETING SANTA
Taylor Bracken was one of many children who got to meet Santa Claus on Dec. 15 at McDonald's in Libby. Santa's elf assistants were Justin Striplin and Mariah Youso. Santa handed out gift certificates and also used his sleigh to distribute Christmas trees to several local families. Businesses helping Santa this year included Radio Shack, Pamida, Henry's Restaurant, The Antlers Restaurant, A Full Life Agency, Libby Liquidation and Pawn and Smart Bucks.
Carry Over
New Year's represents the end of one year and the resetting of the barometer to measure accomplishments. Everyone begins at zero, again.
Troy mayor looking at cell service
Troy Mayor Jim Hammons is trying to improve utilities access in Troy but is getting little help from the corporations providing those services.
2005 in Review: Part 2
EDITOR's NOTE: The following is a rundown of the top stories that appeared in The
State should put surplus in rainy day fund, not return it
To the Editor:
Tuesday, December 27
Caring season
"Christmas is time when abundance rejoices and want is keenly felt." — Charles
Jamie Lanham
Jamie Lanham, 16, of Troy, died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005, of injuries received in a motor vehicle accident near Troy.
2005 in Review: Part 1
EDITOR's NOTE: The following is a rundown of the top stories that appeared in The Western News during 2005. It is the first of two parts.
Donald L. Jones
Donald L. Jones, 70, died in his sleep on Sept. 26, 2005, with his son Edward, by his side.
Snowy weather coming says forecaster
By ROGER MORRIS Western News Publisher
Grace files motions to dismiss charges
Lawyers for W.R. Grace have filed a number of motions in U.S. District Court seeking to have criminal charges dismissed against seven employees or former employees.
Fire destroys garage on Christmas Eve
A Christmas Eve fire in Libby that destroyed a garage and its contents may have been started by a wood-burning device, according to one fire department official.
Thursday, December 22
Detailed proposal expected on ld school
The Libby School Board is anticipating a detailed proposal on the renovation of the old high school building downtown from a Spokane developer tentatively scheduled to make a formal presentation at the board's next regular meeting on Jan. 17.
EVERY HOLIDAY
Leonard and Toddy Mossey of Troy don't miss an opportunity to decorate their home for the holidays — any holiday. But for Christmas they roll out the electric lights and yard displays and literally light up the neighborhood. You can't miss the display, it's on U.S. Highway 2 across the side street from Troy High School.
Patriot Act represents Bush administration's intent to dismantle America's Bill of Rights
To the Editor:
16-year-old killed on icy Kootenai bridge
A 16-year-old Troy girl was killed Tuesday afternoon in a traffic accident on the Kootenai River Bridge on U.S. Highway 2 west of Troy.
Education fix won't go far says Maki
The more than $600,000 in additional funds the Libby School District is expected to receive next year following a special legislative session won't go very far, according to district superintendent Kirby Maki.
Duct tape & baling wire
I don't want to come off sounding like Scrooge but the school funding fix wangled in the legislative special session last week was something put together with duct tape and baling wire.
Tuesday, December 20
Area vehicles stolen and wrecked
Three stolen vehicles were recovered along Lower Granite Creek Road Saturday after the thieves apparently used them for an impromptu demolition derby.
Cliff Kinzey
Clifford R. Kinzey , 56, longtime Libby area contractor, died Dec. 14, 2005, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane.
Troy community puts heads, hearts together for donation
To the Editor:
Police shoot man in Eureka fracas
By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter
Deadline nears to comment on dam operations
The deadline to comment on the proposed draft environmental impact statement for the Var-Q flood control operations is Jan. 3, 2006.
Moving a trial
The longer Judge Donald Malloy considers W.R. Grace's request for a change of venue for their criminal trial, the more convinced I am the trial will not be held in Missoula.
Thursday, December 15
Forest plan continuing as proposed
Work is continuing on track for a February release of a proposed management plan for the Kootenai National Forest despite opposition from environmental advocates to a change in designation for 89,000 acres to "wild lands" instead of proposed wilderness, KNF supervisor Bob Castaneda told the Lincoln County Commissioners Wednesday.
CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATE
Katie lets Libby Middle School teacher Tom Gallagher know that she wants chocolate for Christmas during a school assembly Wednesday featuring the Treasure Tones. The Treasure Tones will be performing their annual Christmas show Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Memorial Center with the Libby Middle School select choir, the Men of Troy and Julie Meyer. The concert is free but donations will be taken for the Libby Food Pantry.
Air quality regs pass first reading
A first reading of proposed changes to air quality regulations for the Libby area was approved by the Lincoln County Commissioners Wednesday.
Fish Wrap
North Idaho lakes icing up, chinooks still biting
Sidewalks
Last week the downtown businesses starting riding each other about not keeping snow and ice off sidewalks.
Growth plan draws mixed reaction
By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter
Tuesday, December 13
Northwest Notes
NIC plans Pack the House night at wrestling match
UGH! Christmas Tree
14-year-old Hunter Sheffield drags the family Christmas tree home after cutting it Sunday night in the Bobtail area. Accompanying Hunter is Bill. (Photo by Jay Sheffield)
Burns comments display ignorance beyond belief
To the Editor:
Man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of child
A 47-year-old Libby man pleaded guilty Monday to felony charges stemming from a home video showing a 14-year-old girl engaged in sexual activity.
Kudos to alternative station
To the Editor:
Sales tax takes from poor, rewards wealthy
To the Editor:
Different roles of Victim Witness Program, Crisis Solutions explained
To the Editor:
Nichols sparks fast-starting Lakeland
Prep basketball
Delport, Hout, Vick earn top honors
Trio named to All-Idaho first team in high school football
Old school facing new lease
By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter
Hope
Hope is the new word this week following last week's meeting on the old high school.
Frank Erickson
Frank L. Erickson Jr., 33, of Libby, died Monday, Dec. 5, 2005 at the North Broward Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Former school clerk pleads no contest
The former clerk for the Sylvanite School District pleaded no contest Monday to felony charges related to the use of the school's credit card for personal purchases.
Thursday, December 8
County supports preserving old school
By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter
County denies $50,000 port request seeking more details of proposal
By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter
Council annexes across Kootenai
By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter
Commissioners OK concept of ERS, too
BY ROGER MORRIS Western News Publisher
Body politic failing to save Social Security once again
To the Editor:
Concerns
The county commissioners came across an acute problem that in some ways is a result of the community not being involved in the Superfund cleanup discussions.
BRANCHING OUT
Jo Johnson and Alvira Jones, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans volunteers, painted colorful murals in the children's section of the Libby Library earlier this week completing the nearly $40,000 remodeling project that has changed the entire main floor of the county library.
Cornfield rhetoric enjoyed
To the Editor:
Long-term school funding sources worry local officials
By ROGER MORRIS Western News Publisher
Tuesday, December 6
Appeals court rules against Grace
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled last week that W.R. Grace must pay $54.5 million for asbestos cleanup in Libby as well as future costs.
Burns says cut timber, wildlands designation
U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns made clear his views in opposition to "de facto wilderness" and in favor of harvesting timber on public lands during a field hearing on forest planning Friday in Missoula.
Public hearing set on air quality regs
A public hearing on proposed changes to air quality regulations for the Libby area is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14, in the commissioners' office at the county courthouse.
Discussion with Santa Claus
Brooke Winters, 7, has a serious discussion with Santa Claus under the Troy Community Christmas Tree Saturday following the 74th annual lighting of the giant ponderosa pine. The 125-foot tree has more than 700 lights on it and is considered the tallest living Christmas tree in the nation.
Bicycle tourists thankful for help given by area residents
To the Editor:
Libby-Troy students behaved spectacularly at successful performance by pianist Roger Wright
To the Editor:
Festival of Trees important to foundation's fundraising
By ROGER MORRIS Western News Publisher
One more time
Comments about the pool vote last month are continuing to come in.
Dorothea Mason
Dorothea K. Mason, 72, of Troy died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005 at St. John's Lutheran Hospital from natural causes.
Libby residents need to listen to one another and work together says Washington reader
To the Editor:
Thursday, December 1
Commissioners OK tax break for developer
A new business mall at the corner of Sixth Street Extension and U.S. Highway 2 will be getting a five-year break on its county taxes following action Wednesday by the Lincoln County Commissioners.
County to intervene in mine suit
By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter
River road widening to begin in Troy
A project to widen the county road on the north side of the Roosevelt Bridge over the Kootenai River in Troy is under way.
Francis 'Fran' Parker
Francis J. (Fran) Parker, 82, died Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Libby.
County considers growth plan
By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter
WINTER SETTLING IN
Five to six inches of snow blanketed the Libby area Tuesday as seen along Libby Creek looking toward the railroad bridge and the creek's confluence with the Kootenai River. On Thursday the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Thursday night to Friday with snow accumulations of 6-10 inches and winds from 20-30 mph in the valleys of northwest Montana.
