Stories for December 2005

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Thursday, December 29

December 29, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 29, 2005 11 p.m.

State should put surplus in rainy day fund, not return it

To the Editor:

December 29, 2005 11 p.m.

Wounded man facing charges

By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter

December 29, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

MEETING SANTA
December 29, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 29, 2005 11 p.m.

2005 in Review: Part 2

EDITOR's NOTE: The following is a rundown of the top stories that appeared in The

Tuesday, December 27

Jamie Lanham
December 27, 2005 11 p.m.

Jamie Lanham

Jamie Lanham, 16, of Troy, died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005, of injuries received in a motor vehicle accident near Troy.

December 27, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 27, 2005 11 p.m.

Snowy weather coming says forecaster

By ROGER MORRIS Western News Publisher

December 27, 2005 11 p.m.

Caring season

"Christmas is time when abundance rejoices and want is keenly felt." — Charles

Fire destroys garage on Christmas Eve
December 27, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 27, 2005 11 p.m.

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
December 27, 2005 11 p.m.

Donald L. Jones

Donald L. Jones, 70, died in his sleep on Sept. 26, 2005, with his son Edward, by his side.

Thursday, December 22

December 22, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 22, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

EVERY HOLIDAY
December 22, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 22, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 22, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

Tuesday, December 20

Cliff Kinzey
December 20, 2005 11 p.m.

Cliff Kinzey

Clifford R. Kinzey , 56, longtime Libby area contractor, died Dec. 14, 2005, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane.

December 20, 2005 11 p.m.

Police shoot man in Eureka fracas

By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter

December 20, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 20, 2005 11 p.m.

Troy community puts heads, hearts together for donation

To the Editor:

Area vehicles stolen and wrecked
December 20, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 20, 2005 11 p.m.

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

December 15, 2005 11 p.m.

Growth plan draws mixed reaction

By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter

December 15, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATE
December 15, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 15, 2005 11 p.m.

Sidewalks

Last week the downtown businesses starting riding each other about not keeping snow and ice off sidewalks.

December 15, 2005 11 p.m.

Fish Wrap

North Idaho lakes icing up, chinooks still biting

December 15, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

Tuesday, December 13

UGH! Christmas Tree
December 13, 2005 11 p.m.

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)

December 13, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Sales tax takes from poor, rewards wealthy

To the Editor:

December 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Delport, Hout, Vick earn top honors

Trio named to All-Idaho first team in high school football

December 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Nichols sparks fast-starting Lakeland

Prep basketball

December 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Northwest Notes

NIC plans Pack the House night at wrestling match

December 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Old school facing new lease

By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter

December 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Hope

Hope is the new word this week following last week's meeting on the old high school.

Frank Erickson
December 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Frank Erickson

Frank L. Erickson Jr., 33, of Libby, died Monday, Dec. 5, 2005 at the North Broward Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

December 13, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Burns comments display ignorance beyond belief

To the Editor:

December 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Kudos to alternative station

To the Editor:

Thursday, December 8

December 8, 2005 11 p.m.

Long-term school funding sources worry local officials

By ROGER MORRIS Western News Publisher

BRANCHING OUT
December 8, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 8, 2005 11 p.m.

County denies $50,000 port request seeking more details of proposal

By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter

December 8, 2005 11 p.m.

Cornfield rhetoric enjoyed

To the Editor:

December 8, 2005 11 p.m.

County supports preserving old school

By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter

December 8, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 8, 2005 11 p.m.

Body politic failing to save Social Security once again

To the Editor:

December 8, 2005 11 p.m.

Commissioners OK concept of ERS, too

BY ROGER MORRIS Western News Publisher

December 8, 2005 11 p.m.

Council annexes across Kootenai

By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter

Tuesday, December 6

Discussion with Santa Claus
December 6, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 6, 2005 11 p.m.

Bicycle tourists thankful for help given by area residents

To the Editor:

Dorothea Mason
December 6, 2005 11 p.m.

Dorothea Mason

Dorothea K. Mason, 72, of Troy died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005 at St. John's Lutheran Hospital from natural causes.

December 6, 2005 11 p.m.

Festival of Trees important to foundation's fundraising

By ROGER MORRIS Western News Publisher

December 6, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 6, 2005 11 p.m.

One more time

Comments about the pool vote last month are continuing to come in.

December 6, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 6, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

Thursday, December 1

WINTER SETTLING IN
December 1, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 1, 2005 11 p.m.

County to intervene in mine suit

By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter

December 1, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 1, 2005 11 p.m.

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.

December 1, 2005 11 p.m.

County considers growth plan

By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter

Francis 'Fran' Parker
December 1, 2005 11 p.m.

Francis 'Fran' Parker

Francis J. (Fran) Parker, 82, died Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Libby.