Stories for November 2007

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Thursday, November 29

Melting stops as cold front arrives by weekend
November 29, 2007 11 p.m.

Melting stops as cold front arrives by weekend

Teased by the white-capped Cabinets for the past month, residents of this mountain town finally got the element that largely defines them.

November 29, 2007 11 p.m.

Crew hit with the elements, below and above ground

So much for an uninterrupted holiday weekend for the Libby city street crew.

County Board of Health gets $1.5 million from state
November 29, 2007 11 p.m.

County Board of Health gets $1.5 million from state

Gov. Brian Schweitzer was in Libby Wednesday where he presented a $1.5 million check to the Lincoln County Board of Health to help finance treatment for asbestos-related diseases.

Libby native rocks with Lt. Dan
November 29, 2007 11 p.m.

Libby native rocks with Lt. Dan

Born in the small mountain town of Libby, Mitch Paliga first heard music when his father would play the harmonica around the house. Paliga's father liked to play old cowboy/folk tunes like "Red River Valley." Mitch's father, Nick, learned how to play the harmonica as a young boy from his childhood friend Lido Vizuti. Lido is the father of the well known trumpet player Alan Vizuti. Mitch's mother, Joyce, also played trumpet when she was in high school so Mitch was doubly inspired to play the trumpet but changed his mind to the saxophone at the last minute for reasons he still doesn't know.

Erik L. Mize
November 29, 2007 11 p.m.

Erik L. Mize

Erik L. Mize, 42, died Nov. 7 in San Fransisco, Calif. He had been a resident of Stevinson, Calif. at the time of his death.

November 29, 2007 11 p.m.

Real Estate

     A Guide to the Real Estate Market

Tuesday, November 27

November 27, 2007 11 p.m.

Thanking early morning drivers

To the Editor:

George P. Boyle
November 27, 2007 11 p.m.

George P. Boyle

George P. Boyle, 76, died Wednesday, Nov. 21 in Libby. He was born Aug. 25, 1931 in Reedsport, Ore. to George and Florence (Collins) Boyle. George was raised and educated in Oregon and Washington.

November 27, 2007 11 p.m.

Who's really making our decisions?

To the Editor:

November 27, 2007 11 p.m.

Waiting for common sense to prevail

To the Editor:

November 27, 2007 11 p.m.

New legislation makes for stronger laws

To the Editor:

Environmental health science class studies air quality
November 27, 2007 11 p.m.

Environmental health science class studies air quality

Words like particulate, microns, ozone, alveoli and volatile organic compounds fly across the room when students at Libby High School are discussing ambient air issues in Gene Reckin's environmental health class.

November 27, 2007 11 p.m.

LHS Speech, Debate and Drama fairs well for season

Libby High School took a small group to Bigfork to compete in the first invitational of the 2007-2008 Speech, Debate and Drama season on Nov. 2. Libby scored third in team sweeps behind Corvallis and Polson. Corvallis has a large team in all three categories of competition, and their competitors are very good.

John L. Foust, Jr.
November 27, 2007 11 p.m.

John L. Foust, Jr.

John "Jack" L. Foust, Jr., 67, passed away at his home in Cashmere, Wash. on Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, surrounded by his family.

Troy Becker
November 27, 2007 11 p.m.

Troy Becker

Montana native and long-time Billings resident Troy Becker passed away Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007 from a self inflicted gunshot wound. He was 36.

November 27, 2007 11 p.m.

Still a presence in the community

To the Editor:

John Loban
November 27, 2007 11 p.m.

John Loban

John Loban, 79, of Libby died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007 at St. John's Lutheran Hospital from natural causes. He was born Sept. 1, 1928 in

Orville D. Shock
November 27, 2007 11 p.m.

Orville D. Shock

Orville D. "Ozzie" Shock, 84, longtime Kalispell resident died Nov. 19, 2007 at Libby Care Center in Libby. He was born June 6, 1923 in Detroit Lakes, Minn., the youngest of five children, all of whom preceded him in death.

Troy Guild donates quilt to hospital
November 27, 2007 11 p.m.

Troy Guild donates quilt to hospital

The "Tender Lovin' Quilters" have a habit of making quilts for causes - this time it's for mammography equipment for St. John's Lutheran Hospital.

Tuesday, November 20

Susan K. Amos
November 20, 2007 11 p.m.

Susan K. Amos

Susan K. Amos, 59, of Libby, died Wednesday, Nov. 14 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. She was born in Burney, Calif. on Oct. 16, 1948 to Clifford Bednar and Blanche (Wilson) Bednar and was raised and educated in the Burney area. She had lived throughout the western United States, working for many years as a waitress. She married Tim Amos on April 15, 1972. She and her husband came to the Libby area in September 2001.

November 20, 2007 11 p.m.

Wednesday morning accident victims identified

The Western News

Mayor Berget suffers severe injury
November 20, 2007 11 p.m.

Mayor Berget suffers severe injury

Libby mayor Tony Berget underwent emergency eye surgery Saturday night after he suffered severe blunt force trauma to his right eye while working on a well pump, according to his wife Deanna.

November 20, 2007 11 p.m.

Holiday recipes abound in Libby

With the holidays right around the corner, families and friends will soon be gathering together to share their meals and make more memories.

Gary Doubek
November 20, 2007 11 p.m.

Gary Doubek

Gary Doubek, 48, a life long resident of Libby died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007 at St. John's Lutheran Hospital from natural causes.

November 20, 2007 11 p.m.

Troy resident sentenced in U.S. District Court

Bill Mercer, U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, announced Wednesday, Nov. 14 that during a federal court session in Missoula on Nov. 2, before Chief U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, Douglas B. Dutton, a 45 year-old resident of Troy, appeared for sentencing.

Hannah R. Wallace
November 20, 2007 11 p.m.

Hannah R. Wallace

Hannah Rose Wallace, 21, died Wednesday, Nov. 14 as the result of injuries received in a vehicle accident near Libby. She was born in Orange, Calif. on Dec. 23, 1985 to David Hall and Crystal Rose (Huisentruit) Hall. Hannah lived with her family in southern California and later in Spokane, Wash. until coming to Troy at the age of 13.

Roberta A. Soucy Noble, 63
November 20, 2007 11 p.m.

Roberta A. Soucy Noble, 63

Roberta A. Soucy Noble, 63, of Troy went be with the Lord on Nov. 14, 2007 of lung cancer from asbestosis.

Kenneth E. Walton
November 20, 2007 11 p.m.

Kenneth E. Walton

Kenneth E. Walton, Jr. (lovingly known to family and friends as "Firewater"), 21, died Nov. 14 as the result of injuries received in a vehicle accident near Libby. He was born Jan. 22, 1985 in Libby to Kenneth E. Walton, Sr. and Terri Lisle Walton and was raised and educated in Libby, graduating from Libby High School. While in high school, he had participated in soccer.

Thursday, November 15

November 15, 2007 11 p.m.

Jailed man linked to burglary

The Western News

Kenneth E. Hutton
November 15, 2007 11 p.m.

Kenneth E. Hutton

Kenneth E. Hutton, 68, died Thursday, Nov. 8, at his home in Libby.

Helen L. Prugh
November 15, 2007 11 p.m.

Helen L. Prugh

Helen L. Prugh, 87, of Libby died Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007 at the Libby Care Center from natural causes. She was born Jan. 9, 1920 in Kansas City, Mo. to Leon and Genevieve West Fontaine.

November 15, 2007 11 p.m.

To the many fantastic Logger football fans

To the Editor:

Jeanette E. Ryan
November 15, 2007 11 p.m.

Jeanette E. Ryan

Jeanette Ellen Rogers Ryan, age 67, died Sunday, Nov. 11, at her home in Litchville, N.D. She died under the care of her children and hospice after a long battle with cancer.

November 15, 2007 11 p.m.

An appeal for public involvement

To the Editor:

Traditional art of Hardanger benefits Lincoln County community
November 15, 2007 11 p.m.

Traditional art of Hardanger benefits Lincoln County community

Some busy little elves have been meeting in Libby every week at Frames Unlimited, stitching ornaments that will adorn a Hardanger styled tree - complete with an embroidered angel tree topper - for the Festival of Trees, an annual benefit hosted by St. John's Lutheran Hospital Foundation.

November 15, 2007 11 p.m.

Get a handle on inaccessible roads

To the Editor:

November 15, 2007 11 p.m.

Leave the memory of the deceased alone

To the Editor:

November 15, 2007 11 p.m.

A thanks to Lincoln County's finest

To the Editor:

November 15, 2007 11 p.m.

A visit to the Bonneville Power Administration

Last week I accompanied a group of legislators from Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon on a tour of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) headquarters in Portland Oregon; and to one of their transmission distribution systems in Vancouver, Washington. The BPA is the largest generator and distributor of electricity in the Pacific Northwest.

November 15, 2007 11 p.m.

Two Libby residents killed, one critical in crash

Two Libby area young adults, one male, 22, and one female, 21, were killed in an early morning vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 2 near milepost 61, just west of Manicke Church. The approximate time of the crash was 3:20 a.m.

Woodstove changeout a success but misuse 'significant'
November 15, 2007 11 p.m.

Woodstove changeout a success but misuse 'significant'

Libby is under the national microscope this winter as those in charge of monitoring the nation's air quality await the results of our woodstove changeout program, according to environmental health officials.

Tuesday, November 13

November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Respecting animals and property

To the Editor:

Hope G. (Ritzman) Parker
November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Hope G. (Ritzman) Parker

Hope G. (Ritzman) Parker passed away Nov. 11, 2007.

November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Leaking propane causes huge explosion

Dell and Jo Osborn were sleeping soundly at 4 a.m. Friday morning at their Milnor Lake Road home when an explosion in their guest house blew out a bay window in their main home and left nothing at the foundation of the guest house.

November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Scotchman Peaks area recreation

To the Editor:

November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Sharing the woods with bears

To the Editor:

Libby derailed in Class A Championship
November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Libby derailed in Class A Championship

Winning their first game of the Class A State volleyball match against Laurel 3-1, Libby eventually took fourth after being bounced to the losers' bracket by the team who ended up taking the Class A throne, Lewiston.

November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Assistance in the fight against tobacco

To the Editor:

Four Lady Loggers make All-Conference
November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Four Lady Loggers make All-Conference

Four of Libby's volleyball players were voted Class A All-Conference at the conclusion of the State match last weekend.

November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Learning about Scotchman Peaks

To the Editor:

Bull Lake residents: slow down and enjoy the scenery
November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Bull Lake residents: slow down and enjoy the scenery

Several near-accidents along state Highway 56, some involving 18-wheelers and fire engines, have Bull Lake Road residents and Lincoln County commissioners appealing for a speed limit reduction.

November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Give a Helping Hand this Christmas season

To the Editor:

November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Fisher River firefighters coming home after stint in California wildfires

Two Fisher River firefighters are on their way home from a special assignment in southern California where they were part of a strike team that battled the wildfires there.

Loggers fall to Rams in Class A semifinal
November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Loggers fall to Rams in Class A semifinal

The Western News

November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

It's time for the Christmas Food Roundup

To the Editor:

November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

The other side of the Wilderness coin

To the Editor:

November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

More respect is deserved than what is shown

To the Editor:

Karen K. Killingstad
November 13, 2007 11 p.m.

Karen K. Killingstad

Karen Kay Killingstad, 54, of Libby, died Monday, Nov. 5, at the Libby Care Center after a long and violent battle with cancer, strokes and a near drowning incident.

Thursday, November 8

November 8, 2007 11 p.m.

Asking for compassion

To the Editor:

Hampered Lady Trojans fall to Eureka and State finalist Loyola in Divisionals
November 8, 2007 11 p.m.

Hampered Lady Trojans fall to Eureka and State finalist Loyola in Divisionals

After two seniors broke training rules and another came down with a cold the day before Divisionals, Troy lost to Loyola and Eureka in three games.

November 8, 2007 11 p.m.

It takes a village to raise a child

To the Editor:

November 8, 2007 11 p.m.

A thanks to all the veterans

To the Editor:

November 8, 2007 11 p.m.

Seeking more access

To the Editor:

November 8, 2007 11 p.m.

Defending a friend

To the Editor:

Williams takes most votes in Libby election; incumbents ousted in Troy election
November 8, 2007 11 p.m.

Williams takes most votes in Libby election; incumbents ousted in Troy election

Although city council challenger Peggy Williams wasn't really challenging anyone — three candidates were competing for three positions — the newcomer took home the biggest vote Tuesday night, according to results released by the Lincoln County Clerk and Recorder Office .

November 8, 2007 11 p.m.

Where has all the integrity gone?

To the Editor:

November 8, 2007 11 p.m.

The underlying issues in Libby

To the Editor:

November 8, 2007 11 p.m.

Commissioner appeals for more CAG involvement

The community task force charged with guiding the EPA's efforts in Libby has seen a sharp decline in numbers, according to a county commissioner who serves on the group.

November 8, 2007 11 p.m.

Living in fear no more

To the Editor:

Monday, November 5

Loggers prepare for dogfight in semi-final battle in Billings Saturday
November 5, 2007 11 p.m.

Loggers prepare for dogfight in semi-final battle in Billings Saturday

A packed Loggers stadium watched Libby come from behind in the second half to overtake the Sidney Eagles 47-26, clinching the Class A Quarterfinal victory.

Anna Marie Graham
November 5, 2007 11 p.m.

Anna Marie Graham

Anna Marie Graham, 102, died Tuesday, Oct. 30 at Mountain View Manor in Eureka.

Lady Loggers wipe out Whitefish for ticket to state
November 5, 2007 11 p.m.

Lady Loggers wipe out Whitefish for ticket to state

The Lady Loggers beat Whitefish in five games - twice, clinching first place in the Class A Northwest Divisionals in Ronan. Libby will travel to Montana State University in Bozeman for the All-Class State volleyball tournament to play their first team, the 2nd Eastern ranked Laurel at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

Trying to save a little piece of heaven
November 5, 2007 11 p.m.

Trying to save a little piece of heaven

Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness set out three years ago to protect a wilderness mass of 88,000 acres straddling the Montana/Idaho border.

Alvin "Al" R. Nicholls
November 5, 2007 11 p.m.

Alvin "Al" R. Nicholls

Alvin (Al) R. Nicholls, 81, died Wednesday, Oct. in Libby.

Vikkie L. Olsen
November 5, 2007 11 p.m.

Vikkie L. Olsen

Vikkie Linn Olsen, 52, died Friday, Nov. 2 at her home in Libby following a valiant battle with cancer.

November 5, 2007 11 p.m.

Road construction nearing completion

The construction on U.S. Highway 2 between Libby and Kalispell in the Swamp Creek area is just about completed, however the stretch of road won't be chip sealed until next year.

LHS freshman seeking donations for overseas travel as ambassador
November 5, 2007 11 p.m.

LHS freshman seeking donations for overseas travel as ambassador

When 14-year-old Dietrich Coleman received a flyer in the mail about People to People International, he researched the 50-year-old educational student ambassador program and filled out an application.

Thursday, November 1

November 1, 2007 midnight

City of Troy gets the ball rolling in biomass facility

City of Troy officials met this morning with consultants to discuss the practical feasibility of constructing a 10 Megawatt biomass facility to supply energy to the city and surrounding areas. A biomass facility would burn biomass sources, which is usually wood, for energy.

November 1, 2007 midnight

The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

A Congressional hearing was held last week that caught the attention and angst of many folks in the West. The subject under discussion was a bill introduced by East Coast members of the U. S. House of Representatives that locks up over 23 million acres of land in five western states, including seven million in Montana.

November 1, 2007 midnight

Center for asbestos related disease funding

To the Editor:

November 1, 2007 midnight

A staunch defender speaks out

To the Editor:

November 1, 2007 midnight

Needing a better system for hunters

To the Editor:

Libby to host Sidney in 2nd Round Class A Football play-offs
November 1, 2007 midnight

Libby to host Sidney in 2nd Round Class A Football play-offs

The undefeated Loggers will play a 7-2 Sidney at 1 p.m. at Logger Stadium this Saturday, fighting for the right to battle it out for the Class A State Championship.

November 1, 2007 midnight

Voicing support for Let's Have a Heart

To the Editor:

November 1, 2007 midnight

Health insurance - the legitimate object of government

"The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done but can not do at all, or can not so well do, for themselves in their separate and individual capacities."

November 1, 2007 midnight

Libby man missing since Saturday

The Western News

John D. Riggs, Jr.
November 1, 2007 midnight

John D. Riggs, Jr.

John David Riggs, Jr., 60, a resident of the Gaston, Ore. community, died Friday, Oct. 26, 2007 at his home.