Wednesday, December 31
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.
Cross-country ski club optimistic about future
Though widely perceived as a contemporary sport, cross-country skiing originated as human ingenuity to endure winter treks in Scandinavian countries as well as being used by several indigenous cultures in North America.
Patricia M. Griffin
Patricia M. Griffin died Dec. 17, 2008 in Everett, Wash.
Dec. 31 Briefly
Archery club’s indoor league begins Jan. 18
Adeline T. Greason
Adeline T. Greason, 87, of Libby died of natural causes on Dec. 26, 2008 at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital.
Letter: Juror offers insight on Heather Henson trial
Dear Editor:
Turner Mountain Ski Area opens
With winter’s arrival and the snow’s incessant accumulations, the alpine playground of Turner Mountain Ski Area opened Monday. The mountain received 10 inches of new snow within the last 24 hours and as of Monday night, snow continued to fall.
Year in Review: May through August
(Editor’s note: This is the second of three stories reviewing Libby and Troy news of the past year. In this issue, read about events from May through August 2008. In the Dec. 31 edition, January through April was reviewed. A review of September through December will be published in Jan. 7 edition. Also, take note of the list of names that accompany this series. They are the friends, neighbors and relatives that we lost over the year).
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.
Year in Review: January through April
(Editor’s note: This is the first of three stories reviewing Libby and Troy news of the past year. In this issue, read about the first four months of 2008. In Friday’s edition, May through August will be reviewed, followed by September through December on Jan. 7. Also, take note of the list of names that accompany this series. They are the friends, neighbors and relatives that we lost over the year).
Column: The gift becomes part of family
Do you hear what I hear, ringing through the sky?
Commissioners tour ethanol plant in Wyoming
A recent excursion to Upton, Wyo., by county commissioners and an economic developer provided insight into potential future markets in Lincoln County.
Enough already!
Paul Sievers/The Western News
Shooting leaves brother hospitalized
A Libby man allegedly shot his brother early Christmas morning in an altercation over a bottle of rum.
EPA awards contract for study of vermiculite
The Western News
Letter: Kootenai Karacters extend thank-you
Dear Editor:
Former pastor imprisoned for touching young girl
SANDPOINT, Idaho — A district judge declined to go along with a plea agreement which proposed a limited jail sentence for a former pastor who pleaded guilty to fondling a Priest Lake girl several years ago.
Column: Hunting is the ultimate do-it-yourself experience
Garden-raised vegetables are probably the tastiest, and eating food raised from seeds you planted yourself always gives a deep sense of satisfaction. But nothing beats hunting for connecting you to the land.
Surprise donation brings cheer to local libraries
A surprise donation brought extra Christmas cheer to area libraries this holiday season.
Veda Mae Hoffman
Longtime Libby resident, Veda Mae Hoffman, 88, died Monday, Dec. 22, at the home of her daughter in Lucerne Valley, Calif.
Sunday, December 28
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.”
Students create joy for Christmas
As the snow settled, five rocking horses appeared at the Libby Community Christmas Tree – awaiting new homes on Dec. 25.
Tuesday, December 23
Dec. 24 Briefly
The Western News
Mary Poole
Mary Poole, 100, died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008, at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital from natural causes.
Libby boys beat AA Braves by 14
Leading Flathead by four points at the break on Saturday, Libby coaches found that its man-to-man defense seemed to be producing the most favorable results.
Lady Trojans beat Trotters by 12
The Western News
Wednesday, December 17
Dec. 17 Briefly
New Year’s Eve event for youth organized
Thumbs Up
Food pantry volunteers
Column: Snow tires? Yeah, they come in handy
Driving to Troy for a visit with Santa Claus this past Saturday, I must admit it was a white-knuckled journey.
Home hoops on the horizon
The Western News
EPA, city get started on improving communication
A changing of the guard has reopened the lines of communication between the City of Libby and the Environmental Protection Agency.
BRRRRRRR
Brad Fuqua/The Western News
Lady Trojans beat Noxon at tourney
The Western News
Letter: Property owner upset over asbestos cleanup
Dear Editor:
Guest Column: Fathers in Field founder tries to help 1 boy at time
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with John Smithbaker, the founder of the Christian ministry, Fathers in the Field. It was refreshing to talk to a man that has the passion and vision to reach out to abandoned boys ages 7-17. When asked how he developed the idea for Fathers in the Field, John shared the “healing moment” in his life when he accepted Jesus Christ as his savior.
Column: The perfect imperfect Christmas tree
I love going into the woods to cut my own Christmas tree. It’s not that I want to snub the Boy Scouts, who host a tree lot in town. I’ve spent a lot of time in those urbanized groves, searching for the perfect conical tree, and sampling hot chocolate.
Gay Paula Foster Pattie
Gay Paula Foster Pattie, 66, died on Dec. 10, 2008 at her home in Troy.
Libby City Council appoints Orr to seat
The Western News
Patricia Ann Kessel
Patricia Ann Kessel, 63, died Dec. 12, 2008, at Post Falls, Idaho.
Libby student wins logo contest
The Western News
Air quality meeting postponed
The Western News
Dec. 19 Briefly
The Western News
Libby wrestlers win Superior Invitational
The Western News
Dolores Mysse-Johnson
Dolores Mysse-Johnson, 87, a longtime resident of Libby, died Dec. 13, 2008 at home in Libby with loved ones by her side.
Letter: Gore all of a sudden silent on global warming
Dear Editor:
Thursday, December 11
Betty J. Stubbs
Betty J. Stubbs, 80, a longtime Libby resident, died from natural causes on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, in Spokane, Wash.
Wednesday, December 10
Letter: Lions sight, hearing foundation seeks help
Dear Editor:
Greenchain takes down Polson
With Polson not able to put a 215-pounder on the mat Tuesday night at Libby, it appeared as though Greenchain fans may again miss out on the chance to see Justin Graham wrestle.
Work continues on activity center
While the new Troy Activity Center awaits primary power, propane heaters are in operation to raise the interior’s ambient temperature in preparation for the gymnasium floor’s installation.
Holiday events continue around Libby, Troy
The Western News
EPA finishes year with 149 cleanups
The Environmental Protection Agency oversaw the cleanup of 149 properties this year in Libby, project manager Mike Cirian reported Wednesday morning.
Communities prepare for TV signal changes
More than a half-century ago, color television slowly made its way into American homes to pull in viewers from what had been a black-and-white world. Now, the next leap in TV viewing arrives Feb. 17 when the old analog signals change over to digital.
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.
Column: It's time for a ceasefire on guns
Gun owners represent at least 4 million of the nation’s most dedicated voters, and in election after election, they affect the outcome.
Letter: Please take pride in 'Mother Earth'
Dear Editor:
Online Exclusive: Libby vs. Ronan wrestling
Dec. 6 at Libby High School
Artistic conversation
Brandon Roberts/The Western News
Monday, December 8
Hoops preview: New coach takes over Troy girls
Calling the Troy High School girls basketball team “young” is not an understatement.
Special time of year
Brad Fuqua/The Western News
Streetscape lights to go in next spring
A shipment of the first 14 lights that will go up on Mineral Avenue as part of Libby’s Streetscape Plan recently arrived and city officials are glad to see some results from what has turned out to be a lengthy process.
Maynard A. Carlson
Maynard A. Carlson, 91, a longtime Libby resident, died from natural causes on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby.
Edward M. Moe
Edward M. Moe, 87, died on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, at his apartment at Alpine Vista in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Hunting enforcement issues 'on par'
Even though general big-game hunting season wrapped up, wildlife officials are still conducting follow-ups.
Potential hazards concern Legacy project
Potential environmental hazards have forced the Montana Legacy Project to put its plans for Kootenai National Forest on the back burner.
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.
City hopes residents will ask questions before cutting trees
Canda Harbaugh, The Western News
Online exclusive: Thomas takes stand in Henson trial
Drugs, sex and shopping sprees.
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.
Hoops preview: 'Small ball' comes to LHS
When the season starts this weekend at the Tip-Off Tournament in Hamilton, Logger fans may notice a new style of play.
Mee on 1st team all-conference for volleyball
The Western News
Dec. 10 Briefly
The Western News
Hoops Preview: Trojans return plenty in attempt to move up
Through 33 years of basketball in various positions and levels at Troy, Tony Smith has experienced just about everything on the hardwood.
Credit union looks to future site
The Western News
Ronan puts damper on Libby wrestling opener
Libby High School’s wrestling squad entered the gymnasium Saturday night through special effects smoke while hard rock music played in the background. Fans cheered wildly as the lights went down and the spotlight hit the mat.
Troy mayor believes new path would solve safety issue
When finished, a greenbelt path proposed for Troy will hook up with existing trails and create a network surely welcomed by recreationists, dog walkers, joggers and bicyclists.
Parks earns spot on all-district first team
The Western News
Hoops preview: Mee, Martin back for Loggers
Although the Libby High School girls basketball team really shouldn’t be characterized as a tall team, the Lady Loggers just might be looking down on some opponents this season. The Northwestern A features some tall girls here and there, but overall, it has the appearance of a short league.
Friday, December 5
City to meet with EPA on Dec. 10
The Western News
Wednesday, December 3
Letter: Washington resident appreciates hospital
Dear Editor:
Thomas E. Stayton
Thomas E. Stayton, 81, of Libby died Dec. 2, 2008 at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby.
Troy gridders earn postseason honors
The Western News
Lucille Marcia Gibson
Lucille Marcia Gibson, 86, of Columbia Falls died on Nov. 26, 2008, from natural causes.
Letter: Heart goes out to victim's family
Dear Editor:
Column: Stream access wins decisively in Montana
The long slog is over. The Montana Supreme Court has finally settled a dispute over who controls access to a side channel of the Bitterroot River known as the Mitchell Slough.
Letter: Former Libby resident battles mysterious illness
Dear Editor:
Peter Barett Volkmann
Peter Barett Volkmann, 25, a former Troy resident, died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at his home in Denver, Colo.
DEQ to talk air quality in Libby
The Lincoln County commissioners on Wednesday morning discussed possible formats for a Dec. 18 public meeting on the controversial issue of air quality.
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.
Strategic planning under way for Libby Schools
With the first round of strategic planning complete, the Libby School District can now focus on its future vision.
Group challenges forest's weed-control plan
The Western News
Sounds of Christmas
Brandon Roberts/The Western News
Column: Festivals illuminate our holiday season
Humankind has struggled with darkness in his world and in his soul.
Holiday events hit full stride Friday, Saturday
The Western News
Koats-4-Kids off to good start
Brandon Roberts/The Western News
Briefly-Dec. 5
The Western News
Monday, December 1
Blaze scorches Libby home
The Western News
LHS drama students compete
The Western News
All-conference squad includes several Loggers
The Western News
Column: Be careful ordering online critters
The Internet makes a whole jungle full of “exotic” species available for delivery directly to your home. They may look harmless on the computer screen, but in reality most are not.
Briefly-Dec. 2
Tree of Light ceremony in Libby set for Dec. 5
Obituary: Dorothy Kirgan Frost
Dorothy Kirgan Frost, 78, died on Nov. 24, 2008, in Brigham City, Utah.
Troy Mine battles economic woes
When Troy Mine employees arrived at work Monday morning, they punched the clock knowing that they would be earning less on their paychecks. Now, they hope copper and silver prices will stop falling in the coming weeks so they can keep those jobs.
Guidelines in place for those who want to cut holiday tree
The Western News
Waldron brothers receive time in prison
Brothers Wayne and Guy Waldron of Libby each received prison sentences on Nov. 21 as the result of guilty pleas they entered for their part in a stolen firearms operation in 2007.
Libby wrestlers prepare to open season
When the Libby High School wrestling squad takes the mat on Saturday at home against Ronan, the Logger lineup will feature a lot of young faces among the lighter weights and returning state qualifiers at three of the four heaviest weights.
Homicide case goes to trial next week
A jury trial in the case of a 67-year-old man killed at a Libby-area campground is scheduled to begin this coming Monday.
School officials discuss pros, cons of LEEP program
A declining student population, a decrease in state funding and an increase in staff cutbacks are among the challenges standing before the Libby Educational Enrichment Program – commonly known as LEEP.
