Opinion: Thumbs Up

LHS band comes through

Thumbs up to the Libby High School band for coming up with a tune for the “Hottie Totties” to dance to during a halftime performance at the Feb. 5 basketball game against Columbia Falls. A glitch left the youngsters without music but the Logger band came through under the gun. At the same time, the young girls focused on their routine to the delight of the crowd.

Delivering a baby on Highway 2

Thumbs up to the Troy police officer Bob McLeod, emergency medical technicians Roger Gilligan, Bob Parker and Chera Cole, and paramedic Shawn Thrasher for their roles in the Jan. 29 birth of Preston Brown. The mother, Bobby Brown, went into labor and the birth started to occur before an ambulance could get her to the hospital. The child was born in a Troy Volunteer Ambulance on Highway 2 at Cedar Creek.

Byrns answers higher calling

Thumbs up to former Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office detective Dean Byrns who left after 20 years to take on the job of associate minister at Libby Christian Church. Based on the number of positive online comments in response to a feature story on Byrns, he is obviously respected and well-liked among most in the community. Good luck to Byrns in his new endeavor.

Troy Mine takes no chances

Thumbs up to the Troy Mine for not taking any chances when it comes to safety. Despite incidents that may have occurred in the past, when officials learned about safety concerns underground, the mine suspended its operation for four days until questions could get answered. A consultant reported that everything was fine and work resumed.

Politicians keeping us in mind

Thumbs up to Sens. Jon Tester and Max Baucus, and Rep. Denny Rehberg for their continued interest in the Libby-Troy area. Last week, Rehberg visited the Center for Asbestos Related Disease to learn more about the operation and how he might be able to help secure funding. Just this week, Tester and Baucus announced that funding for key projects in Libby (school district, CARD) and Troy (water system) are included in an appropriations bill now before Congress.

Wrestlers rise to the occasion

Thumbs up to Libby High School wrestlers Justin Graham and Seth Wright for their performances at the Class A State Wrestling Tournament. Graham had a big target on his back from a dominating senior season and had to deal with the pressure of being the favorite to win. He certainly came through. Meanwhile, Wright finished runner-up following a rare medical condition that wiped out much of his memory back in January.

(Brad Fuqua is managing editor of The Western News. He can be reached at: thewesternnews@gmail.com )