Thursday, May 28
Museum plans big opening day
Heritage Museum’s opening-day festivities will feature a new living history exhibit this year with characters from an 1839 river expedition.
County, shelter partner on pets
Kootenai Pets For Life – a local animal shelter that will soon be operating out of a new building in Libby – will take over housing, medical needs and adoption of all county animals.
Montanore Project public comment period extended
The Montanore Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement public commend period has been extended to June 29, officials announced on Thursday.
Forest Service closes Brush Creek, Tally Lake Road for repairs
The Brush Creek/Tally Lake Road No. 113 has been temporarily closed at approximately milepost 6.5 due to a washout, the U.S. Forest Service announced on Tuesday.
Are you a winner? Jackpot ticket sold in Libby unclaimed
A jackpot lottery ticket was purchased in Libby on Saturday but as of Tuesday night, no one had come forward to claim the prize.
Quiet holiday weekend for police
While locals took advantage of sunny blue skies and temperatures that reached 85 degrees over Memorial Day weekend, law-enforcement officers and emergency responders enjoyed a relatively quiet three days.
Irish band to 'ShamRock' the house
With names like Liam O’Leary and Paddy Doyle, it’s obvious that an Irish band will be taking the stage.
Mysterious blaze: Officials baffled by overnight fire that burned junk vehicles
A fire that consumed about 270 junk vehicles at the Lincoln County Landfill in Libby went unnoticed until workers found the smoldering heap when they showed up for work Tuesday morning.
THS girls tennis competes at state
The Troy High School girls tennis team sent one singles player and two doubles teams to the Class B-C State Tournament in Missoula.
Eleanor R. Luce
Eleanor R. Luce, 82, a longtime employee of the Kootenai National Forest Supervisor’s Office, died Sunday, May 24, 2009, at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby.
Libraries launch summer reading program
Summer reading programs for youth and adults will be offered through the Lincoln County Public Libraries.
Column: Clarification in order on subject of Riverfront Park
There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding over Riverfront Park. I may have been inadvertently responsible for some of it myself so I am writing to try to clarify a few points.
Opportunity knocks in Libby for W.R. Grace
Society can regulate business, but cannot legislate a social conscience for business – that has to come from within the individuals running a company.
Local high school graduations this weekend
Troy and Libby high schools will be bidding farewell to their respective graduating classes this weekend.
Troy embraces era of high-tech teaching
Hana Coy’s second-grade students were squirming with excitement to meet their pen pals, students from a Billings school that they had been writing back and forth to throughout the year.
Column: It takes a village to say no to underage drinking
I love the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child,” and recent data confirms the value of a child’s village from their own perspective.
County buys finger-joint plant: Move intended to keep infrastructure in community
Lincoln County purchased a finger-joint plant on Wednesday. But don’t expect Tony Berget or Marianne Roose to be running ripsaws or grading lumber inside the Kootenai Business Park facility.
Libby's Mee wins Class A state tennis title
Perfection.
Tuesday, May 26
LHS track athletes prep for state
If one thing’s for certain with the state track meet on the horizon, Libby High School’s Stephany Kluver has a good arm.
LHS wins regular-season home finale
The Libby High School softball team won its regular-season home finale on Thursday with a 6-1 triumph over Whitefish.
Judges reject Sichting's appeal
A panel of three appellate judges last week denied the appeal of 40-year-old Shane Sichting of Libby, who is serving 10 years in prison for trying to hire someone to kill his estranged wife.
Motorcycle riders suffer broken legs
Two motorcycle riders suffered leg injuries after a deer struck them Sunday afternoon in a remote area east of Libby Dam.
Palmer, Harper claim divisional track titles
Ninety feet?
Federal grant to help fight asbestos-related diseases
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is giving Lincoln County $6 million to fund health care for people with asbestos-related diseases and, according to Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), there may be more help on the way.
Loyola Sacred Heart defeats Lady Trojans
Loyola Sacred Heart scored 12 runs over the first three innings in an 18-4 victory on Saturday over Troy.
Memorial Day Services
LIBBY
Funeral Notice: Eleanor R. Luce
Eleanor R. Luce
Libby perfect for recharging batteries
Dear Editor:
Campgrounds open for summer season this holiday weekend
Kootenai National Forest campgrounds will officially open for the summer season Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. Forest Service announced.
'Industrial' draws concern of residents
The majority of a standing room only crowd at last week’s Libby City Council meeting objected to the council’s plan for an industrial area next to Riverfront Park.
Garrett, Day place 3rd at state tennis
In their final match together as doubles partners, Troy seniors Shado Garrett and Jesse Day won a third-place medal at the Class B-C state tennis tournament on Saturday in Missoula.
Loggers split 4 games in Wood Bat tourney
A broken hand is not going to stop Dustin Morningstar.
Cislo, Broden, Maloney at state for boys
Libby’s No. 1 singles player, Alex Cislo, and the doubles team of Nate Broden and Cyrus Maloney competed Thursday and Friday at the Class A state tennis tournament in Kalispell.
Thursday, May 21
Column: Transition to nursing home doesn't need to be overwhelming experience
To most folks, transitioning into a nursing home from home or a hospital can be a bit overwhelming.
Locals organize 'e-waste' disposal
The U.S. population throws away 130 million cell phones each year, contributing to electronic waste that makes up 40 percent of lead found in landfills.
Troy Mine sees conditions improve
Improved metal prices and continued improvements in productivity has led Revett Minerals to stop issuing 60-day notices to its Troy Mine employees, the company announced Thursday.
Lincon County Crimestoppers calls it quits
The board for the Lincoln County chapter of Crimestoppers voted to dissolve the organization last week as a result of declining community involvement and five years of operating costs surpassing donations.
EPA plans activity-based sampling at schools
The Environmental Protection Agency plans to continue testing at local school sites, the agency’s Libby field leader told Lincoln County commissioners last week.
Troy girls win softball thriller
The Troy High School softball team rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning for an 8-7 victory over Noxon on Monday night.
Eureka takes 2 over Libby on diamond
Colt Cannon’s pitching performance was nearly perfect.
County announces poetry contest winners
Lincoln County last week announced the winners of its 2009 poetry contest.
Montana marimba group to play Memorial Center on May 29
The distrinctive sounds of marimba will fill the Memorial Center on May 29 but these musicians won’t be traveling to Libby from a far-away African nation.
Guest Column: Despite trial outcome, Grace has responsibility in Libby
W.R. Grace and some of the company’s former executives were acquitted from the charges that they knowingly endangered residents of Libby and concealing the health effects of its asbestos mining operation.
LHS Scholarship Awards
Libby High School announced during an academic scholarship assembly on May 4 the recipients of various scholarships and awards.
Service extension raises sewer rates
Libby City Council unanimously voted at a special meeting Wednesday to increase city sewer rates in order to extend service to residents in the Cabinet Heights area.
Betty D. Johnston
Beatrice “Betty” D. Johnston, 95, died May 13, 2009 at her home in Troy.
Ernestina P. Almeida
Ernestina P. Almeida, 67, died Saturday, May 16, 2009 from natural causes at her home in Libby.
Quick Takes: Youth sports parade nice event for candy hunters
Kids in Troy did not see a shortage of candy on Saturday morning.
Mee wins third straight divisionals tennis title
Libby High School junior Jackie Mee won her third straight divisional title on Saturday with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Polson’s Jane Probst in the No. 1 singles final in Kalispell.
Letter: McLean is ultimate professional in court
Dear Editor:
Grant leads to CARD expansion
The Center for Asbestos Related Disease put in for a Senate appropriation this year to help fund its operations and ended up, instead, receiving a grant to build an addition.
Charlotte Bunton
Charlotte M. Bunton, 61, of Billings, and a former resident of Libby, died April 20, 2009.
Tuesday, May 19
Troy finds challenges with finding music teacher
With two of three applicants accepting jobs elsewhere, Troy Schools is scrambling to decide how to fill next year’s high school music teacher position.
Libby Dam operations to benefit recreationists
Recreationists can expect a deep Lake Koocanusa for boating and a gentler Kootenai River for fishing this summer, Libby Dam officials said during Wednesday’s annual operations meeting.
Day, Garrett tie for 1st at Mission
The Troy High School boys tennis team participated in a four-team informal meet on Saturday at Mission. The non-scoring get-together served as a tune-up for this week’s Class B-C State Tournament at Missoula.
Troy girls qualify three for state tennis tourney
The Troy High School girls tennis team qualified one singles player and one doubles team for this week’s Class B-C state tournament.
Family cruise: Libby native, daughter serve together on carrier
Twenty-year-old Lisa Kyes sees her father, John Kyes, more now than she did when she was growing up.
Lady Loggers drop 2 straight
The Libby High School softball team dropped back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday with region losses to Columbia Falls and Ronan.
Thompson Falls blanks Lady Trojans
The Troy High School softball team dropped an 8-0 decision on Saturday at Thompson Falls.
Derby winner has special connection to annual event
George Earle doesn’t participate in many fishing competitions, but the annual Trout and Salmon Derby at Lake Koocanusa Resort and Marina is dear to his heart.
LHS tracksters tune up for stretch run
The Libby High School boys and girls track teams tuned up for this week’s divisional meet with a home dual on Friday against Flathead.
Lady Loggers volleyball camp to feature Univ. of Idaho coach
A University of Idaho volleyball camp is coming to Libby High School on June 15-17, Lady Loggers coach Cindy Ostrem-Johnston said.
Teenager recovering from spill on track
A Libby teenager was released from a Spokane, Wash. hospital Wednesday after suffering a head injury from a dirt bike accident in Libby on Sunday.
Logger basketball camp accepting registrations
Logger Basketball Champ Camp is coming June 8-10 in Libby, organizers announced.
Palmer wins 2 divisional titles
Troy’s Aaron Palmer was a double-winner and both Scotty Harper and Molly Harpole had first-place performances at Saturday’s District 7-B Meet at Eureka.
Morberg, Lacklen win Graham
Dave Morberg of Whitefish shot a two-day total of 144 to win the Ben Graham Memorial Tournament last weekend at Cabinet View Country Club in Libby. Morberg’s gross score was three strokes better than runner-up Jimmy Mee, who came in with a 147.
Web Exclusive: Poetry contest winners
Following are entries that earned recognition in the Lincoln County Poetry Contest.
Tester pitches plan to help Libby
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester last week asked the Environmental Protection Agency to team up with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve health care for victims of asbestos poisoning in Libby.
LHS alum named University of Idaho president
The Idaho State Board of Education announced recently that M. Duane Nellis will serve as the 17th president of the University of Idaho.
Eleanora C. Martin
Eleanora C. Martin, 67, of Libby died from natural causes on Friday May 15, 2009 at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby.
Web Exclusive: Libby-Flathead Dual Varsity and JV Results
Following are all results from Libby-Flathead track dual on Friday as submitted by coach Ed Tabis:
Reva L. Steele
Reva L. Steele, 84, of Libby died Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at the Libby Care Center from natural causes.
Swamp Creek project doesn't make cut
The Swamp Creek road construction project on Highway 2 will not receive stimulus funds and the Montana Department of Transportation continues to list it as a “beyond 2013” project.
Thursday, May 14
Letter: Post Office thankful for food donations
Dear Editor:
Palmer breaks 200 feet in javelin
On the day before Mother’s Day, Troy’s Aaron Palmer got some good advice. Of course, it came from his mom, Jeanie.
Letter: President's wasteful spending obvious
Dear Editor:
Drummond wins pair over Troy in softball
The Troy High School softball team saw an early lead slip away in the first game and then couldn’t battle back all the way in the second game in losses of 8-5 and 14-8 to Drummond on Tuesday.
Grace trial: Reaction around Libby toughest on Judge Molloy
A jury acquitted W.R. Grace & Co. and three former executives last week of all criminal charges relating to Libby’s asbestos poisoning.
Letter: Former property owner questions testimony
Dear Editor:
Junior golf tournament, clinics coming this summer
A junior golf championship tournament is scheduled for June 19 at Cabinet View Country Club in Libby, organizers announced.
Ida Lavonne Greggerson Meyer
Ida Lavonne Greggerson Meyer, 71, longtime Troy resident, died May 6, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Column: Forget grandpappy, I'm local
I live in Lemhi County, Idaho, but nobody else in my family ever did, and recently, that’s become a problem.
Tuesday, May 12
Mabel I. Bogusz
Mabel I. Bogusz, 97, died on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at her home in Eureka.
Loggers sweep 2 north of border
The Libby American Legion baseball team swept a twinbill from Cranbrook on Sunday during a trip to British Columbia.
Libby girls win 3 of 4 in Butte Central tourney
The Libby High School softball team won three of four games on Friday and Saturday at the Butte Central Tournament.
Cycling in God's country: Libby-area event has grown into popular annual activity
Motels are booked, cookies and pies are baked and riders are conditioned – it must be time for the annual Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River bike ride.
Asbestos victim memorial group's sign up in Libby
Part of an effort that has been ongoing since 2002, the Community Asbestos Memorial Project reached a milestone Friday morning when a sign was attached to a pavilion at Riverfront Park in Libby.
Sewer rates subject of city meeting
Libby City Council plans to conduct a public hearing on Monday, May 18 at 6 p.m. at City Hall regarding a proposed sewer rate increase.
Sacred Heart downs Trojans on softball field
The Troy High School softball team led 1-0 in the first inning but then got shell-shocked by an exceptional Loyola Sacred Heart opponent on Saturday in an 18-1 loss.
Day, Garrett finish 2nd at Best of West tennis tourney
Troy’s Jesse Day and Shado Garrett placed second Saturday at the Best of the West tennis tournament in St. Ignatius, losing a heartbreaker in the finals to a duo from the host school.
County to take look at cost of feeding prisoners
The cost of feeding prisoners their three square meals a day is on the rise and as a result, Lincoln County is taking a look at making a change.
Dispatch center to replace antiquated system
The Lincoln County dispatch center will get a much-needed system upgrade, using grant and county funds to replace equipment that was installed as early as the 1970s.
Libby tennis girls win back-to-back matchups
The Libby High School girls rolled to victories over Whitefish and Columbia Falls last week.
Friday, May 8
GRACE NOT GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS
A jury returned not guilty verdits on all counts Friday morning in the federal environmental case against W.R. Grace & Co. and three executives.
Legion Loggers take care of Glacier AA
Intermittent rain did nothing to put a damper on Libby’s hit parade Tuesday night against Glacier AA. The Loggers busted out for six runs over the first two innings en route to a 13-8 win at Lee Gehring Field.
Thursday, May 7
Thora Bresette
Thora Bresette, 61, died on Friday, May 1, 2009 after a long battle with cancer.
Stimulus money goes to Libby Dam
Libby Dam is set to receive $220,000 of federal stimulus money as part of a nearly $17 million package to fund Montana rural water projects, Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced Thursday.
Troy tennis team plays well during busy week
Troy High School’s boys and girls tennis teams played three matches on Friday and Saturday.
School board elections fill vacant seats in Troy, Libby
Lee Disney, Ellen Parker Johnston and Bruce Sickler were elected to full terms on the Libby School Board Tuesday.
Web Exclusive: Libby vs. Polson Play-by-Play
Starting lineups:
W.R. Grace case is handed over to jury
The case against W.R. Grace and five of its former executives – now excluding William McCaig and Robert Walsh who were recently acquitted – was handed over to the jury Wednesday evening after nearly 10 hours of closing arguments from five separate attorneys.
Tracksters compete at Whitefish ARM Invite
The Libby High School track and field teams each placed sixth at Saturday’s 11th annual Whitefish ARM Invitational.
May 6 Briefly
Libby Dam informational meeting scheduled
'Rumple Report' finally goes public
An internal memo criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency’s cleanup of asbestos in Libby was released to the public last week under less stringent Freedom of Information Act guidelines set by President Barack Obama’s administration.
Golf Tournaments: Kambel, Graham upcoming
Kambel Scrambel
Eureka hangs on to beat Lady Trojans
The Troy High School softball team rallied from a four-run deficit only to see Eureka regain its composure and hang on late, 10-8, in a Western B-C game on Monday.
Logger boys, girls take first at county meet
It was a pretty good afternoon for the Berget family.
LHS tennis girls sweep 3 matches
The Libby High School girls tennis team swept three matches last week with victories over Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Eureka.
Column: Case of following your passion
The bones of the young artist Everett Ruess, identified last month through DNA analysis, have at last been found in Utah. They were 100 miles from where he was last seen 75 years ago, and from where his mules were found by a search party in early 1935.
Map details city's plans for export plant area
The Libby City Council continues to solidify plans for the old export plant so that the Environmental Protection Agency’s approaching asbestos cleanup can coincide with the area’s future use.
Robert Melvin Edwards
Robert Melvin “Mel” Edwards, 83, died on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at his home in Libby.
Column: Gehring Field jewel of Legion baseball parks
With the majestic backdrop of the Cabinet Mountains, a cool breeze sweeping in from the Kootenai River and the pronounced color combination of green grass and red dirt, Lee Gehring Field could be called one of the jewels of Libby.
Lincoln County ready if swine flu hits home
Though Montana had no confirmed cases of swine flu as of Monday morning, the Lincoln County Health Department has kept busy distributing information and readying for a possible outbreak.
Tuesday, May 5
Logger teams take Eureka Invite
The Libby boys and girls track teams each took first place at Tuesday’s Eureka Invitational. Troy’s boys placed third and the Trojan girls were fourth.
Libby falls in Legion baseball home opener
Heading into the season with a lot of new faces, Libby American Legion baseball coach Kelly Morford knew pitching would need to develop for the Loggers to reach the same heights as a year ago.
LHS choir members head to State
The Libby High School concert choir received high marks during the District Music Festival on April 17-18 at Columbia Falls.
Grace trial going into 11th week
Judge Donald Molloy dismissed two defendants, ruled on two critical motions and revealed a deadline for his ruling on another last week in the environmental trial of W.R. Grace & Co.
Polson slips by Lady Loggers
In a Western A battle on a warm afternoon at Remp Field, first-place Polson came from behind to take an 8-4 victory on Saturday over Class A’s defending state champions.
Track: Palmer, Wright win events at Top 10 Meet
Aaron Palmer of Troy and Seth Wright of Libby each repeated as champions this year at the Top 10 Meet Tuesday in Missoula.
Mine accident injures employee
A Troy Mine employee suffered two broken legs Friday in an accident at the Revett Minerals facility.
Noxon downs Trojans, 12-2
The Troy High School softball team dropped a 12-2 decision at Noxon in Class B action on Thursday.
Monday, May 4
Tamie C. Heath
Tamie C. Heath, 50, died from heart failure on Friday, May 1 at her home in Spokane, Wash.
Saturday, May 2
Troy Mine employee injured in accident
A Libby man was airlifted to Kalispell after a vehicle pinned him against a building Friday morning at Troy Mine.
