Ellington

Casino robber gets 10-year prison sentence

A man who robbed the Lucky Logger Casino in Libby last fall and led authorities on a high-speed chase to within miles of the Idaho border was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison.

LHS beats impressive opponent at Science Bowl

Libby High School came away with one victory during its first-ever appearance in the Big Sky Regional Science Bowl.

Debris, smoke from fire impacts Libby residents

With ash and debris landing in yards across town and with smoke lingering in the air, Libby residents expressed health concerns following the huge fire that on Thursday night destroyed the old plywood plant.

Water main project begins in Troy

A water main replacement project to stop 500,000-plus gallons of city-owned water from leaking into the ground on a daily basis got under way on Monday in Troy.

Fire damages Swede Mountain home

A Swede Mountain home suffered extensive smoke and fire damage last week after the heat from a fireplace contributed to shorting out an electrical switch and setting a wall on fire.

Girls Basketball: Lady Loggers come up short in tourney

The Polson defense came out of the gate in the Northwestern A semifinals against Libby on Friday with a strategy that centered around stopping Jackie Mee.

Boys Basketball: Loggers' season ends at divisionals

The Libby High School boys basketball team’s season ended on Saturday afternoon with a 49-43 loss to Ronan in the consolation final of the Northwestern A Tournament.

Fire destroys plywood plant in Libby

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, with help from a state fire marshal, is still investigating the cause of the fire that burned the former Stimson Lumber Co., plywood plant to the ground last Thursday, though the area of origin has been determined, a fire investigator said Monday.

William J. Ruddy

William J. Ruddy, 66, former Libby resident, died Feb. 24, 2010 in Salem, Ore.

Financial loss from plywood plant fire 'significant'

The financial loss from the massive fire that consumed the former Stimson Lumber Co., plywood plant last week had not yet been determined as of Monday.

Plywood plant operated in Libby for four decades

While smoke drifted around various neighborhoods on Friday morning, a Libby man wearing a bathrobe and carrying a cup of coffee wanted to take one more look.

Randy Ray Griffey

Randy Ray Griffey, 55, died Feb. 26, 2010 in Ronan.

American Cancer Society bringing program to Libby

The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery Program will be offered in Lincoln County.

Boys Basketball: THS boys put up fight at tourney

The season may have ended for the Troy High School boys basketball team last week at the Western B Divisional Tournament but the Trojans did not go down without a fight.

Sports Update: Logger boys wrap up season in Kalispell

The Libby High School boys basketball team’s season ended on Saturday afternoon with a 49-43 loss to Ronan in the consolation final of the Northwestern A Tournament.

Sports Update: Libby girls see curtain close on 14-6 season

The Libby High School girls basketball team saw its season come to an end on Saturday at the Northwestern A Tournament in Kalispell.

Massive fire destroys plywood plant

It took a mere three minutes to arrive on site Thursday night after the 911 call came in but Libby firefighters found the former Stimson Lumber Co., plywood plant fully engulfed in flames.

Evelyn Nelson

Evelyn Nelson, 81, died on Feb. 21, 2010, from natural causes at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby.  She was born on Dec. 10, 1928 to Francis and Eveline (Johnson) Hosea in Spokane, Wash. Her family moved to Troy in 1935. She had many fond memories of living up Iron Creek and riding the bus to school.

Sports Update: Trojan boys move into semifinals

The Troy High School boys basketball team opened the Western B Divisional Tournament on Wednesday with a 48-45 victory in overtime over Deer Lodge.

Letter: Keep food pantry right where it is

Dear Editor:

Vaughn R. West

Vaughn R. West, 80, of The Villages, Fla., died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at his home.

Mild winter, volunteers help church get closer to completion

Since the project broke ground this past June, the Libby Assembly of God’s new church has been inching its way skyward on a lot at the end of Collins Avenue.

Legislative Report: Tea party movement not dead

Early skeptics and detractors of the tea party phenomenon have after a few short months been forced to take very seriously the activities of citizens fed up with heavy-handed governmental intrusion in their lives.

Letter: Endorsement letter for judge candidate

Dear Editor:

Editorial: Animal cruelty makes no sense

Serial killers in the making? Or, just idiots running around at night with nothing better to do?

Group promotes reading through fun atmosphere

“I know! I know!”

List of public office candidates grows

Tim Linehan, Eileen Carney, Glenn Garrison and Tessa Anderson have all thrown their names into the hat by filing candidate statement forms with Lincoln County.

John E. Graham

John Edward Graham, 50, died Feb. 9, 2010, at his home in Phoenix, Ariz.

Northwestern A Divisional Tournament

Feb. 25-27 at Glacier HS, Kalispell

Troy PD up to full staff

Troy police officer Frank “Colin” Barnett was trained and certified before hire, and a second new officer, Nathan White, is concluding his field training, making Troy Police Department’s three-officer force whole again.

Landfill vehicle thefts lead to felony charges

Three brothers and a friend, who face felony charges for allegedly stealing three pickups last week and leading law enforcement on multiple chases, had allegedly only intended to break into the Lincoln County Landfill that night to shoot birds.

Girls Basketball: Lady Loggers win big over Whitefish

The Libby High School girls basketball team ended the regular season on Saturday with a 51-26 win at Whitefish.

Guest Column: Free culinary school provides answers to hunger issue

We all know what it feels like to wake up hungry. But what if you were unable to satisfy that hunger with a quick breakfast?

Girls Basketball: Season ends for Lady Trojans

While first-year coach Neil Newton chatted with his team during a timeout, the game clock overhead showed 1:43 remaining in the first half with the Troy girls basketball team holding a 20-9 lead over District 7-B tournament opponent Mission.

Montana FWP sets deer hunting limits

It’s settled: Whitetail deer hunting will be limited to bucks only in northwestern Montana for the next two years.

Gordon I. Price

Gordon I. Price, 70, of Troy, died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby from natural causes.

Wolf pack in Yaak next to be reduced

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has authorized the lethal removal of two wolves from the Candy Mountain Pack in the Yaak Valley since a federal agency confirmed Friday that the pack is responsible for the death of three cows.

Sweedman, Berget 2nd at tourney

Libby High School senior Kyle Sweedman got one more shot at Polson’s Brock Picard on Saturday in the 171-pound final at the Tournament of Champions in Great Falls.

Troy quilters planning big event this weekend

The Tender Lovin’ Quilters are offering a Quilting 101 class in Troy on Saturday, Feb. 27.

Forest's motor-vehicle use maps available

Kootenai National Forest motor-vehicle use maps are now available to the public, the agency announced last week.

Irish Fair to feature concert on March 13

The Irish Fair Committee in Libby announced its schedule and plans for this year’s event on March 13.

STOKR applications due back by March 7

Rider applications for STOKR (Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River) are currently available online and in Libby, organizers of the annual event announced. This year’s event will be staged on May 8-9.

County issues burning reminder

The Lincoln County Department of Environmental Health reminds residents that a ban on open burning continues through the end of February statewide and through the end of March for those in the Libby Air Quality Impact Area.

Boys basketball: Trojan boys rally late to stun Thompson Falls

Trailing by seven points as the game clock dipped below 1 minute, the odds were definitely against Troy to pull out its opening game in the District 7-B boys basketball tournament.

Zachery G. Newman

Zachery G. Newman, 22, of Libby, died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Jacqueline Joy Swenson

Jacqueline Joy (Hythecker) Swenson, 71, died Feb. 9, 2010.

Harold N. 'Bud' Johnson

Harold N. “Bud” Johnson, 89, a longtime Libby resident, died Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010 at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital from natural causes.

Spelling titans square off for county title

W.F. Morrison Elementary School’s Kasey Faur spelled “palatable” only for Brian Chupp of Tobacco Valley Home Educators to correctly string together “adjudicate.”

Carol Spencer

Carol (Johnson) Spencer, 82, died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010.

Memorial Service: Harold N. Johnson

Harold N. Johnson, 89, of Libby, died on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010 at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby.

Boys Basketball: LHS falls to Whitefish in regular-season finale

The Libby High School boys basketball team wrapped up regular-season play in the Northwestern A Conference on Thursday night with a 49-40 setback to Whitefish.

Sports Update: Lady Loggers win big over Whitefish

The Libby High School girls basketball team ended the regular season on Saturday with a 51-26 win at Whitefish.

Online Exclusive: Thompson Falls downs Troy at districts

The Troy High School girls basketball team opened the District 7-B Tournament on Thursday night with a 55-36 loss to Thompson Falls but had one of its better performances of the season.

WN Sports Video: Bigfork vs. Troy boys in 7-B championship game

Feb. 20, 2010: Bigfork 77, Troy 45

Online Exclusive: Bigfork takes 7-B title game over Troy

Nobody really expected the Troy High School boys basketball team to reach the District 7-B championship game. But the Trojans fought their way through a first-round thriller over Thompson Falls and a semifinal triumph over Plains to get a shot at the regular-season champion.

WN Sports Video: Mission at Troy girls in District 7-B tournament

Feb. 20, 2010: Mission 40, Troy 32

Online Exclusive: Trojan boys reach 7-B title game; down Plains

In losses to Plains during the regular season, the Troy High School boys basketball team suffered through offensive lulls that impacted the final outcome.

WN Sports Video: Plains vs. Troy boys in District 7-B semifinals

Feb. 20, 2010: Troy 52, Plains 43

Sports Update: Whitefish boys down LHS

The Libby High School boys basketball team wrapped up regular-season play in the Northwestern A Conference on Thursday night with a 49-40 setback to Whitefish.

'Joyriding' lands 4 suspects in jail

Three teenagers and a man in his 20s are being held on felony charges for allegedly stealing three pickups out of the Lincoln County Landfill in Libby late Tuesday night and leading local law enforcement on multiple chases that ended with two crashes.

WN Sports Video: Thompson Falls vs. Troy girls in 7-B Tournament

Feb. 18, 2010: Thompson Falls 55, Troy 36

WN Sports Video: Thompson Falls vs. Troy boys in 7-B Tournament

Feb. 18, 2010: Troy 42, Thompson Falls 40

Wolf pack to be reduced: Officials make decision after McGinnis Meadows incidents

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has determined that four of the seven wolves in the Fishtrap Pack should be killed to reduce livestock depredation at McGinnis Meadows. The pack is believed to be responsible for killing a cow last month and then injuring a calf at a neighboring ranch two weeks ago.

Letter: Casting district judge vote for Wheelis

Dear Editor:

Girls Basketball: Lady Loggers knock off Columbia Falls

Playing for the final time on their home floor, Libby High School seniors Jackie Mee and LaRona Luscher put together memorable performances Tuesday night to lead the Lady Loggers’ basketball team to a 51-44 victory over Columbia Falls.

Column: Don't build in wrong place

Recent news stories lament the “disaster” of mudslides in Los Angeles caused by heavy rainfall on steep slopes where wildfires have burned off trees and shrubs.

Mayor: All to have say on cameras

The controversial idea to place surveillance cameras on Mineral Avenue to prevent vandalism wasn’t on the Libby City Council meeting agenda Tuesday, but it was brought up anyway.

Forest Service plans upgrades to McGillivray Campground

Widened camp sites and newer tables and toilets are among improvements planned for the McGillivray Campground situated along the west side of the Koocanusa Reservoir in Kootenai National Forest’s Libby Ranger District.

State to hold meetings in Libby on highway projects

The Montana Department of Transportation will host a public meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 23 to discuss planned improvements to sections of U.S. Highway 2 and Montana Highway 37 and will present information on road projects in the Libby area for this year.

Scotchman Mine cleanup meeting set for Heron

A public meeting on the cleanup of the Scotchman Mine has been scheduled for 6-8 p.m., on Tuesday, March 2, at the Heron Community Center.

Food pantry in Troy searches for new building

The Troy Food Pantry is able to serve more families now than ever before, owing part of its success to the city for housing it for the past six years.

Troy bowler places high in national amateur tourney

John Brown of Troy placed third overall in the TAT Amateur Nationals held earlier this month in Las Vegas, Nev.

School board OKs mail-in election

The Libby School District plans to hold its next trustee election through a mail-in ballot.

Column: Mid-life crisis? Not quite but aging isn't fun

Looking in the mirror, I see only a few hints of the younger face that I once saw. Gray is starting to creep in and the bald spot is growing bigger.

Letter: Inventing science as they go along

Dear Editor:

Legion baseball registration, parent meeting coming Feb. 23

The Libby American Legion baseball program plans to hold signups and a parent meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Libby High School, Room 1, coach Kelly Morford announced.

Scotchman Peaks group offers free film festival

While brainstorming for ideas on a new event for the Libby-Troy region, Friends of Scotchman Peaks members wanted to come up with something a little different. In the past, the group had organized dinners, summer music gatherings and organizational picnics.

Wilma Dale Blair

Wilma Dale Blair, 70, died on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010 at Libby Care Center.

WN Sports Video: Columbia Falls at Libby girls basketball

Feb. 16, 2010: Libby 51, Columbia Falls 44

Events Calendar: Feb. 17-23

Wednesday, Feb. 17

Sports Update: LHS girls defeat Columbia Falls

The Libby High School girls basketball team played well in its regular-season home finale on Tuesday night with a 51-44 victory over Columbia Falls.

Low snowpack leads to uncertainty over spill

Plans for an experimental water spill from Libby Dam to help Kootenai River white sturgeon this spring now are uncertain because of below-average mountain snowpack above the dam.

Boys Basketball: Libby falls to Pirates in home finale

Popping 3-pointers through the net as if they were half-speed, routine layups, the Polson boys dampened Libby’s regular-season home finale on Saturday afternoon with a 59-34 victory.

Boys Basketball: THS hangs on to down Eureka

In what turned into a nerve-racking free-throw shooting contest over the final 2 minutes of the game, the Troy boys basketball team had just enough to pull out a 57-55 victory on Friday night over visiting Eureka.

Group hopes to erase political, religious lines

Self-reliance, constitutional rights and reduced meddling from the federal government were among the topics presented by a Hamilton group last week at a rally in Libby that attracted about 50 people.

Girls Basketball: LHS defeats Troy, Polson

Hanging on to a two-point lead in a close one on Saturday night, the Libby High School girls basketball team needed a little breathing room to make sure visiting Polson didn’t pull off a fourth qarter rally on the way to victory.

Officials seeking public's help to solve wildlife crimes

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials are hoping to receive tips on two wildlife crimes that occurred in the Libby area in late January.

District 7-B Basketball Tournament pairings

BOYS

5 Questions: Tim Linehan, Montana Outfitter

1. How is the state of the outfitting industry in western Montana?

Lady Trojans' Pepiot scores 17 in District 7-B loss to Eureka

As the Troy High School girls basketball team heads into its final week of the season, no victories appear on the record. The Lady Trojans continue to have problems even staying close to their opponents.

Reaching out to Haiti: Students, school staff raise money

One month after a magnitude-7 earthquake killed more than 200,000 Haitians, students and staff at Libby and Troy schools have raised over $2,500 from bake sales and penny drives to help the devastated country.

Asa Wood study moves forward

Libby School Board trustees agreed that their top five choices in companies to perform a school building needs assessment would all serve the district well, but they awarded the bid Friday to a company with a Kalispell office.

Reader Comment Guidelines

Wrestling: Leir, Sweedman take 2nd at state

Kyle Leir and Kyle Sweedman each advanced into the championship matches in their respective weight classes at the Class A State Wrestling Tournament on Saturday in Billings. Both Leir and Sweedman came up short in their finales, however, and had to settle for runner-up.

City Council to meet Tuesday night

The Libby City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at City Hall.

WN Sports Video: Polson at Libby girls basketball

Feb. 13, 2010: Libby 53, Polson 46

WN Sports Video: Eureka at Troy girls basketball

Feb. 12, 2010: Eureka 67, Troy 26

Sports Update: Trojan boys down Eureka, 57-55

The Troy High School boys basketball team survived struggles at the free-throw line to hang on for a 57-55 victory over Eureka on Friday night.

WN Sports Video: Eureka at Troy boys basketball

Feb. 12, 2010: Troy 57, Eureka 55

WN Sports Video: Polson at Libby boys basketball

Feb. 13, 2010: Polson 59, Libby 34

Sports Update: Troy girls lose regular-season finale

The Troy High School girls basketball team lost its regular-season finale on Friday night to District 7-B foe Eureka, 67-26.

Sports Update: Leir, Sweedman place 2nd at state wrestling

Kyle Leir and Kyle Sweedman each advanced into the championship matches in their respective weight classes at the Class A State Wrestling Tournament on Saturday in Billings. Both Leir and Sweedman came up short in their finales, however, and settled for runner-up.

WN Video Playlist: Northwestern Montana

Lincoln County, Montana

WN Sports Video Playlist: LHS Basketball

LHS girls and boys basketball

WN Video: Hottie Totties

The Hottie Totties perform at halftime of the Feb. 11 Troy-Libby girls basketball game

WN Video Playlist: Youth Activities

Various non-sports activities involving youth in Libby and Troy, Montana

WN Video Playlist: Our Town Series

Our Town – Libby/Troy, Montana

WN Sports Video Playlist: LHS Wrestling

Libby High School wrestling

WN Video Playlist: News & Politics

News and Politics in Libby and Troy, Montana

WN Sports Video Playlist: THS Basketball

Troy High School boys and girls basketball

WN Sports Video: Troy at Libby girls basketball

Feb. 11, 2010: Libby 53, Troy 14

EPA nixes suggestion of interim RODs

Environmental Protection Agency officials presented a preview at Monday’s meeting of what will likely show up in the agency’s formal response to public comments on the proposed cleanup plans for the former export plant and screening plant.

Boys Basketball: THS keeps head above .500 in 7-B

In the first half, the Trojans found success from beyond the 3-point line. And when the opponent tried to make defensive adjustments to stop the perimeter success, Troy started going inside to big man Brian Hammrich.

Letter: Showing support in Troy for Thrasher

Dear Editor:

Leigh Ann Zunke

(Paid obituary)

Letter: Bear-proof food boxes not needed

Dear Editor:

Police arrest pair following gas station robbery

Two California men were arrested Sunday night in Libby after an officer reportedly witnessed them run a stop light a block from the gas station that one of the men allegedly robbed just minutes before.

Column: Heart disease not for men only

For Libby resident Opal Smith, having a heart attack was the last thing she expected.

Troy High School principal resigns

After a rocky past year, Troy High School Principal Jeff Ralston turned in his letter of resignation last week, effective at the end of the school year.

Letter: No vote on another SID

Dear Editor:

Letter: End abortion, health-care bill

Dear Editor:

Snowmobilers warm up on Keeler trail near Troy

The Keeler snowmobile trail in Kootenai National Forest’s Troy Ranger District became more family friendly this winter with the addition of a warming hut.

Girls Basketball: Trojans can't get offense going in 2 losses

Putting together a sound defensive plan that included a number of steals and rebounds, the Troy High School girls basketball team once again found itself in the position of nabbing a first victory on Friday night against Mission.

Death Notice: George A. Faria

George A. Faria, 86, of Troy died on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010 at his home in Troy.

An American Hero: Local soldier receives Purple Heart, Bronze Star

Fighting in Afghanistan this past summer with the Green Berets, Staff Sgt. Ryan Stovall believes he’s lucky to be alive.

Guest Feature: Where do all those dresses go?

I don’t remember the last time I was asked to be a bride’s maid or matron of honor but I do remember the last prom I went to. I still have the dress; not that I believe myself or anyone else would want to wear it.

Sports Update: Libby girls down Troy in hoops

The Libby High School girls basketball team tuned up for this weekend's big game with Polson by downing Troy in a nonconference matchup on Thursday night, 53-14.

Our Town Video & SlideShow: Turner Mountain Ski Area

The most common phrase on a Sunday trip up to the Turner Mountain Ski Area – “You picked a wonderful day to come up.”

EPA report: Asbestos levels declining at Libby schools

The Environmental Protection Agency announced during a public meeting on Monday that asbestos levels in and around Libby schools are much lower than in years past and do not pose a risk to children.

Joanna E. Landon

Joanna E. Landon, 82, longtime Libby resident, died Feb. 6, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas.

Letter: Brown catches Obama's attention

Dear Editor:

Tester proposes changes to forest legislation

Sen. Jon Tester on Friday announced several proposed changes to his landmark Forest Jobs and Recreation Act.

Letter: Against reclassifying minor offenses

Dear Editor:

Vigilante entertainment: Theatre troupe coming to Libby

The Vigilante Theatre Company returns to Libby on Saturday for a performance at the Memorial Center. This year’s performance, “Adventures on the Western Stage,” is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Alfred Dean Schrecengost

Alfred Dean Schrecengost, 86, longtime Libby and Troy resident, died Feb. 9, 2010.

Letter: Thoughts on sturgeon spawning, water temp

Dear Editor:

Libby boys perform well in Elks Hoop Shoot

Jared Winslow and Ryggs Johnston both represented Libby well during the Montana State Elks Hoop Shoot on Feb. 6 in Livingston.

Letter: Biggest threat to wildlife is not wolves

Dear Editor:

Guest Column: Leukemia victim appreciates support

I would like to give you all a “big thank-you” for the help and support you have given me and my family since I was diagnosed with leukemia in August last year.

Wade P. Ehlen

Wade P. Ehlen, 57, of Troy died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center from natural causes.

Girls Basketball: LHS beats Ronan by 24

The Libby High School girls basketball team led by seven points at the half and then came out of the game in the third quarter with a 19-3 run en route to a 44-20 victory over Ronan.

Effort to establish VA clinic in Libby moves forward

Within two months, a local clinic is slated to begin providing primary care in Libby for Lincoln County veterans, said Chuck Marsden, executive assistant to the director for Spokane Veterans Administration Medical Center.

5 Questions: Kaide Dodson, LHS After-School Program Coordinator

How long has Libby High School had an after-school program and what kinds of programs are offered?

Dancer avoids prison: Heart problems play into judge's decision

Convicted embezzler William Dancer, 53, won’t spend time in prison for stealing $237,000 from his former employer, Sagle, Idaho-based Independence Home Center Inc., over three years ago.

Changes on horizon with forest jobs bill

Sen. Jon Tester offered a few hints last week about changes to be made to the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act and added that full details would soon be announced.

Path to the Olympics: Troy native Hunt trains America's freestyle skiers

Like many other youth growing up in Troy, Justin Hunt headed over to Schweitzer a couple of times to try his luck going down the mountain on skis.

Ida D. Stewart

Ida D. Stewart, 81, of Troy died Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby from natural causes.

Boys Basketball: LHS boys beat Troy in defensive battle

With tournament time looming around the corner, both the Libby and Troy boys basketball teams wanted to put together sound performances on Tuesday night in a nonconference matchup.

WN Sports Video: Libby at Troy boys basketball

Feb. 9, 2010: Libby 33, Troy 15

Wrestling: LHS finishes 3rd at divisional tournament

The Libby High School wrestling team qualified 13 athletes out of the 15 weight classes for the Class A state tournament.

Libby considers 10-year plan for capital projects

New Libby City Administrator Jim Hammons suggested at Monday’s city council meeting that the city invest in a professional 10-year capital improvements plan that would prioritize infrastructure needs.

Girls Basketball: Libby slips past Bigfork

Fighting for position in the post with the game on the line, Libby High School’s Jackie Mee was not going to be denied.

Grassroots effort tries to make dent in political process

The newspaper advertisements and glossy brochures promised a way to boot the 435 politicians out of the U.S. House of Representatives and replace them with “everyday Americans.”

Boys Basketball: Libby drops games to C. Falls, Ronan

The Libby High School boys basketball team fell short at Ronan on Saturday, 47-44.

News Update: Dancer gets 20-year suspended sentence

Convicted embezzler William Dancer won’t spend time in prison for stealing more than $200,000 from his former employer, Sagle, Idaho-based Independence Home Center Inc., over three years ago.

Sports Update: Trojan boys fall at Bigfork

The Troy High School boys basketball team put up a good fight against the conference champions but Bigfork pulled away over the final eight minutes to post a 57-42 win.

Sports Update: LHS girls take big win at Ronan

The Libby High School girls basketball team led by seven points at the half and then came out of the gate in the third quarter with a 19-3 run en route to a 44-20 victory over Ronan.

Sports Update: Lady Trojans fall to first-place Vals

The Troy High School girls basketball team couldn’t keep pace with first-place Bigfork in a 7-B District matchup, 66-18.

Sports Update: LHS qualifies 13 for state; Roby and Dylan Berget win titles

The Libby High School wrestling team qualified 13 athletes for the Class A state tournament.

Sports Update: LHS boys fall short at Ronan

The Libby High School boys basketball team fell short at Ronan on Saturday, 47-44.

WN Sports Video: Mission at Troy boys basketball

Feb. 5, 2010: Troy 53, Mission 33

WN Sports Video: Mission at Troy girls basketball

Feb. 5, 2010: Mission 31, Troy 20

Troy City Council fills vacant seat

The Troy City Council filled a vacancy last Friday that was created by councilmember Larry Coryell’s resignation in January.

Dancer gets 20 years probation

Convicted embezzler William Dancer won’t spend time in prison for stealing more than $200,000 from his former employer, Sagle, Idaho-based Independence Home Center Inc., over three years ago.

Turner Mountain reports 21-inch base

The Turner Mountain Ski Area near Libby reported a 21-inch base and 33-inch summit as of late Thursday afternoon.

Sports Update: Columbia Falls boys down LHS

Columbia Falls broke open a close game with a 28-5 effort in the second quarter to defeat Libby, 66-34, in boys basketball action Thursday night.

Sports Update: Troy girls fall to Mission

The Troy High School girls basketball team could not find an offensive rhythm on Friday night in a 31-20 loss to Mission.

Sports Update: Trojan boys defeat Mission by 20

The Troy High School boys basketball game put together a complete performance in a 53-33 victory over Mission on Friday night.

Band Festival coming to LHS

Polson, Stevensville, Hamilton and Libby will gather this coming Monday and Tuesday at Ralph Tate Gymnasium for the Class A Northwest Band Festival.

Guest Opinion: It's time for a 21st century plan for forests

The numbers are painful. Last year, 1,700 Montanans lost jobs in our timber industry. Timber harvest across our state plummeted a staggering 40 percent. Several mills – including Montana’s largest – boarded up.

Student embraces rural setting for medical training

Samantha Michelena, a student at the University of Washington School of Medicine, grew up in a small town, so it was natural for her to choose a rural setting like Libby to receive medical training.

Wrestling: LHS nips C. Falls, annihilates Whitefish

A freshman came up big on Senior Night.

Audrey E. Dodd

Audrey E. Dodd, 49, of Libby died Monday, Feb. 1, 2010 at her home in Libby of breast cancer.

The Calico Pen: Left with painful gap … in many ways

How do we say goodbye to lifelong companions? Or, for that matter, how do we possibly go on with without them? Of course, we do, but it is not life as we knew it.

Memorial Center tackles challenges

A reduction in contributions over the past year has taken its toll on the Libby Memorial Center. As a result, the Kootenai Heritage Council board of directors laid off the Memorial Center’s sole employee and has taken over his duties indefinitely.

Boys Basketball: Plains rallies to beat Trojans

The points were coming easy over the first six minutes of the game.

Libby woman wins trip to NBA All-Star Game

Lydia Mysse, a Libby resident, recently won an all expenses-paid trip for two to Dallas, Texas to watch the NBA All-Star Game.

Letter: Endorsement for Wheelis for judge

Dear Editor:

5 Questions: Amy Smart

1. Following the flu vaccine clinics, do you feel residents are in good shape for protecting themselves from the H1N1 flu?

Legislative Report: State council talks biomass, wildfire suppression

The Environmental Quality Council, which I have been given the honor of chairing this interim, met Jan. 7-8 in Helena with a very full agenda.

Letter: Use common sense with wolf populations

Dear Editor:

Rogers, Wise win state drama title; LHS as team places 3rd

Libby took third in drama at the Class A state speech, drama and debate meet this past weekend in Corvallis, with seven of the 11 Libby High School participants taking home medals and all competitors making it to the semifinals.

Girls Basketball: Lady Loggers win big over Whitefish, 46-18

Coming into Saturday’s matchup against the Lady Loggers, the Whitefish girls had just one victory to their credit. Libby, meanwhile, hovered around the .500 mark but on paper, looked like the easy favorite.

Our Town: Students prepare for Feb. 4-5 'Sleeping Beauty' shows

After the lockers empty and the school buses take off, Libby Middle School is quieter, but not yet silent.

Sports Update: Lady Loggers win close on over Bigfork

Libby High School senior Jackie Mee scored five points in the final 10 seconds to help the Lady Loggers to a 44-41 win over Bigfork in a nonconference matchup on Tuesday night.