2009 Year in Review Part II: May-August

by Western News
| January 4, 2010 11:00 PM

(Editor’s note: This is the second of three stories reviewing Libby and Troy news of the past year. In this issue, read about the second four months of 2009. In the Jan. 1 edition, January through April was presented. September through December will follow on Jan. 8).

MAY

• An internal memo criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency’s cleanup of asbestos in Libby – known as the “Rumple Report” was released to the public under less stringent Freedom of Information Act guidelines set by President Barack Obama’s administration.

• The environmental case against W.R. Grace & Co., and former executives – now excluding the acquitted William McCaig and Robert Walsh – was handed over to the jury on May 6. The trial had been ongoing for close to 11 weeks.

• Lee Disney, Ellen Parker Johnston and Bruce Sickler were elected to full terms on the Libby School Board on May 5. Gary Huntsberger earned the right to serve out the remaining year on the seat originally held by John Herrmann. Sickler had been in that spot on an interim basis.

• Heather McDougall and Connie Hand won seats on the Troy School Board.

• The popular Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River bike ride – known by the acronym STOKR – took over the region on May 9.

• The Libby City Council continued to solidify plans for the old export plant so that the Environmental Protection Agency’s approaching asbestos cleanup could coincide with the area’s future use. The council produced a detailed, to-scale map of their plan for the area at its May 4 meeting.

• A jury returned not guilty verdicts on all counts on the morning of May 8 in the federal environmental case against W.R. Grace & Co. and executives Jack Wolter, Henry Eschenbach and Robert Bettacchi. Reaction around Libby to the acquittal included criticism of U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy and his handling of the case.

• Part of an effort that had been ongoing since 2002, the Community Asbestos Memorial Project reached a milestone on May 8 when a sign was attached to a pavilion at Riverfront Park in Libby. The metal sign displays the name of the group along with trees and an eagle. Central School students created the display.

• Troy High School senior Aaron Palmer broke the 200-foot barrier in the javelin on May 9 at the Archie Roe Invitational in Kalispell. Palmer’s throw measured 205 feet, 4 inches to represent the top mark in the state this season.

• Improved metal prices and continued improvements in productivity led Revett Minerals to stop issuing 60-day notices to its Troy Mine employees, the company announced on May 14.

• The Center for Asbestos Related Disease received a federal grant to build an addition. Plans called for the CARD clinic to almost double in size with a 24-by-26 foot extension to its west side that is estimated to cost $260,400.

• Libby resident Karen Retine and Northwest Montana Economic Development District’s Jennifer Nelson organized an “e-waste” disposal effort that materialized on May 27-28.

• The board for the Lincoln County chapter of Crimestoppers voted to dissolve the organization as a result of declining community involvement and five years of operating costs surpassing donations.

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a $6 million award to Lincoln County to fund health care for people with asbestos-related diseases. “Six million dollars is a good, healthy start,” Sen. Max Baucus said May 21. “I’m quite hopeful that it may lead to a declaration (of a public health emergency).”

• Libby High School’s Jackie Mee wrapped up a perfect season with her first singles championship at the Class A state tennis tournament on May 22.

• A panel of three appellate judges 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.

• 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 on May 26. Officials believed the fire occurred sometime between 6 p.m. May 25 after a car hauler brought in two junk cars and 7 a.m. May 26.

• The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners approved $127,000 for the purchase of the finger-joint plant from Stimson Lumber Co., as a guarantee that the plant would remain intact in Libby and provide local jobs when the housing market re-energizes.

• Troy High School graduated 39 students on May 30. Aaron Palmer, who was headed to Harvard, served as valedictorian.

• The Idaho State Board of Education announced that M. Duane Nellis, Libby native, would take over as the 17th president of the University of Idaho.

• Libby High School graduated 112 students on May 31. Mattie Casey was valedictorian.

• Lincoln County commissioners approved a plan for Kootenai Pets For Life to take over housing, medical needs and adoption of all county animals – excluding any in quarantine or characterized as vicious.

• Bonneville Power Administration began its rebuild of a 17-mile section of 115-kilovolt line from Libby to Troy on May 26.

• Troy High School’s Aaron Palmer won the javelin and triple jump at the Class B State Track Meet.

• Libby High School’s Seth Wright medaled in four events at the Class A State Track Meet.

JUNE

• Libby City Council hears a proposal to hold its municipal election completely by mail-in ballot for this November. Libby mayor Doug Roll showed support for a mail-in election, which would save money because the county does not have to hire election judges.

• William Dancer’s re-trial for allegedly embezzling more than $400,000 from his former employer was continued until the fall jury term, scheduled to begin Sept. 1.

• Two rafters from the Flathead Valley survived a spill over Kootenai Falls. A 20-year-old man was rescued by helicopter from an island downstream.

• Libby Dam increased water releases for a week in June in an effort to improve spawning conditions for the Kootenai River white sturgeon.

• Reality TV star and Libby native Destiney Moore returns to her hometown to visit with friends and family at the Red Dog.

• The Fisher River Shootout takes place over the first weekend in June at Fawn Creek Campground.

• Jennifer Smith, 37, died on June 11 in a Highway 2 accident one mile south of Troy. Two others were injured in the accident, which involved a pickup running a stop sign and colliding with another pickup.

• Lincoln County commissioners discussed options for a new walking and biking path in Libby. The funds are available through the Community Transportation Enhancement Program. A proposal involved a path along Libby Creek.

• The Incredi-Bull Riding Blowout at J. Neils Memorial Park near Libby entertained rodeo fans on June 13. Levi Hendrickson of Butte took first place.

• Environmental Protection Agency officials meet with Cabinet View Country Club owners to discuss options for a cleanup slated to begin in mid-August.

• A German wrestling club played the Libby High School boys soccer team in an exhibition match to raise money. The Germans won, 4-3, and also held a wrestling seminar for youth while in town.

• Jerry and Jimmy Mee took first place in the City Golf Tournament on June 13-14 at Cabinet View.

• The Environmental Protection Agency on June 17 declared a public health emergency in Libby designed to intensify cleanup efforts and provide better health protections to local residents impacted by asbestos-related diseases. Sen. Max Baucus called it a “truly historic day for the people of Libby.”

• Federal prosecutors filed a motion Monday to dismiss charges against the final defendant in the criminal trial of W.R. Grace and Co. A jury acquitted Grace and three individual defendants – Robert Bettacchi, Jack Wolter and Henry Eschenbach – in May of conspiracy charges related to asbestos exposure from a Libby vermiculite mine. O. Mario Favorito, Grace’s in-house legal counsel, was scheduled to be tried individually this fall.

• Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks hosted its annual Kids Fishing Derby on June 20 at the Troy Community Pond.

• The Timberbeast disc golf competition overtakes Troy and attracts competitors from around the region.

• Libby Logger Days runs June 25-28 with a variety of attractions and activities. It was the 51st straight year for the annual festival.

• The City of Troy passed a resolution to hold its fall election by mail-in ballot. Troy joined Rexford, Eureka and Libby to contract with Lincoln County to hold their elections.

• The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Troy Police Department arrested three men suspected of burglarizing Booze ‘N Bait in Troy and vehicle arson in Libby.

• The Community Advisory Group met on June 25 to discuss ideas on drawing in the community and working more efficiently. The group agreed to hire a professional facilitator out of Missoula to help whip CAG into shape.

JULY

• Lincoln County officially turned 100 years old on July 1. The county had been formed out of Flathead County and began to hold business at 10:30 a.m., on July 1, 1909.

• A jury found 18-year-old Stephen Thomas not guilty of deliberate homicide and felony theft in connection with the Larry Kingsley shooting death that occurred in 2008. Thomas was found guilty of tampering with evidence, a felony.

• The City of Libby began its search for a city administrator. Dan Thede, supervisor of city services, planned to retire in the fall. The city administrator position would include a slightly different job description and certification requirements.

• The Troy Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration draws crowds with a parade, various daytime events and a large fireworks show at dusk.

• Community forester Ed Levert presents Lincoln County commissioners with a computer analysis about the potential for catastrophic fire.

• The Lincoln County Recall Committee, a group accusing Sheriff Daryl Anderson of incompetence based on a string of allegations, saw its petition approved by the clerk and recorders office. The group would need nearly 2,000 signatures in order to hold a special election to put Anderson’s recall on the ballot.

• Bridge manufacturer Stinger Welding Inc., announced plans to hire 10 local welders in July to begin production in Libby.

• Libby City Council voted to transfer ownership of a certificate of deposit to the City of Troy. The $114,000 CD came from an $8 million federal appropriation and was set aside to back a loan on Troy’s Kootenai Senior Center. Its interest had been paying for the center and the CD will mature in 2012.

• The Lincoln County Health Board officially reorganized in a move designed to improve the lines of communications concerning the Libby Superfund cleanup. The city council and commissioners both approved resolutions for the health board to serve as a joint point of contact between the public and the Environmental Protection Agency.

• Herbert Gregory of Troy is honored at an event on July 18 at his home following a 36-year decorated career in the U.S. Navy.

• Clay Coker announced his resignation on July 17 as Libby chief of police. Coker served in that capacity for 13 years. Sgt. Jim Smith was announced as the interim chief.

• The Montana Slappers won the U18 championship in the ASA State Tournament. Libby’s Brooke Hageness, Nicky Lapka and Laice Dedrick played on the team, which was coached by Jeremy Hageness.

• Lorna Coffman, 26, and her 2-year-old son, Montie McPherson IV, died in a tragic trailer home fire on July 18. The cause of the blaze was determined to be a lit cigarette that had tipped over onto the living room couch between a cushion and the couch back.

• The Spokane Veterans Administration Medical Center announced plans to open a VA outreach clinic in Libby.

• Sen. Jon Tester unveiled his Forest Jobs and Recreation Act on July 17. The legislation was written with input from loggers, conservationists, hunters, ranchers, anglers and motorized users and would open up about 100,000 acres of timber activity in the Three Rivers District of Kootenai National Forest, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Seeley Lake District of Lolo National Forest.

• The annual Two Rivers Rendezvous was staged over the weekend of July 18-19 near Libby.

• The Libby City Council had a positive reaction to its budget over the previous fiscal year despite economic woes that had enveloped the country. The city spent less money than it budgeted and cash carryover increased by about $38,000.

• A fire in the Lindy Peak area north of Libby was contained by firefighters. The blaze burned only 18 acres.

• Wildlife photographer Donald M. Jones’s latest book was released.

• Gov. Brian Schweitzer visited Libby to hail the Stinger Welding operation. Montana Department of Commerce director Anthony Preite was also on hand to tout the project.

• Libby’s Community Advisory Group met on July 23 with a professional facilitator in the first step to possibly rebuild.

• The Kootenai River Rodeo in Libby occurred at J. Neils Memorial Park. The winner of the most popular event, bull riding, was Jake Kearns of Melrose.

• The Libby American Legion baseball team finished one win shy of reaching the state tournament by falling 8-5 to the Bitterroot Red Sox. Libby went 3-2 in the tournament at Whitefish with two victories over the Bitterroot Bucs and a win over the Kalispell Lakers. Colton Cannon finished as the team’s top batter with a .368 average. Eric Riddle (3-0, 2.70 ERA) and Cannon (5-8, 2.76 ERA) were the top pitchers.

AUGUST

• The Lincoln County Relay For Life event to raise money in the fight against cancer was held Aug. 7-8 at Asa Wood in Libby.

• Joshua Reid, 25, was killed in an early morning motorcycle accident on Aug. 2 south of Libby on Highway 2. Reid lost control of the motorcycle during the early morning hours. Law enforcement said speed and alcohol were factors in the crash.

• A local troupe of performers put on the play, “Oliver! The Musical” at the Memorial Center on Aug. 7-8.

• Lincoln County commissioners gave preliminary approval to backing the dropping of party affiliations from ballots. The county gave final approval on a 2-1 vote later in the month and the issue would appear on the November ballot.

• The Libby Superfund cleanup process made changes in a move to improve efficiency. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was brought in to streamline the process.

• Libby native Steve Riddle performed at WOODROCK ’09 on Aug. 15 with his popular band, the Mission Mountain wood Band. A tribute band, Aeromyth, also performed along with several others to raise money for the American Legion ballpark, Turner Mountain Ski Area and the Libby High School Class of 1984’s Hanley Memorial Fund.

• The Montana Department of Justice began an investigation into the actions of Troy chief of police Mitch Walters’ alleged actions involving the taking of property owned by a gun club.

• Ignite the Nites took over Libby streets on Aug. 14-15. The popular summer event is staged annually by the Igniters Car Club.

• The Lincoln County/City of Libby Health Board met for the first time on Aug. 12 and heard information about a contaminated house on Warland Creek Road that had collapsed and worried neighbors.

• District Court Judge Michael Prezeau threw out the conviction of Stephen Thomas for tampering with evidence and released him from jail. It was determined that neither the District Court nor the youth court had the jurisdiction to sentence Thomas, who was age 17 at the time of the incident.

• Family and friends of Giovanni Cano raised money to help pay bills for the 10-year-old leukemia victim.

• Lincoln County commissioners on Aug. 12 granted a 2-percent cost of living increase to all non-union county employees and a 1-cent per hour increase to elected officials.

• The asbestos cleanup at Cabinet View Golf Course in Libby got under way.

• Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture secretary, speaks in Seattle regarding the future of the U.S. Forest Service. Many of the points brought up by Vilsack would directly impact Kootenai National Forest.

• McCormick School in the Yaak celebrated 100 years with an event on Aug. 15.

• The Libby School Board agreed to move forward in its pursuit of a new elementary school building to replace Asa Wood.

• Merchant Marine veteran Jack Cunningham, 81, received decorations with a visit from Montana Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger on Aug. 17. Cunningham died less than three weeks later.

• Libby City Council granted all city employees a 1.5-percent cost of living increase and the standard 1-percent longevity rate.

• EPA’s Montana director, John F. Wardell, 64, died Aug. 20 after falling during a hike on Snowshoe Peak.

• The Lincoln County Fair was held Aug. 27-30 in Eureka revolving around the centennial theme.

• Revett Minerals and government regulators reached a settlement concerning a fine levied against Troy Mine after a worker’s 2007 death.

• Yellow jackets buzzed their way through the region with several insect-related incidents reported.

• The City of Libby had been unable to find a police chief after a month of local and statewide advertising.

• Emergency response officials and volunteers participated in a mock disaster on Aug. 29.

• Libby Middle School celebrated its 40th anniversary. Former teachers and students returned on Aug. 29 to tour the building and talk old times.

• A 79-year-old Yaak woman survived a night in the woods about 800 feet from her Vinal Lake Road home. She cuddled with her two Australian shepherd-cross puppies in a spot between two logs for warmth.

• Stinger Welding cleared an important hurdle on Aug. 28 when its interior overhead cranes passed inspection.