Ellington

Kootenai River Rodeo rides again

October trial set for felony drug case

Woman pleads guilty to DUI in Pipe Creek rollover

Commissioners appoint new Troy dispatch board member

Libby brewery reaches two-year milestone

Lincoln County Sheriff's Blotter, July 26-27

2016-17 registration dates set for Libby Schools

County to negotiate land buy in Troy

Scotchman Peaks2

Golden Canine goes for the pin on Joe Foster while Lindsay Ashton looks on. (Sandy Compton photo)

Aaron Johnson

Art professor Aaron Johnson shows one of his watercolors of the Upper Ross Creek basin. (Joe Foster photo)

Scotchman Peaks1

A full moon rises over Sawtooth Mountain in Upper Ross Creek of the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. (Joe Foster photo)

Scotchman Peaks

Joe Foster, Lindsay Ashton, Aaron Johnson, Sandy Compton and Golden Canine on the Melissa Crag. (Joe Foster photo)

Little Spar Lake

Little Spar Lake sparkles beneath the Indian Paintbrush decorations of Vertigo Ridge. (Sandy Compton photo)

Don't know any better

Obit Rogers

Everett Rogers

Court Seter

Billy Jo Seter

Cardinal Sheri

Cardinal Hardware's Sheri Brookshire converses with customers Thursday morning. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Fundsies Barringer

Libby Schools Superintendent, Craig Barringer on the toilet tee off.

Rodeo Sudan

Ashley Sudan of Whitefish turned in a time of 18.78 in the barrel racing Friday, July 24, 2015.

ORouke

Els O'Rourke

Sky Lake

The Cabinet Mountain Wilderness includes Lower Sky Lake, a 13-mile moderate round trip hike accessed from mid June through early October. (Jennifer Hock/for The Western News)

Court Maniord

Vanessa Nicole Maniord

Brew Three

Owner and founder Kristin Smith, left, brewer Shawn Unswortz and assistant brewer Brendan Hunter.

Brew Two

Servers Sergio Medina, who’s been with the brewery since they opened, and Shawna Auge, one of six recent hires.

Brew One

Brewer Shawn Unsworth, left, owner and founder Kristin Smith and assistant brewer Brendan Hunter

Opera House and Theatre

The Old Town Opera House and Theatre, located near on Cedar Creek Road. (Bethany Rolfson photos/The Western News)

Old Town Cast

The Libby Players cast, from left: Raiven Mathiason, Stormy Miller, Alivia Zeiler, Caleb Smith, Aleah Ford, Loretta Brown, Chris Beamer, Jagger Muniz, Cameron Bower, Christopher Williams and Zarita and Warren Zook.

Old Town2

Raiven Mathiason picks a guitar solo during the Vaudeville production.

Old Town1

Alivia Zeiler and Raiven Mathiason sing "On Moonlight Bay."

Old Town

Vaudeville performance of "Yankydoodle Dandy" at the Old Town Opera House and Theatre.

Local cast brings Old Town theater to modern audiences

Troy school board meeting

Former Troy School District employee Danita Jordan speaks to the school board, from left, High School Vice Principal Christina Shertel, board members Mark Roesler-Begalke and Angie Huisentruit, clerk Trinette Todd and Vice-Chairperson Hy Boltz on Tuesday, Julyl 19. (Bethany Rolfson/The Western News)

Troy school board denies grievance by former employee

A Libby lawyer told the Troy School Board last week that she intends to file lawsuit against them regarding the non-renewal of former employee.

Libby man pleads not guilty to fifth DUI

Woman pleads guilty to writing $9,000 in bad checks

Relay for Life

A purple "Hope" sign was on display at Riverfront Park during the Relay for Life event on Friday. (Bethany Rolfson/The Western News)

Libby Relay for Life draws community support

Janet Marie Noble, 71, of Somers

Woman charged with false unemployment claims totaling nearly $8,000

New downtown Libby coffee shop a family affair

Sheriff's blotter July 22-24

Loggers' season ends at districts to Mission Valley, 15-5

Ribbon Cut

Jess Shaw, left, Tracey Vincent, Pam Peppenger, Martin Vincent and Ashley Shaw.

Baseball Bateman

Seth Bateman at the plate vs. Missoula Mavericks July 16, 2016. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Baseball Lane D

Dylon Lane at catcher vs. Missoula Mavericks July 16, 2016. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Baseball Lane

Dylon Lane pitching top of third inning with one out vs. Bitterroot Bucs June 17, 2016. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Court Maniord

Vanessa Nicole Maniord

Court Diller

Jessica Diller

Court Mizenberg

Charles William Mizenberg

Dam

Ryan Jones, above, and Morrison-Maierle President Bob Morrison climb atop the valve house below the Flower Creek Dam. (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

City, residents praised at dam dedication event

Roll Dam2

Libby Mayor Doug Roll speaks at the Flower Creek Dam dedication on Wednesday. On stagen from left: Lad Barney, of the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development office, Chad Campbell, representative for Sen. Jon Tester, John Tubbs, director of the Department of Natural Resource and Conservation, and Bob Morrison, president of Morrison-Maierle, each spoke at the event. (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Roll Dam

Libby Mayor Doug Roll speaks at the Flower Creek Dam dedication on Wednesday. On stagen from left: Lad Barney, of the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development office, Chad Campbell, representative for Sen. Jon Tester, John Tubbs, director of the Department of Natural Resource and Conservation, and Bob Morrison, president of Morrison-Maierle, each spoke at the event. (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Dam 2

Ryan Jones, above, and CR Leisinger, of Morrison-Maierle, climb the stairway on the Flower Creek Dam during Wednesday's tour. (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Flower Creek Dam

The Flower Creek Dam was officially finished in February. The former dam was built in 1946. (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Residents 'scared to death' of Troy reserve officers

Man denied request to reduce bail from $100,000

McCormick Fire Hall

The McCormick Fire Department lies on the school grounds in the McCormick community, located near the Idaho state border. (Western News file photo, 2013)

Rural fire district deals with internal conflict, missing records

Commissioners seek loan funding for fairgrounds upgrade

Lincoln County Sheriff's Blotter, July 16-20

60 county kids win awards for exhibitions in art, crafts and showmanship

Libby Loggers drop tourney opener to Glacier Twins

Grievance Two

Danita Jordan speaking to the Troy School Board Tuesday. Olivia Roach, left, high school vice principal Christina Schertel, board member Mark Roesler-Begalke, board member Angie Huisentruit.

Grievance One

Danita Jordan speaking to the Troy School Board Tuesday. Board members from left to right: high school vice principal Christina Shertel, board member Mark Roesler-Begalke, board member Angie Huisentruit, clerk Trinette Todd, and vice chairperson Hy Boltz.

Birth Gniposky

Wyatt Gniposky

Shol

Paul Shol and Roberta Smythe show off a copy of "Jesus Calling," the book Shol is bicycling cross-country to promote as he meets congregations from state-to-state. (Bethany Rolfson/The Western News)

Minnesota man bikes the U.S. to promote Christian book

Pilots gather in the Kootenai for RC flying event

Kootenai rendezvous brings family, friends and history together

Troy man sentenced for July 4 2015 assault

Libby man pleads not guilty to stalking state legislator

Tester bills initiate fire support funding

Annette J. Oedewaldt, 92, of Libby

Robert John Bennett, 75, of Libby

Ruth Lucille Campbell Richards, 88, of Libby

Camp Creek

Ben and Ted Montgomery, owners of the upcoming Camp Creek Coffee Roasters, hope to open their new venture on East Third Street next month. (Bethany Rolfson/The Western News)

Troy brothers opening local coffee roasting company

Sixth-seed Loggers hope to cause 'mayhem' at district tourney

Jr Fair Ikarns

Lee Ikarns

Court Walbridge

Joseph Dee Walbridge

Court Rounsville

Dustin James Rounsville arraignment, July 18, 2016.

Jr Fair Parade

Junior Fair 2016 (Bethany Rolfson/The Western News)

Jr Fair Smith

People's Choice Top Exhibitor Shelby Smith.

Jr Fair Lee

Ikarus Lee

Jr Fair Winners

Outstanding Exhibitor Shelby Smith, left, 2nd runner-up Julianna Shumate, 3rd runner-up Quin Tennison, 4th runner-up Airyana Haugen and 5th runner up Savannah Lucas

Jr Fair Koch

Bria Koch

Jr Fair Evans

Audrey Evans

Court Norman

Charles Ray Norman, June 20, 2016.

Jr Fair Freese

Ashley Freese

Jr Fair Haugen

Airyana Haugen

Baseball Thom

Braydan Thom with the second out top of second inning vs. the Missoula Mavericks. Loggers split the final home games of the year falling 6-1 in the first and winning the nightcap 6-4. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Baseball Bateman

Second baseman Seth Bateman put the tag on Beau King for the first out top of seventh inning Saturday evening. First of a double-header vs. the Missoula Mavericks. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Flyers Five

A few radio-controlled planes on display during Fun Fly 2016. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Flyers Four

A view inside the cockpit of of Tommy Valcour's P-47 Thunderbolt. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Flyers Three

Eureka's Tommy Valcour, right, shows off his 1/5 scale P-47 Thunderbolt as Wayne Page looks on during Fun Fly 2016. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Flyers One

Fun Fly fans during the fourth annual Kootenai RC Flyers Fun Fly Saturday. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Rendezvous Five

The nineteenth annual Two Rivers Rendezvous included trapper and fur trade era authentic clothing and equipment of the 1820s-1840s. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Rendezvous Four

Mike "Lone Oak" Tomell fires his custom made Grady Kerr .62 cal. flintlock rifle Saturday during Rendezvous 2016 at Fawn Creek Campground. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Rendezvous Three

Mike "Lone Oak" Tomell fires his custom made Grady Kerr .62 cal. flintlock rifle Saturday during Rendezvous 2016 at Fawn Creek Campground. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Rendezvous Two

From flax to linen on a Norwegian raised table style spinning wheel with Sylvia Talsma at the wheel. Two Rivers Rendezvous 2016. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Obit Richards

Ruth Lucille Campbell Richards, 88,

Rendezvous One

David "Groundskeeper" Benson and two-year-old Serenity Yost-DeLozier, Rendezvous 2016. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Obit Oedewaldt

Annette J. Oedewaldt, 92

Ivory Blair Lamorie Pearce

Justin Barnes

Justin Barnes, of Libby, has made a cross-country tour of the U.S. with a scooter gang to raise awareness for children in distress. (photo courtesy of Barnes and www.highwaytohealride.com.)

Libby native goes coast-to-coast for charity

Three Troy teachers nominated for nationwide honors

Lincoln County Sheriff's Blotter, June 11-13

FWP moving forward with Dunn Creek project

Celtic clans set to square off by the riverside

Christina “Tina” Marie Benefield, 24, of Libby

Pauline Kim Pettitt, 76, of Libby

Kenneth E. Walton, Sr., 53 of Libby

EPA, USFS prepare for potential fires at mine site

Libby man sentenced Monday morning, arrested at noon

Loggers outlast Sandpoint in non-conference matchup

After 10 long innings Tuesday against the Glacier Twins, the Libby Loggers bounced back Thursday night in to outlast the Sandpoint Lakers in a seven-inning non-conference game.

Weekend Preview: Juniors, RC planes and trapper-era events highlight the Kootenia

Nominees

Diane Rewerts, left, Kelly Palmer and Christina Schertel. (Bethany Rolfson/The Western News)

Obit Walton

Kenneth E. Walton Sr., 53

Rendezvous Fielder

Two Rivers Rendezvous 2015 with Paul Fielder, left, inspecting a hickory long bow handcrafted by Allen "Eagle Eye" Heiser, right. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Rendezvous Frederick

Jan "Medicine Woman" Frederick heads back to the encampment with her .50 caliber Thompson Center Hawken after time spent on the range. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Wreck Four

MHP-164 Bryce Ford studies the accident scene Tuesday evening which occurred at the 16.2 mile marker, State Hwy. 37, one mile south of Libby Dam.

Obit Benefield

Christina “Tina” Marie Benefield, 24

Junior Champs Three

14-17: 1st place Trey Thompson

Junior Champs Two

10-13 left to right: 1st place Taryn Thompson, 2nd place Elaine Folkerts.

Junior Champs One

Nine and under - left to right: 1st place Connor Benson, 2nd place Dmitrii Walenter, 3rd place Teague Thompson.

Zonolite Mine

Zonolite Mine– After you cross the new Kootenai River bridge and drive northeast from Libby along the magnificent Kootenai River, you will pass within a few miles of this big indistrial installation which crowns Vermiculite Mountain. This is the Zonolite Co. mine and mill where the raw material for its wide variety of products is scooped from Mother Earth and given the initial processing steps.

Wreck Three

Accident occurred at 16.2 mile marker, State Hwy. 37, one mile south of Libby Dam. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Wreck Two

Late model four door Buick. Accident occurred at 16.2 mile marker, State Hwy. 37, one mile south of Libby Dam.

Wreck One

Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy Joe Nagle, left, and MHP 164 Bryce Ford. Accident occurred at 16.2 mile marker, State Hwy. 37, one mile below Libby Dam.

Baseball Thom

Base hit knucks with Braydan Thom, left, and first base coach Will Reichel. Second of a double-header vs. Glacier Twins July 12. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Baseball Wood

Right fielder Tanner Wood for the first out top of third inning vs. Glacier Twins. First of a double-header Tuesday evening. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Libby woman dies in roll over near dam

Everyone wins the weekend baseball "Border War" series

Loggers wrap up regular season this week

Former fire lookouts a tool for tourism

County approves contract with mental health facility

Libby Community Thrift Shop

From Right: Alvin Benitz, president of the Libby Community Thrift Shop, stands with board members Roberta Taylor and Shirley Collier, and volunteer Norma Vinson at the shop. (Bethany Rolfson/The Western News)

Thrift store thrives on volunteer work, generosity

Suspicious black garbage bag found near dumpster

Alpine Precision1

Matthew Sweet (blue shirt) watches a fabrication cleaning machine with Rhet (orange shirt) and Callie Donnelly (pink shirt). (Bethany Rolfson/The Western News)

Alpine Precision

Alpine Precision owners Nate Grotjohn, Dave Friss and Nick Friss held an open house on Friday to showcase their new facility. (Bethany Rolfson/The Western News)

New fabrication company expands into new facility

Michael A. Purves, 49, of Libby

Wesley G. Ostheller, 81, of Libby

Birth Caudill

Maddison Caudill

Montgomery brings the bash to the Big Sky

Troy CHC rendering

An artist's rendering of the upcoming Northwest Community Health Center facility planned for Troy. (Photo courtesy of Kara Matthews, Northwest Community Health Center)

Troy clinic project enters bidding phase

County to re-open East Fisher road closure

Libby man arrested on Missoula County warrant

Man given four years suspended in plea agreement

Speed Vandal

Pipe Creek speed limit sign. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Baldy Five

A couple of items tacked to the walls of Big Creek Baldy lookout. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Baldy Four

Panorama of the interior of the lookout at Big Creek Baldy. Comforts of home include propane stove, heater and lights, board games, kitchen utensils, paper towels, fire extinguisher, table and chairs, single and double beds and first aid kit. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Baldy Three

The view overlooking Turner Mountain Ski Area to the west. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Baldy Two

Osborne Fire Finder in the lookout at Big Creek Baldy. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Baldy One

The lookout towner at Big Creek Baldy is 40 feet tall, 5,768 feet above sea level and there are 55 steps to the top. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Alumni Legends

Pop-up fly with Logger Legends Jared Winslow, left, Cole Spencer, Eric Riddle, Nate Herbig, Josh Foote, Colton Cannon and Cameron Burke. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Alumni Morford

Loggers Manager Kelly Morford as umpire during Saturday's inaugural Border War alumni doubleheader. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Alumni Trophy

Strathmore Reds alumni coach Darwin Armitage displays the 2016 alumni border war trophy after the Reds swept the Logger Legends in Saturday's doubleheader alumni game.

Alumni Reichel

Third baseman Will Reichel with the third out top of sixth inning vs. Strathmore Reds Saturday. Second of a double header. Inaugural Border War alumni game. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Alumni Laffoon

Brandon Laffoon pitching top of fourth inning first of a doubleheader vs. Strathmore Reds Saturday. Alumni game 2016.

Court Munguia

Fernando Manguia

Court White

Jesse Marshall White

Court Lane

Levi Casey Lane

Bash Seven

John Michael Montgomery, Big Sky Bash 2016. (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Bash Six

John Michael Montgomery, Big Sky Bash 2016 (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Bash Five

John Michael Montgomery, Big Sky Bash 2016. (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Bash Four

John Michael Montgomery, Big Sky Bash 2016. (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Bash Three

John Michael Montgomery, Big Sky Bash 2016. (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Bash Two

Big Sky Bash 2016 (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Bash One

John Michael Montgomery, Big Sky Bash 2016 (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Bash Wade Two

Devon Wade, Big Sky Bash 2016 (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Bash Wade One

Devon Wade (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Alumni Foote

Right fielder Josh Foote third out top of third inning. First of a doubleheader vs. Strathmore Reds, alumni game 2016.

Golf Champs Two

Mens Senior Club Champion, Mike Managhan - 76. Womens Senior Club Champion, Christa Reisinger - 97.

Golf Champs One

Mens Club Champion, Wayne Haines - 73.  Womens Club Champion, Bobbie Lacklen - 75.

Obit Ostheller

Wesley G. Ostheller, 81

Obit Purves

Michael A. Purves, 49

Roger Henry Brus, 88, of Libby

Gary D. Brown, 76, of Libby

Libby soccer standout headed to all-star matchup

Loggers claim double-header in Eureka

Newspaper founders

David and Carol Latham, founders of The Montanian, announced their retirement on Tuesday. (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Libby needs to revise charter

Sub Zero

From left, Trevor, Paula, Ryan and Chad Collins, with Luke DeShazer stand at the Sub Zero shaved-ice shop on U.S. 2. (Bethany Rolfson/The Western News)

Shaved ice shop a family affair

Recall petition-signing

Libby City Council member Brent Teske, right, signs the petition the recall Mayor Doug Roll on June 21 in the city hall parking lot. Tammy Brown, left, promoted the event as a kick-off to initiate the petition circulation and has since obtained 165 signatures. (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Mayor recall petition: Signature tally reaches midway point

Council headed back to bi-monthly meetings

Country music start to rock the Big Sky Bash

Canadians indicted in federal drug smuggling

Baseball Johnson

Ranger base runner Dawson Henrie slides into second base under the attempted tag of Libby shortstop Collin Johnson in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader. (Larry Cheek/Tobacco Valley News)

One Yr Old Pearce

Ivory Blair Lamorie Pearce

Obit Brown

Gary D. Brown, 76,

Montanian One

All three of Libby's newspapers are on display at Empire Foods. This week's issue of the Montanian (top), was the last edition produced by founders David and Carol Latham. (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Obit Brus

Roger Henry Brus, MD, 88

Baseball Bateman

No. 34, Brady Bateman pitching top of first inning vs. Bitterroot Bucs June 17, 2016. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Soccer Petersen

Senior midfielder Zander Petersen.

Loggers bring the fireworks to Polson tournament

Local business near settlement in federal lawsuit

Troy Awards

From left: Louise Roberts, Christina Schertel, superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, Diane Rewerts, Milo Rogers. (photo courtesy of )

Troy schools earn statewide recognition

EPA officials offer updates to county commissioners

Commissioners to negotiate Troy land purchase

Troy High School dismissals prompt citizen committee creation

Fourth Chevy

The car show took up the entire soccer field at Roosevelt Park during Troy's Old Fashioned Fourth of July Saturday. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Fourth Menu

If you were hungry the menu was lengthy and the lines were long. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Fourth Seagrave

Troy Volunteer Fire Department's '34 Seagrave flathead V12 with Gene Rogers at the wheel. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Fourth Drill

Drill Team drummer. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Fourth Train

"All aboard..." (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Fourth Dress

(Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Fourth Vendors

Vendors and shoppers crowded the walking path at Roosevelt Park. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Fourth Horse

On horseback coast to coast. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Fourth Johnson

Shirley Johnson of Alexandria, Minnesota serves up corn on the cob Saturday during Troy's Old Fashioned Fourth of July. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Fourth Kelsey

Four-year-old Cora Kelsey dancing at Roosevelt Park, Fourth of July 2016. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)

Fourth Color

Finish line high fives for Kelsey Camp, left, Jessie Pate, Rachel Reckin and Dejon Raines. Third annual Fourth of July troy PTA color run.

Parker Hayden

Hayden Parker of Libby earned his orange belt in Shaiu Shu at Libby Combined Arts. Shaiu Shu is a Chinese art that is similar to submission fighting. From left is De De Purviance, third degree black belt; Hayden Parker, orange belt; and Sean Kane, brown belt instructor.

EPA, Lincoln County Commissioners meet June 29

From left: EPA Region 8 Administrator Shaun McGrath, project managers Rebecca Thomas and Christina Progress, and Remedial Project Manager Mike Cirian meet with Lincoln County commissioners Greg Larson (not pictured), Mark Peck and Mike Cole on Wednesday. (Seaborn Larson/The Western News)

Walsh Book Two

Laurie Boehler Walsh holding a copy of her book, “Keys"

Walsh Book One

Laurie Boehler Walsh holding a copy of her book, “Keys"

Heightened fire risk expected for July 4 weekend

Local trainer opens new gym with group fitness in mind

Troy school board honors students, staff with awards

July sentencing set for felony drug case

Search and rescue finds man, wife in difficult situation

EPA: March 2017 is 'last call' for property cleanup