Ellington

Denise M. Williams, 65

Denise M. Williams, 65, passed away July 1, 2021, to be with her loved ones in heaven.

Gun sales are surging. First-time gun buyers are a big reason why

HARTFORD, Conn. — Gun sales are spiking in Connecticut and around the nation, a buying spree driven by fears of rising crime, a political shift in Washington and the social upheaval brought on by the pandemic.

Fight leads to arrest of man under investigation for trafficking

A man suspected of trafficking drugs in Lincoln County faces multiple felony charges after leading Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a high-speed chase in March.

Smoke fouls air as fires, heat hammer northern Rockies

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Record-breaking heat hammered the northern Rockies on Tuesday and smoke from dozens of large wildfires drove pollution to unhealthy levels — a grim but increasingly familiar situation for a region racked by drought.

Evacuations ordered in face of South Yaak Fire

Crews battling the South Yaak Fire worked in recent days to safeguard houses and other structures near East Side and Kilbrennan Lake Roads as the blaze grew to 4,152 acres.

New mobile app to help drug addiction recovery in Montana

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A mobile application will be used to help treat addiction in Montana under a new partnership between an addiction treatment provider in Billings and a private company, state officials announced Tuesday.

Montana inmate who escaped, took gun is re-captured

LIVINGSTON, Mont. (AP) — A Montana inmate who overpowered a jail guard and took the guard's gun and minivan was taken back into custody on Tuesday, ending an intensive search that spanned three days.

Gianforte encourages vaccinations as COVID-19 case rise

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana health officials reported on Tuesday more than 250 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in a single day for the first time in over five months.

ARP putting up posters to raise awareness of asbestos exposure

Officials with the Lincoln County Asbestos Resource Program have hung posters in local government and business buildings, hoping to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos exposure.

Searchers hone in on potential location of missing teen

First responders have identified a stretch of the Kootenai River where the victim of a recent drowning at Kootenai Falls may be located.

Commissioners issue emergency declaration for Lincoln County

With two large wildfires burning in the Troy area, the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners approved a declaration of emergency on July 26.

Nancy Lee Wetherelt, 74

Nancy Lee Wetherelt, 74, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away peacefully in her home on the morning of July 8, 2021.

Andrew A. Reichow

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of a beloved father, son, grandson, brother, nephew, uncle and friend. Andrew Reichow passed away July 23, 2021, at the Logan Health Center in Kalispell. Andy was born on June 21, 1979, in Hillsboro, Ore.

Donald W. Rigney, 71

Donald W. Rigney, 71, passed to be with his maker July 25, 2021. He was born Aug. 6, 1949, to Stance and Martha Rigney in Waynesboro, Miss. Don married Kay Sudduth on Nov. 26, 1969, and they had been together for more than 50 years.

Alvin L. Croucher

Alvin L. Croucher was born in Libby on Nov. 17, 1929. He died July 19, 2021.

Two fires in Evergreen thought to be set intentionally

Two fires reported early Monday morning in the Evergreen area both appear to have been intentionally set, according to a press release from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

Seifert remains Troy's sole candidate for health board

Just over a month after Troy city officials drew heat for a procedural error in their appointment of Jim Seifert to the Lincoln County Health Board and removed him from the panel, Seifert remains the only candidate to have submitted paperwork for the seat.

Harvey Francis Ammerman, 88

Harvey Francis Ammerman, 88, passed away July 25, 2021 at the Libby Care Center of Cascadia. He was born Oct. 26, 1932, to Harry G. and Orna (Brooks) Ammerman in Livingston.

Legals for July, 30 2021

5 firefighters injured in Montana blaze in stable condition

JORDAN, Montana (AP) — Five federal firefighters remained hospitalized Sunday in stable condition after sustaining burn injuries when swirling winds blew a lightning-caused wildfire back on them in eastern Montana on Thursday.

UPDATED: Authorities issue evacuation order for Eastside Road homes

Authorities with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office rescinded an evacuation order for Kilbrennan Lake Road on Tuesday.

Burnt Peak, South Yaak fires grow over weekend

Containment of the South Yaak Fire inched up to 10 percent as firefighters used lines and burnouts to secure the southern end of the blaze on Sunday.

Western Democrats to push for US mining industry changes

xBILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — House Democrats from some western states are preparing to push for changes to a longstanding law that governs mining on U.S.-owned lands.

Montana inmate overpowers guard, gets gun and escapes

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Authorities in southcentral Montana were searching Monday for an inmate who overpowered a county jail guard, took the guard's gun and car keys and escaped in a jail minivan.

Troy man dies in motorcycle crash

A 68-year-old Troy man died in a motorcycle accident Saturday afternoon near Rexford.

Troy officials working to secure grants to improve public recreational offerings

Troy City Councilors approved an application for an $81,000 grant that would go towards developing the municipality’s skate park, splash pad and showers at Roosevelt Park last week.

Kincheloe tapped to replace Bernhard on health board

A name familiar to close watchers of the Lincoln County Board of Health is set to represent the Eureka area on the panel.

Libby adopts stage two fire restrictions

Libby followed the county’s lead last week, declaring stage two fire restrictions for the municipality.

Riverfront Blues Festival gets noise variance

Libby City Council has granted the annual Riverfront Blues Festival a noise variance for its return to the busy summer slate of events in the county.

City crews to tackle debris pile near Flower Creek

Libby City Council approved plans to mitigate part of a debris pile near Flower Creek this week in hopes of protecting the municipality’s watershed.

Utility work, possible redevelopment displaces Troy renters

Natasha Chapel was at a loss when she received her termination of tenancy notice.

Proposed RV park near Bull Lake earns preliminary approval

A planned RV park located just north of Bull Lake earned preliminary approval from the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners earlier this month.

Legals for July, 27 2021

Mattis sentenced for sexual assault

A Libby man who admitted to raping a child in January was sentenced to 15 years behind bars this week.

Fire crews consolidate effort on Burnt Peak, South Yaak fires

With firefighting resources stretched thin across the country, officials consolidated the Burnt Peak and South Yaak fires under a type two incident management team to share local personnel and equipment more efficiently.

Coal production in Montana declines 23 percent in 2020, demand down

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Coal production in Montana fell by 23% in 2020, compared to the previous year, as demand for coal and the electricity it is used to generate declined during the pandemic.

Black bears that entered Missoula-area houses euthanized

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Montana wildlife officials euthanized two black bears this month after they broke into separate houses in the Missoula area, wildlife specialist Jamie Jonkel said Wednesday.

Housing costs emerge as key to Montana's labor shortage

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana's economy has largely healed from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic but is facing a labor shortage fueled partly by a lack of affordable housing, economists said Wednesday.

Ice supply melting away as demand heats up

As extreme temperatures continue to scorch south Lincoln County, a near-unprecedented demand for ice is threatening to leave some local businesses high and dry.

Teenager missing after plunging into the Kootenai

First responders are searching for a possible drowning victim along the Kootenai River after a 17-year-old entered the water near the falls Tuesday.

Hearing on affordable housing project moved to August

A public hearing scheduled for a proposed affordable housing project on Commerce Way has been moved to next month, Libby officials say.

Roger D. French, 80

Roger D. French, 80, died Oct. 29, 2020, at Libby Care Center.

Keith Walsh, 89

After many years of serious health challenges, Keith Walsh’s bright spirit sped from his old “clay jar” toward his heavenly home in the wee hours of March 16, 2021.

Bits 'n pieces from east, west and beyond

East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact. A recent sampling:

US extends travel restrictions at Canada, Mexico borders

The U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed at land and ferry crossings for at least another month as the pandemic continues to pose a threat to "human life or national interests," federal officials said Wednesday.

Ann Andrew, 90

Ann Andrew, 90, beloved mother, daughter and friend passed away June 27, 2021.

Edmundson earns deferred two-year sentence

A Pipe Creek resident who pulled a gun on a UPS deliveryman last year earned a deferred two-year sentence in Lincoln County District Court on July 12.

Colton Tew

William and Kira Tew welcomed a baby boy on June 14, 2021, at 5:59 p.m. Colton Tew weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces and was 21-and-a-half inches long. He was delivered by Dr. Daniel Taylor Williams.

Kinslee Duve

Austin Duve and Kelsi Fox welcomed a baby girl on June 20, 2021, at 11:26 p.m. Kinslee Duve weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounce and was 19-and-a-quarter inches long. She was delivered by Dr. Kelli Jarrett.

UPDATED: Residents evacuated along Kilbrennan Lake Road

Officials with the Great Basin Team No. 4 confirmed that law enforcement personnel were evacuating residents along Kilbrennan Lake Road on Friday evening.

Teske named to Lincoln County Board of Commissioners

Brent Teske will succeed Mark Peck as the Libby representative to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.

Leftover general fund dollars could go to Libby's new capital improvement fund

Recent efforts by City of Libby officials to clear the municipality’s debts and bolster its savings seem to be paying off.

Vault toilet approved near cross country ski facility

Months after first appearing on Libby City Council’s agenda, a proposal for a vault toilet near the Flower Creek cross country ski course received approval this week.

Legals for July, 23 2021

Mitigation work performed at Libby preschool after asbestos accidentally released

Administrators with Libby Public Schools undertook an unexpected asbestos mitigation project after workers accidentally released the toxic mineral while removing a boiler from the Plummer Preschool Center last month.

Council approves replacement radios for Libby Police Department

Libby City Council approved July 6 spending $73,271 of incoming American Rescue Plan Act funds to replace police radios.

Sally J. Anderson, 86

Sally J. Anderson, 86, passed away July 13, 2021, at her home in Libby. She was born June 3, 1935, to Rudolph and Beulah Weinkauf in Carbondale, Colo.

Residents weigh possible 27k conservation easement

Officials with Stimson Lumber Co. were on hand in Libby last week to drum up support for a plan to place a conservation easement on more than 27,000 acres of company land in Lincoln County.

Town Pump Charitable Foundation benefits area first responders

As part of an effort to support first responders in rural communities across the state, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation gave $43,200 to Lincoln County law enforcement agencies and volunteer ambulance and fire crews earlier this month.

Libby administrators iron out process for letting non-public school students join extracurriculars

With the fall sports season approaching, administrators with Libby Public Schools continue to grapple with a new state law that allows homeschooled and private school students to participate in public school extracurriculars.

Road closure approved for Mineral Avenue trick-or-treating

Annual trick-or-treating down Mineral Avenue will garner a road closure this year.

State drops 'bad actor' case against Hecla CEO

Montana's Department of Environmental Quality is dropping its lawsuit against a North Idaho-based company seeking to develop two large silver and copper mines in Northwest Montana.

Yellowstone rattled by swarm of more than 140 earthquakes in past day, geologists say

A swarm of more than 141 earthquakes is rattling Yellowstone National Park, geologists said.

Whitefish to name day after Olympic rugby player

Whitefish's mayor is poised to declare Friday, July 23, 2021, "Nicole Heavirland Day" in honor of the local woman gearing up to play rugby in the Tokyo Olympics.

Lawsuit seeks more spill over Columbia Basin dams for salmon

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The record-shattering heat wave in the Pacific Northwest prompted fishing and conservation groups to ask a federal court Friday to order more spill from dams on the lower Snake and Columbia rivers next spring, which could aid the migration of endangered salmon and steelhead runs.

Firefighters increase containment of Burnt Peak Fire

The Burnt Peak Fire was 13 percent contained as of Monday morning thanks to fire breaks on the southeast corner of the blaze and along Keeler/Rattle Creek Road.

Legals for July, 20 2021

Lincoln County enacts stage two fire restrictions

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted to issue stage two fire restrictions in conjunction with area state and federal agencies on July 14.

Officials extol Code Red, an emergency alert system

Officials in Lincoln County are urging residents to sign up for Code Red, a service that sends out emergency alerts, as fire season gets underway.

Billy Ray Goodman, 42

Billy Ray Goodman, 42, passed away July 4, 2021. Services will be held at 4 p.m., July 17 at the Troy Assemble of God.

James Leo Peterson, 76

James Leo Peterson, 76, of Libby passed away peacefully at his home on July 12, 2021. He was born Sept. 2, 1944, in Bismarck, N.D., to William Harry and Eva Marie (Nelson) Peterson.

Ann Andrew, 90

Ann Andrew, 90, a beloved mother, daughter and friend, passed away June 27, 2021, with her son, David, by her side while under the care of the loving staff at the Libby Care Center.

Potential buyer eyes Asa Wood site

With a federal grant in hand to clean up the Asa Wood property, administrators with Libby Public Schools are courting another buyer for the defunct elementary school building and grounds.

Burnt Peak Fire surpasses 1,000 acres

As the Burnt Peak Fire continued to grow this week, breaking early fire season records for the Kootenai National Forest, U.S. Forest Service and local officials briefed the public on containment efforts and attempted to quell rumors about evacuation notices.

Frustration builds in Montana border towns as 'temporary' closure drags on

No one thought it would last this long.

Gianforte declares fire emergency as dry conditions persist

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Gov. Greg Gianforte declared Wednesday a statewide fire emergency in Montana as the state faces abnormally dry conditions.

Extreme heat takes out portion of Northwest cherry crop

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — An extreme heat wave damaged cherries grown in the Yakima Valley and the Northwest in late June and early July. The high temperature reached 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 Celsius) in Yakima on June 29, an all-time record.

Search continues for Montana hiker, believed dead

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Search crews continue to look for a Montana State University graduate student who is believed to have died in a climbing accident in the Beartooth Mountains in southern Montana.

Swimming pool initiative resurfaces in Libby

Talk of building a public swimming pool in Libby resurfaced last week.

Roby receives one-year sentence after jury finds her guilty of misdemeanor

A Libby woman accused of assaulting her husband received a one-year sentence in Lincoln County District Court on July 12.

Mattis sentencing delayed after judge rejects terms of plea deal

Lincoln County District Judge Matthew Cuffe this week rejected the terms of a plea deal struck by a Libby man who allegedly admitted to raping a child, saying the crime warrants a harsher penalty.

Health department grapples with increasing stream of waste

Lincoln County Health Department officials want to bolster local dumpsites, citing a jump in population size, demolition projects and waste.

UPDATED: Burnt Peak Fire 13 percent contained

Local U.S. Forest Service officials handed oversight of the Burnt Peak Fire to a type two incident management team as the blaze grew to 1,716 acres on Friday.

'Scary': Fuel shortage could ground firefighting aircraft

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Airport officials facing jet fuel shortages are concerned they'll have to wave off planes and helicopters that drop fire retardants during what could be a ferocious wildfire season, potentially endangering surrounding communities.

Bits 'n pieces from east, west and beyond

East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact. A recent sampling:

CPMC named gold standard performer

Cabinet Peaks Medical Center has been named a gold standard performer by a national professional services firm.

Legals for July, 16 2021

KNF officials hold out hopes of hitting goal of 80 million board feet of lumber

With a series of forestry projects headed down the pike, officials with the Kootenai National Forest are still hoping to hit their goal of 80 million board feet of lumber by the end of September.

Kootenai RC Flyers take to the skies

The prop plane squirmed on the tarmac as Ken Huber ran it through a final checklist.

Warren sees suspended sentence revoked

A local woman accused of violating the terms of her probation by owning and caring for animals will spend the next eight years behind bars with credit for time served.

FWP seeks applicants for citizen advisory committee

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking applicants for its Region 1 Citizen Advisory Council.

Libby City Council approves wage increases for employees, elected officials

Libby City Council signed off on a series of wage increases for employees and elected officials earlier this week to keep municipal pay in line with inflation and simplify bookkeeping efforts.

Elaine Nance

Dawson and Hannah Nance welcomed a baby girl on May 15, 2021, at 10:38 p.m. Elaine Nance weighed six pounds, 5.9 ounces and was 19 inches in length. She was delivered by Dr. Jana Hall and Dr. Kelli Jarrett.

Elisha Allen Ray Hooten

BreAnna and Jaron Hooten welcomed a baby boy on April 29, 2021, at the Family Birth Services’ birthing suite. Elisha Allen Ray Hooten weighed six pounds, 14 ounces and was 19 inches in length when he joined his big brother, Jesse, and big sister, Ila. His grandparents are Matt and Sheri Hooten of Libby and Bret and Valerie Sweisthal of Lakebay, Wash. He was delivered by Joyce Vogel, licensed midwife.

Troy's new power manager wants to see the city's billing system overhauled, but it comes with a cost

Clay Campbell knows the dangers of lax safety measures all too well. Having worked for years as an electrical lineman, Troy’s new power manager has seen disaster strike with fatal results.

Fires aside, Libby police receive zero fireworks-related calls over holiday weekend

While the Libby Police Department did not receive any fireworks-related complaints over the Independence Day holiday, officers lent a hand in a pair of pyrotechnics-related fires.

School officials seek grant to inspect underground tank at Asa Wood

Concerns about a possibly leaking underground storage tank have spurred Libby school officials to seek a state grant for the defunct and on-the-market Asa Wood property.

Bits 'n pieces from east, west and beyond

East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact. A recent sampling:

Meacham charged with DUI after early morning wreck

An alleged drunk driver tried unsuccessfully to convince Libby police officers he wasn’t behind the wheel of a passenger car that struck a parked vehicle last month despite being found in the driver’s seat.

Forest Service officials urge visitors to enjoy the woods responsibly

With the summer season in full swing, local officials are seeing more recreationists using, and occasionally abusing, campsites in the Kootenai National Forest.

Grizzly bear is fatally shot after killing California woman

HELENA Mont. (AP) — A grizzly bear that pulled a California woman from her tent and killed her this week was fatally shot early Friday by wildlife officials using night-vision goggles to stake out a chicken coop that the animal raided near the small Montana town where the woman was attacked.

Missing Montana hiker believed to have died in accident

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Searchers looking for a Montana State University graduate student who disappeared while hiking in the Beartooth Mountains in southern Montana say they do not believe she is still alive.

Brad J. Drake, 54

Brad J. Drake, 54, went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 7, 2021. He was born Oct. 16, 1966, in Roseburg, Ore., to Jack and Betty Drake.

Burnt Peak Fire expanding in dry, hot conditions

Aided by hot and dry weather, the Burnt Peak Fire, located roughly eight miles southwest of Troy, swelled to around 600 acres over the weekend.

Great Falls man sentenced to 60 years for motel murder

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — A Cascade County judge sentenced a Great Falls man to 60 years in prison for a 2017 murder of a woman at the Airway Motel.

Beloved bear from Yellowstone dies at North Carolina Zoo

ASHEBORO, N.C. (AP) — A grizzly bear identified as a nuisance at a national park before finding a new home at the North Carolina Zoo has died, officials said.

Legals for July, 13 2021

Kootenai Highland Games fast approaching

The event, which is set to run from July 16-17, will feature traditional celtic games, vendors and representatives from Irish and Scottish clans.

Rodney Scott Rantala, 61

Rodney Scott Rantala, 61, passed away over this past Father’s Day weekend. He was born July 9, 1959, in Ashland, Wisc., to Marvin And Dorothy (Tutor) Rantala. He became their sixth child out of nine total.

Troy seeks volunteers for skate park committee

Troy City Council has taken the first steps towards revamping the municipality’s dilapidated skate park, voting to create a committee focused on the project June 16.

Jim E. Landfried, 69

Jim E. Landfried, 69, passed away in his Eureka home on Nov. 19, 2020 from cardiovascular disease.

Bear pulls woman out of her tent, kills her in Montana

HELENA Mont. (AP) — A grizzly bear pulled a woman from her tent in the middle of the night and killed her before fellow campers could use bear spray to force the bruin out of the area, Montana wildlife officials said Wednesday.

Camper lets loose on goosed moose

SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) — Idaho wildlife officials say a backcountry camper killed a moose in self defense after the animal charged him and his dog.

Junior Fair parade to return to Mineral Avenue

The Lincoln County Junior Fair parade will boast a police escort when it returns to Mineral Avenue this year.

Lincoln County eligible for drought assistance

Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that Lincoln County — along with 14 other Montana counties — was eligible for drought assistance on July 6.

Rural ambulance services are in jeopardy as volunteers age and expenses mount

DUTTON, Mont. — Vern Greyn was standing in the raised bucket of a tractor, trimming dead branches off a tree, when he lost his balance. He fell 12 feet and struck his head on the concrete patio outside his house in this small farming town on the central Montana plains.

Affordable housing project pitched for Commerce Way

Options for affordable housing in Libby could soon expand.

Legals for July, 9 2021

Benjamin Richard Alder, 95

Benjamin Richard Alder, 95, died June 27, 2021, in his favorite place in the world: Libby, Montana. At the age of 95 he was a father, husband, grandfather, veteran and dear friend to all who knew him.

Mildred Irene Olson

Mildred Irene Olson passed away on March 13, 2020, at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center just shy of her 98th birthday. She was born in Gordon, Neb., on March 31, 1922, to Oscar Carl and Inez Marie Burck.

State seeks to conserve 27,000 acres of Stimson Lumber land

Montana's Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking to purchase a conservation easement for more than 27,000 acres of forest and grassland in Lincoln County to preclude development, protect threatened wildlife habitat, improve public access and recreational opportunities, and allow the longtime owner of the land, the Stimson Lumber Co., to continue harvesting timber.

Bail reduction denied for Ague

District Judge Matthew Cuffe denied last week a motion to reduce bail for a Libby man accused of sexually assaulting a minor and later attacking a detention center officer.

Former Troy mayor brought up on charges

A former mayor of Troy faces multiple charges after authorities found a photo of him allegedly removing an alcohol monitoring ankle bracelet from a woman on Facebook earlier this year.

Lincoln County adopts fire restrictions

Citing very high fire danger, Lincoln County Commissioners issued fire restrictions for all private lands in the county last week.

Hurdles remain in effort to bring manufacturing back to Libby

The next step in bringing a medium density fiberboard factory to Libby involves securing a line of credit for the Washington businessman local officials courted for the project, and are standing behind despite past legal troubles.

James Charles Parker, 62

James (Jim) Charles Parker, a resident of Libby, unexpectedly passed away June 26, 2021, at the age of 62. He was born Jan. 30, 1959, in Missoula to Don and Teri (Larson) Parker. He was one of three children.

Loggers fell Riverdogs in doubleheader

The Libby Loggers collared the Clark Fork Valley Riverdogs during their July 2 doubleheader.

Motorist credited for quick thinking after trailer caught fire

Firefighters with the Libby Volunteer Fire Department responded to a pup trailer fire on Wolf Creek Road last week.

Legals for July, 6 2021

Evalyn McMillan

Dominic McMillan and Halona LaFleur McMillan welcomed a baby girl on April 14, 2021, at 2:48 p.m. Evalyn McMillan weighed six pounds, nine ounces and was 19 inches long. She was delivered by Dr. Jana Hall.

Mike DeLeo

Mike DeLeo was born on April 30, 1946 — one of 11 children — to Ben and Patricia DeLeo in Renton, Wash.

Crews mopping up Callahan fire

Fire crews have contained a fire near the Callahan Creek not far from Troy, but officials say they are keeping an eye on the area.

Northwest lawmakers seek progress on Columbia River Treaty

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A bipartisan group of 21 Northwest lawmakers called on President Joe Biden to prioritize a long-running effort to renegotiate a 60-year-old treaty that governs how the United States and Canada share the waters of the Columbia River Basin.

State lawmaker announces bid for Montana's new US House seat

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Democratic state lawmaker Laurie Bishop announced Thursday a bid for the second U.S. House seat that was awarded to Montana earlier this year.

Montana governor lifts state of emergency for coronavirus

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Gov. Greg Gianforte on Wednesday announced he is lifting Montana's state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic, more than 15 months after it was imposed under his predecessor.

Bits 'n pieces from east, west and beyond

East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact. A recent sampling:

Libby sidewalk project pitched to commissioners

Resident Mark Andreasen took his pitch for a dedicated sidewalk route through Libby to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners last week.

Group advocates for fewer restrictions on guns in county

Members of a political advocacy group petitioned county commissioners last week to consider expanding areas where citizens may carry firearms. But a new state law, which significantly eased concealed and open carry restrictions, might render the point moot.

Evelyn Marie (Chapel) Olson, 68

Evelyn Marie (Chapel) Olson, 68, passed away June 17, 2021, at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby. She died of natural causes stemming from a life of multiple diseases and physical hardships.

Troy's Fourth of July bash looms large

Troy’s Fourth of July bash is back this year and its fireworks display is set to be bigger than ever.

Road closures approved for Crazy Days, chainsaw competition

Libby City Council approved road closures for annual summer events during its June 21 meeting and, for the first time, considered traffic restrictions for Mineral Avenue’s Halloween celebration.

As previously banned pyrotechnics prove big sellers, local vendors urge caution

Following a decades-long ban, bottle rockets, Roman candles and sky rockets are back on shelves in Montana. Given warnings that the newly legalized pyrotechnics could increase the already high risk of fires, local vendors have taken a cautious approach to marketing the fireworks.

Borchardt-Robertson receives sentence for 2018 attack

Michael Anthony Borchardt-Robertson, implicated in the stabbing of a local man in 2018, was sentenced this week to 40 years in the care of the state Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Fire restrictions to go into effect across region

Local officials have issued fire restrictions for state, federal and private lands that are set to go into effect this weekend.

Candidates to replace Peck on board of commissioners announced

Jeff Forester, Kenny Rayome Jr. and Brent Teske make up the short list to replace Mark Peck as the Libby representative to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.

Legals for July, 2 2021