Tuesday, February 28
Nearly time for new boat decals
Current decals expire on Feb. 28.
City looks to spur development near golf course
By increasing the amount of water available in the area new housing opportunities could become available.
Troy grad returns to Montana Air National Guard
Jones is a graduate of Troy High School and served in the Army Reserves.
Hunting, fishing license year begins March 1
Hunters and anglers can buy licenses and apply for permits on the FWP website beginning at 5 a.m. on March 1.
Tpr. Johnson and family thankful for community support at rally
Just 10 days after he was nearly killed after being run over by a man he was trying to arrest during a chase on Feb. 16 on Highway 37, Lewis Johnson spoke briefly to the assembled crowd who greeted him with a hearty round of applause during a rally of support.
The Western News to launch expanded weekend edition
The driving force behind the expanded Friday edition is to get more news to our loyal readers.
Libby Volunteer Fire Department extinguishes trailer fire
Andreessen also reported no one was injured and that fire crews had a good initial attack on the blaze.
Libby Elementary School celebrates Random Acts of Kindness week
The idea behind Random Acts of Kindness Day is to cultivate feelings of kindness and brighten someone’s day.
Michelle Ann Colaianni
Michelle Ann Colaianni
Larry Gene Roche
Larry Gene Roche
State to hold public meeting on possible Libby asbestos settlement
The two agencies will hold a public meeting at the Libby City Hall Ponderosa Room at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 6.
Retired Forest Service ranger pens book of outdoor adventures
Mason will be at Libby Sports Center for a book signing event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 4.
Legals for February, 28 2023
Saturday, February 25
Tpr. Johnson support rally set for Sunday at Logan Health
Also, MHP, Attorney General Austin Knudsen and local law enforcement officials will hold a support rally at 1 p.m. Sunday at Logan Health.
Friday, February 24
Bill targeting drag performances sent to House floor after edits
Rep. Neil Duram, R-Eureka, said he felt the amendment applied only to acts with a sexual connotation.
AG Knudsen calls out Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase for ‘firearm discrimination’
At a hearing Wednesday, Knudsen said that large financial institutions were increasingly denying services to an “extremely highly regulated industry” because they “happen to be engaged in the Second Amendment.”
Fisher River Valley Fire and Rescue hosts annual fishing derby
Last weekend, the department’s primary fundraiser enjoyed good weather as anglers from across northwest Montana worked to bring home cash, other prizes and fish for the dinner table.
Donald Richard Weatherby
Donald Richard Weatherby
Wayne D. Akin
Wayne D. Akin
Daryl R. Anderson
Daryl R. Anderson
Libby Wrestling Club kicks off season in Columbia Falls
Coach Jason Harrington explained that the event was put together in a short time and formatted in a way that provided the most wrestling per participant as possible.
Joyce Elaine (Teske) Manwell
Joyce Elaine (Teske) Manwell
Fireman's Park playground complex gets more funding
The new funding will be used to make the playground more inclusive.
Rocky Mountain goat shatters previous world record
The club announced the new record at the Wild Sheep Foundation’s 2023 Sheep Show in Reno, Nevada.
Rexford man accused of trooper assault back in court
Jason Allen Miller, 41, has three felony convictions and one misdemeanor conviction.
Lawmakers shy away from changing constitutional right to abortion
Montana is one of 11 states — most recently joined by South Carolina — where courts have ruled that abortion access is a constitutional right, and legal battles to dismiss or entrench those rights are picking up.
Libby lawmaker’s e-bike bill advances in key House floor vote
During a Thursday afternoon floor session, House Bill 261 sponsor Rep. Steve Gunderson, R-Libby, said his bill would help Montana catch up to other states by establishing a regulatory framework for electrically assisted bicycles, or e-bikes.
Bill would limit state campground reservations to 80% of capacity
State Rep. Steve Gunderson said it’s nearly impossible for locals to get spots at campgrounds.
Money available for bear deterrent projects
The Bear Smart Community Resource Fund will support projects designed to reduce bear attractants like garbage and human foods and to help community members create plans to keep people and property safe and bears out of trouble.
Seasons end for south Lincoln Co. basketball teams
Libby (6-13) got 13 points from Ryan Beagle.
Elk, deer poachers sentenced for several violations
An investigation eventually uncovered offenses by eight men, most of them non-residents.
Legals for February, 24 2023
Tuesday, February 21
Daryl R. Anderson
Daryl R. Anderson
Regressive energy policy hurts Montana
The faster we lessen our dependence on fossil fuels, the less damage and suffering we will experience.
Accused of running over state trooper, felon appears in court
Jason Allen Miller, 41, of Rexford, appeared in front of Judge Jay Sheffield for his arrest on absconding from parole for previous convictions in the county for theft and possession of dangerous drugs.
Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond
Bird flu has killed 60 million birds, either from flu or flu-prevention efforts. The World Health Organization says 52.8% of humans infected with H5N1 have died.
Man accused of stealing truck from dialysis center
Scull is currently locked up in the Missoula County Detention Center on felony charges related to a case from May 2022.
Libby Speech and Debate team wraps up season
Libby Logger students then ended their successful season by showcasing their performances to family, friends and community members.
St. Joseph Youth Group annual fish fry
The festive dinner will include delicious fried cod, handcut fries, slaw and pie.
Yaak River Tavern and Mercantile Outhouse Races
Team Smell Ya Later surges into the lead.
Legals for February, 21 2023
Saturday, February 18
Fundraising effort launched to support MHP trooper
Trooper Lewis Johnson, who is stationed in Eureka, has been on the job with MHP for eight years.
Friday, February 17
Former Gov. Racicot takes note of constitutional amendment proposals
It cannot escape notice that the unprecedented number of the proposed constitutional amendments presented to a single legislature exceeds the total number of legislatively referred constitutional amendments placed on the ballot during the last 50 years.
Libby students enjoy Scotchman Peak's Winter Tracks program
Libby resident Brooke Bolin, who is the Montana Outreach Coordinator for Friends, said the non-profit group has held its Winter Tracks for about six years.
Eileen Mee
Eileen Mee
Christina Olivia Allen
Christina Olivia Allen
Former McCormick School employee sentenced for check fraud
Lincoln County School Superintendent Suzy Rios said Hilliard is no longer employed by the McCormick School.
Hunter Ed classes scheduled in northwest Montana
Additional courses could become available this spring in other communities across the state, and information will be posted online at https://fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter-education.
Local animal shelters struggling to keep up with demand
Shelters across the nation are struggling to house record numbers for animals as economic factors mix with post-pandemic trends, according to local shelter executive.
Legals for February, 17 2023
Thursday, February 16
MHP trooper struck by vehicle during police chase
The trooper is reported to be in stable condition at a Kalispell hospital after being run over by the suspect vehicle during a police chase Thursday afternoon.
Tuesday, February 14
Accused killer returned to Lincoln County
According to booking information from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, Sauls was arrested on June 28.
Birth announcements
Ash Maddox Potter
Flathead Valley Community College Fall Dean’s List
The following Lincoln County students are listed in alphabetical order by their home communities.
House proposes state-wide lot mandate
A new bill hopes to increase housing supply to keep up with demand.
Libby to host Lincoln Co. Spelling Bee on Feb. 23
Schools must be registered with the Scripps National Spelling Bee organization to participate in the Treasure State Spelling Bee.
‘User fee’ bill would harm Montana nonprofits with slim margins, opponents say
More than a dozen nonprofit organization officials told a Republican lawmaker Wednesday her bill was a tax masquerading as a fee that targets some of Montana’s most vulnerable people and the organizations that serve them.
Libby's DeShazer wins second straight championship
That dominating run led DeShazer to be named the Outstanding Wrestler.
Whitefish sweeps Libby basketball teams
The Libby Loggers boys basketball team battled, but lost 42-40.
Legals for February, 14 2023
Friday, February 10
Convicted felon gets suspended sentence in assault case
William Timothy Teeple, 43, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of assault with a bodily fluid.
A Yaaker's thoughts on increasing development
We never shut the gate once we had found our paradise.
Susan Elaine Pierce
Susan Elaine Pierce
Guy James Uithof
Guy James Uithof
Libby Public Schools enjoy Spirit Week
Breaking up the winter doldrums is never a bad idea and what better way to do it than spirit week?
Beth Sagen
Beth Sagen
Navy pilot with Libby ties will be part of Super Bowl flyover
Anna Schauer’s stepdaughter, Caitie Perkowski, is a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and she is scheduled to be part of the jet flyover.
Aliya Rene Kolb
Aliya Rene Kolb
Libby trio charged with child endangerment after search of filthy home
James William Deloach, Tonya Lynn Deloach and Matthew Manfred Priebe are lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center on various charges.
New fundraising strategy for Logger athletics
Libby High School fundraising has been reworked to be demanding of small businesses.
Heritage Museum announces holiday raffle, bazaar winners
At the holiday bazaar, Cheryl Stern claimed a 7-night stay at Pend O'Reille Shores Resort.
Legals for February, 10 2023
Tuesday, February 7
Libby man pleads guilty to stealing from sister-in-law
According to court documents, Kevin Paul Burke, 45, pleaded guilty to one felony count of theft.
Feds move closer to lifting grizzly protections
State officials have insisted any future hunts would be limited and not endanger the overall population.
Libby's DeShazer leads 11 Loggers to state tournament
For the fourth time in two months, DeShazer beat Saltzman to claim the 205-pound title at the Western A Divisional Saturday in Polson.
Jay Martin Ramlo
Jay Martin Ramlo
Kenneth L. (Kenny) Beckstrom
Kenneth L. (Kenny) Beckstrom
Skull found in ’97 in remote Alaska belongs to New York man
Investigators used genetic genealogy to help identify the remains as those of Gary Frank Sotherden, according to a statement Thursday from the troopers.
Gladys Anderine Sather
Gladys Anderine Sather
Senior commodities distribution set for Feb. 17 at Libby VFW
It will run from 10 a.m. to noon at 114 W. 4th St.
Shocking and shameful
No, it appears our esteemed commissioners have delivered one of the most ignorant, misguided and repugnant statements conceivable.
Flathead Electric supports Libby Library
The Libby Library, built in the early 1950s, is owned and operated by Lincoln County, but supported financially in many ways by the nonprofit Libby Friends of the Library.
Logger student athletes sign letters of intent
Libby Loggers Greenchain member Matthew Niemi will also compete at the collegiate level.
Legals for February, 7 2023
Kootenai Valley Head Start gets $1 million grant
For 28 years children in Lincoln County have been supported in many ways by the Kootenai Valley Head Start program.
Friday, February 3
Verna Joan (Jo) Chapel
Verna Joan (Jo) Chapel
Marvin H. Kyes
Marvin H. Kyes
Leroy Johnson
Leroy Johnson
Donald R. Weatherly
Donald R. Weatherly
Kenny Beckstrom
Kenny Beckstrom
Phyllis Ann Woods
Phyllis Ann Woods
Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond
Raising the debt ceiling is not about raising the national debt, which most media has not explained well. It is about paying for bills already incurred by Congress.
Billy Dan Fenimore
Billy Dan Fenimore
Cabinet Peaks Prevent program approaching fast
The next PREVENT program begins on March 6.
Council OKs deal with county Sheriff for police protection
The proposal calls for the agreement to begin Wednesday, Feb. 1 and end June 30, unless the city notifies county Sheriff Darren Short that his department’s services are no longer needed.
David Thompson SAR hosts winter safety training event
The training session included a classroom portion on Friday evening and outdoors training on Saturday on Keeler Mountain.
Libby's new robotics team headed to state
Friday morning, Eureka and Libby students in grades 7-12 will be among several teams competing in the First Tech Challenge at Montana State University’s Shroyer Gym.
Local treatment court's future dependent on state support
Federal grant money helped launch treatment courts in a number of Montana counties, including Lincoln, a few years ago. But with the federal grant set to expire in September 2023, state lawmakers are considering a proposal by Gov. Greg Gianforte to fund treatment courts.
Virginia Anna (Wolfram) Sluiter
Virginia Anna (Wolfram) Sluiter
Private burials: Who's keeping track?
Documenting private burials 'not a required thing," but officials talk about ways to make the process more manageable.
Libby man's retort to alternative energy sources
No one who cares and loves our planet would ever put up a wind farm and some styles of solar farms.
Fisher River Fire Rescue ice fishing derby set for Feb. 18-19
Advance sale tickets are available at Happy’s Inn, Libby Sports Center, Snappy Sport Senter and Chancy and Dave’s Fish Camp. Tickets will also be sold at the event.
Aliya Rene Kolb
Aliya Rene Kolb
Heavy ice and snow cover can result in fish kills in shallow waterbodies
Thick ice and persistent snow cover can create good angling conditions, but they can also strain fish populations in waterbodies prone to winter kill.
