Friday, March 31
Proof of the power of science-based forestry
The new Lolo Forest Plan revision speaks to diversity, inclusion, social justice, wilderness and wild and scenic rivers, but not a peep about the economic importance of the Montana and Idaho timber industries.
Resignation of county officials stirs feelings at meeting
District 3 Commissioner Josh Letcher, who represents the northern part of Lincoln County, said he learned of the resignations when schools which are holding board trustee elections in May, emailed him late Friday afternoon about what the county would do.
Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond
With former President Jimmy Carter in hospice care, 85-year-old politician Ben Barnes recently decided to share a secret with The New York Times: he was part of a team in 1980 that delivered a message to Iranian leaders on behalf of Ronald Reagan’s campaign: do not release 52 American hostages until after fall’s presidential election.
Claire C. (Evans) Rose
Claire C. (Evans) Rose
A blast of information from the past
After two years of uploading documents the Troy school has reconnected with its history.
Homicide in Marion under investigation
Sheriff Brian Heino confirmed Wednesday that his office was treating the death as a homicide.
Governor-appointed board caters to foreign mining company
The Board of Environmental Review is bending over backward to accommodate a mining company that has recently been fined almost $17 million for environmental violations in Canada. Maybe the rationale is that if Teck is going to pollute anyway, just make it legal?
Rosendale introduces bill to delist region’s grizzly bears
There’s about 1,100 bears across the 8 million acres that make up the NCDE.
Parking lot fracas leads to drug trafficking charges
A subsequent investigation and search of their vehicle turned up hundreds of blue fentanyl pills, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana.
Former Lincoln Co. Clerk and Recorder shares resignation letter
There is zero respect or even common courtesy from commissioners to county election employees or myself.
Man sentenced for criminal endangerment
Deputy Davis reported in the charging document that Rohan had seven prior DUI convictions.
Libby man sentenced for stealing from family member
Burke’s sister also told Kraft that Burke had a long history of stealing and that he had been to prison for burglary and stealing.
Avelo Airlines brings direct L.A. flights to Glacier Park International Airport
Avelo Airlines’ seasonal service will begin on May 22 and operate twice weekly on Monday and Friday. Their one-way fares between Kalispell and LA start at $49 and will utilize Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft.
Libby grad excelling in math at Montana State
This semester, Nordwick is engaged in his normal coursework while studying differential geometry and differential forms through the Directed Reading Program.
Spring sports kicking off in Lincoln County
The Libby High School softball team kicks off the season today, hosting Polson.
Legals for March, 31 2023
Tuesday, March 28
State seeks comment on plan to combine Libby Superfund cleanup work
DEQ will accept public comment on the draft documents until April 23.
Geneive Fern Chance
Geneive Fern Chance
Lincoln County election officials, clerk and recorder resign posts
According to County Human Resources Director Dallas Bowe, she had received letters of resignation from Clerk and Recorder Robin Benson and both employees in the Elections Office, including Administrator Paula Buff and her assistant, Amanda Eckart.
Idaho governor signs firing squad execution bill into law
The Legislature passed the measure March 20 with a veto-proof majority. Under it, firing squads will be used only if the state cannot obtain the drugs needed for lethal injections.
Troy Library and Opportunity Center plans unveiled
Guests were shown plans that included community meeting rooms, public office space, a demo kitchen, tech lab/maker space, teen area and early literacy spaces, in addition to typical quiet library reading spaces.
Troy man pleads guilty to choking woman
The man, who held his head in his hands at times during the hearing, said his memory of the day was spotty, but he did admit he choked her.
Western News readers will receive puzzle book
The popular monthly feature for readers of all ages that is inserted into the Daily Inter Lake on the fourth Sunday of each month will now be included with The Western News on the following Friday.
April 1 deadline for elk, deer application permits
Hunters applying for special licenses and permits need to have a valid email address.
City says its making progress on police situation
Chisholm also said that after the independent review, no criminal charges were referred to the attorney general.
Libby residents take plea deals in drug, child endangerment cases
An investigator in the current cases reported the Deloach couple had previous criminal histories in Pennsylvania.
FWP opens public scoping on proposed new wolf management plan
Gov. Greg Gianforte asked FWP to create a new wolf management plan with broad public engagement due to the interest in wolf management across the state.
Biking the Sun Road to open May 5
The utilities project from the foot of the lake to the lodge is expected to be completed by May 15, but then the road will be reconstructed from Lake McDonald to North Lake McDonald Road through the summer. Folks should expect up to half hour delays.
Libby Senior Center Menu for April
Home delivery or grab and go meals ready for pickup are available from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday or 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Fur handling clinic scheduled for April 1
The clinic will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 287 Midnight Lane in Columbia Falls.
Eureka area family seeks to conserve land for grizzlies
As avid animal lovers, the decision was a no brainer, Lisa Levine said. She added that the process was easy, guided by the Vital Ground Foundation.
Legals for March, 28 2023
Friday, March 24
Grass fire burns 5 acres in Sanders Co.
Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District responded Saturday to the first grass fire of the season.
Canary in a coal mine
We aren’t the only country grappling with the effects of a leader who is unrealistic about our nation’s domestic energy needs.
Troy man gets suspended sentence in assault case against spouse
Joshua Michael Glaese, 39, was accused of attacking his wife and spraying her with a fire extinguisher last summer and then jailed on Christmas Eve for allegedly driving drunk.
Free traumatic brain injury seminar offered
Boundary County Chaplain Corps, in cooperation with the world-renowned Marcus Institute for Brain Health in Aurora, Colorado, wants to help change that situation.
Troy man accused of DUI homicide pleads not guilty
David Daniel Lefell was arraigned on the charges on Monday, March 20. He is currently lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center.
To Be Skeptical
An eye opener and significantly so since the majority of the deaths are not attributed to COVID.
Youth hockey coach facing more child rape charges
A prosecutor in Butte-Silver Bow said Wednesday the additional sexual intercourse without consent charge against 47-year-old Jami Leslie James in Butte involved another underage victim.
More $ coming to Libby for wildfire prevention
The financing comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant program, which is funded via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Tester asks Biden to tackle selenium pollution
As the president travels to Canada, Tester asks he keep Montana in mind.
Fisher River Valley Fire Rescue has a new ambulance
The new rig, which went into service on Jan. 28, replaced a third-generation 1993 Chevy ambulance that was used at volunteer departments in Noxon and Troy.
Libby High School prom photos
The Libby Memorial Events Center hosted the 2023 Libby High School prom.
Troy High School prom photos
Rustic Romance was the theme for the 2023 Troy High School prom.
Legals for March, 24 2023
Tuesday, March 21
Deer Lodge man accused of rape in Libby
The sister who witnessed the alleged assault told Pape that they had went out for New Year’s and partied before returning home.
Hopeful for better manners at dog park
The last time I was at the park I was disgusted as some dog owner on the way out had allowed their dog to “poop” in the little entrance way and just leave it.
Zinke calls for end to Glacier reservation system
In an interview with the Hungry Horse News on Wednesday, Zinke expanded on his concerns, claiming that a person competes with 330 million other Americans for a chance to secure a vehicle reservation to enter Glacier Park.
Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond
While Republicans heckled the president for saying they want cuts to Social Security and Medicare, so far only one Republican signed a Social Security Works pledge saying they commit to that. Rather, SSW learned that Republican Rep. Jim Baird has indicated that SS cuts are “on the table.”
Birth announcement
Brody Adams
Libby crews tackle structure fire
The people who lived in the residence were outside when crews arrived and no injuries were reported.
Kathleen “Kathy” Briggeman
Kathleen “Kathy” Briggeman
FWP gearing up for a new watercraft inspection station season
Inspections will also be available at the FWP Region 1 office in Kalispell in March to help accommodate requirements for Mac Days.
Libby man sentenced for assaulting county deputy
Bohdan Yuriyovych Yakovenko, 24, was charged with one felony count of assault on a peace officer.
Libby Church of God Easter services
A free breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. followed by the “Children’s Resurrection Celebration” and then Celebration Worship at 10:45 a.m.
Heron man convicted of kidnapping son, fleeing to Costa Rica
A jury found Jacob Israel Strong, aka Jacob Israel Guill, 37, guilty of international parental kidnapping on March 15.
Robbery suspect killed after shooting hostage in St. Regis
The second suspect took a hostage near the travel center and shot the hostage before the suspect was shot and killed .
Libby man gets deferred sentence in shooting incident
Charles Fernley Woods Jr., 68, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of felony criminal endangerment in Lincoln County District Court on Jan. 3.
Klansee Jill Clark
Klansee Jill Clark
Renee Louise Gaussoin
Renee Louise Gaussoin
Man accused of DUI homicide in crash that killed two
David Daniel Lefell, 68, of Troy is charged with two counts of felony vehicular homicide under the influence.
Ronald Wayne Osborne
Ronald Wayne Osborne
Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold weather
At 20 degrees Fahrenheit, electric vehicles just don't go as far as they do at the ideal 70 degrees, so longer trips can be difficult in the coldest weather.
Lincoln Co. hunter ed instructors honored for years of service
Megan Strom of Eureka has served for 20 years and was named the regional Instructor of the Year for 2022.
Teck appeals $16 million in fines for Columbia watershed pollution
Shortly after the fines were levied the company announced they would restructure and they appealed the fines.
Legals for March, 21 2023
Friday, March 17
Coalition touts advancement of bipartisan elk legislation
The bills aim to improve wildlife management, reduce non-resident hunter pressure in part to reduce crowds and improve incentives for landowners to enroll in state-sponsored access programs.
A letter to the Montana Republicans
Arrogantly comfortable with your Republican ‘super majority,’ you do not appear to even remotely comprehend the risk of your frontal assault on the Constitution.
Applications open for Montana State’s $75K Venture Competition
The competition provides entrepreneurs, including students, faculty and staff, and recent alumni the opportunity to present their business ideas, receive feedback and compete for startup funding. The deadline to apply is Sunday, March 26.
Man accused of running over trooper pleads not guilty to all charges
A man with seemingly nothing to lose, Jason Allen Miller reportedly told a female passenger in his truck that he was not going back to prison shortly before he allegedly ran a Montana Highway Patrol trooper over last month near Rexford.
Lincoln Co. youth wrestlers punch their tickets to western championships
Libby hosted the Kootenai Classic last weekend, which was a qualifier for this weekend’s championships.
Trooper Lewis Johnson continues recovery in Colorado
Johnson, an 8-year MHP veteran, suffered life-threatening injuries when he was run over by a Rexford man sought by law enforcement on Feb. 16 in the Lake Koocanusa Bridge area.
State launches program to reduce wildlife-vehicle conflicts
The Montana Wildlife and Transportation Partnership is a collaborative group of representatives from the Montana Department of Transportation, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Montanans for Safe Wildlife Passage.
Republican rebuke of Racicot short sighted
Compared to Marc, the GOP leadership are small fish in a small political pond.
Community meeting on fentanyl set for March 30 in Libby
Participants will learn what fentanyl looks like, how to recognize if someone is using it and how to talk with youth and families about medicine safety and the risk of overdose and death.
Governor cites ‘historic’ tax relief, Dems say only for the wealthy
The bills include a cut to income tax for top earners from 6.5% to 5.9%, a property tax rebate of $500 per household, and lowering capital gains taxes, or taxes paid by investors after selling assets like stocks.
Fish and Wildlife Commission gains two new members
The Montana Senate on Friday confirmed Burrows’ and Brooke’s nominations as well as the reappointment of two sitting commissioners.
Charles Allen Pickering
Charles Allen Pickering
Lifelong climber brings sport to new generation
The climbing gym will also have a 24-hour fitness area for members.
Scholarship opportunity for Lincoln County high school grads
One $2,500 scholarship will be awarded, with the potential for renewal for up to four consecutive years.
Pitiful Players perform 'Alice in Wonderland' in south Lincoln County
Local theatrical troupe Pitiful Players performed three shows...
Legals for March, 17 2023
Tuesday, March 14
FVCC earns Military Friendly School Designation
More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2023-2024 survey with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard.
FWP to host public meetings about mule deer management
March 22 – Libby Maki Theater, Libby, 6 p.m.
First grizzly bear of the season spotted in Yellowstone National Park
The first bear sighting of 2022 also occurred on March 7.
Lincoln County gets grant to help local victims of crime
According to county Victim/Witness Advocate Kathleen Sheffield, the money will be used to educate and promote the program using social media outlets.
Libby School band provides a cure for the winter blues
Band director Brandon Boone led the musicians as they performed songs by multiple composers.
Northwest Montana couple accused of drug trafficking
At the time of the traffic stop, Christopher Martin was in the back seat of suspected of being under the influence of fentanyl.
Bible drug smuggler returns to court on probation violation
Angela Lynn Rensmon, 44, appeared in Lincoln County District Court on Feb. 27 in front of District Judge Matt Cuffe.
Legals for March, 14 2023
Friday, March 10
Libby Elementary School hosts ROAR Olympics
According to Assistant Principal Tom Gallagher, the ROAR Olympics is geared to foster better behavior and attendance to participate in the minute to win it games.
Leah Elizabeth Shepherd Bennett
Leah Elizabeth Shepherd Bennett
Libby City Council OKs new Police Commission members
The fact that the city had no police commission was exposed in the aftermath of the resignation of three officers, Chris Pape, Ian Smith and Cody DeWitt, in November 2022.
Libby man pleads guilty to meth possession
District Judge Mike Cuffe sent the man's sentencing for April 17. He sternly reminded Abrahamson to show up for that hearing.
Northwest Montana man pleads guilty to possession of meth
Alexandr Shestak, 53, was charged with two felony counts of possession of dangerous drugs and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Lincoln Co. first responders handle minor train derailment
This railroad crossing is part of a spur line system, not the main line.
Youth wrestlers gear up for Kootenai Klassic
The Libby Wrestling Club competed in the Western Montana Little Guy Unit 1 qualifier last Saturday and are ready to host the Kootenai Klassic this weekend.
Walter Hiram Stephenson
Walter Hiram Stephenson
The dire need for Citizen Initiated Zoning Districts in Montana
As someone who has lived in Montana for many years, I have witnessed firsthand the changes that have come with this influx of new residents.
Leave the courts out of politics
And so, in the United States Constitution we created three branches of government, the presidency, Congress and the courts, each with great powers, but each also subject to being reined in by one of the others, each independent, but not all-powerful.
Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond
House Republicans are proposing a renewal of the 2017 tax cuts for the wealthy.
Grant supplies extra uniforms for Libby firefighters
Without an extra uniform some firefighters faced wearing contaminated clothing.
Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition annual meeting March 16
The meeting will be held at Flathead Valley Community College, Lincoln County Campus.
Helena Victoria Sullins
Helena Victoria Sullins
Is World War III on the horizon?
The Congressional Budget Office says by 2034, Social Security must be cut 23% due to expected shortfalls.
Legals for March, 10 2023
Tuesday, March 7
City to lose another police officer, OKs deal with county for administrative help
In the latest city council meeting the council worked to provide administrative aid to the police department.
Golf course vandalism cases coming to a conclusion
Shane Brian Rice, 20, received a 4-year deferred sentence.
Richard “Dick” T. Wernham
Richard “Dick” T. Wernham
Illinois firm buys Glacier Insurance of Libby
Owners Kevin Peck and Kim Peck and the Glacier Insurance of Libby team will join Hub Mountain.
Montana Legislature passes $1B in tax relief, rebates
The income and property tax relief combined could total $3,500 for a couple living in their home if they had paid that much in taxes.
Woman gets prison time for fentanyl possession
Halie Maria Herzog, 28, was charged with five counts of felony possession of dangerous drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Libby felon gets prison time he hoped to avoid
Waldron told the court he was concerned with being placed in a state facility where he believed he may be the target of retaliation.
Carol King Taylor
Carol King Taylor
Barbara Jo (Foster) Dinning
Barbara Jo (Foster) Dinning
Shirley Nelson
Shirley Nelson
Tracy Lee Lauer
Tracy Lee Lauer
Senate kills Medicaid work requirements bill, passes dozens of others ahead of transmittal
The upper chamber is now on a transmittal break until next Thursday, when it will reconvene at 5 p.m. to kick off the second half of the session.
Kootenai National Forest welcomes deputy forest supervisor
McRoberts brings plenty of expertise to the position, which has never been permanent before.
Town Pump offering library grants to ‘Keep Kids Reading’
Last year the Town Pump Charitable Foundation awarded 100 of the $1,000 grants statewide as part of its Keep Kids Reading grant program.
Legislators react to GOP’s break with Racicot
The two-term Republican governor, who served from 1993 to 2001, earned a formal rebuke from the state party organization’s executive committee on Feb. 15.
Libby School District honors persons of the year
Breaking with tradition, the Libby School District chose to honor two individuals.
Legals for March, 7 2023
Friday, March 3
State plans paving on US 2 near Happy's Inn
The project begins at the bridge over McKillip Road and extends east for approximately seven miles, ending one mile east of the ACM Road intersection.
Angler catches trophy rainbow trout
The trophy trout measured 31 inches and weighed 12 pounds.
Bill would provide benefit to peace officers injured or killed in line of duty
Johnson suffered severe injuries in the crash. Miller has been charged with attempted deliberate homicide as well as other charges in the incident.
Senate Bill would front load planning process in Montana
Senate Bill 382 would require additional planning by local governments, rework how and when residents can participate in planning decisions and, supporters say, make it easier to build the housing necessary to accommodate rapid population growth.
Money needed to curb fentanyl smuggling at ports of entry, Biden officials say
They also said the U.S. needs to keep pressure on China due to its role in the sale of chemicals used to make fentanyl.
Congressional art competition open to western Montana high school students
The longtime tradition started in 1982 and has since allowed Montana’s young artists the chance to showcase their talents in our nation’s Capitol building.
Slippery road conditions for Libby drivers
A number of crashes occurred in Lincoln and Flathead counties.
Libby Loggers Legion baseball begins practice
The Loggers are also in the midst of player registration for American Legion (16-19 years old) and Babe Ruth (13-15 years old).
Libby Wrestling Club fourth at Maverick Bench Memorial Tournament
Libby had three champions, eight runners-up and five third-place finishers in the beginner through junior divisions.
Beagle part of Griz runner-up 4x400 relay team
The most exciting event in almost any meet proved to be the highlight of the day for the Montana men's 4x400 relay team.
Mark D. Alexander
Mark D. Alexander
Sharon Kay “Kayty” Rice
Sharon Kay “Kayty” Rice
Troy partnership will result in more first responders
The school and local emergency officials are working together to train nine new EMTs.
Libby's Ron Adamson glad he stuck with his convictions
After getting a better look at the image, Adamson said he was absolutely shocked when he realized it was his grandfather.
Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond
The Dominion Voting Systems vs. Fox News Corporation defamation suit indicates Fox News opted to say what viewers wanted to hear about the 2020 elections, including statements about Dominion Voting rigging the election, to avoid viewers abandoning them.
Libby Friends of Library book sale set for March 3
There will also be plenty of children and juvenile books after the library received a large donation.
There is a way to fix this mess
Considering the scope and magnitude of our problems, I was deeply disappointed when 10 Montana Republican Senators derailed the efforts of thousands of Montana Patriots to save our Republic by voting NO to pass a Convention of States Resolution.
Lake Koocanusa is being poisoned
Some fish were unable to reproduce because of the selenium pollution.
Save ranching and wildlife by investing in relationships
Predation by wolves and bears is the reality of raising livestock in today’s Montana. But we don’t need to be hamstrung by the problem.
Proposed pavement preservation for US 2 near Happy's Inn
The project begins at the bridge over McKillip Road, and extends east for approximately seven miles, ending one mile east of the ACM Road intersection.
Public meeting Feb. 7 on hound hunting black bears
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 7.
