Year in Review, Part 1

Jan. 5

Lincoln County Transportation teams with LOR to buy new van

Another community project backed by the LOR Foundation has benefited Lincoln County Public Transportation.

With LOR's grant of $29,500, the agency was able to purchase a new van in October.

The vehicle has been in service for a few months now and has been a great addition to the company, according to agency officials. It receives an average of more than 280 calls for rides per month.

Coordinator Ona Steward said, “Our biggest goals for the future are to help the people who are shut in, who have a hard time getting out of the house due to disabilities, to make their lives a little easier with helping them be able to get their basic needs.”

Lincoln County Transportation spent $11,000 to secure the new vehicle. The agency tried to purchase several vans in recent years, but ran into production delays and other roadblocks. When a van became available at a local dealership, staff at LCTS reached out to LOR for help. 

Jan. 5

County efforts to reduce MT 37 speed limit bear fruit

Efforts by a group of Lincoln County residents and the county commissioners to lower the speed limit on Montana 37 have proven fruitful.

New speed limit signs were installed by Montana Department of Transportation workers in the last few weeks.

Some of the new speed limits are meant to create a transition zone between the edge of city limits and points further north and south on the highway, depending on the direction of traffic.

“I’m glad it got done for the folks that live on the road,” District 1 Commissioner Brent Teske said. “It will be beneficial for public safety and for the wildlife.

“For the naysayers, slowing down in that stretch will not add several minutes in travel time, it will add seconds. And it’ll reduce the impact of a traffic accident when they do happen,” Teske said.

Jan. 12

State investigating complaint against Libby police officer

State investigators are looking into a complaint against a Libby City Police officer.

Kyler Nerison, the Communications Director for the Montana Attorney General’s Office, confirmed in an email on Jan. 9 to The Western News that the Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) accepted a request to investigate Sgt. Ron Buckner.

Libby Police Chief Cody Ercanbrack told The Western News that Sgt. Buckner is currently on paid leave of absence pending the review of employment matters. Buckner’s leave began on Dec. 6, 2023.

Ercanbrack said when the investigation is complete, he will do a media release.

Buckner and his attorney, Lance Jasper, did not offer a comment or statement for this story.

Jan. 15

Troy man hospitalized after police chase ends in Idaho

A Troy man with a troubled past is in an Idaho hospital after a police chase Saturday evening that involved law officers from multiple jurisdictions that ended just across the Montana-Idaho border.

According to a press release from Libby Chief of Police Cody Ercanbrack, Caleb Covey, 37, is currently listed in critical condition at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho after Covey had several self-inflicted wounds following a wild incident that began in Libby and ended in Bonner County, Idaho on Highway 200.

The chase came to an end soon after Sanders County Sheriff’s Office deputies were able to successfully deploy spike strips. After running over the strips Covey continued south on deflated tires and eventually on rims. He drove west on Highway 200 into Idaho where Covey was apprehended by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

Lincoln County deputies rendered lifesaving medical aid to Covey before transporting him to meet a responding ambulance. He was transferred to a ground ambulance which then met an air ambulance which took him to Kootenai Health.

The incident began at about 3:32 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 when Covey allegedly intentionally crashed his pickup into the side of a home on Dakota Avenue in Libby. He then attached a tow strap to a parked vehicle and drug it through town. While towing the stolen vehicle, Covey struck multiple other vehicles as well as a residential fence and an electrical pole.

Jan. 16

Cabinet Peaks' Smith chosen as inaugural winner of DAISY award

In a momentous celebration held Nov. 15 at the Acute Care nurses’ station, Cabinet Peaks Medical Center proudly recognized the outstanding contributions of Kurtis Smith, RN, as the inaugural recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. 

This prestigious accolade is part of a program newly implemented by Chief Nursing Officer Tonya Teegardin to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional care provided by nurses within the organization.

The DAISY Award, established by The DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, is a symbol of gratitude for the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care that makes a profound difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Smith, RN, was selected for this honor based on his unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care, embodying the qualities of an extraordinary nurse.

Kurtis was presented with a certificate commending him as an "Extraordinary Nurse," along with a DAISY Award pin. The award ceremony marked a significant moment for CPMC, highlighting the dedication and compassion exhibited by nurses in the pursuit of the organization's PROMISE standards.

Jan. 23

Developers have big plans for old high school

Libby City councilors approved writing a letter of support for developers to seek a large grant to help restore the old high school into a complex that would house apartments and a community meeting space.

The approval was unanimous at the Jan. 16 meeting following a motion by council President Brian Zimmerman.

Zimmerman’s motion was initially for TZ Management, but Tracy McNew, who made the presentation of the project as a member of Libby Lofts LLC, pointed out the letter of support should be addressed to Libby Lofts.

The corporation is applying for a National Historic Preservation Grant from the state of Montana for $650,000 to restore the exterior of the old building as well as replace and refurbish windows and fix the roof. If the grant is secured, the developers must supply a 20% match.

Jan. 26

Troy man charged in 2020 grizzly killing

A Troy man accused of killing a collared grizzly bear on his property over bait more than three years ago has agreed to plead guilty to charges related to the alleged incident.

According to federal court documents, Othel Lee Pearson, 80, will enter a voluntary plea of guilty to evidence tampering and failing to report the taking of a grizzly bear, a threatened and protected animal under the Endangered Species Act.

Feb. 2

Troy man in custody following sentencing in DUI homicide

A Troy man who pleaded guilty to DUI homicide in the death of former Libby resident David Joshua Patterson last summer is in custody at the Lincoln County Detention Center after his sentencing Monday in district court.

Terren Craig Winebark, 21, received a 6-year deferred sentence from Judge Matt Cuffe. He will also be placed in the Warm Springs Addiction, Treatment and Change Program for continued treatment. He originally faced 30 years in the Montana State Prison.

Winebark’s attorney, Sean Hinchey, said a bed is available at the facility.

Feb. 2

Libby man sentenced in Russian roulette death

A Libby man who pleaded no contest to his involvement in the death of another during a game of Russian roulette was sentenced Monday in Lincoln County District Court.

Keigan I. Ball, 22, made his plea to a felony count of criminal endangerment on Dec. 4. Monday, he received a 3-year deferred sentence from Judge Matt Cuffe. A charge of negligent homicide was dismissed as part of a plea deal. Ball had faced a 10-year sentence.

According to court documents, 30-year-old Shane Ellison died in the tragic shooting on May 27 that occurred when he mistakenly shot himself with revolver that he thought was unloaded.

Feb. 2

Libby’s Grosch a state champ in Speech and Debate

The Libby High School speech and debate teams’ performance in Columbia Falls last weekend saw one competitor crowned state champion and two others earn medals for placing in the top four.

Logger sophomore Max Grosch is a Montana state champion after winning in Dramatic Interpretation of Literature at the Class A State Tournament. Senior Baylie Ames and junior Cash Vaughn finished fourth in their respective disciplines.

Their coaches are Kim Lee and Morgan Bell.

Earlier this season at the Browning and Frenchtown meets, Grosch took second place in Dramatic Interpretation of Literature.

    Here are the members of the 2023-24 Libby High School Speech and Debate Team. Addison Skranak, Daphne Johnson, Teague Thompson, Cash Vaughn, Max Grosch, Baylie Ames, Layla Dagel, Jasper Bowers, Madison Brush, Bella Meyer and Julianna Shumate. (Courtesy photo)
  

Feb. 6

Andersen’s buzzer-beating 3 lifts Loggers over Polson

The Libby Loggers were due.

After back-to-back, heart-breaking losses at the buzzer and a blowout loss to Columbia Falls last Thursday, things couldn’t have looked more bleak as they dropped to 2-12.

But when senior Tyler Andersen’s 3-pointer found nothing but net to beat the buzzer against Polson Saturday evening, the Loggers got to experience the feeling of exhilaration Ronan and Whitefish did when they topped Libby during the last week.

Andersen’s shot made the Loggers 42-41 winners and ended a 0-8 skid in Northwest A play.

Feb. 13

Trout Creek man dies in ice fishing accident

A Trout Creek resident has died in an ice fishing accident in Sanders County.

According to the Sanders County Sheriff Shawn Fielders, the body of Jim Chambers was recovered Saturday afternoon by search and rescue crews.

After Chambers didn't return home from fishing Thursday, a search determined he had fallen through the ice and into the river in the Martin Creek area. His belongings were located on and around the ice as well as his vehicle where he parked.

Initial recovery efforts were unsuccessful due to unsafe conditions and the darkness of the night, according to the sheriff's office. 

But after Sanders County Search and Rescue and the Flathead County Sheriff Office Specialized Divers teams got involved, Chambers was recovered from the river.

Feb. 16

DeShazer ties all-time Libby wins mark; Erickson wins first state medal

Libby Greenchain wrestler Jace DeShazer capped his senior season with his third straight Montana High School Association wrestling title last weekend at MetraPark in Billings.

DeShazer shut out Miles City senior Easton DeJong, 12-0, in the 205-pound Class A finals to secure the three-peat. He’s only the second Greenchain member to win three titles and the first since J.R. Rebo was a state champion from 2001 to 2003.

DeShazer opened with a pin in 1:04 of Lockwood’s Trey Daly. Next came Havre’s Pierce Caplette and DeShazer won by technical fall in 3:44, 16-1. Lockwood’s Seth Meyer was DeShazer’s next victim as the Libby senior won a 7-0 decision in the semifinals.

For DeShazer, he may not have equaled the pin record he set in 2023, but he did tie former Greenchain standout Zach Crace on the Libby all-time wins list with 154. DeShazer was 43-0 this year, 49-3 a year ago, 36-4 as a sophomore and 26-7 in his freshman season of 2020-21. 

DeShazer’s undefeated campaign was the first of his varsity career and he owns a 154-14 record. 

Troy man pleads guilty to involvement in grizzling killing

A Troy man accused of killing a collared grizzly bear on his property over bait more than three years ago pleaded guilty on Feb. 15 to charges related to the alleged incident.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's office in Missoula, Othel Lee Pearson, 80, pleaded guilty to evidence tampering and failing to report the taking of a grizzly bear, a threatened and protected animal under the Endangered Species Act.

    Libby Greenchain wrestler Jace DeShazer displays the three gold medals he won from 2022 to 2024 at the Montana High School Association Class A championships. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

Feb. 20

Former Libby resident honored on her 102nd birthday

A World War II veteran, a second lieutenant, a surgical nurse, an artist, a dancer, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother.

Alice Flesher has been many things in her life, and she was celebrated for all of them Saturday on her 102nd birthday, when she was also awarded a Quilt of Honor in recognition of her military service.

Flesher was the first resident of the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls, where many of her family and loved ones gathered for the party and quilt presentation.

“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Flesher said, admiring the handiwork of the red, white and blue quilt, patterned with tiny stars and American flags.

She said she was feeling just wonderful on her 102nd birthday.

Her secret for longevity?

“I don’t have any secrets,” she said with a chuckle.

Feb. 20

Libby student Faith Erickson honored at Senior Night

Libby Logger Spirit Senior Faith Erickson was honored at Senior Night festivities Feb. 13 prior to the girls home basketball game against Columbia Falls.

Erickson, the daughter of Liz and Josh Erickson, excelled in Special Olympics in the 50- and 100-yard dashes, softball throw and 500-meter bicycle during her four years of high school.

Erickson, who accompanies many choir concerts with sign language for deaf and hearing-impaired people, also enjoys lifting weights and being with her friends in physical education class.

March 1

Libby VFD continues its dedication to community

Most Libby residents know the value of their volunteer fire department and after a report at last week’s city council meeting, there are concrete numbers to back it up.

Libby City Council President Brian Zimmerman presented the department’s 2023 annual fire report at the Feb. 20 meeting.

The biggest number shared in the report was the $106,590 that the department’s work saved city taxpayers in 2023.

The department’s members spent more than 3,500 hours in skills, classroom training and responding to calls, including fires, traffic accidents, HAZMAT situations, false alarms and medical emergency calls.

Fire Chief Steve Lauer said the department doesn’t specifically answer medical calls, but does assist at times when extra help is needed, such as medical lifts, by Libby Volunteer Ambulance.

"Libby Volunteer Ambulance is automatically paged to all fires and accidents as well as medical calls," Lauer said.

March 1

Man sentenced for role in Troy restaurant arson, burglary

A man accused of burglarizing and setting fire at a popular Troy restaurant last summer is headed for prison after he was sentenced last week in Lincoln County District Court.

Joseph Michael Haughton, 41, was charged with three felonies, including two for arson and one for burglary following an incident at the R Place. He pleaded guilty to two felonies and received two 15-year sentences, with 10 years suspended. They will be served concurrently.

Haughton first pleaded not guilty to all charges on Sept. 11. He's been held in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $75,000 bail since his arrest last summer. He was given credit for serving 186 days in custody in the county jail.

District Judge Matt Cuffe agreed to waive more than $800 in fines and court fees, but Haughton still must pay $18,711.50 in restitution. He apologized to the owners of the R Place, saying, "I'm very sorry.”

Libby's Jace DeShazer leaves a legacy of excellence

The monikers and nick names have accumulated for Libby Greenchain wrestler Jace DeShazer in the way he’s acquired state championship medals.

“The Legend,” “The Man” and “Superhero” have all been attributed to the senior who recently won his third straight Montana High School Association Class A title.

While all are very accurate, the best simply seems to be, “Champion.”

DeShazer put the cherry on top of his Greenchain career Feb. 10 at MetraPark in Billings when he beat Miles City senior Easton DeJong, 12-0, in the 205-pound Class A finals to secure the three-peat. 

DeShazer’s undefeated campaign was the first of his varsity career and he owns a 154-14 record. In Class A, he joined a select group of 126 wrestlers who’ve won three titles. 

DeShazer was 43-0 this year, 49-3 a year ago, 36-4 as a sophomore and 26-7 in his freshman season of 2020-21. 

“He’s left a great legacy and it’ll carry on for a long time,” said Greenchain head coach Dean Thompson. “We’re really gonna miss his leadership and I’ll miss him a lot because he’s such a fun kid to be around. You can joke with him, but when he needs to be serious, he is.”

DeShazer is only the second Greenchain member to win three titles and the first since J.R. Rebo was a state champion from 2001 to 2003.

Libby man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting girl

A Libby man facing a felony sexual assault charge dating to alleged incidents last summer pleaded guilty Monday in Lincoln County District Court.

Robert William Emerick, 34, formerly of Anaconda, pleaded to a felony count of sexual assault, victim less than 16 years old. 

He is being held in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $100,000 bail.

March 8

Advocates speak as county commissioners ponder library system future

Sharee Miller is the librarian and project manager of the Lincoln County Library branch in Troy, but she doesn’t know for how much longer.

“This isn’t fun for me not knowing if I’ll have a job or not,” Miller said in an interview Wednesday afternoon with The Western News.

Miller had spoken earlier that morning via Zoom during a public hearing about putting the possible formation of a library district on the June 4 primary ballot. Miller is in favor of it going on the ballot.

If that happens, Lincoln County voters will decide the future of the county’s three libraries.

The commissioners will hold a final meeting at 11 a.m. Monday, March 11 and accept public comment before deciding if they’ll put it on the ballot.

March 12

City rejects developers' money requests; debate continues over spending

The purse strings on Libby’s pot of gold got a lot tighter at Monday’s city council meeting.

Councilors voted 4-2 to deny giving money from its community development fund, valued at $1.5 million, to two entrepreneurs seeking money for work on buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Libby Lofts developers were seeking $138,000 to begin work on fixing the old high school. The building has set empty and unused for many years. A roof collapse due to heavy snow in 2017 left a gaping hole that will require considerable work to repair it. 

The developers, including Zach and Tracy McNew, Bruce Weatherby, Joan Oakland and Scott Curry, want to restore the 107-year-old structure, located on East Lincoln Boulevard, into apartments.

"Libby Lofts is still pursuing the project. While it would have been nice to hear some feedback specific to our application, the council’s decision does not deter us," Tracy McNew said. "We look forward to the council deciding how the community/economic development fund should be used and writing a new policy. Hopefully, we’ll be able to reapply."

The other developer seeking money is Friends of Historic Hotel Libby’s Gail Burger. Her plan of reviving the old hotel continued to build steam in 2023 when a new roof was put on the building, located on California Avenue.

Love selected as Libby Schools Employee of Year

Libby Public Schools teacher John Love couldn’t have capped his time here any better after being named the institution’s Employee of the Year.

Love was honored during the school board meeting on Monday. He was joined by fellow nominees Jim Germany, Joe Flores, Stephanie Germany, Brittany Katzer, Hannah James, Bridget Williams and Charie Carvey. 

Love, who announced his retirement from the school at the March 4 board meeting, came to Libby Schools in 2012, according to Superintendent Ron Goodman.  

“Mr. Love is a teacher that forms strong relationships with students and staff. We will miss Mr. Love as he is retiring this year.”

March 22

Libby man accused of cheating elderly Troy woman out of thousands

A Libby man is facing felony charges of defrauding an elderly Troy woman out of nearly $90,000 after he allegedly gained control of her finances not long after the death of her husband.

Benjamin R. Swanson, 38, is accused of two felonies, including exploitation of an incapacitated person or vulnerable adult, and theft by embezzlement. The maximum sentence for each offense is 10 years in the Montana State Prison.

According to court documents, Swanson made hundreds of transactions totaling $87,620.89 in a span of 2 1/2-years between Nov. 1, 2019 and May 17, 2022.

Swanson was lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $100,000 bail, but he has since bonded out.

March 26

Trial will go forward for man accused of running over Montana trooper

A Rexford man accused of running over a Montana Highway Patrol trooper in 2023 is set to face trial in April.

Jason Allen Miller, 42, is facing felony charges of attempted deliberate homicide, criminal endangerment, aggravated kidnapping, possession of dangerous drugs and criminal mischief following a Feb. 16, 2023, incident in north Lincoln County. Miller pleaded not guilty to the charges, but he remains locked up in the county Detention Center with his bail set at $1.5 million.

Tpr. Lewis Johnson suffered life-threatening injuries in the incident near Rexford and is still recovering after returning home to Chester, Montana in October 2023.

Dog set afire in Troy now battling cancer

Percy, the beloved Alaskan malamute who gained fame and compassion after being set afire nearly four years ago in Troy, is now battling cancer.

The Pet Connection Rescue Sanctuary in Libby launched a fundraiser on March 17 to help pay for his treatments.

According to a GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/f/champion-for-percy-help-him-beat-the-c-word-ancer?utm_source=instagram_story&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_lico%20share-sheet&utm_content=ig_variant_story&fbclid=IwAR3EjYAiVDmVo3cfOUBrpokXT6Uyse-59Im4YiZTpBHTj-GhfmOb-WTn250) set up to explain what Percy is dealing with and the expenses his owner, Drew Munn, is incurring, the tab so far is about $24,000.

Drew Munn and his brother, Cosmo, residents of Lake Louise in Alberta, adopted Percy following his recovery at Pet Connection and with his foster family in Lincoln County.

Percy was less than one-year-old when he was found searching for food in a garbage can in Troy. Three surgeries later, Percy had lost the majority of his ears.

    Percy, an Alaskan malamute set on fire by a Lincoln County man nearly four years ago, is now undergoing cancer treatments. (Photo courtesy Pet Connection Rescue Advocacy and Sancutary)
  

March 29

Butte construction company owner charged with defrauding Libby firm

The owner of a Butte construction company is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly defrauding a local business during the construction of the new Town Pump in Troy.

Joseph Anthony Tobiness, 52, is accused of four counts of forgery exceeding $5,000. The arraignment for Tobiness on the charges is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 15.

His bond was set at $25,000. 

Lincoln County authorities allege Tobiness failed to pay a local contractor more than $200,000 in invoices for work it had done through the end of October 2023.