Ellington

Ronald Lee Bradford

Ronald Lee Bradford

Truck driver admits trafficking cocaine at Montana border

Kareshmaa Kaur Jagroop, 42, of Ontario, Canada, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

More details emerge in Lincoln County police chase

Caleb David Covey, 37 is facing multiple felony charges following the hours and miles-long chase throughout...

Birth announcement

Family Birth Services is pleased to announce the birth of Constance Raven Beiler.

Libby Friends of Library book sale on Feb. 2

There will also be a great new selection of audio books from a wide variety of authors.

Here, there and everywhere

The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men - Plato.

Plans progress for pedal track in Pioneer Park

Petrusha said the dirt path would take up about one-quarter of the park and be located inside the existing trail. It would be designed for kids between the ages of 5 and 12.

Libby froshmore boys basketball looks forward to second half

The froshmore squad, coached by Kelly May and assistant Scott Beagle, has experienced a lot of growth, according to the coaches.

Rough sledding for Libby basketball teams in Northwest A

The Vikings (5-7, 3-3) were hot from behind the 3-point line with seven.

Montana FWP plans suit against feds over wolverine Endangered Species Act listing

FWP’s objection to the Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision involves contentions that the federal agency did not use the best available science about interconnectivity between wolverines in the Lower 48 and Canada.

Kneecapping the jury in Montana: Lawmakers took away recourse for victims of malpractice

Since 1995 the legislature has capped those damages at $250,000. And, that’s all the insurers will pay!

Sheriff Office Blotter

Christopher Hallenbeck turned himself in on a warrant....

Legals for January, 30 2024

Glacier National Park advance vehicle reservations available

In addition to a reservation, each vehicle entering the park is required to have an entrance pass for any entry point.

Gerald “Jerry” Reckin

Gerald “Jerry” Reckin

Leona Mae Sandridge

Leona Mae Sandridge

Libby Loggers Greenchain celebrate Senior Night sweep

The Greenchain hammered Polson, 60-18, and topped Columbia Falls, 39-33.

John Sidney Hancock

John Sidney Hancock

George Raleigh Wolleat

George Raleigh Wolleat

Libby High School students pass welding test

Instructor John Love was more than pleased with Tuesday's results that were judged by Certified Welding Inspector Mort Hill.

Libby to benefit from two Roundup for Safety awards

Kellen MacDonald detailed plans for Libby High School’s new softball field to the board.

Mary E. England

Mary E. England

Cabinet Peaks Medical Center Auxiliary hosts fundraising event

According to Christi Ellwood, about 150 people attended to help the auxiliary and enjoy some quality chocolate, prizes and community spirit.

Troy man accused of animal cruelty after alleged neglect of dogs

Lincoln County law officers needed to wear special suits and respirators while investigating a case of animal cruelty inside a home allegedly littered with dog feces and urine in a filthy residence near the Idaho border.

Troy man charged in 2020 grizzly killing

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.

Legals for January, 26 2024

Candidates begin to file for county, school trustee seats

Doug Davies has filed to run for the District 3 county Commissioner seat. Davies is currently a Eureka City Council member. Davies will be opposed by incumbent Josh Letcher, who has held the seat since he was elected in 2018. Letcher said he will soon file to run.

Randy Dorrington, 73

Randy Dorrington

Libby man faces charges of assault with a weapon and criminal mischief

A Libby man is facing charges of assault with a weapon after he allegedly threatened multiple people.

Montana judges support Flathead's Wilson for state Supreme Court

This year, Montanans will elect two new Justices to our state’s highest court. Chief Justice Mike McGrath and Associate Justice Dirk Sandefer have announced their retirements at the end of 2024.

Libby woman pleads not guilty to child endangerment

In Hauke’s probable cause statement, he wrote that Orsborn is in an intimate relationship with a 31-year-old man and they live in the same home with their 1-year-old child.

Accused arsonist headed to Warm Springs for mental health evaluation

His attorney, public defender Ben Kolter, requested the evaluation to determine if he is able to assist and aid in his defense against two felony charges of arson.

Help law enforcement stop human trafficking

Let’s call human trafficking what it is: modern-day slavery. Traffickers — often organized criminal enterprises — are profiting at the expense of adults and children who are forced to perform labor or engage in commercial sex. It’s a heinous crime.

Developers have big plans for old high school

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.

Idaho Legislature introduces bill to allow death penalty for lewd conduct with minor under 12

Idaho has not carried out a death penalty sentence since 2012, but there are eight inmates serving on death row in the state.

Grizzly bears could be restored to the Bitterroot ecosystem

Last week, however, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a public scoping period to consider options for restoring grizzly bears to the Bitterroot ecosystem — although it said one option is not taking any action.

A troubling trend: Letting government run itself

So why are both parties now moving aggressively at the state and federal level to cut the public out of government decision-making?

Author accused of stealing, selling items from Montana Historical Society

Items included letters from Nancy Russell, wife of C.M. Russell.

Legals for January, 23 2024

Washington state man accused of exposing himself on train

Mallory N. Brown, of Auburn, Washington is being held on $150,000 bail following the alleged Jan. 9 incident.

Troy man charged after alleged drug buy, police chase

Rebo is lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $25,000 bail.

Lincoln Co. first responders battle bad weather while serving the community

Libby Volunteer Fire Department crews battled a structure fire Saturday night while enduring temperatures 20 degrees below zero.

Local outdoor educator offers winter programs

The program will cover the basic measurements and techniques used in animal and bird tracking and sign interpretation methodology.

Rick Alan Davis

Rick Alan Davis

Local sports teams cope with winter weather

The Greenchain will host Senior Night on Tuesday, Jan. 16, when Whitefish, Polson and Columbia Falls come to town for a quad.

Survey shows Montana’s general population has increasing tolerance of wolves

University of Montana, state Fish, Wildlife and Parks study from 2023 builds off datapoints from 2012, 2017 surveys.

NorthWestern touts coal, natural gas, in meeting record energy demand

Energy analysts said the utility monopoly omits crucial information about renewable sources

State Supreme Court dumps Judge Christopher from child custody case

In the High Court ruling, justices write that Christopher “erred as a matter of law” and caused a “gross injustice” by abruptly removing the child from his mother’s custody, giving full custody to the father for the next five years and barring the mother from all contact with her son.

Bomb threat determined to be hoax

No explosives were found during the search.

Ray A. Taylor

Ray A. Taylor

Deferred sentence for Libby woman accused of witness tampering

Dedrick was first charged with...

Legals for January, 19 2024

Sheriff's Office Blotter

Six officers responded to a traffic stop...

Libby residents accused of meth trafficking plead not guilty

The other defendant, 32-year-old Trevar Alee Sheasby, is accused of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, or in the alternative, criminal possession of dangerous drugs and one misdemeanor count of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.

Eureka man accused of drug trafficking

According to the probable cause statement by county Deputy Clint Heintz, he was on patrol when he saw...

Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond

Recently the U.N. Security Council approved a surge in aid for people in Gaza, along with a pause in fighting for delivering the aid. The vote was 13-0, with the U.S. and Russia abstaining.

Voicing opposition of 'Natural Asset Companies'

This new type of company, will in essence, place a monetary value on our natural resource processes, such as clean air, water, minerals and food to name a few.

Presidential candidacy disqualification

In reference to the 2024 presidential election, it has been argued by some political soothsayers that because the disqualification requirements of the 14th Amendment have rarely been applied, we should just move on, turn a blind eye to the Constitution, ignore the Disqualification Rule and quietly leave the voters to address, by their votes, the presidential qualification issues in the coming election.

Eric Michael Christiansen

Eric Michael Christiansen

Cabinet Peaks' Smith chosen as inaugural winner of DAISY award

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

Gov. Gianforte launches property tax task force, announces members

In November 2022, the DOR told the Montana Legislature the amount it would need to lower tax rates for residential properties to keep taxes neutral in light of significant increases in reappraisals, some 46% on average. But the legislature, led by a Republican supermajority, did not do so.

More snow on the way

South Lincoln County locales, including Libby, Troy and Happy’s Inn, may see between seven and 17 inches from Tuesday night through Wednesday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Randy Dorrington

Randy Dorrington

Winter descends on south Lincoln County

Another blast of winter weather is forecasted for Tuesday into Thursday morning.

Local church members participate in 24 Hours of Prayer

More than 100 people of all ages participated, representing at least 13 churches from Libby, Troy and Eureka.

Legals for January, 16 2024

Fence contractor facing theft charges in multiple cases

Prosecutors have brought two felony cases against a contractor accused of bilking county residents out of thousands of dollars for unfinished home improvement projects.

Libby Farmers Market holding a sweetheart market Feb. 10

The Farmers Market in Libby announced they are having a Sweetheart Market!!

Troy man hospitalized after police chase ends in Idaho

Covey's past includes two run-ins with law officers dating back to 2015. He was arrested on April 23, 2015, following a domestic disturbance at his home. A plea deal where two counts of assaulting a peace officer were dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to two counts of misdemeanor resisting arrest saw him get a suspended sentence in 2016.

Libby hoops teams fall to Bigfork, Ronan

At Bigfork on Jan. 4, the Loggers led by as many as nine points in the third quarter, but the Vikings rallied to force overtime where they won, 58-54.

FVCC Lincoln County offering free high school equivalency test prep courses

The Libby campus is offering three different sessions of free HiSET preparation classes during the upcoming spring 2024 semester.

Stephen George Dahm

Stephen George Dahm

Libby man gets deferred sentence for striking another with truck

Christopher Phillip Vanhoose, 43, was first charged with two felonies, assault with a weapon and criminal endangerment.

Kay Collogan

Kay Collogan

Kimberly Finley

Kimberly Finley

State investigating complaint against Libby police officer

While none of the agencies specified what the investigation was about, the DCI’s Investigation Bureau provides direct assistance in a broad range of criminal investigations...

Incidental captures of lynx reported in northwest Montana

Allowable take of lynx in the lower 48 is complicated. The concept of “allowable take” acknowledges that in states with bobcat trapping seasons, some incidental capture of lynx is possible.

Montana to start trucking grizzlies into Yellowstone region to improve delisting prospects

Montana and Wyoming — which have hashed out an agreement — are translocating bears as part of the effort to convince the federal government that they’re responsible stewards of a large carnivore species, which the states contend no longer requires Endangered Species Act protections.

More newspaper pages available through Montana Historical Society project

Montana newspapers from all the NDNP projects, totaling more than 400,000 pages, are available on the Library of Congress’s Chronicling America website www.loc.gov/collections/chronicling-america/.

Anglers, skaters, others encouraged to practice safety on ice

If you have even the slightest doubt about the safety of the ice — stay off of it. Nothing is ever worth a fall into frigid water.

Legals for January, 12 2024

Delivery of The Western News delayed due to dangerous winter conditions

We are hoping the newspaper will be available sometime Friday. If not, it will be available on Monday.

More snow, bitter cold expected at end of week

But the most notable change in the weather will be a drastic change in the temperature with predicted highs below or at 0 degrees from Friday through Sunday.

Smith River float permit applications due Feb. 14

Floaters hoping for a Smith River permit can apply Jan. 2 through Feb. 14.

WILD ART-Coats for Kids

For families still seeking coats, boots, hats, socks and snow pants, call 293-1444.

Jackrabbits top Griz for second straight national title

A defense that allowed just 273 yards and sacked Clifton McDowell four times set up the offense nicely.

Jail inmate suffers possible overdose after drug smuggling

According to Deputy Holzer, he was contacted on Dec. 19 by Lincoln County Dispatch about a possible drug overdose in the county jail. An ambulance arrived to remove a woman that was in distress and was struggling physically with some type of overdose.

County property owners will soon see new tax bills

The bill, which is expected to arrive in February or March, is the result of 49 Montana counties losing a battle with the state over how many mills it could levy.

Gideon Gabriel Landis birth

Gideon Gabriel Landis

Cabinet Peaks welcome first baby of 2024

Kaelo made his debut at 9:50 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1, under the care of Dr. Jana Hall.

FWP looks for members for mule deer advisory council

Potential members should be able to travel to two or more multi-day meetings between February and May of 2024. Mileage, lodging and meal costs associated with the meetings will be reimbursed by FWP.

Heavy snow, wind and cold forecast for northern Rockies

Several inches of snow is blanketing the landscape with more on the way, according to National Weather Service forecasters.

Legals for January, 9 2024

Montana to join Pacific Northwest Golf Association

The Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) has announced that the Montana State Golf Association (MSGA) will become one of its member associations.

Arrest warrant filed for county man accused of terrorizing ex-wife, dad

Heil was to be sentenced Wednesday, but his current attorney, William Managhan, said Heil was in a homeless shelter in Boise, Idaho, and was unable to join the hearing remotely.

Griz seek third national title against Jackrabbits

The championship game will be broadcast live and free of charge to millions of TV sets nationwide on ABC, with a stream available on ESPN+. The game marks Montana's first-ever appearance on national network TV.

Northwest Montana man sentenced for drug crimes

He has been locked up in the Lincoln County Detention Center since June 1 with his bail set at $50,000.

County efforts to reduce MT 37 speed limit bear fruit

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

Walter Charles Morkert

Walter Charles Morkert

Forest Service releases plan for Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

Spanning 1,200 miles, the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail starts in Montana, crosses through northern Idaho and finishes on the Pacific coast in Washington.

Libby man accused of fentanyl possession

Nickolaus J. Edwards, 40, was charged with two felony counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

Gov. announces first allocation for behavioral health, developmental disabilities

The first set of funds allocated from $300 million approved this year to support behavioral health and developmental disabilities will include ...

Year in Review, Part 2

According to information from Lincoln County Unite for Youth, fentanyl poisoning is the No. 1 cause of death in people ages 18 to 35 in the county. There have been two confirmed fentanyl poisoning deaths in the county since November 2022.

Legals for January, 5 2024

Lincoln County Transportation teams with LOR to buy new van

Lincoln County Public Transportation Center was able to purchase a new van in October.

Authorities seek information on missing Missoula woman

The Missoula Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in locating Eva Masin Prather, a 43-year-old resident who has been missing since the early hours of Saturday, Dec. 30.

Jack E. Lee Richmond

Jack E. Lee Richmond

Daines on Chinese spy balloon: ‘The effort to cover up this incident is unacceptable’

Daines, a Montana Republican, said this weekend “the effort to cover up this incident is unacceptable,” citing an NBC News story.

2023 Year in Review, Part 1

City officials, despite holding a public meeting the night of Nov. 21, did not share the information of the resignations until a Dec. 5 meeting after a Dec. 3 post on social media brought the matter out into the open.

Millions in opioid settlement funds sit untouched as overdose deaths rise

Montana began receiving millions of dollars to invest in efforts to combat the opioid crisis, much of that money remains untouched...

FWP to require field day for youth who take Hunter or Bowhunter Education online

Starting Jan. 1, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will require Hunter and Bowhunter Education students age 12 to 17 who take the online course to pass an in-person field day.

Libby Library book sale on Jan. 5

It begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. in the book sale room downstairs at the library.

Trego man pleads to firing gun at women, children

Richards was involved in a similar case in 1999 when he was charged with felony criminal mischief and misdemeanor assault.

Earl Monroe Messick

Earl Monroe Messick

FWP seeks comment on plan for Swan Lake, black bear regs

Once public comment is received, individual commissioners may offer amendments to the FWP proposals, the agency said.

Legals for January, 2 2024

Libby woman arrested for assault and trespassing

Huff reported the property had numerous “no trespassing signs” and she had been told by the residents to leave, but didn’t.