Ellington

Winter storm watch issued for northwest Montana

Total snow accumulations of between four and 22 inches and ice accumulations of about one-tenth of an inch are possible.

Lincoln County Crisis Response Team in limbo

The news about the Crisis Response Team’s demise was circulating before it...

Montana House approves pay raises for state employees, legislators

An amendment to remove legislative pay raises — which the governor vetoed last session — failed.

Winter Tracks welcomes area youth to nature's wonders

The American badger was part of James’ presentation on...

Libby's Mizfitz wrestling club finishes 11th at Helltown

Mizfitz Wrestling recently competed In the Helltown Throwdown tournament in Helena.

Dolly Marie Maynard

Dolly Marie Maynard

Washington man arrested in Libby pleads to federal gun charges

Brown was removed from an Amtrak train Jan. 9, 2024, in Libby after the indecent exposure incident.

Losing streaks continue for Libby hoops teams

Newcomer Bransen Holzer was next with 11 points and Isaac Lamere added 10.

Kootenai Valley Rotary returns to Guatemala for school, water projects

They currently have two classes in each room which makes it difficult to teach.

Sara Jane Day Hedahl

Sara Jane Day Hedahl

A New Day in America

The President nominated an all-star cabinet, including Marco Rubio...

Legals for January, 31 2025

Elk Foundation surpasses 9 million acres of conservation work

In 2024 alone, RMEF conserved or enhanced more than 203,000 acres of wildlife habitat, opened or improved public access to nearly 22,000 acres...

Fish and Wildlife Commission sued over open-meeting law, black bear quotas

The change affected FWP Region 1 efforts to sustain black bear populations in northwest Montana.

Federal grant helps NW Montana wood products company

Tech Woods USA was the only company in Montana and one of only 19 nationwide to receive federal funding for projects that either create a community wood energy system or build an innovative wood product facility.

Troy woman accused in crash that endangered toddler

According to charging documents, Montana Highway Patrol...

Lawmakers cannot put Montanan's eyes at risk

That’s why we are shocked at the recent introduction of House Bill 218 by lawmakers in Helena.

Libby Senior Center Menu for February 2025

Meals are available in house, home delivery or grab and go.

Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond

A former head of Government Ethics in Trump’s first term told CNN: Americans voted for corruption...

Donna Jean Lykins Brickey

Donna Jean Lykins Brickey

J. Neils bull statue getting some company

Harman said he got a grant from the LOR Foundation to pay for the new structure.

Libby man pleads guilty to head butting girlfriend

District Judge Matt Cuffe ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set Spady’s sentencing for March 10.

Audrey O’Bleness

Audrey O’Bleness

Lincoln Co. 4-H tour state capitol

The teens spoke to State Rep. Neil Duram about skills they have gained through 4-H, such as...

Lawmakers consider expanded wolf hunting to cut population in half

A trio of bills would increase take of animals by eliminating hunting quotas, allowing year-round hunting, and reclassify wolves as furbearers.

Yellowstone Co. offers MetraPark as detention for immigration crackdown

Letter sent to Congressional delegation, saying there’s no room at the county jail, but plenty available at entertainment venue.

Legals for January, 28 2025

Libby man charged in pepper spray incident at local store

Charging documents indicate Ludwick was having a problem with the cashier being...

Local Freedom Riders deliver the goods

Kicking it off will be a Hogs & Rods Poker Run thanks to The Igniters Car Club joining forces to raise money for Kootenai Pets for Life. The “Run for Pets“ will be Saturday, April 26.

Our relationship with fire

The landscapes we see today are very different than pre-1900 as a result of fire suppression. They are much more susceptible to large severe wildfires.

Greenchain youth wrestlers excelling on big stage

Thanks to the support of coaches and parents, these youth are able to enhance their wrestling skills and level of competition.

Trojans run win streak to three after beating Eureka

Troy is 7-3 overall and leads 7B with a 5-0 record. Tuesday’s win over the Lions was...

Feds seek comment on Montanore Mine project

Montanore Minerals wants to conduct mineral exploration activities, primarily for copper and silver...

Joseph John Goettle

Joseph John Goettle

Legals for January, 24 2025

Former high school principal pleads not guilty to assaulting student

Germany worked at Libby Public Schools from 2002 until...

Lincoln Co. students named to Montana State fall honor roll

Students named to MSU’s President’s or Dean’s lists, ordered according to their hometown, are listed below.

Libby man gets deferred sentence in road-rage incident

Swartzenberger, who appeared with his attorney...

Logger basketball squads fall to CFalls, Ronan

Ryan Beagle was the only player to reach double-figures for the Loggers...

Trojans rally in second half to beat Superior

The Trojans (5-3) broke a three-game losing streak with the win as they work to overcome a...

Turner Mountain sun

Libby resident Jay Forsyth took this photo of sun brightening the slopes of Turner Mountain Ski Area on his way to take a few turns last week.

Libby bridge to be named in honor of Vietnam vet

“This is a man who could have taken a deferment and not went, but that’s not what Arthur did,” Cuffe said.

County man sentenced for drug offenses

Dunsing was first accused of five offenses, including four felonies.

Legals for January, 21 2025

Carleta (Connie) Collier

Carleta (Connie) Collier

Birth announcement

Family Birth Services is pleased to announce the birth of Silas Emerson Williams.

Tammy Marie Bailey

Tammy Marie Bailey

City OKs Fireman Park for new skateboard half-pipe

It will be located in the southwest corner of the park adjacent...

Libby apartment complex heavily damaged in fire

The call came in at about 2 p.m. for a fire at the...

New Bigfoot cut-out

Libby Central School's students recently completed...

Sheriff's Office blotter

A county detective investigated a report of forged checks being cashed in the 500 block of Mineral Avenue, Libby.

LOR, Turner Mountain team up to host wilderness first aid class

Members of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, David Thompson Search and Rescue, Turner Mountain and the Libby Police Department joined together on Friday evening for a CPR class.

Lolo National Forest Supervisor set to retire

Deputy Forest Supervisor Jeremy Casterson will step in as acting forest supervisor while the process of finding Upton’s permanent replacement is underway.

Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond

A lifelong California farmer told France24 how Trump’s mass deportation plans could impact food supplies if at least nine million...

Libby High School students seek welding certification

Nearly two dozen current Loggers have passed their G1 American Welding Certification Test while two others have passed their G3 test.

Listen to Llew – public trust funds make good sense

The history of trust funds in Montana is long, starting with the 1972 Constitution’s establishment of both the Permanent Coal Tax Trust Fund and the Resource Indemnity Trust as well as the Public School Fund.

Legals for January, 17 2025

Libby man dies in motorhome fire

Nineteen firefighters were on the scene of the blaze for 2 1/2 hours as well as...

Putting public lands at risk is a threat to hunters and heritage

Daines has introduced S. 4444, aimed at benefiting Signal Peak Energy, a coal company with a criminal record. This bill would pave the way for a massive expansion of the Bull Mountains coal mine without going through the normal environmental review procedure.

Gravel Pit Fire arsonist pleads guilty

A plea deal calls for him to receive a 20-year sentence, with...

Deer Lodge man pleads guilty to rape

A plea deal calls for Brickey to receive a...

Darlene Foster

Darlene Foster

Frenchtown sweeps Libby in high school hoops

Hosting two hot-shooting squads from Frenchtown resulted in...

Greenchain wrestlers sweep dual against CFalls, Bigfork

Forfeits played prominently in all the matches as the visiting teams struggled to fill weight classes.

Feds say no to grizzly delisting

In 2023, the agency said the Greater Yellowstone population was at 1,030 while the NCDE population was 1,163.

The Western News Photos of the Year, Part 4

In the fourth installment, we are including images of local first responders.

Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness guided winter hikes

Winter hiking and snowshoeing are perfect ways to see another side of our wild backyard.

Libby woman accused of dealing drugs

Five days later, the detective met with...

Local bar owner accused of assaulting woman in own establishment

When Luthey spoke with the alleged victim, she said she was in the bar when...

Montana author D’Ambrosio sentenced to prison for Montana Historical Society thefts

The judge said that D’Ambrosio’s excuse that he stole the items during a difficult time in his life didn’t explain his actions.

Juanita Sue Luedecke

Juanita Sue Luedecke

Year in Review, Part 4

At the Montana State High School Association Class A Championships, freshman Capri Farmer captured fourth in the girls race while sophomore Cody Watson was fifth in the boys event.

Margaret Ann (Peggy) Craver

Margaret Ann (Peggy) Craver

Forest officials plan thinning work near Libby

Kootenai National Forest Libby Ranger District has proposed a project in the Bobtail and Lower Pipe Creek areas that would include logging on nearly 3,000 acres of federal land in a tract of nearly 3,600 acres.

Vernon (Vernie) McCully

Vernon (Vernie) McCully

Beagle takes over principal duties at Libby Middle High School

Beagle is taking on the added responsibilities following the...

Cabinet Peaks Foundation’s Festival Fundraising Gala raises $75k

2024’s Gala was no exception, with more than 270 attendees and more than $75,000 in funds raised.

Edna Grace Ward Reed

Edna Grace Ward Reed

Arlene Grace Jones

Arlene Grace Jones

Legals for January, 10 2025

RMEF project conserves migration corridor, expand public access

The property is on the northwest end of the Tobacco Root Mountains near the town of Whitehall.

The Western News Photos of the Year, Part 3

In the third installment, we are including images of local first wildlife.

The Western News Photos of the Year

In this installment, we are including images of young people having a good time.

Year in Review, Part 3

With the dismissal of a “bad actor” lawsuit following the retirement of former CEO Phillips Baker Jr., mining company Hecla said it is ramping up exploration in the Cabinet Mountains area south of Libby.

Eureka teen enters not guilty plea to felony rape charges

Springer was freed in Butte-Silver Bow County earlier this year following accusations he raped a 4-year-old child there.

Libby Library book sale

This sale will have several special features for this month including books covering the History of Aviation as well as...

Sheriff's Office blotter

Several officers and Libby Volunteer Ambulance personnel responded to a location on Alpine Road, Libby, following a report of...

Arlene G. Jones

Arlene G. Jones

Raymond Lee Countryman

Raymond Lee Countryman

Libby felon denied in effort to have bail lowered

In the most recent incident, McQueen is accused of assaulting a woman at 1:49 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 920 Mineral Avenue.

Washington woman arraigned on local child custody case

According to the Dec. 10 county jail roster, Canavan remains locked up in the...

Lake County's judge-elect resigns following cocaine charges

Kenneth Britton Cotter, 48, was charged Dec. 24 with one count of solicitation to commit criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and...

Heritage Museum volunteers seek grant for Shay engine work

The Museum is going after a $2 million grant that would fund restoration work on the 118-year-old No. 4 engine...

Effort to rename Libby bridge after fallen soldier headed to Legislature

When the state Legislature convenes its 69th session next Monday in Helena, Sen. Mike Cuffe will introduce a bill to have the Montana 37 bridge over the Kootenai River as it exits Libby named in memory of former resident Arthur J. Rambo.

Jeremy Allen Townsend

The beautiful soul that was Jeremy Allen Townsend left this earth on Dec. 22, 2024, in Port Orchard, Washington. He will be remembered with unconditional love and gratitude for being a caring son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle and friend to many.

Joshua D Hemmerling-Kelso

On Dec. 12, 2024, Joshua D Hemmerling-Kelso, 48, of Troy left his exhausted, well-used body behind.

Dorothy 'Dori' R. (Smerker) Abrahamson

Dori leaves behind her husband Raymond (Ray), her son Daryn and grandson Matthew. She also leaves behind her brother Ray Smerker and numerous friends and extended family.

The Western News Photos of the Year, Part 2

In the second installment, we are including images of local sports figures.

Year in Review - Part 2

Libby junior Ryan Beagle dominated on his way to the 2024 Montana High School Association Class A boys singles tennis championship Friday night in Kalispell.

Proposed skate park in Libby needs a home

The first Libby Skate Park opened in 1993 at the corner of Larch Street and Utah Avenue.

Legals for January, 3 2025

Jo Ann Anderson, 85

With heavy hearts, we announce that Jo Ann Davis Anderson, 85, most recently of Bainbridge Island, Washington, passed away on Dec. 12, 2024.

Alma Caroline Forrest, 95

Alma Caroline Forrest, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, pastor and friend, age 95, of Troy went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024.

Vern Brue

Vern Brue was born on July 10, 1953, in Livingston and lost his battle to cancer on Dec. 9, 2024. After a long misdiagnosis with much pain and suffering, he is finally at peace.