Year in Review, Part 3

July 2

Man gets suspended sentence in DUI homicide case

A man accused of driving under the influence during a vehicle crash in November 2022 when two Troy men died was recently sentenced.

David Daniel Lefell, 68, formerly of Troy, entered no contest pleas on two counts of felony vehicular homicide under the influence on March 18 in Lincoln County District Court.

Lefell was sentenced June 6 by District Judge Matt Cuffe to two six-year suspended terms, to be served consecutively.

Libby teen, LOR gives Jerry Dean Park a helping hand

It’s been a little more than a decade since long-time Libby educator Gerald “Jerry” Dean died, but one Libby teen is working to keep his namesake park a clean place for area residents to enjoy.

Fifteen-year-old Crystalina Noble recently took the initiative to keep the park in orderly fashion.

“It’s a place I go a few times a week and I like to hang out there,” Noble said.

July 9

County seeks $ from defendant to pay for dogs’ care

Lincoln County authorities are attempting to recoup costs it has incurred while taking care of 11 dogs that were taken from a man facing felony animal cruelty charges.

Steven David Aver, 63, was charged on Jan. 26, 2024, with 10 felony and one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty following an investigation of a residence at 1652 Old U.S. Highway 2, located near the Idaho border.

Aver was in district court on Monday, July 1, for arraignment on the charges. There was also testimony about the costs of caring for the 11 dogs. According to court documents, the Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter has cared for the 11 dogs since Jan. 22, at a cost of $110 per day. As of May 9, the dogs were in the shelter for 109 days. The county has paid $858 in vet bills while flea treatments cost $598.50.

July 16

U.S., Canada strike tentative deal for Columbia River Treaty

After years of negotiations, the U.S. and Canada have reached a tentative agreement renewing the Columbia River Treaty.

The proposed 20-year deal would update an agreement that’s managed the Columbia River and its hydropower dams since it was ratified in 1964.

President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the agreement-in-principle Thursday, July 11.

The Columbia River Treaty is a transboundary water-management agreement between Canada and the United States which optimizes flood-risk management and power generation.

The treaty required Canada to build three dams in B.C. and allowed the U.S. to build a fourth dam, the Libby Dam, which flooded into Canada.

July 19

Hecla says ‘bad actor’ lawsuit dismissed, coalition vows to keep fighting mine

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.

But a coalition of Indian tribes and environmental groups said it will keep fighting to enforce Montana laws that prevent “irresponsible mining” and leave Montanans to pick up the tab.

Hecla describes itself as the largest silver mining company in the country and as owning “a number of exploration and pre-development projects in world-class silver and gold mining districts throughout North America.”

It acquired the Montanore project near Libby in 2016.

July 23

More pollution violation charges for Teck Coal

British Columbia’s Teck Coal Limited is facing more charges it polluted two tributaries of the Elk River.

According to a press release from Environment and Climate Change Canada Enforcement, it filed five charges against Teck on July 10 for violating the Fisheries Act. The Elk River feeds Lake Koocanusa and the Kootenai River in Montana.

The Fisheries Act’s subsection 36(3) says it is prohibited to deposit or to permit the deposit of a harmful substance into water frequented by fish or where the substance may enter any such waterway. 

Harmful substances are defined as a substance such as oil, chemicals and pesticides that if added to water would degrade or alter the water quality to the point that it could harm fish.

July 25

Fire crews battle Tepee Fire

A helicopter gets water from Schrieber Lake east of Libby while fighting the Tepee Fire Thursday morning. 

Gusting winds out of the Southwest helped the blaze go from two to eight acres in a short amount of time.

July 30

County election officials want separation from clerk and recorder

The Lincoln County Commissioners will continue a discussion at its Aug. 7 meeting of separating the election department from the clerk and recorder’s office.

The matter arose at the July 10 meeting when Election Administrator Melanie Howell presented the idea to the commissioners.

She and assistant Sierra Gustin cited many reasons for wanting to split the operations of the offices. Howell also cited state code that the Clerk and Recorder is the default election administrator unless another is appointed.

August 6

State says New Jersey man accused of arson is fit to proceed

A transient man originally from New Jersey who is accused of starting the Gravel Pit Fire south of Libby in 2023 is fit to stand trial.

Doctors from the Montana State Hospital, Dr. James P. Murphy and Dr. Daniel Bemporad, evaluated Joseph Anthony Eutsler, 40, earlier this summer and determined he was fit and able to proceed.

Eutsler, 40, who is being held on $250,000 bail in the Lincoln County Detention Center, is facing two felony charges of arson. Eutsler pleaded not guilty to the charges in August 2023.

August 9

County won't split elections from clerk and recorder

There will be no separation of the election department from the clerk and recorder in Lincoln County.

Commissioners Brent Teske and Jim Hammons voted to keep the elections department under the purview of the clerk and recorder’s office at Wednesday’s meeting.

Commissioner Josh Letcher was not present at the meeting.

Teske said when he spoke to Letcher about the matter, he was also not in favor of splitting the departments.

Election Administrator Melanie Howell was hopeful her department could work better with the Clerk and Recorder’s Office, led by Corinna Brown.

August 20

Libby's Filler named 2024 Montana Notary of the Year

Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen is excited to announce that Sindy Filler of Libby has been named the 2024 Montana Notary of the Year. 

Filler was recognized by her peers Thursday, Aug. 15, during the 2024 Montana Notary Conference.

"Congratulations to Sindy Filler for her dedication to the notary profession and the outstanding service she provides," said Secretary Jacobsen. "Sindy's expertise spans across various industries where she conducts notarial acts for a diverse range of clients. She represents Montana notaries well and is extremely deserving of this honor."

Filler said she initially became a notary nearly three decades ago and was commissioned when the law firm she worked for sought in-house notarizations. She boasts an impressive educational background, including being a certified court interpreter (Spanish/English) and a family law mediator.

August 23

Beach resigns from Libby Council; city seeks applicants for vacant seat

Libby City Councilman Gary Beach has resigned his seat.

Beach’s resignation was announced by Mayor Peggy Williams during the city council meeting Monday night.

In a statement to The Western News, Beach said, “It has been an honor to serve on the council and represent our community for the past eight years. I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunities and experiences I have had while serving on the council. It has been a privilege to work alongside dedicated individuals committed to improving the quality of life in our city. The reasoning for my resignation is due to personal matters.

“Thank you for your understanding and I wish the entire council continued success in their efforts to better serve our community.”

A memorable county fair for south Lincoln Co. 4-H clubs

The 4-H clubs of south Lincoln County made their respective marks at the Lincoln County Fair in Eureka.

Held Aug. 21-25, the 4-H Youth Livestock Auction, exhibits and the “Bull Thing” are the highlights of the annual event.

Members of the South 40 and Troy’s Kootenai Kids and Kritters clubs collected dozens of ribbons and showed animals that helped raise nearly $500,000 in the livestock auction.

That figure topped 2023’s total of $469,372.35 and was well ahead of 2022’s $330,000.

    Nick and Svetlana Harper show his cow/calf pair at the 2024 Lincoln County Fair. (Photo courtesy Svetlana Harper)
  

Sept. 13

Libby shooting incident investigated by Flathead Co.

A Libby woman was shot and wounded by a law enforcement officer last weekend at a residence just south of Libby.

According to a news release from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, dispatch received a call at about 4:04 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, about loud music on Timber Lane.

Deputies responded to the area and located the source of the loud music. They then attempted to contact the resident, who wasn't identified by law enforcement, by knocking and identifying themselves. 

According to Sheriff Darren Short, the woman opened the door and immediately closed it. The deputies then observed the woman pointing a rifle out of an open window in the direction of a neighbor’s house.

Sept. 17

Jury finds Troy man guilty of harassing 911 dispatchers

A Troy man accused of harassing 911 dispatchers earlier this year was found guilty on nine of 10 counts last week in Lincoln County District Court.

A jury decided Dan J. Savage Jr., 47, was guilty of one felony count of violating privacy in communications and eight misdemeanors, including obstructing a peace officer, making false reports to law enforcement and violating privacy in communications.

    Lincoln County Probation and Parole Officer Steve Watson takes Dan Savage Jr. into custody following his sentencing Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in the county courthouse. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

Sept. 20

Euthanized griz was well-traveled bear across northwest Montana

A young, male grizzly bear that was euthanized last week after a series of human encounters in the West Fisher and Silver Butte area south of Libby was a well traveled bruin before meeting its demise.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Information and Education Outreach Specialist Dillon Tabish, the grizzly, estimated to be about two years old, was collared by officials in April 2024 after its mother broke into a chicken coop in the Ferndale area in Flathead County.

The bear, its sibling, a female cub, and the sow grizzly were captured and GPS tracking collars were placed on them. The three bears were then moved east into the South Fork region of the Spotted Bear Ranger District.

Sept. 24

Burger tabbed as new Libby city councilor

Libby businesswoman Gail Burger was sworn in as the city council’s newest member at Monday evening’s meeting.

Burger was appointed to the seat following the recent resignation of Gary Beach. Melissa Berke, Kristin Smith, Hugh Taylor and Ian Smith voted for her appointment while Brian Zimmerman voted against it.

Beach served eight years on council and was the chair of the city’s Budget and Finance and Lights, Streets and Sidewalks committees. He was also a member of the Water and Sewer and Wildlife committees.