Year in Review, Part 4

Oct. 1

Troy councilors name Travis Miller new police chief

Troy City Council’s months-long efforts to name a new chief of police finally came to an end Wednesday evening as veteran officer Travis Miller was picked for the top spot.

Miller, who has been serving as the acting chief at the request of Mayor Chuck Ekstedt, was pleased.

“I’m happy it’s over and we can move forward,” Miller said.

Oct. 11

40 years and counting: RMEF still going strong

After 40 years, Charlie Decker seems pretty sure the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is here to stay.

Decker, a Libby native, is one of the founding fathers of the hunter-based conservation group that was born in south Lincoln County in 1984. The group has worked to protect elk habitat and expand elk herds to areas where they were once extirpated.

“I think we’re here to stay,” Decker said in an interview with The Western News earlier this month.

Decker and one of the co-founders, Bob Munson, were honored Aug. 22, with life-size bronze sculptures that stand outside RMEF headquarters in Missoula. They, along with Bill Munson and Dan Bull, were the architects of the group.

Oct. 15

Libby boys soccer team headed to state tournament

A nine-year state playoff drought for the Libby boys soccer team ended Saturday at J. Neils Memorial Park when the Loggers tied Bigfork, 3-3.

The Loggers claimed the third spot in the North and will play at No. 1 South finisher Stevensville at 2 p.m. Saturday.

"We finally reached our goal," head coach Joe Martineau said. "The boys played great and the seniors as freshmen were part of the team that broke Libby’s losing streak and the first team in nine years that made it to the playoffs. I have nothing but pride for these gentleman for their dedication and effort they put into the game."

Libby last made state in 2015 when it was the No. 2 seed in the North with a 7-4-1 record and beat Columbia Falls, 3-1, to reach the quarterfinals. In that game, Loyola Sacred Heart topped the Loggers, 2-1, in a shootout. Cody Wood scored Libby’s only goal in regulation and it was assisted by Giovanni Cano in the Loyola game.

Oct. 18

Trojans rout Victor, 62-20, for first win of season

The Troy Trojan’s road trip to Victor was a good one as they hammered the Pirates, 62-20.

The win was Troy’s first in the 2024 campaign and featured several big plays on offense while the defense created several turnovers.

Head coach Justin Young shared the particulars of last Saturday’s game.

After the Pirates forced a Troy punt and then scored, they led 8-0. But Troy (1-5) answered right back when freshman JJ Hall recovered a fumble in the end zone for a TD. The 2-point pass was good, tying the game at 8-8.

Senior Wyatt Shertel put the Trojans on top on a 3-yard QB keeper that was set up by Carson Orr’s 63-yard run on the previous play. The defense got busy when Mason Crowe stripped the ball from a Pirates player and recovered it. Hall scored a touchdown on 7-yard run.

Libby’s CARD Clinic faces new lawsuit alleging wrongful death

Libby’s CARD Clinic is facing another lawsuit, this time alleging medical malpractice, wrongful death and claims of disabling Lincoln County residents by prescribing them opioid pain killers following the misdiagnosis of health issues. 

The civil suit filed Thursday, Oct. 10 in Lincoln County District Court by a local man and the son of a man who died several years ago, alleges medical malpractice against Dr. Charles Brad Black and the Center for Asbestos Related Disease, including Executive Director Tracy McNew. 

The court filing also argues CARD knew or should have known both men didn’t satisfy diagnostic requirements for asbestos-related disease and should not have been giving opioid pain medications in the manner prescribed by CARD providers.  

Oct. 25

Troy seeks new mayor after Ekstedt resigns

The City of Troy is looking for a new mayor.

Current Mayor Chuck Ekstedt resigned at Monday night’s meeting.

With about seven minutes left in the meeting, when it was Ekstedt’s turn to give a report or offer comment, he did just that.

“I’m done after this meeting, I’m leaving,” he said. “With the complement I have, I gotta fight an ex-mayor the council decides they gotta go have meetings with. I’ve got two commissioners that I’ve had to deal with over this time, wanting to run this town the way I gotta do it. 

“The sheriff for this county causes issues,” Ekstedt said. “The Lincoln County Planning Department Director comes up and tells me these people are lying to me and we found out they weren’t lying. I never got a call back from him even though I messaged him over and over about this. I got a council that’s gonna do what they want, so I am done with this altogether. So, there’s my report.”

Nov. 1

Libby's Farmer, Watson medal at state cross country championships

It’s been nearly a decade since the Libby Loggers cross country program had multiple state medalists, but that’s exactly what they did last week in Missoula at the University of Montana golf course.

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.

“The kids all had personal bests and we’re just so proud of all of them,” Loggers head coach Brittany Katzer said.

Nov. 8

Noel Duram claims county Commissioner seat

Lincoln Co. voters chose Noel Duram to represent them on the Board of Commissioners for the next six years.

Duram was a big winner in Tuesday’s general election over Independent Brian Phillips and Democrat Doug Davies for the District 3 seat, which covers north Lincoln Co.

Duram, a Republican, collected 66% of the votes, easily outdistancing his challengers. Phillips collected 20% of the vote and Davies, who announced his exit from the race last month due to health issues, had 14%.

Duram beat incumbent Josh Letcher in the June primary.

Savage Jr. gets prison time for harassing 911 dispatchers

Dan J. Savage Jr.'s time as a free man is over after Judge Matt Cuffe gave him a 5-year term, with three years suspended, Monday in Lincoln County District Court.

Savage, Jr. 47, of Troy, was found guilty in September of harassing and terrorizing 911 dispatchers during a series of text-to-911 messages on multiple occasions earlier this year. Savage Jr. is currently locked up in the county Detention Center, awaiting transfer to a state Department of Corrections facility.

Dec. 1

Ryggs Johnston storms to Australian Open title

Libby’s Ryggs Johnston stormed on to the international golf scene this weekend as he won his second DP World Tour start, capturing the Australian Open in impressive fashion.

The 24-year-old, ranked 953rd in the Official World Golf Ranking, carded a closing 68 at Kingston Heath to finish 18 under par while taking home the Stonehaven Cup.

That secured a three-shot victory over home favorite Curtis Luck and completed a remarkable rise for the Montana native, who came through Qualifying School and finished tied 42nd on his DP World Tour debut last week.

“It feels great, just knowing that more playing opportunities and getting into bigger events,” he said. “It hasn't quite sunk in yet but it's an amazing feeling.”

Dec. 3

Libby Councilors OKs stop signs on Mineral Avenue

Cruising the “gut” is about to become a thing of the past.

Libby City councilors approved a number of new traffic restrictions during Monday’s meeting aimed at making Mineral Avenue a safer place for pedestrians and motorists.

Council members unanimously supported placing stop signs at the intersections of Fourth and Sixth streets on the one-half mile thoroughfare. It currently has one stop sign at the intersection of East First Street where Achievements is located.

They also OK’d a reduction in the speed limit from 25 miles per hour to 20 mph from Eighth Street to First Street.

Schnackenberg stepping down as county coroner

The Lincoln County Coroner’s Office will be seeking a new coroner.

Long-time coroner Steve Schnackenberg announced at the Dec. 4 county commission meeting he is stepping down from the position, effective Dec. 31.

Schnackenberg has served as the deputy coroner and coroner for the last 28 years, including 26 as the lead coroner. He replaced Doug Johnson as the coroner when he stepped down.

Dec. 20

Libby Public Schools educator charged with assaulting minor

Libby Middle High School Principal Jim C. Germany, Jr., is facing a felony charge and has been placed on administrative leave amid accusations he struck a student during class last week.

According to Libby Police Chief Cody Ercanbrack, he learned about the alleged incident Tuesday, Dec. 10. 

Ercanbrack said Germany was placed on administrative leave and school officials are also investigating the alleged incident. Germany has worked at Libby Public Schools since 2002.