DERRICK PERKINS
Daily Inter Lake
Recent Stories
Kendall case now headed toward trial
A high profile felony aggravated assault case is headed toward a jury trial after the defendant, Jeremiah Kendall, withdrew his guilty plea in Lincoln County District Court.
County attorney's office seeks software upgrade
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners gave the county attorney’s office the go-ahead Oct. 21 to update its management software using federal dollars.
Citing discrepancies, city councilors table vault toilet approval
Libby City Council held off on giving its blessing to the construction of a proposed restroom for the Flower Creek cross country ski area after learning the facility deviated from its original proposal.
End of the road for golf cart proposal
A resident-spurred effort to legalize golf carts on Libby’s streets broke down last week.
Libby City Council poised to allow liquor sales on election days
After a 44-year prohibition, Libby residents are close to finally being able to buy beer, wine and liquor legally in the city on Election Day.
Police: alleged shoplifter caught with syringes
Police officers arrested a Libby woman on multiple charges after they allegedly found syringes on her while detaining her for shoplifting.
Libby schools closed 100 years ago this week for a different illness
History came close to repeating itself on schedule last week.
Two area businesses face legal trouble for flouting mask mandate
Health department staff members have handed off at least two businesses to the county attorney for defying Dr. Brad Black’s pandemic-related July health order.
Two Troy women face drug charges in Lincoln County District Court
Two Troy women face drug charges in Lincoln County District Court after a search of their home last month turned up hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Health department brings on Sara Alert to manage COVID-19 cases
As COVID-19 cases mount in Lincoln County, local health officials plan to adopt a nationally available and open source tool to monitor patients.
Mayor reiterates city's stance on retail stores operating out of sheds
Libby Mayor Brent Teske stood by a decision to refuse a business license to a pottery shop proposed for a residential neighborhood during an Oct. 5 city council meeting.
Libby Elementary School closed after evidence of virus spread in the building
Education officials have announced that Libby Elementary School is closed tomorrow, Oct. 14, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former Libby city councilor calls on commissioners to rein in health department
A former Libby city councilor charged the Lincoln County Health Department with unethical behavior last week and called on county commissioners to take the local agency to task.
DEQ responds to commissioners' letter
Department of Environmental Quality officials responded to a letter drafted by the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners last month opposing the demolition of the Rainy Creek Dam in quick time.
Gunderson, Sather contend for House District 1
For state Rep. Steve Gunderson, reelection means an opportunity to clean house and “right the ship” in Helena. For his opponent, Marv Sather, ousting an incumbent offers the chance to serve as peacemaker of sorts on the state level.
Libby Police Department back at full strength
The Libby Police Department has returned to full strength following a potential outbreak of coronavirus in the agency last month.
Official: Demand for library service high after branch closures
After a pandemic-related shutdown and a burst pipe in Libby, circulation went down across the county’s library branches, but officials say demand for the agency’s services remains high.
Watts pleads not guilty to theft charge
A local man accused of stealing from his employer while the business was closed during the COVID-19 shutdown has pleaded not guilty in Lincoln County District Court.
Coronavirus cases increase over weekend
Coronavirus cases in Lincoln County again spiked over the weekend, most being identified through contact tracing, health officials said.
Fundraising begins for new groomer as ski season approaches at Turner Mountain
With winter — and, by extension, ski season — fast approaching, volunteers at Turner Mountain Ski Area are hoping to raise enough money to secure a new groomer.
Kalispell man charged with drug possession, theft
A Kalispell man arrested for shoplifting from Libby businesses now faces a drug charge in Lincoln County District Court.
Ferguson withdraws guilty plea after Cuffe rejects recommended sentence
A Eureka man accused of sexually assaulting a minor over several years withdrew his guilty plea in Lincoln County District Court on Sept. 28, setting the stage for a jury trial.
Libby City Council to take up golf cart proposal
A proposal to allow golf carts on certain streets is headed before Libby City Council.
Coronavirus cases continue to increase
Officials continued to confirm new, local cases of the novel coronavirus this week.
Commissioners oppose plan to remove impoundment dam
Worried that a forthcoming permanent remedy for the former W.R. Grace mine site might include removing the Rainy Creek impoundment dam, county officials revealed an alternative plan on Sept. 30.
Coronavirus cases jump
Cases of the novel coronavirus jumped in Lincoln County over the weekend.
Fast food trip ends with arrest, felony charges
A trip to a fast food drive thru in Libby ended with a Kalispell man facing driving under the influence charges in Lincoln County District Court.
Winebark pleads not guilty to assault charge
A Troy man faces aggravated assault charges after a June 12 fight left a minor hospitalized with a broken jaw.
Libby mayor: Pool construction rumor is just that
No, it's not an aquatic facility.
Commissioners touch on death of Ginsburg
“I didn’t agree with her on a lot of her positions, but I admired her," said County Commissioner Mark Peck (D-1).
County to use Memorial Center for jury trials
Lincoln County is poised to lease the Libby Memorial Events Center for $575 per district court jury trial.
Ferguson sentencing delayed
Lincoln County District Judge Matthew Cuffe held off on sentencing a Eureka man accused of sexually assaulting a minor earlier this week.
Authorities say restaurant employee stole food, equipment during COVID-19 shutdown
A 25-year-old man faces a felony theft charge after authorities say he stole more than $2,000 in equipment and food from a restaurant closed during the height of COVID-10 pandemic restrictions.
Flag raising ceremony planned for county courthouse
Local officials are tentatively planning on holding a small ceremony on Veterans Day to mark the raising of a new flag and flagpole in front of the Lincoln County Courthouse.
Anxiety, depression on the rise
Health workers are reporting an increase in anxiety and depression locally since the coronavirus pandemic began.
County looks to bring on a disease intervention specialist
The Lincoln County Health Department may soon be hiring a disease intervention specialist.
Black, Peck hope to secure fast coronavirus tests
Lincoln County’s top doctor is working with state and local officials to expand coronavirus testing with winter rapidly approaching.
Olney accused of attacking detention center officer
The Libby woman accused of absconding with her grandson earlier this year faces new allegations in Lincoln County District Court, but officials are unsure if she is mentally fit.
Air quality hazardous as Callahan Fire grows
Air quality in Libby and Troy fell to hazardous levels as the Callahan Fire grew to about 1,000 acres on Sept. 13, blanketing Lincoln County in a hazy layer of smoke.
Kendall pleads guilty as part of deal with prosecutors
As part of an agreement with prosecutors, Kendall pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, drawing gasps from the small crowd inside the county courthouse.
New coronavirus-related death reported as cases climb
Cases of the novel coronavirus climbed in Lincoln County in recent days, amounting to one death over the weekend and reports of infections in the Libby school system and police department.
Libby firefighters douse brushfire
Libby fire officials caught a lucky break Sept. 5.
Commissioners balance budget
It came down to the wire, but the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners approved a balanced budget for fiscal year 2021 on Sept. 2.
Sheriff's Office Blotter
The law roundup is compiled from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office incident log. It is not meant to serve as an exhaustive account.
Health officials identify new COVID-19 cases
Officials identified two new individuals infected with the virus: a man in his 20s and a woman in her 60s. Authorities are unsure how the man contracted the virus.
Sheriff's Office defends need for $4.57 million budget
Although taking the lion’s share of the annual operating budget, officials with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office say there’s not much fat to trim.
County budget released
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners has just under a week to trim roughly 16.4 mills from its proposed $10.7 million operating budget for fiscal year 2021.
Sheriff's Office Blotter
The law roundup is compiled from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office incident log. It is not meant to serve as an exhaustive account.
Chainsaw competition organizers present pandemic plan
Organizers behind the annual chainsaw carving championship took the unusual step last week of providing Libby City Council — and the public — with a detailed COVID-19 response plan for the fast approaching event.
Local elected officials see new upsides in massive land sale
The massive land deal that saw hundreds of thousands of acres of timberland change hands earlier this year may prove advantageous for Lincoln County.