DERRICK PERKINS

Teske doubtful about reelection run

Libby Mayor Brent Teske said last week that he does not plan to seek reelection, but left the door open for a future run.

Protesters demand removal of health board members

They also want health officials to stop promoting the COVID-19 vaccine

A small group of local pandemic deniers and anti-vaxxers upped longstanding efforts to remove members of the Lincoln County Health Board unsympathetic to their views.

Bench warrant issued for accused bicycle thief

District Judge Matthew Cuffe issued a bench warrant April 26 for an accused bicycle thief who has failed to show up for scheduled court appearances.

City council approves draft grant agreement with golf club

Libby City Council narrowly approved the newly hammered out terms of its forthcoming $541,000 grant to the Cabinet View Golf Club on May 3.

Vendors market pushes back against Libby Chamber

Mere weeks after Libby Chamber of Commerce officials asked City Hall to put the kibosh on a rival farmers market, vendors from that bazaar turned up in droves to defend the right to do business at a location of their choosing.

Kendall pleads guilty to escape charge

Wife pleads not guilty to obstruction of justice

Citing a decision to take a new path in life, Jeremiah Kendall pleaded guilty to a single count of felony escape May 3.

Lambertsen, Gordon strike deals

Two men accused of a string of Christmastime break-ins last year have changed their pleas after striking deals with prosecutors.

Commissioners favor bringing back Logger Days in some form

County Commissioner Mark Peck hopes to see Libby Logger Days make a comeback.

Warren asks for, receives new public defender

The adjudication hearing of a woman accused of breaking the terms of her suspended sentence by owning animals was postponed last week after she sought a new defense attorney.

Alleged drug dealer pleads guilty

Kimberly D. Kusener, 39, pleaded guilty to a single count of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to distribute in Lincoln County District Court on April 12. Authorities allegedly found 64 grams of methamphetamine on her during a traffic stop in November.

Two men involved in border crossing enter guilty pleas

Two of the men arrested after an illegal border incursion that led to a high speed chase earlier this year have pleaded guilty to immigration charges.

Sheriff's Office server room nearly suffers a meltdown

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office’s server room needs an upgrade.

Water, sewer resolutions get hosed

Twin proposals aimed at making it easier for mobile home park developers to hook into Libby’s water and sewer system met quick fates on April 19.

Road closures approved for Ignite the Nites

Libby City Council last week unanimously approved road closures requested by the Igniters Car Club for its annual summer car show.

Libby mayor urges improved responsiveness

Libby Mayor Brent Teske called on his colleagues on city council to improve their lines of communication earlier this month.

Blanton sentenced following jury trial

A Eureka man found guilty of aggravated animal cruelty with a firearms enhancement for shooting a dog last year has received a suspended, three-year sentence in Lincoln County District Court.

Wildlife management plan likely to pass by resolution

After much consideration, Libby City Council likely will adopt its proposed wildlife management plan as a resolution rather than codify it as an ordinance.

Donoghue faces revocation of suspended sentence

Kathleen Marie Donoghue faces the revocation of her suspended sentence after failing to report to her probation officer.

More than 600 burn permits issued this month

The Lincoln County Health Department has issued 603 burn permits since the start of the management and residential burn season, officials say.

Kendall's wife and an alleged accomplice charged in connection with his escape

The wife of Jeremiah Kendall and a friend both face felony charges for their roles in the felon’s short-lived escape from custody.

Deliberate homicide suspect pleads not guilty

The Trego man accused of shooting and killing his adult son earlier this month pleaded not guilty in Lincoln County District Court on April 19.

Deal struck between golf club, City Hall

Libby City Council met the Cabinet View Golf Club in the middle this week, agreeing to offer the organization a $541,000 grant if it repays $1 million of an outstanding $1.54 million loan.

New vehicles top sheriff's office capital improvement plan

In a first, Sheriff Darren Short submitted his office’s capital improvement plan to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on April 7.

Trips to Libby landfill jumped in 2020

County health department officials saw a spike in use of the Libby landfill in 2020. The increase in trips corresponded with anecdotal reports of an influx of new residents and jump in property sales last year.

Interest in vaccination dips across county

With more than 4,000 county residents fully immunized and another 6,167 awaiting a second dose, health officials say they are seeing lessening interest in weekly coronavirus vaccine clinics.

Kendall back in custody

After more than a week on the run, Jeremiah Kendall is back in custody.

Kendall fled home arrest on April 7

Jeremiah Kendall broke the terms of his house arrest as early as April 7, when law enforcement officials watched him flee his property on a four-wheeler, according to recently filed court documents.

Paul found guilty on marijuana charge by jury

A jury in Lincoln County this week found John Hugh Paul guilty of felony operating a non-commercial vehicle under the influence of marijuana.

Wildlife management plan stuck in limbo

Libby officials are tentatively planning a meeting with FWP representatives to finish hashing out the city’s wildlife management plan.

Liberty on Parade to return for second year

Libby’s take on the Fourth of July holiday will return this year, but with a different date.

Golf cart ordinance revisited

Libby City Council is looking into allowing golf carts on local streets in some fashion for a third time in recent memory.

Kendall a no-show for start of 20-year sentence

Jeremiah Kendall, on house arrest since his March 29 sentencing, failed to turn himself in for the start of his 20-year bid behind bars with the Montana State Prison on Friday.

Court documents offer new details on Trego shooting

A Trego man is being held without bail after allegedly killing his 31-year-old son early on April 5.

Resolutions aimed at spurring mobile home developments tabled by city council

City councilors in Libby tabled April 5 twin resolutions aimed at lessening the cost to future mobile home park developments in the municipality.

Libby City Council deems golf club debt deal subpar

Libby City Council rejected the Cabinet View Golf Club’s debt forgiveness proposal April 5, moving to negotiate better terms of repayment of an outstanding $1.54 million loan.

Tentative plans for mobile home park on Education Way

Libby officials are in the very early stages of reviewing a proposed mobile home park off of Education Way.

Officials seek funding to weed out invasive plant species

Local experts say they have a shot at nipping the spread of an invasive weed in the bud, but they need financial backing from the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.

Trego man arrested after allegedly killing his son

A Trego man faces a deliberate homicide charge after allegedly killing his son in the early morning hours of April 5.

Hagen pleads not guilty to multiple charges

The Libby man accused of stealing from several area stores while armed last month has pleaded not guilty to all charges in Lincoln County District Court.

Body found near Shannon Flats believed to be that of missing Troy man

Authorities believe they have recovered the body of a Troy man missing since last summer.

City councilors consider debt forgiveness for golf club

Libby City Councilors weighed March 31 partially forgiving a long-outstanding loan given to Cabinet View Golf Club for construction of the organization’s back nine.

Adjudication hearing date set for Warren

Cathie Iris Warren is refuting allegations she violated the terms of probation by once again raising and caring for animals.

Basham receives deferred sentence

Benjamin Jay Basham will serve a deferred, three-year sentence for allegedly absconding from Montana with his six-year-old daughter last summer.

Jordan pleads guilty to drug possession

The man arrested pant-less last year after his presence in an area known for drug sales aroused the suspicion of sheriff’s deputies has pleaded guilty to a single felony charge stemming from the incident.

Assance charged with additional counts of assault with a weapon

Prosecutors have brought additional charges against a man shot and injured by sheriff’s deputies during a domestic disturbance call in January.

City council waives fee for KPFL

Libby City Council agreed March 15 to waive the Ponderosa Room fee for Kootenai Pets For Life’s (KPFL) mid-April rummage sale.

Deferred sentence revoked for Brewer

A man serving a deferred sentence for criminal endangerment is back in the care of the state Department of Corrections after picking up a driving under the influence charge in Missoula.

City council approves capital fund

Libby City Council voted unanimously March 15 to create a capital improvement fund, the first step in creating a fiscal tool to prepare for major expenditures down the line.

Mayor pledges corrective action after city cemetery damaged

Mayor Brent Teske apologized March 15 for damage done to the City of Libby Cemetery by municipal work crews over the winter and said disciplinary action was being taken.

Lambertsen charged for role in Christmas break-ins

The second half of a pair of alleged burglars accused of ransacking multiple vehicles and a home Christmas night was arraigned in Lincoln County District Court on March 8.