DERRICK PERKINS
Daily Inter Lake
Recent Stories
Warren faces revocation after getting caught with animals
A local woman barred from owning animals after a jury found her guilty of multiple counts of animal cruelty in 2017 is accused of gathering a veritable menagerie of farm animals in recent months.
Golf club nears potential sale of land near back nine
The Cabinet View Golf Club is closing in on a land deal that would allow it to partially repay the City of Libby for an outstanding loan, officials say.
Libby City Council selects health board rep
Libby City Councilors appointed Amy Fantozzi of the Western Montana Mental Health Center as the municipality’s representative to the county health board March 15.
Longtime game warden reflects on career in Lincoln County
After longtime game warden Tamie Laverdure-Fitchett reinjured her back a few years ago, a doctor advised her to consider a change in career or, at the very least, get out of the field.
Mission statement debate exposes fissures on county health board
Gathering together for an inaugural work meeting, Lincoln County Health Board members navigated fault lines exposed by the pandemic while brainstorming a new mission statement.
Arms, not vaccine, in short supply
While securing a steady supply of COVID-19 vaccine is no longer a problem, finding arms to jab has emerged as a sticking point.
City wildlife management plan undergoes edits
Out of 78 deer harvested in and around Libby during the winter, just one has thus far tested positive for chronic wasting disease.
Edmundson accused of aiming firearm at deliveryman
The Pipe Creek Road homeowner accused of greeting a UPS deliveryman with a leveled handgun late last year has pleaded not guilty to assault with a weapon.
Mattis pleads not guilty to additional charges
Prosecutors have brought more charges against a Libby man accused of raping an 8-year-old in January.
Jorgensen sentenced after striking deal
The man arrested after getting his vehicle stuck on the edge of a U.S. Border Patrol agent’s driveway while intoxicated last year will undergo substance abuse treatment before serving a suspended sentence.
Sauls receives sentence for role in assault
Jacob Orion Sauls will spend the next five years under the supervision of the state Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to a single count of failure to register as a violent offender.
Bail reduced slightly in criminal endangerment case
District Judge Matthew Cuffe slightly adjusted bond last week for a suspected drug dealer after he nearly caused a traffic accident with a law enforcement vehicle, lessening it from $175,000 to $150,000.
Libby City Council weighs options for health board rep
City councilors in Libby are mulling appointing one of their own to the county health board if better-suited candidates fail to apply.
Ballard faces new charges in district court
A suspected drug dealer faces a criminal endangerment charge in Lincoln County District Court after nearly causing a collision with a law enforcement vehicle on U.S. Highway 2 earlier this month.
Changing of the guard: Rice retires after decades in Libby
When Dr. Gregory Rice arrived in Libby, advancements in medicine were undergoing a revolution. His biggest fear in those first years was not keeping up with the outside world.
Suspected drug dealer ends up in the dog house
When police officers and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies swept through a Troy home looking for a suspected drug dealer last month they found her hiding in a dog kennel, disguised in a wig.
Thompson Falls man pleads not guilty to strangulation
A Thompson Falls man accused of strangling his wife in a local lodging house pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in Lincoln County District Court on Feb. 8.
Assance arraigned in district court
The man shot and injured by a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputy during a domestic disturbance call in January has pleaded not guilty to the charges stemming from the incident.
Council holds off on health board appointment
Libby City Council held off on making an appointment to the county health board Feb. 16, with members saying they wanted to see a larger slate of candidates for the position.
Black touts vaccination effort while urging residents to remain cautious
Health Officer Dr. Brad Black expressed optimism about the steadily decreasing COVID-19 case numbers locally, but warned residents to stay vigilant in the face of new variants of the coronavirus.
Gordon charged in string of Christmas night thefts
An 18-year-old accused of being one of the individuals behind a string of Christmas night burglaries now faces multiple charges in Lincoln County District Court.
Wait for vaccine leaves resident anxious
For Libby resident Dean Brousseau, the coronavirus vaccine cannot come soon enough.
Libby man pleads not guilty in rape case
A Libby man pleaded not guilty in Lincoln County District Court on Feb. 8 to charges stemming from his alleged rape of an 8-year-old in January.
Orr bears false witness against health board chair, city council
Resident DC Orr has demanded that Lincoln County Health Board Chair Jan Ivers divulge the topic of discussion of a secret meeting she held with Libby City Council earlier this month. There’s just one problem: He imagined the surreptitious gathering.
Meeting minute change proves controversial
Not only was the Lincoln County Health Board’s recommended candidate for an at-large seat ultimately rejected, the panel this week effectively deemed its vote on the recommendation illegitimate.
Palafox sentenced to 10 years behind bars in animal cruelty case
Describing the level of violence suggested by the crimes committed by Domingo J. Palafox as both frightful and unique for Lincoln County, District Judge Matthew Cuffe sentenced the Troy man to 10 years in state prison.
Good Neighbor Authority project at Skidale gets green light
Logging activity is expected to begin in the Skidale area this month under the auspices of a Good Neighbor Authority agreement.
Commissioners pitched on security system for courthouse
Lincoln County commissioners took a first look at a possible solution to security camera problems in the courthouse and detention center last week.
Few applicants for Libby health board rep position
With the deadline for applications fast approaching, Libby officials on Feb. 1 said they had received paperwork for just one candidate to join the county health board as the city’s representative.
COVID-19 death toll climbs to 12
The death toll from COVID-19 locally climbed to 12 Feb. 4 after county health officials announced three heretofore unknown fatalities associated with the illness.
Lawmakers critical of handling of border crossing suspects
Lincoln County commissioners joined a chorus of lawmakers in criticizing federal policies regarding illegal aliens after a Somali national was released from custody following a border crossing and high speed chase last month.
Libby officials approve local marijuana regulations
Libby City Council gave its initial OK on Feb. 1 to an ordinance regulating marijuana use in the municipality now that recreational use is permitted in Montana.
Cabinet Peaks offers monoclonal antibody therapy
Officials with Cabinet Peaks Medical Center have in recent weeks unveiled several new services in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Man involved in high speed chase allegedly aided in illegal border crossing
The Washington, D.C., man charged in Lincoln County after leading authorities on a high-speed chase last month now stands accused in U.S. District Court of transporting illegal immigrants.
Details of Kendall plea deal released
Under the terms of a new plea agreement with prosecutors, Jeremiah Kendall would spend the next two decades behind bars.
Washington, D.C., man charged following chase
A Washington, D.C., man who allegedly led local and federal law enforcement on a high-speed chase through Eureka is being held on a $250,000 bond.
Kendall again pleads guilty
Jeremiah Kendall has, for the second time, struck a plea deal just weeks ahead of the planned start of his trial on aggravated assault and tampering charges.
County receiving about 300 doses of vaccine a week
As of Jan. 26, health workers in Lincoln County had administered 641 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Commissioners elevate Bernhard to county health board
In a surprise move, Lincoln County commissioners last week appointed to the health board a Eureka town councilor who deems masks ineffective, the pandemic overwrought and COVID-19 vaccines unsafe.
Black calls for united front on vaccine effort
Lincoln County’s top doctor called on health board members to publicly back COVID-19 vaccination efforts last week.
Sauls faces charges after assault
A Eureka man with a criminal history faces multiple charges in Lincoln County District Court for his role in assaulting a man in that community last year.
Local health order rescinded
Lincoln County’s top doctor rescinded his pandemic-related health order last week.
Peterson nominated to join county health board
In a narrow vote, the Lincoln County Health Board on Jan. 13 gave Jeffery Peterson of Eureka its endorsement to join the body.
Ivers reappointed as health board chair
After weeks of withering criticism, including calls from at least one current colleague to step aside, and despite professing no interest in the job, Jan Ivers was reappointed as chair of the county health board Jan. 13.
Alarm system upgrade coming to north county annex
The North Lincoln County Annex is poised to get a new security system.
Local vaccination effort heads into Phase 1b
Local health officials could move into Phase 1b of the state’s vaccination distribution plan as soon as next week.
No DUIs recorded over holiday
Libby saw zero driving under the influence infractions over New Year’s Eve, said Chief of Police Scott Kessel.
Man shot after deputies respond to domestic disturbance
Officials are investigating a law enforcement-involved shooting after Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a disturbance about 8:30 a.m., Jan. 14.
Fire south of Libby under investigation
The cause of a structure fire south of Libby in late evening Jan. 7 remains under investigation.
Citing insurance concerns, city council tables tennis court agreement
Libby City Council held off on adding its signature to joint agreement for the upkeep of local playing courts Jan. 4, with members citing insurance questions, among other concerns.