SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER
Scott Shindledecker is the editor of The Western News. He covers public safety, city, county, sports and outdoors news. He is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in journalism. He has been the sports and outdoors editor for the Courier-Express newspaper in DuBois, Pa., and worked for Hagadone Montana newspapers in Northwest Montana. He can be reached at 406-293-4124 or sshindledecker@thewesternnews.com.
Recent Stories
City approves street closures for upcoming events
The headliner of the three events - the 2024 Ignite the Nites car show - is scheduled for Aug. 16-17.
Advocates speak as county commissioners ponder library system future
The commissioners will hold a final meeting at 11 a.m. Monday, March 11 and accept public comment before deciding if they’ll put it on the ballot.
Libby woman charged in incident involving teens at high school
The case began when a woman and her son came to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office on Dec. 18 and alleged that Green threatened the teen earlier that day in the parking lot of the school.
New charge for Washington man accused of indecent exposure
Brown had another felony case filed against him recently for an assault in the Lincoln County Detention Center.
County changes course for replacing hot water boilers
Lincoln County Maintenance Director Joe Nagle brought the matter of the leaking hot water boiler, installed in 1978, to the commissioners on Feb. 7.
Man accused of Gravel Pit Fire still waiting on mental health evaluation
According to charging documents, Eutsler previously lived in Williamstown, New Jersey. But he was described as living in his van at the time of the offense.
Suspect in Libby police chase appears in court
Covey is being held in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $2.5 million bail.
Libby's last 3-time champ, JR Rebo, happy to get company at the top
Rebo, who is sixth on the all-time wins list with 126, said he was able to coach DeShazer a little bit in middle school.
Man sentenced for role in Troy restaurant arson, burglary
District Judge Matt Cuffe agreed to waive more than $800 in fines and court fees, but Haughton still must pay $18,711.50 in restitution.
Libby man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting girl
Emerick must undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation before he is sentenced.
County library officials plead their case for system support
“Our attendance levels are getting back to pre-Covid levels,” she said. “We had more than 50,000 visitors to our three libraries in 2023, so we believe we are a vital part of the community,” Ramirez said.
Libby VFD continues its dedication to community
The department’s members spent more than 3,500 hours in skills, classroom training and responding to calls, including fires, traffic accidents and medical emergency calls.
Libby's Jace DeShazer leaves a legacy of excellence
“He’s left a great legacy and it’ll carry on for a long time,” said Greenchain head coach Dean Thompson. “We’re really gonna miss his leadership and I’ll miss him a lot because he’s such a fun kid to be around. You can joke with him, but when he needs to be serious, he is.”
Libby councilors not ready to commit to fund spending
Many of the current councilors shared their thoughts on what the fund money, about $1.5 million, should be used for.
Former Libby boat shop owner faces theft charges
According to the charging document filed by Lincoln County Attorney Marcia Boris, the various alleged incidents in a span of more than five years, from 2018 to 2023.
Libby’s “Herd of Nerds” continues upward trend in robotics competition
The team had its first season of competition a year ago and it enjoyed a dramatic improvement at the state meet in Bozeman earlier this month.
State inmate involved in 2021 shooting sues Lincoln County
Tristan Kirk Assance, 35, filed the suit against the county on Jan. 11 in federal court in Missoula.
Troy man enters plea on drug, fleeing charges
Rebo is lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $25,000 bail.
Man sentenced for fraudulent use of credit card
Deuel pleaded guilty to theft on Monday, Dec. 11, in District Court. He will owe $9,780.22 in restitution.
Libby council will consider developer's $ requests at tonight's meeting
But during Tuesday’s nearly hour-long meeting, the discussion involved how much Libby Lofts and The Friends of Historic Hotel Libby should receive as well as revising a policy set in 2017.
Washington man sentenced for burglary conviction
Kaya apologized and asked forgiveness and said he had written a letter of apology to the victims.
Man accused of exposing himself on train pleads not guilty
Mallory Nehemiah Brown, of Auburn, Washington is being held on $150,000 bail.
Troy man pleads guilty to involvement in grizzling killing
Pearson will be sentenced on June 6.
Gesture of sportsmanship lifts Libby's Freese
While the girls squad also celebrated Senior Night along with the pep band and cheer team, senior Ashley Freese made it on to the court.
Voters will decide on local government review
The resolutions call for elections where voters will decide if the municipalities will conduct a local government review.
DeShazer ties all-time Libby wins mark; Erickson wins first state medal
DeShazer’s undefeated campaign was the first of his varsity career and he owns a 154-14 record.
Former Eureka man accused of indecent exposure
Cody Hosko, 60, of Victor, pleaded not guilty to the felony offense on Jan. 29 in Lincoln County District Court.
Lincoln County Community Foundation awards grants
The foundation has been granting awards to non-profits in Lincoln County since 2000. The foundation has awarded more than $250,000 in that time.
Trojan boys basketball team beats Alberton
They included, from the girls squad, Sarah Rogers, and from the boys team, Derek Cole, Rowyn Shupe, Nathin Sentell and Braxton Yeadon.
Kootenai Forest officials accepting comment on forestry project
The proposed 3,000-acre forest project near Eureka is in the Glen Lake, Sinclair Creek and Ksanka foothills areas.
City slows process for fund giving to hotel, old high school
The Friends of Historic Hotel Libby’s Gail Burger, who is renovating the Hotel Libby on California Avenue, and the partnership of Libby Lofts, including Zach and Tracy McNew, who hope to renovate the old high school, were seeking money for their respective projects.
Arrest warrant issued for Libby fraud suspect
William Hoyle Beck, 43, is facing three counts of forgery, including two felonies. Beck was scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on Jan. 29 in Lincoln County District Court. But he didn’t appear.
State shop burglar gets prison time
District Judge Matt Cuffe gave O'Hara an 8-year term with four years suspended.
Locals hear plans for old high school renovation
The tour, attended by nearly four dozen invitees on Jan. 31, was put on by some of the developers who are seeking to turn the brick structure into an apartment building in the heart of town.
Ski festival caps Kootenai Outdoor Adventure winter program
Last week, free to students in grades fifth through eighth, wrapped up its 10th year of the winter session at the South Flower Creek Ski area.
Ex-convict accused of stealing Libby man’s truck
The next morning he went back to the bar to see if any employees had found his keys. It was then he saw his truck was gone.
DeShazer leads 12-man Greenchain contingent to state
The two-time state champion spent 196 seconds on the mat before scoring first period falls in each match.
Andersen’s buzzer-beating 3 lifts Loggers over Polson
Andersen’s shot made the Loggers 42-41 winners and ended a 0-8 skid in Northwest A play.
Polson, CFalls register wins over Libby
Madison Vincent hit two 3-pointers and had a game-high 16 points for Libby.
Protest notwithstanding, new county property tax bills are coming
Lincoln County property owners should see the new tax bill in their mail box at the end of March or early April.
Libby man accused of assaulting teen girlfriend
She said Eroh grabbed her hair and pushed her face into a pillow on the bed she was sitting on.
Voters likely to decide fate of three county library branches
The county commissioners unanimously approved on Jan. 31 a resolution to form a library district and have it placed on the ballot for the June 4 primary election.
Troy man in custody following sentencing in DUI homicide
Terren Craig Winebark, 21, received a 6-year...
Libby man sentenced in Russian roulette death
Ball, as he said to an investigator following the shooting, believed he had unloaded his gun during the incident on Memorial Day weekend.
Loggers fall in second straight game by buzzer beater 3
But Kelch’s shot was the difference after Tyler Andersen’s three-quarter court heave fell short.
Libby’s Grosch a state champ in Speech and Debate
Cash Vaughn took fourth place in Informative Speaking and Baylie Ames claimed fourth in Original Oratory.
Greenchain wrestlers begin quest for state medals
Wrestling begins at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon and concludes Saturday evening. Qualifiers will advance to the state championships Feb. 9-10 in Billings.
More details emerge in Lincoln County police chase
Caleb David Covey, 37 is facing multiple felony charges following the hours and miles-long chase throughout...
Plans progress for pedal track in Pioneer Park
Petrusha said the dirt path would take up about one-quarter of the park and be located inside the existing trail. It would be designed for kids between the ages of 5 and 12.
Rough sledding for Libby basketball teams in Northwest A
The Vikings (5-7, 3-3) were hot from behind the 3-point line with seven.