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
Troy man charged in 2020 grizzly killing
According to federal court documents, Othel Lee Pearson, 80, will enter a voluntary plea of guilty to evidence tampering and failing to report the taking of a grizzly bear, a threatened and protected animal under the Endangered Species Act.
Libby Loggers Greenchain celebrate Senior Night sweep
The Greenchain hammered Polson, 60-18, and topped Columbia Falls, 39-33.
Troy man accused of animal cruelty after alleged neglect of dogs
Lincoln County law officers needed to wear special suits and respirators while investigating a case of animal cruelty inside a home allegedly littered with dog feces and urine in a filthy residence near the Idaho border.
Developers have big plans for old high school
The corporation is applying for a National Historic Preservation Grant from the state of Montana for $650,000 to restore the exterior of the old building as well as replace and refurbish windows and fix the roof. If the grant is secured, the developers must supply a 20% match.
Libby woman pleads not guilty to child endangerment
In Hauke’s probable cause statement, he wrote that Orsborn is in an intimate relationship with a 31-year-old man and they live in the same home with their 1-year-old child.
Accused arsonist headed to Warm Springs for mental health evaluation
His attorney, public defender Ben Kolter, requested the evaluation to determine if he is able to assist and aid in his defense against two felony charges of arson.
Candidates begin to file for county, school trustee seats
Doug Davies has filed to run for the District 3 county Commissioner seat. Davies is currently a Eureka City Council member. Davies will be opposed by incumbent Josh Letcher, who has held the seat since he was elected in 2018. Letcher said he will soon file to run.
Lincoln Co. first responders battle bad weather while serving the community
Libby Volunteer Fire Department crews battled a structure fire Saturday night while enduring temperatures 20 degrees below zero.
Troy man charged after alleged drug buy, police chase
Rebo is lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $25,000 bail.
Deferred sentence for Libby woman accused of witness tampering
Dedrick was first charged with...
Washington state man accused of exposing himself on train
Mallory N. Brown, of Auburn, Washington is being held on $150,000 bail following the alleged Jan. 9 incident.
Libby residents accused of meth trafficking plead not guilty
The other defendant, 32-year-old Trevar Alee Sheasby, is accused of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, or in the alternative, criminal possession of dangerous drugs and one misdemeanor count of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.
Eureka man accused of drug trafficking
According to the probable cause statement by county Deputy Clint Heintz, he was on patrol when he saw...
Troy man hospitalized after police chase ends in Idaho
Covey's past includes two run-ins with law officers dating back to 2015. He was arrested on April 23, 2015, following a domestic disturbance at his home. A plea deal where two counts of assaulting a peace officer were dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to two counts of misdemeanor resisting arrest saw him get a suspended sentence in 2016.
Libby hoops teams fall to Bigfork, Ronan
At Bigfork on Jan. 4, the Loggers led by as many as nine points in the third quarter, but the Vikings rallied to force overtime where they won, 58-54.
State investigating complaint against Libby police officer
While none of the agencies specified what the investigation was about, the DCI’s Investigation Bureau provides direct assistance in a broad range of criminal investigations...
Libby man gets deferred sentence for striking another with truck
Christopher Phillip Vanhoose, 43, was first charged with two felonies, assault with a weapon and criminal endangerment.
More snow, bitter cold expected at end of week
But the most notable change in the weather will be a drastic change in the temperature with predicted highs below or at 0 degrees from Friday through Sunday.
County property owners will soon see new tax bills
The bill, which is expected to arrive in February or March, is the result of 49 Montana counties losing a battle with the state over how many mills it could levy.
Jail inmate suffers possible overdose after drug smuggling
According to Deputy Holzer, he was contacted on Dec. 19 by Lincoln County Dispatch about a possible drug overdose in the county jail. An ambulance arrived to remove a woman that was in distress and was struggling physically with some type of overdose.
County efforts to reduce MT 37 speed limit bear fruit
New speed limit signs were installed by Montana Department of Transportation workers in the last few weeks.
Arrest warrant filed for county man accused of terrorizing ex-wife, dad
Heil was to be sentenced Wednesday, but his current attorney, William Managhan, said Heil was in a homeless shelter in Boise, Idaho, and was unable to join the hearing remotely.
Libby man accused of fentanyl possession
Nickolaus J. Edwards, 40, was charged with two felony counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.
Trego man pleads to firing gun at women, children
Richards was involved in a similar case in 1999 when he was charged with felony criminal mischief and misdemeanor assault.
Corvallis sweeps Libby in varsity basketball action
Madison Vincent led Libby with 16 points, including a trio of 3-pointers.
Libby woman accused of endangering baby, meth possession
The case began just after midnight Saturday, Dec. 16, when county Sheriff’s Office Deputy Luke Hauke responded to a home on Kootenai River Road.
Slow start dooms Lady Loggers against Hamilton
Hamilton led 22-2 in the second quarter before Libby junior Kaydence Stanek grabbed a rebound off a missed free throw and hit a 3-pointer with 1:48 left in the half.
Hamilton's 3-point shooting sends Loggers to defeat
Tyler Andersen scored 13 of his 19 points in the first half while Ryan Beagle scored six of his 10, but the Broncs got dialed in from long distance after the first quarter and led 34-20 at the half.
Troy man gets jail time for reckless driving near first responders
Justice Court Judge Jay C. Sheffield ordered that Whipple serve 30 days with 335 days suspended.
Libby students show their gratitude to the community
Among the many things students did was making and donating several blankets to the women’s shelter, delivering 80 pairs of socks to the Libby Care Center...
Libby wrestlers dump Stevi; fall to Ronan
Before the matches, former Libby educator and wrestling coach Todd Schatz was honored. Schatz died Sept. 15 at the age of 60.
Large animal vet in Heron now serving region
Dr. George White has been a veterinarian for nearly half a century and he will now be operating out of his clinic in Heron on a full-time basis.
Libby man gets prison time for standoff incident
Chase Austin Butala, 36, who remains in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $100,000 bail, pleaded guilty...
Marion man pleads guilty to fraudulent credit card use
Deuel pleaded guilty to theft on Monday, Dec. 11, in District Court. He will owe $9,610.22 in restitution. Judge Matt Cuffe set sentencing for Feb. 5, 2024.
Libby woman sentenced for bucket assault
On Monday, she pleaded guilty to an amended charge of misdemeanor partner or family member assault.
Burglar pleads guilty to state shop theft
O’Hara was also involved in a burglary in 2022 in Lake County.
Victims of ‘cold hearted con job’ testify of Libby man’s sentencing
Quimby won’t be spending any time in custody though because the sentences are both suspended after a joint recommendation from Deputy County Attorney Jeffrey Zwang and public defender Scott B. Johnson.
Peace Officer Park a place for all community members
City councilors, after much discussion at two separate meetings, finally decided on the new moniker for the park located next to the city police station on Mineral Avenue at the Nov. 20 meeting.
Libby man faces second felony case in 2023
Devine pleaded not guilty to the offense on Dec. 4 in Lincoln County District Court.
Missing Lincoln Co. man found dead in Huson Peak area
The caller also reported that the man’s dog, Chester, was alive and took him to the sheriff’s office.
Troy Lady Trojans can't overcome slow start against St. Regis
St. Regis bolted to a 17-0 lead in the first 4:46 of the game. The Lady Tigers led 19-2 after one quarter and 23-4 at halftime.
Troy Trojans hammer Alberton, fall to St. Regis
The Tigers were dialed in from long distance as they made several 3-point shots in a 57-39 win at the Troy Activity Center.
Libby grad named Montana Assistant Principal of Year
Kathy Kidder, a 1985 Libby High School graduate, wasn’t expecting it when Rob Watson, the Executive Director of School Administrators of Montana, presented her with a plaque on Nov. 16.
Lincoln Co. man faces animal cruelty charge
Steven Joseph Davis, 42, was charged with cruelty to animals, failure to provide food and water...
Fifth officer joins Libby City Police Department
Seth Power became the department’s fifth officer after he was sworn in by Chief Cody Ercanbrack on Monday, Dec. 4.
Suspended sentence for Fortine man who set home on fire
Johnson, who said Huggins is 70% VA disabled...
Libby's DeShazer, Erickson champs at Owen Invitational
DeShazer won the 205-pound weight class after pinning Lake City junior Garrett Leonard in 2:31. As he did in winning a second consecutive state title earlier this year, DeShazer didn’t spend much time on the mat.
Libby man accused in Russian roulette death pleads no contest
Judge Matt Cuffe set Ball's sentencing for Jan. 29, 2024.
Battle between citizens, county and Happy’s Inn developers reaches court
District Judge Matt Cuffe heard arguments from attorneys from both sides as the Thompson Chain of Lakes Stewardship Coalition seeks a summary judgement against the county in its hope to stop the construction of a RV park in Happy’s Inn.
Eureka probationer faces new felony charge
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Cody DeWitt was dispatched to the intersection of Purdy Drive and Sinclair Creek Road, east of Eureka, for a crashed and abandoned vehicle in a private field.