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
Snow, cold coming to northwest Montana
Tuesday night and Wednesday may see snow accumulation of about one inch. Tuesday, the snow level is predicted to drop to 2,800 feet.
Washington man accused of burglary pleads not guilty
His first appearance in Lincoln County was on Sept. 25 for an extradition hearing on a fugitive complaint in Bonner County, Idaho.
County approves assessment fee increase for Fisher River Valley Fire
The increase, the first in 15 years, was approved at the Oct. 11 meeting. The commissioners held a public hearing on Sept. 28 at Happy’s Inn.
Officials ID Washington man who died in U.S. 2 vehicle mishap
England died Saturday night after being struck by a vehicle while he was on U.S. 2 just east of city limits.
Libby Lady Logger volleyball seniors honored
Lyndee McElmurry, Molly Gotham, Mylie Rayome, Addy Gilden-Vincent and Allison Beaty were recognized for their contributions to the program.
Libby woman pleads not guilty to drug possession
Katherine Hoffman Mutrie, 42, is charged with criminal possession of dangerous drugs and obstruction.
California man pleads guilty to check forgery
Forty-two-year-old John E. Nieblas, also known as John Eugene Kelton, faces a 10-year prison term.
Plans move forward for Libby’s smallest park
The tiny green space located between the city police department and Timberline Auto Center on Mineral Avenue isn’t a large park, but councilors have made it a priority.
Washington man accused of several Libby area thefts
Andrew Tyler Watts, 23, of Port Angeles, is charged with a total of six counts of theft, including two felonies and four misdemeanors after a lengthy investigation by officers in the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
Troy Lady Trojans beat Superior
Troy enjoyed strong play with several aces on the line and also physical play at the net.
Drought raises concerns for Libby water supply
But weather experts are predicting the drought to persist in the region through the end of the year.
Libby Loggers beat Browning on Senior Night
That the game was played on Friday the 13th seemed fitting with the amount of penalties, turnovers, a fight between the teams and the appearance of law enforcement in the second half.
Libby man accused of assaulting family member
According to court documents, Libby Police Chief Cody Ercanbrack was called to an alleged assault at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 in the parking lot at Lee Gehring Field.
Eureka man sentenced for strangling woman
She said Corpman struck her and then tried to strangle her by placing a hand on her throat, applied pressure and pressed down.
Libby cross country runners gearing up for state
Rowen Sherbo was fourth with a time of 17:17 and Cody Watson was eighth with a time of 17:41. Coach Brittany Katzer reported there were also seven runners who achieved their personal bests, including Matteo Gibbs, Eli Moore, Silas Moore, Greysen Thompson, James Redifer, Katelyn Huff and Julianna Shumate.
City OKs street closure for Halloween trick-or-treat
Councilor Brian Zimmerman suggested moving the barricades up to Lincoln Boulevard, “to make it safer in conjunction with the trunk or treat” event.
Libby Saddle Club hosts season-ending O-Mok-See event
“We had riders as young as 6 and our oldest is Bob Jones, who’s 86,” Freese said.
Man accused in DUI homicide can appear on video
David Daniel Lefell, 68, is charged with two counts of felony vehicular homicide under the influence.
Lincoln County votes to lower school property tax mill collection
At last Wednesday’s commissioners meeting, the vote was unanimous on a resolution to reduce the mill levy from 95 to 77.9 for the 2024 fiscal year.
City council candidates cover much ground in final debate
Six men running for three, four-year seats gathered at the Maki Theater last Thursday, including incumbents Zach McNew, Hugh Taylor and Brian Zimmerman, as well as challengers Darrel “DC” Orr, Ian Smith and Brad Nelson were at the 90-minute affair along with 14 citizens.
Libby man gets state sentence for violating probation
Lincoln County District Judge Matt Cuffe sentenced Eric Ernest Bohn, 50, to three years on Sept. 20.
Man accused of child sex assault pleads not guilty
He is being held in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $100,000 bail.
Northwest Montana Stand Down steps up for its veterans
Twenty-five years later, Erickson is handing his responsibilities to others.
Kootenai campground killer sentenced to state prison
Garry Douglas Seaman, 64, appeared in Lincoln County District Court and received two 60-year concurrent sentences.
Montana man pleads guilty to smuggling drugs into jail
Gibson was part of a group of county inmates accused of being involved in a drug smuggling case.
Libby City Council candidates make their cases for office
Most expressed an interest in keeping local government ordinances to a minimum while all expressed an interest in seeing a more united community.
School official seeks more traffic safety measures
Kootenai Valley Christian School Administrator Tara Niemi said rising enrollment has led to more traffic and concerns for safety at the school, which is located at 1024 Montana Ave.
Libby's Malyevac fifth at Class A state golf
"Finishing fifth was a great accomplishment also knowing he had beaten the guys ahead of him at earlier tournaments,” Rohrer said.
Man pleads not guilty in alleged police chase, drug cases
Howe is in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $35,000 bail.
Stimson Lumber owner critical of U.S. Forest Service
Stimson’s mill in Plummer, Idaho, has dropped about two-thirds of its workforce by the end of last week.
Libby woman accused of witness tampering pleads not guilty
According to charging documents, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Deputy Anthony Jenson learned Dedrick had submitted letters from some juvenile witnesses.
Loggers get back to .500 with rout of Butte Central Catholic
Libby (3-3) plays at Columbia Falls Friday night before returning home on Oct. 13 for Senior Night against Browning.
Ex-con accused of bringing fentanyl into Lincoln Co.
Salli Suzanne Bosma, 39, appeared in District Court on Sept. 25 and pleaded...
County hosting public hearings on Troy TV District fee; 911 dissolution
A public hearing on the matter is being held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Lincoln County Commissioners meeting.
No AIS detected by inspectors in northwest Montana
Inspectors at the Troy Rest Area station have been particularly busy while performing 5,5 watercraft inspections. That’s fifth in the state.
Libby man pleads not guilty in bar stabbing case
Part of Reid's release conditions include not possessing any weapons and he is not allowed to use any dangerous drugs or alcohol.
Two debates scheduled for Libby City Council candidates
The respective debates will begin each night at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3 and Thursday, Oct. 5.
Koocanusa Krank returns to Lincoln Co.
The Northwest Montana Climbers Coalition worked with the Access Fund, American Alpine Club and the Kootenai National Forest to host the first revival.
Loggers football loses homecoming game to Corvallis
The reeling Loggers have dropped three straight games after a 2-0 start.
Meth trafficker receives suspended sentence
An agreement between the county Attorney's Office and Hinchey called for a 6-year suspended sentence.
Board votes to dissolve Troy Dispatch Center
The center has struggled to maintain necessary staffing for quite some time with the county Sheriff’s Office handling calls in the Troy area in the interim.
Troy Dispatch to discuss dissolution at Friday meeting
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in city council chambers at 301 E. Kootenai Ave.
Man accused of sexually assaulting teen girl
Robert William Emerick, 34, is charged with one felony count of sexual assault, victim less than 16 years old.
Accused rapist returned to county after missing court date
Brickey missed a pre-trial conference on Sept. 5 and District Judge Matt Cuffe issued a warrant for his arrest.
New police officer joins City of Libby force
Luthey retired from the Ripon Police Department in October 2020 after a 26-year career. Ripon is a small town located between Modesto and Stockton in California.
Fisher River Valley Fire Rescue revises assessment request
The Lincoln County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the matter at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the fire station at 70 West Camp Road in Happy's Inn. The hearing will allow the public to comment for or against the fee schedule amendment.
Libby cross country hosts Wilderness Run
The event, with the Cabinet Mountains as the backdrop, last Saturday proved to be the same and top five finishers also received hand-made medals courtesy of the shop program at Libby Middle High School.
Troy woman accused of animal cruelty
When the officer entered the home, he said he was immediately met by a female Labrador type dog, yellow in color. It appeared to be blind.
Local residents hear county office relocation proposals
Increased parking and convenience for county residents were the main talking points from county employees who made their cases for consolidation.
Troy VFW, first responders remember 9/11
Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks carried out by 19 terrorists from al-Qaeda who hijacked four commercial airplanes and crashed them into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City and a third plane into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.