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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Man charged, woman hospitalized after Libby bar stabbing
David Kenneth Reid, 38, is lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center after allegedly stabbing a woman in the Pastime Bar on Mineral Avenue.
Public meeting Sept. 18 for forest management near OU3 site
The purpose of the public meeting is to discuss potential Forest Service fuels and forest management activities on lands encircling the former zonolite mine and OU3.
Troy man accused of arson, burglary in R Place fire
Joseph Michael Haughton, 41, is charged with three felonies including two for arson and one for burglary.
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.
Troy man accused of multiple felonies sentenced for burglary
On July 11, Peterson pleaded no contest to burglary in district court in relation to incidents that occurred in March.
Killer grizzly euthanized near West Yellowstone
One was a 10-year-old female grizzly which killed a woman near West Yellowstone in July.
ARPA money helps county commissioners pass balanced budget
The commissioners had to use the last of the American Recovery Plan Act money - $800,000 - it had to help get to a balanced budget.
Loggers senior Malyevac wins Libby Invitational
But a 6-under 66 at Cabinet View made him a winner with a two-day total of 141.
Yaak man pleads not guilty to kidnapping, assault charges
Jeremy B. O’Day, 46, is also accused of a third felony count.
Troy Lady Trojans kick off volleyball season
The Lady Trojans return to action at home on Sept. 14 against Eureka.
Lady Loggers soccer team wins home-opener
Goals by Madison Vincent, Kaydence Stanak and Capri Farmer in the last 12:34 turned the game into an easy win.
Loggers 2-0 after beating Polson, 35-26
The Loggers defense forced three turnovers and held Polson to just 13 yards rushing on 21 attempts.
Libby ex-con pleads guilty to meth possession
Judge Matt Cuffe set Hoffman's sentencing date for Oct. 23. Hoffman remains in the Lincoln County Detention Center.
County to move ahead with plan for Lower Yaak zoning
The public hearing, held on Aug. 30, lasted nearly two hours and saw comments from several people, some of whom returned to the podium repeatedly to voice their thoughts and opinions.
Troy man pleads guilty in knife assault
On Aug. 28, Joshua Miller, 36, pleaded to one felony county of aggravated assault.
Thompson SAR rescues lost hiker
While David Thompson SAR members began a ground search in the China Face area, others waited to hear if Two Bear Air could aid in the search.
Lincoln County officials see spike in fentanyl deaths
Sheriff Darren Short said in a phone interview with The Western News Friday that he knew of at least five overdose deaths in the county this year.
Troy, Libby 4-H clubs show well at Lincoln Co. Fair
According to Kara Matthews, of Libby, the auction sales were $469,372.35.
Officials lift, ease fire restrictions across northwest Montana
The order, which was approved by fire managers and county commissions, took effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.
Lincoln Co. considers moving offices into Asa Wood
Williamson said the consolidation could include offices in the county’s Libby Annex, treatment court, forester and Asbestos Resource Program.
Troy man sentenced for threatening wife
The county Attorney’s Office later determined the shooting was likely justifiable.
Archery, upland bird hunting seasons begin this weekend
For more specifics, refer to the regulations book or visit Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website fwp.mt.gov.
Three Lincoln Co. boys charged with arson in Haul Road fires
Petitions were filed on Aug. 2 by Lincoln County Deputy Attorney Jeffrey Zwang that the three boys were alleged to be delinquent youths and serious juvenile offenders.
Grizzly bear killed in self-defense encounter in Whitefish Range
The adult bear charged the individuals and both men shot and killed the bear.
Kootenai National Forest extends public comment on snowmobile plan
This travel plan includes National Forest System lands on the Libby, Cabinet, Three Rivers, Fortine and Rexford Ranger Districts across the forest.
Darby rallies past Troy Trojans, 50-38
But an injury to quarterback Carson Orr late in the first half helped set the stage for a Tigers rally and a 50-38 win for the visitors.
Libby Loggers open season with win over Stevi
DeShazer put the Loggers in front with 7:46 left in the first quarter when he took a short screen pass from Andersen and took it in after some good downfield blocking by his teammates.
Libby man accused of child sex assault pleads not guilty
Haflich is being held in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $250,000 bail.
South Yaak residents seek zoning district
It is mainly in response to the potential development of two subdivisions - the South Yaak and West Pine Creek properties.
Accused Gravel Pit Fire arsonist pleads not guilty
According to charging documents, Eutsler previously lived in Williamstown, New Jersey.
Kootenai campground killer pleads guilty to homicide, attempted homicide
The woman also testified that Seaman said, “If you have to kill someone, use a shotgun and make sure you kill them, because dead men tell no tales.”
Yaak man accused of kidnapping, assault with weapon
The man said O’Day had an AR-style rifle in the truck and kept a hand on it while they drove from his residence near the Montana-Idaho border to a place where O’Day’s wife was staying on Montana Highway 56.
Meth trafficker pleads guilty, gains release
The traffic stop allegedly turned up nearly one pound of methamphetamine in a vehicle Rosenlund was driving on Nov. 14, 2022.
Northwest Montana man accused of burglarizing state road shop
According to charging documents, investigators used surveillance photos to identify possible suspects.
Classic car lovers revel at Libby's Ignite the Nites
Igniters Car Club President Ed Leroy was appreciative of everyone who worked and attended the show.
Fire crews contain Powerline Fire near Libby
But locally, fire crews banded together to knock down the Powerline Fire six miles up Bobtail Road before it became a threat to nearby residences, private and federal land.
Kootenai region under red flag warning
The National Weather Service issued the warning Thursday morning. It is predicting west winds of 10 to 20 miles per hour with gusts of 25 to 35 mph. With minimum humidity levels between 7 and 15%, the combination is ripe for extreme fire conditions.
Troy man accused of assaulting retired cop in road rage incident
O’Toole, 67, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of assault with a weapon.
County commissioners OK refuse fee increase
The current fee is $135, but it will increase to $150 per year. The last refuse increase was in 2008.
Libby man gets deferred sentence in assault case
Samuel Ryan Sutherland, 39, was charged with felony assault of a peace officer and misdemeanor partner or family member assault. He pleaded guilty to both charges on June 19 in Lincoln County District Court.
Troy man pleads not guilty in DUI homicide case
Terren Craig Winebark, 21, is charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence, or in the alternative, negligent homicide.
Authorities investigating attempted suicide at county jail
Court documents indicate a Libby man attempted suicide at the Lincoln County Detention Center in the early-morning hours of Friday, Aug. 4.
$2 million price tag on Gravel Pit Fire
The fire, as alleged by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, began on the evening of Aug. 1 when a transient man from New Jersey, 39-year-old Joseph Anthony Eutsler, started the fire to gain the attention of law enforcement because his van had broken down.
Former Libby woman accused of drug offenses
Ashleigh Lynne Nelson, 39, of Henderson, Nevada...