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
Libby to host property tax meeting; rebates available soon
The City of Libby’s Ponderosa Room, located at 952 E. Spruce St., will host a forum from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 13.
Troy man jailed for stabbing, sending man to hospital
The case began late on the night of June 5 when Troy Police Officer...
Michigan homicide suspect won't fight extradition
Cuffe told Mobley he was not obligated to waive extradition, but the defendant had no qualms about his decision.
CARD leaders say verdict won't halt its efforts
CARD Executive Director Tracy McNew and Board President Leroy Thom said they were both disappointed by the verdict and felt a ruling by Judge Dana L. Christensen hamstrung its case against railroad giant BNSF.
Libby woman sentenced on business break-in convicttion
Bucker wrote that he saw merchandise and clothing removed from shelves and thrown on the floor. He said about $200 in cash was missing from the cash register.
Libby's Uithof wins twice at Millpond Motocross
Competitors came from across the region, including Montana, Idaho and Washington and Canada, too. Northwest Montana was was well represented, too, as the field was dominated by racers from Libby, the Flathead Valley and Plains.
LOR continues to make a difference in Libby
As they close in on $500,000 in grants to dozens of community projects, LOR’s Tabitha Viergutz took some time to briefly reflect on what’s happened in the last 12 months.
Kootenai Forest Stakeholders hear grizzly report
Kasworm, the team leader for the Cabinet/Yaak Ecosystem Program, said there were three human caused grizzly fatalities in 2022, including two females.
Michigan murder suspect arrested near Libby
The sighting followed a Sheriff's Office Facebook post that was published about four hours prior to the arrest.
Former Libby man dies in crash in Troy
All three people were taken to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center. The 21-year-old man was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Libby, Troy have contested races for council seats
The election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 7, according to Howell.
Loggers baseball fourth at Big Bucks Tournament
The Loggers return home on Wednesday, July 5 to face Miles City. The home finale is July 9 against Bitterroot.
Death of local woman found in Flower Creek ruled accidental
An autopsy by state officials determined the causes of death were difluoroethane intoxication, drowning and hypoxia.
Libby man gets deferred sentence in golf cart incident
Murphy also faced charges of felony burglary and misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle but those were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
Californian charged with local check forgeries
Forty-two-year-old John E. Nieblas, also known as John Eugene Kelton, was arraigned Monday in District Court and pleaded not guilty to the offenses.
Mass casualty drill a learning experience for first responders
Cabinet Peaks Medical Center is in the process of becoming a designated trauma facility and running such a drill is a needed step in the process.
Libby couple sentenced for drug trafficking offense
Both hearings saw debate on paying restitution and fines related to the respective cases. The defendants each described their employment situations as tenuous.
Libby to host FWP meeting on setting hunting seasons
In Libby, KW Maki Theater, at 724 Louisiana Ave., will host a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 6.
Libby Loggers set to host Big Bucks Tournament
The action begins Thursday at Lee Gehring Field and ends Sunday. There will be a home run derby and skills competition on Saturday evening.
Dog's death leads to assault charge against Yaak man
Benjamin Michael Manheim, 63, is charged with one felony count of strangulation of a partner or family member following an incident on May 23 at a River View Drive residence.
Troy, Libby students pass welding certification tests
Instructor John Love said passing the test is important for a number of reasons.
Lincoln Co. woman gets prison time for probation violations
According to court documents, Hart was recommended for placement at Elkhorn Treatment Center in Boulder, Montana.
Libby's Jon Obst honored by Gov. Gianforte
Sgt. Obst has worked as a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Game Warden since the fall of 1998.
Libby artist's drawing survives severe fire
Hagen said the inspiration for his drawing of the “oldtimer” was from a book written by Fritz Perls and titled, “In and Out of the Garbage Pail.” It was published in 1969.
Homicide suspect may present alibi defense at upcoming trial
Joshua Joseph Sauls, 25, is facing a charge of deliberate homicide in the death of his father, John Lewis Sauls, on May 31, 2022.
Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition to talk grizzlies
Meeting attendees will hear a panel style discussion with select speakers on the topic of grizzly bears and road management.
Libby man pleads guilty to meth possession
Simmons will be considered for admittance to the county Treatment Court.
Eureka man sentenced in intimidation case
Joseph Daniel Heil, 38, pleaded no contest to one felony count of intimidation for alleged acts he committed in March 2022.
Kootenai Cross Country Ski Club gets $ for trail work
Lincoln County's Kootenai Cross Country Ski Club will receive $13,560 for grooming and maintenance of 13 miles of the Flower Creek Nordic Ski Trails system.
Libby man accused of strangling girlfriend
A conviction on the felony charge could result in a maximum penalty of five years in the Montana State Prison.
Troy Museum and Visitors Center celebrates 50th anniversary
Lincoln County officials bought the land from Stimson Lumber Company and gave it to Troy.
Group still lobbies for MT 37 speed reduction
Jim Mitchell is part of the group seeking the reduction of the limit from 70 miles per hour to 55 or even 60.
LOR, Libby 4-H team up for safe cattle handling
Kara Matthews, whose daughters Leah and Hailey are both members of the South 40, said teaming up with LOR has been great to further expand the club as well as the Troy Kootenai Kids & Critters 4-H Club.
Northwest Montana man accused of meth possession
Gallery is scheduled to appear in Justice Court at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Thompson SAR shares its mission with Libby youth
There were five stations, including the K-9 unit which works to help find lost people and the mountain unit which can set up rope systems that allow even a second grader to pull a truck easily.
Hammond's words inspire as Libby Class of 2023 graduates
Hammond, also the Senior Class President, shared her story of triumph over adversity while speaking during graduation ceremonies in Ralph Tate Gymnasium at Libby High School.
Lincoln County hires new election administrator
Howell comes from Grants Pass, Oregon, where she worked in the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office since the beginning of 2020.
Libby Schools work to prevent bullying
Recently at Libby High School, the Seeds Leadership Group and Justin Boudreau gave an interactive presentation for a few dozen students.
Libby's Beagle grabs bronze medal at state tennis
Beagle placed third and claimed a bronze medal for the second straight season.
Libby man sentenced in child assault case
Ty Reed Orsborn, 35, was originally charged and pleaded not guilty to felony assault on a minor and misdemeanor DUI.
Boltz, Stevenson, Andersen medal at state Track and Field Championships
For the girls, senior Rylee Boltz capped her career with a second-place in the high jump. Her top leap of 5 feet, 3 inches was also a personal best.
Local woman taken to hospital after traffic accident
Libby Volunteer Ambulance, Montana Highway Patrol, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Libby Volunteer Fire Department and Libby Police Department responded to the scene.
Libby's Adamson kicking off new carving show in Lincoln
The new festival will be held July 13-16 in the town of Lincoln in Lewis and Clark County.
Anglers battle tough conditions in Koocanusa Salmon & Trout Derby
Nevertheless, the diehards still managed to pull some good rainbow trout from the reservoir as well as some tasty kokanee salmon.
County battles abuse at Green Box refuse sites
She said there are trail cameras at a few sites that are used to determine those repeatedly breaking the rules and those folks are facing possible fines.
Suspect allegedly wielded shotgun in Libby standoff
Butala, originally from California according to a court filing, is scheduled to appear in Justice Court for preliminary hearing
Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness plans 2023 trail projects
It also is extremely rewarding to work alongside other volunteers that love nature.
Libby, Troy track and field athletes headed to state
The Libby Loggers are sending nine competitors to the Laurel Sports Complex for the Class A event and Troy is sending three to the Class B Championships in Butte.
Libby's Beagle wins divisional, sets sights on state title
But after five wins in two days at last week’s divisional, Beagle’s hunger for gold is renewed.
Libby's Andersen makes state tourney; Loggers lauded for hosting
They got to see sophomore Ryan Beagle win his second straight divisional singles crown and junior teammate Tyler Andersen qualify for the state tournament after placing fourth in singles.