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's Sloan a double winner at Eureka Invitational
Both squads had winners and each placed third behind the host Lions and runner-up Plains.
City OKs deal to part ways with Police Chief Scott Kessel
But even the agreement caused a bit of a ruckus after Councilor Hugh Taylor said he wanted to see it before voting on it.
Libby tennis sweeps Columbia Falls
Members of the boys squad each claimed straight-set victories in a 7-0 win while the girls doubles teams all won their matches, helping the Lady Loggers to a 5-2 win.
Local amateur radio group welcomes all
Gathered together with a similar interest in amateur, or ham radio, they come from various backgrounds, such as a retired biologist, ex-police/sheriff’s office, pharmacists, forest service, the medical profession and housewives and new young enthusiasts.
Libby man accused of assaulting woman and law officer
Samuel Ryan Sutherland, 39, was charged with felony assault of a peace officer and misdemeanor partner or family member assault.
Lincoln Co. officials sound alarm on dangers of fentanyl
According to information from Lincoln County Unite for Youth, fentanyl poisoning is the No. 1 cause of death in people ages 18 to 35 in the county. There have been two confirmed fentanyl poisoning deaths in the county since November 2022.
Spring sports kicking off in Lincoln County
The Libby High School softball team kicks off the season today, hosting Polson.
Resignation of county officials stirs feelings at meeting
District 3 Commissioner Josh Letcher, who represents the northern part of Lincoln County, said he learned of the resignations when schools which are holding board trustee elections in May, emailed him late Friday afternoon about what the county would do.
Parking lot fracas leads to drug trafficking charges
A subsequent investigation and search of their vehicle turned up hundreds of blue fentanyl pills, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana.
Man sentenced for criminal endangerment
Deputy Davis reported in the charging document that Rohan had seven prior DUI convictions.
Libby man sentenced for stealing from family member
Burke’s sister also told Kraft that Burke had a long history of stealing and that he had been to prison for burglary and stealing.
Troy man pleads guilty to choking woman
The man, who held his head in his hands at times during the hearing, said his memory of the day was spotty, but he did admit he choked her.
Lincoln County election officials, clerk and recorder resign posts
According to County Human Resources Director Dallas Bowe, she had received letters of resignation from Clerk and Recorder Robin Benson and both employees in the Elections Office, including Administrator Paula Buff and her assistant, Amanda Eckart.
Libby residents take plea deals in drug, child endangerment cases
An investigator in the current cases reported the Deloach couple had previous criminal histories in Pennsylvania.
Fisher River Valley Fire Rescue has a new ambulance
The new rig, which went into service on Jan. 28, replaced a third-generation 1993 Chevy ambulance that was used at volunteer departments in Noxon and Troy.
Troy man gets suspended sentence in assault case against spouse
Joshua Michael Glaese, 39, was accused of attacking his wife and spraying her with a fire extinguisher last summer and then jailed on Christmas Eve for allegedly driving drunk.
Troy man accused of DUI homicide pleads not guilty
David Daniel Lefell was arraigned on the charges on Monday, March 20. He is currently lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center.
Deer Lodge man accused of rape in Libby
The sister who witnessed the alleged assault told Pape that they had went out for New Year’s and partied before returning home.
Libby man sentenced for assaulting county deputy
Bohdan Yuriyovych Yakovenko, 24, was charged with one felony count of assault on a peace officer.
Man accused of DUI homicide in crash that killed two
David Daniel Lefell, 68, of Troy is charged with two counts of felony vehicular homicide under the influence.
Lincoln Co. hunter ed instructors honored for years of service
Megan Strom of Eureka has served for 20 years and was named the regional Instructor of the Year for 2022.
Libby man gets deferred sentence in shooting incident
Charles Fernley Woods Jr., 68, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of felony criminal endangerment in Lincoln County District Court on Jan. 3.
Man accused of running over trooper pleads not guilty to all charges
A man with seemingly nothing to lose, Jason Allen Miller reportedly told a female passenger in his truck that he was not going back to prison shortly before he allegedly ran a Montana Highway Patrol trooper over last month near Rexford.
Lincoln Co. youth wrestlers punch their tickets to western championships
Libby hosted the Kootenai Classic last weekend, which was a qualifier for this weekend’s championships.
Trooper Lewis Johnson continues recovery in Colorado
Johnson, an 8-year MHP veteran, suffered life-threatening injuries when he was run over by a Rexford man sought by law enforcement on Feb. 16 in the Lake Koocanusa Bridge area.
Community meeting on fentanyl set for March 30 in Libby
Participants will learn what fentanyl looks like, how to recognize if someone is using it and how to talk with youth and families about medicine safety and the risk of overdose and death.
Libby School band provides a cure for the winter blues
Band director Brandon Boone led the musicians as they performed songs by multiple composers.
Bible drug smuggler returns to court on probation violation
Angela Lynn Rensmon, 44, appeared in Lincoln County District Court on Feb. 27 in front of District Judge Matt Cuffe.
Northwest Montana couple accused of drug trafficking
At the time of the traffic stop, Christopher Martin was in the back seat of suspected of being under the influence of fentanyl.
Lincoln County gets grant to help local victims of crime
According to county Victim/Witness Advocate Kathleen Sheffield, the money will be used to educate and promote the program using social media outlets.
Libby man pleads guilty to meth possession
District Judge Mike Cuffe sent the man's sentencing for April 17. He sternly reminded Abrahamson to show up for that hearing.
Libby City Council OKs new Police Commission members
The fact that the city had no police commission was exposed in the aftermath of the resignation of three officers, Chris Pape, Ian Smith and Cody DeWitt, in November 2022.
Northwest Montana man pleads guilty to possession of meth
Alexandr Shestak, 53, was charged with two felony counts of possession of dangerous drugs and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Golf course vandalism cases coming to a conclusion
Shane Brian Rice, 20, received a 4-year deferred sentence.
Woman gets prison time for fentanyl possession
Halie Maria Herzog, 28, was charged with five counts of felony possession of dangerous drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Angler catches trophy rainbow trout
The trophy trout measured 31 inches and weighed 12 pounds.
Libby's Ron Adamson glad he stuck with his convictions
After getting a better look at the image, Adamson said he was absolutely shocked when he realized it was his grandfather.
State to hold public meeting on possible Libby asbestos settlement
The two agencies will hold a public meeting at the Libby City Hall Ponderosa Room at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 6.
Tpr. Johnson and family thankful for community support at rally
Just 10 days after he was nearly killed after being run over by a man he was trying to arrest during a chase on Feb. 16 on Highway 37, Lewis Johnson spoke briefly to the assembled crowd who greeted him with a hearty round of applause during a rally of support.
Retired Forest Service ranger pens book of outdoor adventures
Mason will be at Libby Sports Center for a book signing event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 4.
The Western News to launch expanded weekend edition
The driving force behind the expanded Friday edition is to get more news to our loyal readers.
Tpr. Johnson support rally set for Sunday at Logan Health
Also, MHP, Attorney General Austin Knudsen and local law enforcement officials will hold a support rally at 1 p.m. Sunday at Logan Health.
Money available for bear deterrent projects
The Bear Smart Community Resource Fund will support projects designed to reduce bear attractants like garbage and human foods and to help community members create plans to keep people and property safe and bears out of trouble.
Rexford man accused of trooper assault back in court
Jason Allen Miller, 41, has three felony convictions and one misdemeanor conviction.
Fisher River Valley Fire and Rescue hosts annual fishing derby
Last weekend, the department’s primary fundraiser enjoyed good weather as anglers from across northwest Montana worked to bring home cash, other prizes and fish for the dinner table.
Accused of running over state trooper, felon appears in court
Jason Allen Miller, 41, of Rexford, appeared in front of Judge Jay Sheffield for his arrest on absconding from parole for previous convictions in the county for theft and possession of dangerous drugs.
Man accused of stealing truck from dialysis center
Scull is currently locked up in the Missoula County Detention Center on felony charges related to a case from May 2022.
Fundraising effort launched to support MHP trooper
Trooper Lewis Johnson, who is stationed in Eureka, has been on the job with MHP for eight years.
Former McCormick School employee sentenced for check fraud
Lincoln County School Superintendent Suzy Rios said Hilliard is no longer employed by the McCormick School.
Libby students enjoy Scotchman Peak's Winter Tracks program
Libby resident Brooke Bolin, who is the Montana Outreach Coordinator for Friends, said the non-profit group has held its Winter Tracks for about six years.