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 conservation easement meeting
Lands under easement remain in private ownership and management and landowners continue to pay property taxes.
Libby man accused of stealing unemployment benefits
Austin Joel Zugg, 46, is charged with two felonies, including making false claims to public agencies and theft.
Former city cops share reasons for resigning
Ian Smith, Cody DeWitt and Chris Pape gave their resignations to the city on Nov. 21.
Libby career criminal agrees to plea deal in drug case
In November, Waldron was arrested again on meth possession after an odd incident on U.S. 2 between Libby and Troy.
Arrest warrant issued for man accused of drug violation in Lincoln Co.
Aron Robert Porras, 30, of Whitefish, pleaded not guilty in Lincoln County District Court on Nov. 14 to felony possession of dangerous drugs and three misdemeanors, including DUI. The charges were the result of a traffic stop in Lincoln County earlier this year.
Stevenson chosen for East-West Shrine game
He joins 46 other Loggers who have been chosen since the game began in 1947.
Frigid temperatures across region; more winter weather on the way
According to the National Weather Service, shortly before noon on Thursday, it was minus-36 in the Yaak and minus-27 in Eureka.
Flathead police chase leads to arrest of man wanted locally
According to Trooper Laramie Stefani, the pursuit began near Browning on Highway 2 for Richard Mongan, 51, of Kalispell.
John Konzen Court dedicated at Troy Activity Center
In honor of his work, the court inside the Troy Activity Center will be known as John Konzen Court.
Woman with long criminal history sentenced for truck theft
District Judge Matt Cuffe gave Burns a 3-year sentence, to be served concurrently with a 3-year term Burns received in 2016 in Yellowstone County for escape.
Libby Police Chief Kessel to return to work on Dec. 27
Mayor Peggy Williams wrote in the release that, “On Nov. 21, 2022, three employees resigned abruptly expressing dissatisfaction with workplace conditions. An investigation could not determine that there were any violations of laws or policies to support termination of the chief of police.”
Local woman seeks to spark interest in teens to volunteer
But Harmon was recently inspired to try and get area teens more involved with first responders in south Lincoln County.
Libby basketball sweeps varsity games at Troy
Despite temperatures hovering at or below zero, both games were well attended. Admission was free, there were gift basket giveaways and at halftime of both games, Troy’s youth hoops players entertained the audience.
Libby man sentenced on meth possession charge
Bohn was given credit for serving 85 days in the Lincoln County Detention Center and released.
Ronan, Polson hand Lady Loggers defeats
The Lady Loggers play at Thompson Falls on Tuesday before taking on Troy on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Libby man pleads guilty to felony in golf course incident
Shane Brian Rice, 20, pleaded guilty on Dec. 12 to felony criminal mischief in Lincoln County District Court.
Loggers basketball splits games with Ronan, Polson
Against the Chiefs, the Loggers fell behind 14-7 after one quarter. But the Loggers dominated the rest of the way while outscoring Ronan 32-13 in the second and third quarters.
Libby's DeShazer places fourth at Tri-State
At 138 pounds, junior Zekiah Meyers was 3-2.
County officials concerned as flu cases increase
County Public Health Manager Jennifer McCully said there is quite a bit of concern because people will soon be getting together for holiday gatherings.
Convicted sex offender headed back to prison
Jeb E. Marquis, 33, was recently convicted of not registering in Montana as a sexual offender.
Libby man pleads guilty to gun offense
Filip Matthew Schertel, 30, was first charged with two felony counts of assault with a weapon, one felony count of criminal endangerment and a misdemeanor count carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence.
Greenchain second at Kinney Classic in Superior
The Libby Greenchain wrestling team crowned three champions.
Eureka man sentenced in meth possession case
Johnson told District Judge Matt Cuffe that Tumlin had completed treatment at a facility in Kalispell and is on a drug patch.
Noxon holds off Troy Lady Trojans, 42-32
Foul trouble plagued Troy and helped Noxon get many opportunities at the free throw line.
Trojans open season with OT thriller over Noxon
But Trojans head coach Justin Young turned up the heat as he called for full court pressure that Noxon didn’t handle well and Troy kept battling to force overtime.
Wolf trapping opens in some areas of occupied grizzly bear habitat
The areas of occupied grizzly bear habitat now open include areas in FWP Region 1, elk and deer hunting districts 100, 101, 103, 104 120, 121, 122, 123 and 124.
Arrest warrant issued for repeat Lincoln Co. offender
Jamie Ray Abrahamson, 43, is charged in Lincoln County District Court with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs.
Suspended sentence for Libby man who drove drunk with child in truck
Cuffe said the sentence was appropriate and that Sweatt had a low risk of re-offending.
Three Libby police officers resign; Chief Kessel put on paid leave
The startling development was not announced by city officials until after social media posts revealed the information in the last few days.
Winters sports begins for south Lincoln Co. teams
On the wrestling mats, the Greenchain began their season last weekend at Polson in the Owen Invitational.
Libby's Stevenson named to All-State football team for second year
University of Montana recruit senior Cy Stevenson is a first team pick at running back and linebacker.
Libby woman charged with burglary
According to a police report, video surveillance showed a woman had entered the business through a back door.
Libby child killer drops parole bid during hearing
Child killer Robert Hornback will not be getting his freedom any time soon and he won’t come before the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole for another six years.
Avalanche warning issued as northwest Montana digs out from snow storm
The avalanche warning includes mountainous terrain above 5,000 feet in elevation on the Kootenai National Forest, Silver Valley, Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains.
Troy family works to recover from loss of home in fire
Kenneth and Sheryl Hammrich lost their home due to a fire on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
Man with Libby ties pleads guilty to criminal endangerment
Rex Lee Rohan, 53, entered his plea from a correctional facility in Alaska on Nov. 21.
Libby man accused of attempted sex assault seeks bail reduction
Jason D. Buford, 45, is charged with felony attempted sexual assault, and two misdemeanors, including unlawful restraint and partner or family member assault, second offense.
Victim testifies at man's sentencing for stealing cash and pot
The victim said Fish had watched from outside their home when his wife undressed while getting ready for bed.
Elk harvest up, deer harvest down in northwest Montana
The counts at the stations represent a sampling of the harvest and do not represent the complete number of animals taken.
More affordable housing coming to Libby
The plan is for Cabinet Affordable Housing to build a 24-unit housing project targeting households with limited income. They will be located on a 4.1 acre lot on Commerce Way, across from the Flathead Valley Community College.
Libby veteran shares story of faith and inspiration
Today, Shelton is in charge of the youth ministry at the Libby Christian Church and he has a life for which he and his family are very thankful for.
Turkey Dash supports Libby area charitable groups
The event raised money for two area non-profits - the Libby Food Pantry and the Kootenai Valley Partners chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
Libby woman pleads guilty to meth possession
According to court documents, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies were monitoring suspected drug deals on March 26 happening at various casinos in Libby.
Murder victim's mother wants killer to remain behind bars
Robert George Hornback, 58, is a name that long-time Libby residents would prefer to forget. He was convicted of brutally killing 8-year-old Ryan VanLuchene on March 3, 1988.
Court order changes wolf hunting season near Glacier, Yellowstone
The order does not affect seasons in other Wildlife Management Units in Region 1 (Northwest Montana).
County's election process questioned at commission meeting
The audit, which will occur at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at the county Election Center at 418 Mineral Ave., in Libby, will include a hand count of 234 ballots from Precinct 6, which is the McCormick area located about 15 miles northwest of Troy.
Jury finds Eureka man not guilty in domestic incident
Authorities had accused Benjamin Joseph Brown, 43, of breaking into his girlfriend’s home in December 2021. But jurors, who deliberated for less than one hour, came back with a not guilty verdict on Thursday, Nov. 10.
Libby couple works hard to get their bucks
The couple has bagged five deer, including two large mule deer bucks, and had experiences they’ll never forget.
Area man sentenced for drug conviction
Jasper Marten Howell, 45, pleaded guilty in district court to misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bike thief sentenced for theft
District Judge Matt Cuffe accepted the plea of 37-year-old Brenton Keith Erickson on Sept. 26 and then gave him a 5-year suspended sentence.