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 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.
Libby honors its military veterans
The Kootenai Valley Quilt Guild presented handmade quilts to several area veterans.
Patience pays off for Northwest Montana moose hunter
He had recovered from a bad fall he suffered in November 2019 after bagging a mountain goat while hunting in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.
County commissioner wants vote audit expanded
State Sen. Mike Cuffe (R-Eureka) thought increasing the audit was a good idea in an effort to create more confidence in the process.
Troy log furniture maker pleads guilty to theft
Steven Edward Grable, 56, the owner of Montana Custom Log Furniture, entered a guilty plea on Oct. 20 to one felony count of theft in a common scheme.
Libby woman accused of drug offenses
Stephanie Laurel Varner, 36, entered her plea on Oct. 17 in district court to one felony count of possession of dangerous drugs and one misdemeanor count of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.
Two Troy men die in fatal traffic crash near Libby
According to Montana Highway Patrol, a 67-year-old man from Honolulu, Hawaii, was driving a Dodge R15 east toward Libby at about 2:23 p.m. when he lost control of the vehicle.
County discusses bridge work, improving pedestrian access
Thompson said money is available from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was approved by Congress on Nov. 5, 2021, and made law by Pres. Joe Biden on Nov. 15.
Hot-button issues spur high county voter turnout; Zinke wins
According to county Election Administrator Paula Buff, voters turned in 6,419 absentee ballots for a 73% return rate.
Troy man accused of attacking wife may argue self defense
Glaese was in court with his attorney, Sean Hinchey for a hearing to determine the length of a potential trial and also to request permission to leave Montana from Nov. 2 to Nov. 11.
Search and rescue teams bring back lost adventurers
Two folks who were having trouble in southern Lincoln County’s wilder places are...
Troy native writes book about war experiences
Since returning from Pakistan in 2016, Stoval found writing to be a therapeutic outlet for coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Libby man pleads guilty to meth possession
Eric Ernest Bohn, 49, entered the plea on Oct. 31 while on video from the Lincoln County Detention Center.
Fatal crash reported on U.S. 2 west of Libby
Also, a two-vehicle traffic accident occurred at about 9:40 a.m. on Montana 37 at mile marker 8 near the Osprey Landing boat ramp.
County officials join effort to show support for veterans
With Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11, the nation’s counties and boroughs are preparing to show support for veterans by lighting its buildings green from Nov. 7 to Nov. 13.
Libby man accused of assaulting wife during argument
Libby Police Officer Joshua Brabo wrote in a report that he was called to a residence on Commerce Way for an incident that began as a verbal argument and escalated to a physical assault.
Red Ribbon Week promotes drug-free lifestyle
Outfits worn by chefs, firefighters and law enforcement were just some of the costumes worn by Libby Elementary School students were part of Red Ribbon Week.
EPA provides update on cleanup work at old mill site
The former lumber and plywood mill where soil and groundwater was contaminated due to the wood treating operations that occurred at the time.
Ague back in court on drunk driving charge
Ague, who is free on bail, pleaded not guilty on Oct. 17 in Lincoln County District Court.
Eureka man pleads guilty to meth possession
According to Montana State Prison records, Tumlin, an Illinois native, has seven felony convictions in Montana dating back 33 years.
Fall sports season ends for Libby, Troy squads
Cy Stevenson ran 17 times for 53 yards and scored the Logger’s lone touchdown.
Thursday Night Pursuits continues inspirational, exciting stories
For nearly two decades the church has hosted its beloved sharing of faith and hunting and fishing stories with the community.
Montana woman accused of stealing truck pleads guilty
Burns, a Florida native, has a long criminal history with five convictions in Yellowstone County between 2015 and 2016, according to state prison records.
Unwanted prescription drugs can be taken to county Sheriff's Office
Medicines that languish in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.
Troy students see how Lincoln County ballots are counted
The test, which was held on Friday, Oct. 14 in the Election Center at the county Annex Building on Mineral Avenue in Libby, included 15 test ballots from each of the 14 precincts in the county.
Loggers clinch state playoff berth with win over Corvallis
Libby (4-5) outscored Corvallis, 52-42, on Senior Night Friday to punch their ticket to the Montana Class A state playoffs. The Loggers will play at Laurel at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Libby man accused of burglarizing family member's home
Kevin Paul Burke, 45, pleaded not guilty to felony charges of burglary and theft on Monday, Oct. 17.
Libby man pleads not guilty to drug offenses
According to charging documents filed by County Attorney Marcia Boris, Bohn is accused of the offenses on two separate occasions between late May and late September.
Libby man pleads guilty to driving drunk with infant son in vehicle
Mark Allen Sweatt II, 36, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of criminal endangerment.
Libby Elementary School students learn about bullying
Bullying among school-age children can cause effects that last well into adulthood and result in various negative outcomes, including physical injury, depression, dropping out of school and even death.
Troy woman accused of attempted theft
Elizabeth Kathline Williams, 29, pleaded not guilty to amended charges of felony attempted theft and others.
Montana man charged with choking, punching wife
Todd Dean Goodrich, 57, is facing one felony count of strangulation of a partner or family member and one misdemeanor count of partner or family member assault.
Victor spoils Senior Night for Troy Trojans
Before the game, senior players Trevor Grant and Paxton Fisher, along with team manager Isabella Tunison, were recognized.
Man gets hefty fine, suspended sentence in DUI case
McDaniel was charged with DUI in July 2021 after a law officer saw him driving erratically in Libby.
Troy volleyball battles on Senior Night, but Arlee prevails
Between the junior varsity and varsity matches, three Lady Trojans, Audrianna Borgmann, Elaine Folkerts and Zeeannah Reid, were honored as well as two senior cheerleaders, Audrey Evans and Devynn Cummings.
Crismore says county residents deserve a choice in commissioner race
The Libby native touted his varied experiences as why he should be a commissioner.
Montana Supreme Court rejects accused killer's bail reduction request
The justices unanimously ruled on Oct. 4 against the request by sixty-three-year-old Garry Douglas Seaman, a Kalispell attorney charged in the shooting death of James Preston Freeman and the wounding of his former, long-time domestic partner.
Teske wants to continue service to Lincoln Co.
Brent Teske was appointed to replace Mark Peck on the board last year after Peck’s resignation. Teske previously served as Libby’s mayor and before that on city council.
Ballots are in the mail for 2022 general election
Buff reminded county residents that all election business is being conducted at the Election Center at the county Annex Building, located at 418 Mineral Ave. in Libby.
Libby Public Schools receive threatening phone calls
Libby Superintendent of Schools Ron Goodman echoed Police Chief Scott Kessel’s comments that the threats were not credible.
Successful hunters can submit samples for CWD testing
The Libby CWD sampling station is open from 10 a.m. to sunset on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Lincoln Co. man pleads guilty to stealing pot, cash
Quentin Travis Henry Fish, 19, pleaded guilty to felony theft and misdemeanor criminal mischief in Lincoln County District Court on Oct. 3.
Loggers triumph over Bigfork on Senior Night
Gabe Hollingsworth and Dylan Warner each scored two goals and Kale Hall scored one.
Arlee rumbles past Troy Trojans, 62-20
The home-standing Trojans did have some moments in the game as freshman David Arvidya returned a kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown and senior Trevor Grant scored twice, including a 43-yard gallop and a 68-yard kick return.
Lady Loggers soccer battles valiantly in Senior Night loss
Libby sophomore Morgan Hayes scored two goals for the Lady Loggers.
Lincoln Co. man pleads guilty to stealing expensive bike
Erickson, who appeared on video from the county jail, originally faced felony theft and attempted escape charges as well as a count of misdemeanor obstructing an officer.
Authorities say Troy woman tried to run over boyfriend
Amanda Rose Marcum, 36, pleaded not guilty on Monday in Lincoln County District Court to felony assault with a weapon and misdemeanor partner or family member assault.
Stevenson leads Loggers to Homecoming win over Browning
Stevenson, who leads the team in rushing, receiving and scoring, capped Libby’s first possession with a 3-yard touchdown run about midway through the first quarter.