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
Stories galore at 61st Annual Igniters Car Show
For instance, Troy’s Carl Weiss talked about the history of his green 1950 Chevy 5-window pickup truck.
Coach Fuller ready to tackle 2022 season
Watching Fuller at a recent practice leaves no doubt to the desire he still has to coach and work with young people.
Lincoln County man found not guilty of most serious charges in recent trial
Hartman’s time in the Lincoln County Courthouse was substantially different than his last appearance on June 20.
Troy considers noise ordinance, passes alcohol measure
Some rowdy behavior in Troy has city officials approving and considering new ordinances to deal the problem.
Troy Public Schools receive large technology grant
The federal grant was for $455,020 and comes from the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund.
Lincoln County Fair begins Thursday in Eureka
The 4-H action begins at 8 a.m. Thursday with the market animal show. The dog show starts at 5:30 p.m.
Lincoln Co. families facing school meal costs, new levy
According to information from the Libby School District, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is not offering free meals this year and it has directed districts to return to the pricing model that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Libby to host elk management meeting on Aug. 22
FWP is seeking input on the existing elk population objectives and local elk management challenges.
Arrest warrant issued for Troy man accused of threatening spouse
John Clinton Alyea, 39, was arrested on July 13.
Lincoln Co. man gets prison time for stealing camper
Luke Deloy Hansen, 39, pleaded guilty on June 20 on a felony theft charge.
Libby Schools hosting family workshop Aug. 23
The Libby School District, Spring Up Libby and Lincoln County Unite for Youth are hosting a workshop next week at the Libby Middle High School.
Mistrial declared in Libby child sex assault case
Timothy William Ague, 61, was on trial for the offense from Wednesday through Friday.
Chain of Lakes residents speak against Happy's RV subdivision
The meeting room in the Lincoln County Courthouse is typically lucky to see more than a few residents, but at the Wednesday, Aug. 10 hearing, there weren’t enough chairs for those who shared their thoughts on the plan.
Salon arsonist receives deferred prosecution agreement
Karrie Lynn Beckman, 49, reached an agreement with the Lincoln County Attorney's Office on July 5.
Libby School Trustees OK contract for Asa Wood cleanup
The school district received a $388,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields Program in 2021 to clean up toxic buildings materials on the property.
Wolf report shows stable population numbers through 2021
In the past season, a total of 273 wolves were taken, 148 by hunters and 125 by trappers, according to figures from FWP.
Libby ex-con accused of pistol whipping resident
Guy Eric Waldron, 44, is charged with robbery, assault with a weapon, theft and criminal endangerment after two separate incidents on July 24.
Kootenai RC Racers host Hot August Showdown
Founded in 2013, the Kootenai RC Racers are northwest Montana's oldest, continuously running RC racing club.
Weasel Fire grows to more than 2,500 acres, crosses into Canada
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, about half the fire is burning in the U.S.
Rexford man jailed after knife assault
Travis C. Plantiko, 42, pleaded not guilty to the felony.
Bail remains at $25 million for accused campground killer
Garry Douglas Seaman, 63, is accused of deliberate homicide and attempted deliberate homicide.
Fire crews continue battle on Weasel Fire
Kootenai National Forest officials raised the fire danger level to very high on Monday.
Weasel Fire grows to more than 2,000 acres
The Weasel Fire blew up Thursday and went from about 200 acres to more than 2,200 as of Friday afternoon.
Locals, Forest Service see hope for interface forest management
$19.3 million for forestry work in the Kootenai Complex Project, which includes Libby, Troy, Eureka, Stryker, Fortine and Trego, is coming to Lincoln County as a result of the federal, bi-partisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Stalking case dismissed after Libby man dies
Keith Archer Carlson, 76, faced one felony count of stalking.
Former Troy man sentenced after parole violations
In another alleged probation violation, Shelton threw his girlfriend to the ground, held her down and bit her hand.
Gun assault alleged in incident between couple and truck driver
Woods Jr. pleaded not guilty to all three charges on July 25 in Lincoln County District Court.
Butte man takes plea deal after ninth DUI charge
William Francis McDaniel, 61, signed an Alford plea, formally pleading guilty to one felony amended charge of criminal endangerment.
Fortine man accused of assaulting family members
Steven James Houchin, 34, is accused of choking his sister-in-law and punching her son.
Eureka woman convicted of drug crime accused of probation violation
District Court Judge Matt Cuffe sentenced Teresa Carr Mocko, 59, to five years, with three suspended, in December 2019.
Repeat drug offender headed to prison
Eatwell asked for a recommendation and received one from Judge Matt Cuffe to be placed in the Veteran Reentry Program in Great Falls.
Lincoln County Commissioners OK preliminary budget
At a meeting earlier this month, a $11.2 million budget was passed.
Libby man sentenced in Xbox assault case
John Travis Byrd, 45, received a 5-year suspended sentence from Judge Matt Cuffe.
Libby man accused of stalking store employee will go on trial
Keith Archer Carlson, 76, is facing one felony count of stalking. He was arrested on March 25, 2022, after numerous incidents that allegedly began in the summer of 2021.
Off the couch and into the outdoors for program participants
According to Bill Moe, a Libby Schools social studies teacher who helps run the program, about 60 local kids were involved.
Lincoln County man accused of DUI after U.S. 2 crash
Joshua Miller, 35, is charged with two felonies, including driving under the influence, fourth offense.
State, local officials continue efforts to slow spread of CWD
While local and regional wildlife management officials are generally pleased with slowing the spread of CWD in Libby and northwest Montana, there are no plans to retreat on how they deal with the affliction.
Jury finds man guilty of witness tampering; hung on assault charge
A jury found Walter Jason Purkhiser, 42, guilty of felony witness tampering on Saturday, June 16 in Lincoln County District Court. But the group of eight women and four men deadlocked on one felony count of partner or family member assault, third offense.
Wildlife officials answer rumors of eliminating deer
Part of the plan to reduce deer densities is through hunting.
Tugging incident leads to felony charges against Troy man
Garrett Damion Cassidy, 51, pleaded not guilty to assault with a weapon and criminal endangerment.
Thompson SAR shares water safety information
At last Thursday’s David Thompson Search and Rescue water safety event at Riverfront Park in Libby, families learned about the reasons for wearing a PFD.
Senior Night celebration: Loggers triumph in regular season finale
Tripp Zhang was one of five seniors, including Caden Williams, Landon Haddock, Aydan Williamson and Brett Osborne, who were honored between the doubleheader.
Fire managers optimistic about current conditions
This year is in direct contrast to 2021 when spring conditions in the county and region were very dry.
Lost Trail Conservation Area joins U.S. Wildlife Refuge system
Conservation easement ensures public access, recreation and sustainable timber harvest will continue on lands in Northwest Montana.
Libby woman charged with meth possession
Christine Renae Quinn, 52, appeared in Lincoln County District Court on July 11 and pleaded not guilty.
Troy man kills wolves that attacked his goats
The man, who lives with his wife and son, did not want to be identified due to possible harassment from animal advocacy groups. But he did share his story with The Western News.
Libby Creek community receives grant for water, sewer work
The intent is for the community to connect to city water.
Lincoln County hosts first Pride Festival
Pride month, as well as a celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, commemorates the June 1969 police raid of Stonewall Inn in New York, which is credited with sparking the gay rights movement in the U.S.
Lincoln County Detention Center re-opens to visitors
In an email from County Sheriff Darren Short, he wrote that all of the people who had to be quarantined were cleared.
Montana FWP hosting CWD meeting on July 19 in Libby
The public meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 19 in the Ponderosa Room at Libby City Hall.