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
Eureka man remains locked up after making several threats
Joseph Daniel Heil, 37, is facing one felony count of intimidation for alleged acts he committed recently.
COVID-19 alters van schedule for veterans
According to Jim Wardensky, a member of the Austin Reedy American Legion Post 97 in Libby who coordinates the transports, the van will only be transporting people on Tuesdays in July.
Troy log furniture maker will face retrial
Steven Edward Grable, 56, the owner of Montana Custom Log Furniture, was on trial for one felony count of theft on June 15 in the Lincoln County District Court when Judge Matt Cuffe declared a mistrial.
Some county residents voice displeasure with Pride event
The festival, which was born out of an impromptu gathering in the summer of 2021 to celebrate Pride month, will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday at Riverside Park.
Eureka man accused of killing father in custody in California
According to a news release from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, it was notified that Joshua Joseph Sauls, 23, the son of the victim John Sauls, was arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office on unrelated charges.
Bear Aware presentation includes live fire demo
But the substance that emitted from the canisters was not the real thing as area folks from the ages of 7 to 70 took turns spraying inert canisters.
Polson man gets prison time for posing as law enforcement
Pernell Dionne pleaded guilty plea in December 2021 to to a single count of impersonating a public servant.
Troy High School grad is an American hero
Kris Goyen is a Technical Sgt. in the U.S. Air Force who was recently honored for his actions in the rescue of an American citizen taken hostage.
County commissioners approve cost of living increase for employees
The motion to approve a 2.5% increase for all county employees, excluding those in union positions, was approved unanimously.
Assistance available for those seeking bear deterrent fence
Annis says FWP also has a program where people can get a loaner fence for free to try it out.
Repeat offender pleads guilty to stealing camper
Luke Deloy Hansen, 39, entered his plea on June 20 on a felony theft charge.
No visitors allowed at Lincoln County jail after COVID-19 outbreak
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received notice of its first confirmed positive case of COVID-19 in the detention center, according to a post on its social media page on June 28.
Caution urged for fireworks users, recreationists during holiday weekend
The outlook for the July 4 holiday weekend is quite a bit different in Lincoln County than it was in 2021.
Troy prepares for annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration
The celebration, more than 100 years old, will include the traditional fireworks display, parade and car show.
Lincoln County man causes ruckus in courtroom
Hartman, who is currently serving a 3-year sentence in the Montana State Prison for criminal endangerment, uttered several profanities at District Court Judge Matt Cuffe.
Authorities seek Eureka man accused of killing father
Joshua Joseph Sauls, 23, has been charged with deliberate homicide in the shooting death of John Lewis Sauls.
Libby man sentenced for officer assault
Judge Matthew Cuff gave 40-year-old Jay Waylon Carver a 4-year deferred sentence.
Loggers roll to fifth-place finish in Big Bucks Tourney
In the Logger’s first game, they fell 9-2 to the Claremont Cardinals. But they triumphed in their next three games, beating Latah, Idaho, 6-4, and the Northern Lakes Mountaineers, 11-1, on Saturday and 15-7 on Sunday.
County will pursue tax on recreational marijuana; city enacts ordinance
Commissioner Jerry Bennett said money from the tax would go to law enforcement or mental health services.
U.S. Forest Service moving ahead with Black Ram project
While Dan Hottle, Northern Region Press Officer for the U.S. Forest Service, realizes litigation could stop the project in the future, he said “We have to find out how it’s gonna look and how it will look.”
County's Crisis Intervention Team hopes to make a difference
The academy included first responders from various agencies in the county who respond to many situations across a broad spectrum of events.
County attorney seeks sanctions against state public defender's office
According to court documents filed Tuesday, June 21, in the Lincoln County District Court, Boris filed a motion for sanctions and payment for nearly $10,000 that it cost the county to hold the trial.
Eureka man headed to state prison for sex offense
John Kendall Ellis, 35, pleaded guilty to a single count of solicitation to incest.
Libby's Johnston playing in European Amateur Championship
Wednesday, Johnston carded an even par 72.
Memories of Dad
When I picture my Dad, he’s walking up the north bank of Beech Run with a small fishing rod in his hand.
Big Bucks tournament begins Thursday at the Lumberyard
Thursday's second game will feature the host Loggers battling the Claremont Cardinals at 5:30 p.m.
FWP seeks comment on environmental assessment for habitat conservation leases
Examples of conservation easements and land purchases currently in process are several timberland conservation easements in Northwest Montana.
Libby man pleads guilty to assaulting wife
John Travis Byrd, 44, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of criminal endangerment.
County commissioners say better technology, savings reasons for dispatch center consolidation
The issue been a major topic in the county for many years, but the commissioners said changes in technology and increasing costs are reasons why consolidation is needed.
Yaak River Road reopened to traffic
According to the Montana Department of Transportation, Yaak River Road, also known as National Forest 508, is now open with a reduced speed limit of 35 miles per hour in the Yaak Falls area.
Mistrial declared in case of Troy log furniture maker
Authorities say man took deposits, but didn't deliver the goods
Steven Edward Grable, 55, was on trial for one felony count of theft Wednesday afternoon in the 19th District Judicial Court when Judge Matt Cuffe made the ruling.
Two Lincoln County men plead not guilty to burglary charges
Colin C. Wolf, 24, and Vaughn Grier Rouse, 25, of Rexford, are accused of stealing guns and fishing rods, an inflatable raft and an outboard motor from a home.
Yaak River and Eastside roads closed in Lincoln County
According to the Montana Department of Transportation, Yaak River Road, also known as National Forest 508, is closed from mile marker 4 to 18 due to rock slides.
Loggers split twin bill with Kalispell
Caden Williams threw a gem for the Loggers in the second game as he struck out several Lakers.
Families enjoy Troy Kids' Fishing Day
Whether they were landing a rainbow trout, watching grandma untangle their line or just running around the pond, children smiled and laughed with delight.
Teske wins Republican primary for county commissioner
Teske collected 2,160 votes to best his counterpart, Stu Crismore, by 140 votes.
Lincoln County woman charged with embezzlement
Carvey is accused of stealing more than $7,500 from a coffee shop where she worked at in Eureka.
Troy man accused of assault with weapon
Ronald Craig Bechtold, 70, pleaded not guilty to two felony count of assault with a weapon.
Hand count of ballots nears conclusion in Lincoln County
As of 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Zinke led Olszewski by 1,180 votes, or 1.5 percentage points, out of 80,196 votes counted. Lincoln County had an estimated 6,000 ballots to hand count, but there weren’t many left to tabulate after lunch.
Libby man accused of DUI with infant son in car
Mark Allen Sweatt II, 36, is charged with felony DUI.
Area Kiwanis Club has a new name
Tuesday at Fireman Memorial Park in Libby, the group unveiled its new moniker - Kiwanis Club of Libby and Troy.
Man accused in Lincoln County homicide pleads not guilty
Garry Douglas Seaman, 63, pleaded not guilty to three felony counts, including deliberate homicide and attempted deliberate homicide.
Dinner on the Diamond goes indoors, but still a big success
Threatening weather and a few leaky canopies forced Loggers manager Kelly Morford to make the call to move the event.
Missing Lincoln County child found safe
According to a message Sunday afternoon from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Ryker Webb was found alive and in good health.
Search continues for missing child in Lincoln County
Short said a call came in about 5 p.m. Friday that the boy was missing from a residence located on Montana Highway 56 in the Bull Lake area.
Body found inside burned camper under investigation
Flathead County authorities are investigating the death of a person found inside a burned camper trailer on Blacktail Mountain.
Justice Department suing local Nazi sympathizer
The U.S. Department of Justice is suing a Nazi sympathizer living in Libby in an effort to collect a $9.9 million fine from the Federal Communications Commission after he plagued various parts of the country with racist, anti-Semitic and threatening robocalls.
Kalispell man charged with murder in gym shooting
A Kalispell man has been charged with murder in alleged shooting death of the manager of Fuel Fitness in Kalispell nearly two weeks ago.
Plains man headed to prison for string of burglaries, thefts
A Northwest Montana man involved in a series of burglaries and thefts with several other individuals is headed to prison after he was sentenced last Thursday in Flathead County District Court.
Rafters find human remains while floating Flathead River
Rafters discovered human remains in the Flathead River while floating below the Pressentine Bar fishing access site on Monday.