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
Dissatisfaction growing over Trump policies, actions
Last week in front of the Lincoln County Courthouse, Roesler-Begalke’s publicly illustrated his displeasure with the actions of Pres. Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
Comfort Inn coming to Libby’s Kootenai Business Park
The 80-room hotel in a multiple-floor story building will also feature...
Troy basketball teams celebrate Senior Night
The Trojans are back in action this weekend in St. Ignatius at the 7B tournament.
More charges for Libby man accused in transgender incident
According to the probable cause statement by county deputy Christopher Pape, he was...
Local woman pleads to DUI with child in car
According to the supplemental narrative by county deputy Ben Fisher, his shift was about to end...
Troy man sentenced in West Kootenai road rage incident
Reid’s case began at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, according to...
Troy High School Drama Club puts on a show to remember
Despite some unforeseen setbacks, Troy High School Auditorium hosted two shows Friday and Saturday evening.
Libby's Siefke wins Halfway House pike derby
But a well-timed cold snap built a good 10 inches on the 107-acre lake...
Greenchain wrestlers send 15 to state tournament
Led by senior Riley Orr's win at 118 pounds, he and 14 other Greenchain wrestlers will...
Libby man accused of assaulting jail guard, burglary
After Harsh was taken into custody the first time, he was accused of striking and kicking a detention officer during a Dec. 31, 2024, incident.
Libby woman sentenced in drug possession case
According to her terms of release, Willey is not allowed to use or possess alcohol, dangerous drugs or weapons.
Rexford man sentenced for partner assault
She told the deputy she was sleeping on the couch when Sims started...
Local health care providers get training in sepsis
Wednesday, Cabinet Peaks Medical Center hosted a special training event for its...
County officials continue effort to improve animal shelter
The commissioners were unanimous in their support for the county to run the facility.
Berm jumping leads to felony charge
After getting a description of the man from the employee, Pitman spoke to...
Libby man pleads not guilty to violating protective order
According to charging documents, Judge Cuffe issued a Temporary Order of Protection Nov. 7, 2024, against...
Former Troy woman accused in puppy abandonment case
According to the charging document, county dispatch deputy got a call in the early evening hours of Feb. 1, 2024, about a passerby finding...
Greenchain wrestlers wrap up memorable week with safe homecoming
The Greenchain never made it all the way up Highway 37 after the bus...
County hosting multiple ice fishing tourneys
This weekend, the hot spot will be Bull Lake for its Ninth Annual Ice Fishing Derby.
Losing streaks continue for Libby hoops teams
Newcomer Bransen Holzer was next with 11 points and Isaac Lamere added 10.
Winter Tracks welcomes area youth to nature's wonders
The American badger was part of James’ presentation on...
Lincoln County Crisis Response Team in limbo
The news about the Crisis Response Team’s demise was circulating before it...
Washington man arrested in Libby pleads to federal gun charges
Brown was removed from an Amtrak train Jan. 9, 2024, in Libby after the indecent exposure incident.
J. Neils bull statue getting some company
Harman said he got a grant from the LOR Foundation to pay for the new structure.
Libby man pleads guilty to head butting girlfriend
District Judge Matt Cuffe ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set Spady’s sentencing for March 10.
Trojans run win streak to three after beating Eureka
Troy is 7-3 overall and leads 7B with a 5-0 record. Tuesday’s win over the Lions was...
Feds seek comment on Montanore Mine project
Montanore Minerals wants to conduct mineral exploration activities, primarily for copper and silver...
Libby man charged in pepper spray incident at local store
Charging documents indicate Ludwick was having a problem with the cashier being...
Libby bridge to be named in honor of Vietnam vet
“This is a man who could have taken a deferment and not went, but that’s not what Arthur did,” Cuffe said.
Former high school principal pleads not guilty to assaulting student
Germany worked at Libby Public Schools from 2002 until...
Trojans rally in second half to beat Superior
The Trojans (5-3) broke a three-game losing streak with the win as they work to overcome a...
Libby man gets deferred sentence in road-rage incident
Swartzenberger, who appeared with his attorney...
County man sentenced for drug offenses
Dunsing was first accused of five offenses, including four felonies.
Libby High School students seek welding certification
Nearly two dozen current Loggers have passed their G1 American Welding Certification Test while two others have passed their G3 test.
Libby apartment complex heavily damaged in fire
The call came in at about 2 p.m. for a fire at the...
Frenchtown sweeps Libby in high school hoops
Hosting two hot-shooting squads from Frenchtown resulted in...
Gravel Pit Fire arsonist pleads guilty
A plea deal calls for him to receive a 20-year sentence, with...
Greenchain wrestlers sweep dual against CFalls, Bigfork
Forfeits played prominently in all the matches as the visiting teams struggled to fill weight classes.
Feds say no to grizzly delisting
In 2023, the agency said the Greater Yellowstone population was at 1,030 while the NCDE population was 1,163.
Deer Lodge man pleads guilty to rape
A plea deal calls for Brickey to receive a...
Libby man dies in motorhome fire
Nineteen firefighters were on the scene of the blaze for 2 1/2 hours as well as...
Local bar owner accused of assaulting woman in own establishment
When Luthey spoke with the alleged victim, she said she was in the bar when...
Forest officials plan thinning work near Libby
Kootenai National Forest Libby Ranger District has proposed a project in the Bobtail and Lower Pipe Creek areas that would include logging on nearly 3,000 acres of federal land in a tract of nearly 3,600 acres.
Beagle takes over principal duties at Libby Middle High School
Beagle is taking on the added responsibilities following the...
Libby woman accused of dealing drugs
Five days later, the detective met with...
Washington woman arraigned on local child custody case
According to the Dec. 10 county jail roster, Canavan remains locked up in the...
Eureka teen enters not guilty plea to felony rape charges
Springer was freed in Butte-Silver Bow County earlier this year following accusations he raped a 4-year-old child there.
Proposed skate park in Libby needs a home
The first Libby Skate Park opened in 1993 at the corner of Larch Street and Utah Avenue.
Effort to rename Libby bridge after fallen soldier headed to Legislature
When the state Legislature convenes its 69th session next Monday in Helena, Sen. Mike Cuffe will introduce a bill to have the Montana 37 bridge over the Kootenai River as it exits Libby named in memory of former resident Arthur J. Rambo.
Heritage Museum volunteers seek grant for Shay engine work
The Museum is going after a $2 million grant that would fund restoration work on the 118-year-old No. 4 engine...