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
Former Oregon hotshots help quell Libby blaze
The couple, who have lived in Libby since 2017, were more than prepared to tackle....
Former county resident gets prison time for sex offense
Cody Hosko, 60, of Victor, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to...
Libby man accused of beating, choking woman
Moss is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 9 for...
Sex assault case dismissed against Libby man
In the motion for dismissal, Boris wrote that the alleged victim...
State says New Jersey man accused of arson is fit to proceed
Eutsler’s attorney, Ben Kolter, told the court he has requested a new budget to have a new evaluation hearing.
Highway 37 bridge work begins Aug. 5
The first is at mile marker 13.8 where the...
Campfire time comes to a stop in northwest Montana
Because 80 to 90% of wildfires are human-caused, restrictions help reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires during periods of very high to extreme fire danger by decreasing potential sources of ignition.
Libby woman gets prison time in meth possession case
District Judge Matt Cuffe sentenced Styles on July 15 to...
Arrest warrant issued for Libby man accused of stabbing woman
According to a court document filed July 26, Reid was at...
County election officials want separation from clerk and recorder
The matter arose at the July 10 meeting when Election Administrator Melanie Howell ...
Arrest warrant issued for Troy man accused of felony theft
Zugg first appeared in court Jan. 23, 2023, for arraignment on felony charges of theft and...
Top talent performing at Riverfront Blues Festival
Hosted by the Libby Revitalization Project, the festival will be held at the Riverfront Park Aug. 9-10.
Troy enacts Stage 1 fire restrictions; road closure ordered for Libby OU3
Troy Volunteer Fire Department Chief D.J. Welch called for Stage 1 fire restrictions July 22 inside city limits.
Construction company owner accused of fraud pleads guilty
Joseph Anthony Tobiness, 52, was accused of four counts of forgery...
Eureka man accused of shooting neighbor’s dog
According to the woman, the veterinarian said he could...
Troy man accused of fifth DUI
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Trooper Bryce Ford was driving on U.S. 2...
Late night hotel fracas leads to assault charge
Pape said when he spoke to Bennett the man was very intoxicated...
Multiple charges for Kalispell woman following hit-and-run crash
According to the affidavit of probable cause by Montana Highway Patrol trooper Virgil Sadewasser, Lundin was involved in...
City wades back into Flower Creek spoils pile discussion
The spoils pile, left following the construction of the newer dam in 2016 because the project was...
Second accused dog napper pleads not guilty
County deputy Andrew Smith and county detective Brandon Holzer investigated...
Local governments seek candidates for study commissions
The purpose of the study commission is to look at the existing form and powers of the local government and compare them with other forms available under the laws of the State of Montana.
Fire season expected to ramp up with hot, dry conditions
According to the National Weather Service, south Lincoln County is expected to see daytime high temperatures at 100 or higher through Sunday.
U.S., Canada strike tentative deal for Columbia River Treaty
The proposed 20-year deal would update an agreement that’s managed the Columbia River and its hydropower dams since it was ratified in 1964.
Local officials preach caution for area boaters, swimmers
Short asked those recreating on or near the river to stay back from the edge of the river and watch where they step.
Former Libby woman gets prison time after probation miscues
The devilish effects of methamphetamine addiction have led to...
County commissioners hear proposals for J. Neils bull
Libby resident Dave Harman attempted to make his case...
County seeks $ from defendant to pay for dogs’ care
Aver, who is representing himself in the animal cruelty case, said he loved Berger’s...
Heat wave coming, officials urge careful recreation
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat watch next Tuesday and Wednesday in the Kootenai/Cabinet and Lower Clark Fork regions.
Libby teen, LOR gives Jerry Dean Park a helping hand
But Noble decided the trash and litter that was left...
Two Libby residents accused of dog napping from animal shelter
The employee also showed Smith an empty kennel where a dog named “Shep”...
Libby man accused of assaulting wife
He was arrested by Libby police officer Don Luthey following an...
Man gets suspended sentence in DUI homicide case
Lefell was sentenced June 6 by District Judge Matt Cuffe to two six-year suspended terms, to be served consecutively.
Troy excited to host annual Fourth of July celebration
The celebration will include the traditional fireworks display, parade and car show.
Libby man jailed following alleged road rage incident
According to a report by county sheriff’s deputy James Derryberry, Swartzenberger used a 2008 GMC Sierra pickup...
Searchers recover missing woman's body from Kootenai River
Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short told The Western News searchers found the...
Search continues for woman missing in Kootenai River
Members of David Thompson Search and Rescue searched the river and its banks a few miles below the China Rapids section...
Troy man accused of threatening officers, harassing 911 dispatchers
Savage was most recently in district court June 17...
Local vandalism spurs use of more surveillance cameras
Vandalism is not a new problem in south Lincoln County, but what can be done when first graders are engaging in destructive behavior?
Loggers gear up for stretch run with third at Big Bucks tourney
“We’ll play a lot of conference games to the end and hopefully we can rack up some wins and make some noise at districts,” Morford said.
Authorities search for missing woman in Kootenai River
A cooler was found near the shore above Kootenai Falls and the damaged kayak and other property were recovered below Kootenai Falls.
Eureka man sentenced for magic mushroom possession
Shelton initially pleaded not guilty, but later changed his plea...
Not guilty pleas by Libby man accused of assaulting infant son
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by county Attorney Marcia Boris...
Washington man blames wife’s radiation for alleged drug use
Jeremy A. Gustavel, 50, of Everett pleaded not guilty to the offense while...
County seeks new provider for wayward pets
At the June 12 commissioners meeting, Health Department Director Kathi Hooper said the Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter was ending its $50,000 contract with the county...
City OKs street closure for businesses' anniversary celebrations
Kristin Smith offered a draft job description for a community development director...
Libby man faces second child endangerment charge
Deputy Brandon Huff got the call at nearly 10 p.m. May 22 for a crash with injuries on Swede Mountain...
Troy man plans to appeal prison sentence in grizzly killing incident
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Pearson was sentenced on Tuesday, June 11, to two months in prison and fined $10,000, by U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy.
Crossing the dam: Wings 2024 Motorcycle Fun Run
For the first time since Sept. 11, 2001, public vehicle traffic was allowed to cross the Libby Dam.
Millpond hosting annual motocross races Saturday
Gates open at 11 a.m. with practice at 1:30 p.m. Racing is underway at 3:30 p.m. There will be concessions and a beer garden.
Wildfire season arrives in northwest Montana
The Pine Creek Fire, caused when a tree fell on a powerline, is located on the Three Rivers Ranger District, northwest of Troy in the Yaak Hill area.