Libby schools edit pandemic plan during regular review
Libby Public School Board members reviewed potential changes to the district’s pandemic guidelines, including an entry on the district’s stance on COVID-19 vaccines, this week.
Commissioners back resident-owned mobile park's grant requests
Lincoln County Commissioners lent their support to two grant applications this week that could assist a Libby-area affordable housing community with infrastructure improvements.
Troy officials approve engineering contracts
Troy City Council approved contracts last week with an engineering firm the municipality recently brought on to assist with infrastructure repairs and general projects.
Organizers gathering suggestions on boosting Troy's outdoor activities
Organizers with an outdoor access program are compiling public feedback on a plan intended to guide the management of recreational opportunities in the Troy area.
Hunting regulation changes remain open for public comment
A series of proposed changes to hunting regulations, including an adjustment to the mule deer season in Lincoln County, is open for public comment.
Troy seeks grant for Roosevelt Park improvements
State officials have passed along a grant to the National Park Service that could free up over $300,000 in federal funds and matching contributions to help Troy revamp Roosevelt Park.
FWP takes comment on upcoming fishing contests
State officials have opened public comments for open-water fishing contests in 2022, including angling competitions in Lake Koocanusa and the Thompson Chain of Lakes.
City officials in Troy sworn in
Troy officials formalized the city’s changing of the guard last week with outgoing Mayor Dallas Carr swearing in two city councilors and the municipality’s lay judge.
FWP to survey hunters
State officials are seeking feedback from hunters in a push to understand the results of the 2021 season.
Youth shooting program asks for school access
Organizers of a local youth shooting program are petitioning the Libby Public School Board for permission to bring unloaded firearms into a school building for practice exercises.
Ekstedt gives new reason for recusal
Troy City Councilor Chuck Ekstedt has offered a new reason for his recusal in a vote over the appointment of a municipal lay judge last month.
Oversight left Panoramic View subdivision without required fire suppression infrastructure
Property owners at a Libby-area subdivision have gone without a piece of fire suppression infrastructure that should have been included in the development but wasn’t owing to an error in Lincoln County’s subdivision permitting process.
Asa Wood redevelopment moving apace
The California-based health care company looking to purchase Asa Wood Elementary School has asked Libby Public School administrators to change the name of the limited liability company it would use to complete the transaction.
Troy officials begin discussing cannabis rules
City councilors in Troy began clearing the smoke around how the municipality might regulate marijuana dispensaries last week.
Nordic Way subdivision clears another hurdle
County commissioners approved a resolution of intent to annex property slated for development near Cabinet View Golf Club into the Lincoln County Rural Fire District last week.
Volunteer ambulance group offers training course
Libby Volunteer Ambulance is offering a training course in early 2022 for anyone interested in joining the local first responder group.
Local officials worry IP has found an exit strategy as Superfund site negotiations falter
City of Libby officials and their legal representative are at an impasse in negotiations with a multi-billion dollar company over an agreement that would continue subsiding municipal water for residents due long-standing groundwater pollution.
Taxpayers now have option to donate to local schools
Up to $1 million in tax credit donations to local public schools will be available to Montana taxpayers thanks to a change in state law.
Schools officials to take second look at coach evaluations
Administrators with Libby Public Schools are reviewing the district’s coaching assessment process after discussing staff evaluations with board members.
Troy community meeting focuses on recreational opportunities
Troy officials are hosting a community meeting this week to discuss the future of recreational opportunities in and around the municipality.
Cleanup solutions for former vermiculite mine site under consideration
Officials overseeing the Libby Asbestos Superfund Site are a step closer to selecting a cleanup solution for contaminated property in and around the former vermiculite mine.
High interest locally in COVID-19 booster shots
Lincoln County public health officials report a good turnout at vaccine clinics in the weeks following federal authorization of COVID-19 booster shots for all adults.
Forest Service holds meeting on proposed wildfire salvage project
U.S. Forest Service officials hosted a public meeting last month to discuss a forest management project that would cover a portion of the timberlands scorched by the South Yaak Fire.
Troy weighs changes to utility billing process
Troy City Council considered changes to how the municipality collects electric utility payments and sets prices and wages for the city’s electric department last month.
American Forest Resource Council lines up against Ripley suit
A regional trade association has signed on against a lawsuit that aims to stop a controversial forestry project south of Libby.
Visitors flock to Montana state parks
Montana state parks saw a surge in visitation for the second year in a row with more than 2.9 million visitors passing through the public lands between January and September.
Troy to allow Muscovy ducks in city limits
Troy City Council inched closer to permitting ducks within city limits earlier this month by opening up the municipal code for edits.
Libby students performed well on standardized tests
South Lincoln County public school students saw success in standardized testing last spring, overcoming coronavirus-related academic hurdles and long-standing socio-economic challenges.
Traenkner appointed Troy city judge
Troy City Council selected a lay judge to preside over the municipality’s court last week.
Well wishers "hug" Cabinet Peaks Medical Center
Scores of south Lincoln County residents encircled Cabinet Peaks Medical Center last weekend in a show of support for local health care providers.
School board ironing out plans for new kitchen
A plan to construct a new kitchen for Libby Public Schools is solidifying as district officials move forward with the sale of Asa Wood Elementary School.
Cracking open Troy's book of the dead
Few details remain about the life of Norman S. Artman beyond a single line entry on his death in a neatly ruled book in Troy City Hall.
Asbestos Resource Program director to step down
Virginia Kashdan is stepping down as the director of the Lincoln County Asbestos Resource Program after helping provide a local voice during changes in the management of the Libby Superfund Site over the last few years.
CPMC Foundation cancels gala for second year
Cabinet Peaks Medical Center Foundation, citing safety concerns, is canceling its flagship fundraising gala for the second year in a row.
Power restored in Libby following strong windstorm
Crews have completed repairs to local electrical grids after more than 10,000 area residents lost power during a windstorm earlier this week.
Learning loss program seeing success
Libby Elementary School educators are seeing early success with an after school program designed to address learning loss caused by classroom closures during the coronavirus pandemic.
Troy officials interview city judge candidates
Troy officials interviewed four candidates for the municipality’s city judge position last week.
Salvage project in the works for area burned by South Yaak Fire
U.S. Forest Service officials are taking comments on a proposed salvage project covering an area scorched by a wildfire this summer.
Schools look to health department in effort to vaccinate children
Although federal officials are encouraging public school districts to organize COVID-19 vaccine clinics for students, local administrators say they are waiting on the county health department to take the lead.
Forest Service officials anticipate federal funding
Following a devastating wildfire season, U.S. Forest Service officials are eagerly awaiting funds from a $1 trillion federal infrastructure bill that would go towards managing forest fire fuels.
Library gets tech boost from ARPA grant
Lincoln County Library is planning to expand their digital offerings thanks to a $32,500 federal grant.
Collision in Libby leaves truck flipped on its side
A collision near downtown Libby last week left a truck flipped on its side but didn’t appear to result in any serious injuries.
Where there's a mill, there's a way
When Josh Byers moved his family to Troy earlier this year, he didn’t expect that running a backyard sawmill would be in the cards.
Supaman visits Libby schools
An award-winning Apsaalooke rapper and hip-hop dancer held performances at Libby Public Schools earlier this week.
State approves conservation easement near Libby
State officials approved a nearly 30,000-acre conservation easement that would maintain public access to private timberlands south and east of Libby last month.
Zinke hits on forest management, housing and political division during stop in Libby
Former Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke stressed the importance of streamlining public land management and incentivizing affordable housing development during a campaign stop in Libby this week.
Smith to focus on cleaning up old ordinances, infrastructure
After securing another term on Libby City Council, Kristin Smith plans to continue tackling outdated zoning ordinances and revamping local infrastructure.
Sheriff's office, health department eye vehicles
Facing a tight vehicle market, commissioners green-lit the purchase of two vans last week using federal coronavirus relief funds.
Voters keep Williams on as Libby mayor
Beach, Berke and Smith secure city council seats
Libby residents turned out in droves for this year’s municipal election, sending one newcomer to city council despite generally favoring incumbents.
Troy officials warn of a man impersonating a law enforcement officer in the area
Local law enforcement officials have issued a warning regarding a man impersonating a law enforcement officer in the Troy area.