WILL LANGHORNE
The Western News
Recent Stories
Leak forces Troy City Council into new meeting space
A leak has temporarily put the Troy City Courtroom out of commission. The flooding has also bogged down Troy City Council, which uses the courtroom as its chambers.
Speech and drama flourishes amid restrictions
Hampered by restrictions and quarantines, many sports teams and performative artists this year are left wondering if they'll have a chance to compete. For the Logger Speech and Drama team that kind of uncertainty is nothing new.
Students asked to self-report COVID-19 symptoms
To reduce the chance of a coronavirus outbreak, Libby Middle High School administrators have instituted a daily wellness check for students.
'Waiting on Mother Nature'
Eager skiers and snowboarders will have to wait another week before hitting the slopes at Turner Mountain. While scheduled to open on Dec. 19, volunteers had to push the date back a week due to a lack of snow.
Signs signs, everywhere a sign
In an apparent protest of statewide mask mandates, a merry band of pranksters placed signs on the exterior of Libby businesses informing passersby that “tin foil hats must be worn” inside.
Access no more: Hunters restricted from lands once owned by Weyerhaeuser
With the local real estate market booming, Southern Pine Plantations, the company that purchased 630,000 acres of Weyerhaeuser timberlands in Montana, has begun selling off parcels.
Yaak Valley Forest Council offers reward after bear slaying
Following the killing of a female grizzly bear near the Yaak, a local environmental group is contributing to a reward fund of up to $50,000 for anyone who helps secure a conviction.
Awash in relief funds, Libby schools set spending priorities
Libby Public Schools administrators have found themselves with a large pot of money they need to spend — and fast. Superintendent Ron Goodman said the district has $340,000 in coronavirus relief funds that need to be spent by the end of the month.
Dispatch service in Troy comes under scrutiny
Officials thought they were dealing with a technical glitch at first. Troy residents reported a delay when contacted 911. Calls to the local dispatch center had to be transferred to dispatchers next door in Libby. Officials ultimately identified the reason for the lag, but it has raised a larger shortcoming in the county’s emergency services network.
Troy officials called on to support new selenium standards
State environmental regulators have approved new standards for levels of a heavy metal that has leached into Lake Koocanusa and the Kootenai River from upstream Canadian mines.
Lifting spirits, one dog at a time
After months of holding out against the novel coronavirus, the Libby Care Center confirmed two residents had tested positive for the virus in late October. As staff worked to isolate those infected, a Libby woman — along with her border collie — hatched a plan to raise morale in the center.
American Covenant angling to speed up Asa Wood sale
Libby Public School District officials are exploring a new avenue for repurposing the defunct Asa Wood Elementary School.
200 bear conflicts reported in 2020
Between break-ins at grain silos, chicken killings and an influx of visitors to U.S. Forest Service lands, grizzly bear specialists in northwest Montana have had their hands full this year.
Beagle, McElmurry sign letters of intent
Surrounded by family and friends, Libby seniors Jay Beagle and Ryker McElmurry signed letters of intent on Dec. 4.
Gianforte urges Montanans to don masks, protect the vulnerable
With the coronavirus pandemic showing no signs of abating before January, Gov.-elect Greg Gianforte said he will focus on keeping the most vulnerable Montanas safe while reopening the state’s economy.
Pretrial conference for man who flouted mask mandate delayed
Judge Jay Sheffield postponed the pretrial conference of a man arrested after refusing to put on a mask or leave a Libby farmers market to give attorneys more time to negotiate a plea deal.
Grizzly killing sparks pushback on Black Ram Project
The killing of a female grizzly bear near the Yaak sparked an unexpected backlash against a U.S. Forest Service project this week.
Ski season nears for fans of Turner Mountain
Local ski and snowboarding enthusiasts will have more time this year to cruise the slopes on Turner Mountain.
Troy mayor urges residents to work together to keep schools, businesses open
After hearing that customers have refused to wear masks while shopping at local businesses, Troy Mayor Dallas Carr responded with a simple question. “You keep your shirt and shoes on, so why not a mask for a short amount of time you will be in their store,” he wrote in a Nov. 30 letter addressed to Troy residents.
Superintendent outlines testing plans for Libby schools
In hopes of mitigating the spread of the coronavirus within school buildings, Libby Public Schools administrators plan to roll out a rapid testing program by the end of the month.
Troy City Council to split cost of annex appraisal with ambulance group
Troy City Councilors have come one step closer to solidifying their plans to sell or lease municipal property to Troy Volunteer Ambulance.
Federal and state officials investigate illegal grizzly bear killing
Officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and game wardens with Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks are investigating the illegal killing of a grizzly bear near the Yaak.
Where is Benjamin Earls?
Four months into the search for Benjamin Earls, his whereabouts remain a mystery.
Troy officials finalize plans for tree lighting
With just over a month until Christmas, Troy City Council finalized the municipality’s holiday celebration plans during a Nov. 12 meeting.
Sheriff's Office reports new scam call
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has reported that a new scam call is circulating locally in which the caller attempts to impersonate a peace officer.
Troy schools hope to bolster ranks with returning college students
Are you a college student on break looking to make some change? Troy Public Schools might have a job for you.
New election administrator resigns from post
Less than a week after this year’s general election, Chris Nelson, newly appointed election administrator for Lincoln County, resigned from his post.
State parks see bump amid pandemic
With lockdown orders limiting recreation in urban centers across the county, residents headed for the hills in droves this year.
Elementary school closed again
Libby Elementary School moved to a fully remote learning schedule Nov. 17 and will remain that way for most of the rest of the month.
High school sports governing board releases winter pandemic guidelines
In hopes of flattening the coronavirus pandemic curve, the Montana High School Association executive board decided to delay the start of winter sports.
Konzen remembered as tireless educator, elected official
After nearly 50 years of public service in Lincoln County, John Konzen, 77, died Nov. 3.
Hecla completes remediation work at Troy Mine
Four years into their restoration of the Troy Mine, Hecla Mining Co. officials say they have reached a crucial milestone.
Teaching from quarantine
Headed back to school amid the coronavirus pandemic in late summer, Wally Winslow, a teacher at Libby Middle High School, knew there was a good chance he would have to instruct students in quarantine from his classroom.
Distributor change leaves county food program up in the air
After more than five months of providing meals to families in need, volunteers with the Lincoln County Food Box Distribution Program announced they were halting their food drives for the foreseeable future.
Libby Elementary School to move to a remote schedule
Libby Elementary School will move to a fully remote learning schedule on Nov. 17 for most of the rest of the month.
Judge continues trailer park health violations case
Justice Court Judge Jay Sheffield agreed to extend the status hearing on a case concerning alleged widespread environmental health violations at a local trailer park.
Libby Middle High School switches to remote learning
The Libby Middle High School will move to a fully remote schedule on Nov. 12 for most of the month.
Libby schools develop plan for cafeteria staff
To bolster measures meant to keep classrooms open safely during the pandemic, Libby Public School administrators are rolling out a plan meant to safeguard a critical, but oft-overlooked branch of the district.
Retired Ranger challenges local students to become heroes for a day
When he joined the Army, retired Lt. Colonel Dr. Robert Sanchez found that many people misconstrued his reasons for signing up.
Libby school board reviews draft goals
In an effort to solidify their educational and outreach goals, members of the Libby Public School Board reviewed a draft strategic plan aimed at helping guide the district for the next three years during a Nov. 2 meeting.
Libby Middle High School switches to remote learning
The Libby Middle High School will be moving to a fully remote schedule on Nov. 12 for much of the rest of the month, according to a press release from Superintendent Ron Goodman.
Loggers, Trojans fall short in an unforgettable season
After two months of battling injuries, adjusting their rosters to coronavirus quarantines and facing a slew of other adversities, the Libby Loggers and Troy Trojans ended their seasons on Oct. 23.
Plea deal negotiations underway for man arrested after flouting face mask rules
Judge Jay Sheffield rescheduled a pretrial conference for a man arrested after refusing to wear a mask or leave a Libby farmers market event in the hopes that attorneys can reach a deal without taking the case to trial.
Coronavirus cases top 100 locally
Coronavirus cases in Lincoln County reached record highs over the weekend.
New measures in place after Libby schools reopen
Following a two-week closure owing to concerns that the coronavirus was spreading within the Libby Elementary School, officials have instituted more precautions to avoid an outbreak or future quarantine orders.
Duram, Gunderson headed back to Helena; Brooks, Peck secure reelection
While the presidential election still hangs in the balance, Lincoln County officials completed tallying a record amount of local ballots in the early morning hours following Election Day.
High stakes races drove voters to the ballot box
Regardless of how they filled out their ballots, Lincoln County voters agreed the stakes for this year’s election were higher than in years past.
Gunderson, Duram secure reelection
While the presidential election still hangs in the balance, Lincoln County officials completed tallying a record amount of local ballots in the early morning hours following Election Day.
One coronavirus death linked to Libby Care Center
The Libby Care Center of Cascadia reported its first resident death from the coronavirus on Oct. 29.
Daines joins other GOP candidates for Libby rally
In a final push to raise support before Election Day, Republican candidates from up and down the ballot rallied the rank-and-file during a last-minute Nov. 1 stop in Libby.