WILL LANGHORNE
The Western News
Recent Stories
Foresters, officials boast big plans for Kootenai National Forest
A top-rated multi-agency management program for the Kootenai National Forest is on its way to Washington, D.C., where local officials hope it will receive approval.
Waiting until the last minute? Here's how to vote on Election Day
While more than 60 percent of Lincoln County’s active voters have already submitted their ballots, there is still time to register and cast your vote.
EPA closes Libby office as state inks funding deal for ARP
After overseeing more than 20 years of asbestos cleanup in Lincoln County, EPA officials are closing their Libby field office.
Popular food distribution program renewed
The line outside the Libby Assembly of God started to form an hour before dawn on Oct. 28. By 10:30 a.m., when volunteers with Lincoln County Food Box Distribution began doling out meal crates, rows of cars parked bumper-to-bumper filled the lot.
Troy balances Christmas with coronavirus
With the holiday season approaching, Troy City Council mulled over Christmas celebration plans during an Oct. 22 meeting.
High demand for vaccinations as flu season approaches
As public health officials anticipate a spike in coronavirus cases this winter, getting a flu shot has become more important than ever.
State calls on local hunters to help track CWD
On the eve of the general hunting season, Fish, Wildlife and Park officials again urged hunters to help the state track the spread of chronic wasting disease.
Activists urge an end to pandemic restrictions, citing concerns about a possible vaccine
Activists packed the North Lincoln County Annex to protest perceived government overreach in public health responses to the coronavirus pandemic during an Oct. 21 meeting of the board of commissioners.
Mask up for Halloween this year
Wearing a mask this Halloween means more than just donning a festive disguise.
Troy schools looking for substitutes
Troy Public Schools administrators want you — if you’re qualified to serve as a substitute teacher.
Banged up Troy squad will take the field one final time
After forfeiting a game due to injuries, the Trojans are set to hit the road for their final matchup of the year on Oct. 23.
'Churn of information' leads to discrepancy in active case numbers
On Oct. 19, officials with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services announced that there were 136 active cases in Lincoln County. The Lincoln County Health Department, however, reported only 68 that day.
Reopening planned for Libby schools temporarily closed for pandemic
Libby Middle High School is set to reopen for in-person learning on Oct. 26 after a weeklong remote learning stint. The city’s elementary school remains scheduled to reopen classrooms on Oct. 28.
Volunteers help feed over 1,400 Lincoln County families
Volunteers with the Lincoln County Food Box Distribution group gave away over 4,000 boxes of food to feed 1,456 families on Oct. 21, according to event organizer MaryAnn Gromley.
Coronavirus confirmed at Libby Care Center
Health officials have confirmed that the Libby Care Center of Cascadia is home to a positive case of the coronavirus.
Libby Middle High School switches to remote learning starting Oct. 19
Administrators closed the doors of both Libby Middle High School and the Libby Elementary School after health officials confirmed more coronavirus cases within the district.
Broncs trample Loggers at final home game
In their final home game of the season, the Libby Logger were bucked by the Hamilton Broncs 35-14 on Oct. 16.
Ross Creek Cedars renovation project may get green light
U.S. Forest Service officials have received word from Washington, D.C., that a proposed renovation of Ross Creek Cedars is on the shortlist for approval.
Officials close Libby Elementary School after potential outbreak
School officials closed Libby Elementary School on Oct. 14 after learning an individual became infected with the coronavirus from within the building.
Injuries sideline Troy Trojans indefinitely
The Troy Trojans fell 0-75 to Thompson Falls during an Oct. 9 home game.
Attendance further limited at Libby sporting events
As Libby schools face a rising number of quarantined students and staff, administrators are taking precautions to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus at sporting events.
Black Ram Project under fire again
After receiving a federal opinion on wildlife impacts, U.S. Forest Service officials reopened a controversial timber harvesting project for public comment.
Libby golfers struggle at states
Despite favorable weather, the Libby Loggers golf team had trouble playing up to par during the state tournament in Butte last week.
Coronavirus cases still climbing locally
The recent surge in confirmed coronavirus cases in Lincoln County continued over the weekend, bringing numbers to record local highs.
Volunteer first responders grapple with coronavirus
As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb in Lincoln County, first responder groups with already limited rosters are taking precautions to keep their members from coming in contact with the virus.
Dillon Beavers dam up Loggers
The Dillon Beavers chewed through the Libby Loggers 34-14 during their Oct. 9 matchup.
Consultant says EPA likely to favor Asa Wood project
To help secure the approximately $400,000 needed to clean up the defunct Asa Wood Elementary School, Libby Public Schools is seeking funds through a highly competitive federal program.
Officials eye expansion for Troy library
Just months after the Troy Branch of the Lincoln County Library underwent extensive renovations, officials are looking at a possible expansion of the facility.
Ballots headed out to county voters
With Nov. 3 less than a month away, preparations for the general election in Lincoln County are in full swing.
Coronavirus case spike worries health, school officials
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Lincoln County continued to climb throughout the week, reaching record highs locally.
Maroons pale in comparison to Loggers
The Libby Loggers axed the Butte Central Catholic High School Maroons 42-14 in an Oct. 2 away game.
Williams voices support for 'responsible' natural resource extraction during Libby stop
As part of her 2,000 mile, six-day tour of Montana, Kathleen Williams, the Democrat running for congress, stopped in Libby on Oct. 5.
County residents seek to overturn mask mandates
Nearly three months after Gov. Steve Bullock issued a statewide mask mandate, Lincoln County residents are attempting to push back against face-covering requirements with a petition.
Duram, Ramesz vie for House District 2 seat
Incumbent Neil Duram and challenger Lori Ramesz will face off Nov. 3 for the Montana House of Representatives District 2 seat.
Students disciplined after 'disgusting' video surfaces
Several Libby students were disciplined last week after a video showing teens abusing the corpse of a coyote circulated in the community.
Troy residents, officials brainstorm ways to promote the city
A community improvement event spearheaded by a state association brought Troy residents and local officials together in search of concrete projects to promote the city.
Four Libby golfers compete at state tourney
Following a cold and windy divisional tournament in Polson, four Libby golfers qualified for the state tournament.
Libby Care Center begins easing visitation rules
While the coronavirus remains a serious threat to nursing homes, administrators at the Libby Care Center of Cascadia are concerned about the toll isolation is taking on their residents.
Major fee hike proposed for Fisher River Fire Service Area
The Fisher River Fire Service Area Board of Trustees is planning a significant hike in its annual fees. If approved, some residents could see their rates double.
Callahan Fire 72 percent contained
As containment of the Callahan Fire continues, a Type III incident management team has taken over suppression efforts.
EPA, DEQ settle on funding deal for Superfund site
Long-awaited federal dollars will soon be available to state and local officials for the continued maintenance of the Libby Superfund site.
Lady Broncs outpace Lady Loggers
The Frenchtown Lady Broncs bucked the Lady Loggers over four games on Sept. 26.
Remote learning remains a challenge in Libby
A month after Lincoln County schools reopened for the fall semester, educators continue having trouble juggling remote learning and in-person teaching.
Libby officials review CWD management plan
As efforts to merge local and state responses to chronic wasting disease continue, Libby officials have received a draft management plan from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.
Pirates sink Lady Loggers in four matches
The Lady Logger lost their Sept. 22 match against the Polson Pirates over four games.
COVID-19 complicates wildfire response
As they continue to battle the Callahan Fire, officials are managing hundreds of firefighters and dozens of pieces of machinery drawn from multiple states. While challenging under any circumstances, coordinating these resources in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic has created unique administrative headaches.
Election administrator grapples with concerns, misinformation
Chris Nelson, county election administrator, said many who have contacted him simply want clarification on the process. Some, however, have expressed anger based on misinterpretations of the new system or misinformation circulating online.
Lady Loggers sweep Browning in three games
The Lady Loggers pummeled the Browning Indians, winning their Sept. 19 match in three games.
Firefighters begin to contain Callahan Fire
Officials with the interagency group tasked with fighting the Callahan Fire put the blaze at 1,276 acres on Sept. 21.
Property owners go it alone on asbestos abatement with ARP funding in flux
While funding remains in flux for maintaining the Libby Superfund site, property owners are having to remove asbestos on their own or pay out of pocket for professionals.