WILL LANGHORNE

Troy schools see bigger budgets

Administrators with Troy Public Schools signed off an increase in the district’s mill levy for next fiscal year, but said that property owners can expect a drop in real estate taxes thanks in part to an influx of new residents.

Fire restrictions lifted for northwest Montana

Officials lifted fire restrictions in Lincoln County and throughout northwest Montana earlier this week following a spell of cool and rainy weather.

Cool, wet conditions reduce fire activity

Cool weather and rain helped tamp down fire activity over the weekend allowing firefighters to increase their containment of the South Yaak Fire.

Logger golf squad ready to roll

A young but promising Libby golf squad teed off their first practice of the year at the Cabinet View Golf Course last week.

Plans for revamped skate park in Troy begin to cement

Thanks to a recent swell in public support, Troy community organizers and city officials are working with a construction firm to give the municipality’s skatepark a facelift.

ARPA monies sought to bolster fiberboard plant project

Local officials have made headway towards securing money for a new wood processing facility in Libby, but stress that much work remains to be done before they can begin stocking the factory.

'He died alone, without family'

Earl Stanley went into the Libby Care Center after suffering a bad fall. He died of complications to COVID-19

When Earl Stanley moved into the Libby Care Center after an injurious fall in early July, his family expected him to be back on his feet within a few months.

Troy school officials adopt pandemic rules

Troy Public Schools board members narrowly voted to make masks optional when students return to classes after hearing from a handful of parents last week who overwhelmingly opposed a face covering mandate.

Masks optional in Libby schools

Face coverings will be optional for Libby Public School students when they return to classrooms on Aug. 25.

Troy outlines pandemic plan as school year approaches

Administrators with Troy Public Schools expect that masks will be optional when students return to classes later this month.

Libby gets a taste of Italy

Libby’s menu expanded when Dorio’s, an Italian restaurant with an old-school, home-style flair, made its soft opening last week.

Libby's soccer team will face competitors on an even playing field this year

After years of using the high school football field as their home turf, Libby’s soccer players will have the chance to practice and play on a full-size pitch this season.

Property owner seeks partial reimbursement for main work

A local property owner is seeking partial reimbursement from the City of Libby after undertaking an extensive sewer line upgrade along U.S. Highway 2 benefitting the municipality and nearby businesses.

COVID-19 cases on the rise again

After a relatively quiet spring and early summer, the number of active coronavirus cases in Lincoln County appears to be on the rise.

Tragedy takes lives of beloved local couple

Two Libby residents, known for their dedication to community service and a love for the outdoors, died in a plane crash in southeastern Minnesota over the weekend along with a relative.

Retired teacher puts limelight on city's history with new book

When Jeff Gruber set out to document Libby’s history, he thought the project might take him a few months. Now, after 17 years of cataloging, researching and writing, the first of his three volumes on the city and surrounding areas is hitting bookshelves.

Facing ventenata, officials switch strategy from eradication to containment

An invasive grass, which some experts worry could hamper Montana’s agricultural sector, has established a foothold in Lincoln County.

State funding to aid local trails

Lincoln County Port Authority has received nearly $50,000 in state funding to spruce up trail sections near Libby Creek.

Troy Schools buy air quality monitoring system

Troy residents may now keep tabs on their local air quality thanks to a new monitoring system installed by the local school district.

Seifert remains Troy's sole candidate for health board

Just over a month after Troy city officials drew heat for a procedural error in their appointment of Jim Seifert to the Lincoln County Health Board and removed him from the panel, Seifert remains the only candidate to have submitted paperwork for the seat.

Searchers hone in on potential location of missing teen

First responders have identified a stretch of the Kootenai River where the victim of a recent drowning at Kootenai Falls may be located.

ARP putting up posters to raise awareness of asbestos exposure

Officials with the Lincoln County Asbestos Resource Program have hung posters in local government and business buildings, hoping to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos exposure.

Troy officials working to secure grants to improve public recreational offerings

Troy City Councilors approved an application for an $81,000 grant that would go towards developing the municipality’s skate park, splash pad and showers at Roosevelt Park last week.

Utility work, possible redevelopment displaces Troy renters

Natasha Chapel was at a loss when she received her termination of tenancy notice.

UPDATED: Authorities issue evacuation order for Eastside Road homes

Authorities with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office rescinded an evacuation order for Kilbrennan Lake Road on Tuesday.

City crews to tackle debris pile near Flower Creek

Libby City Council approved plans to mitigate part of a debris pile near Flower Creek this week in hopes of protecting the municipality’s watershed.

Fire crews consolidate effort on Burnt Peak, South Yaak fires

With firefighting resources stretched thin across the country, officials consolidated the Burnt Peak and South Yaak fires under a type two incident management team to share local personnel and equipment more efficiently.

UPDATED: Residents evacuated along Kilbrennan Lake Road

Officials with the Great Basin Team No. 4 confirmed that law enforcement personnel were evacuating residents along Kilbrennan Lake Road on Friday evening.

Ice supply melting away as demand heats up

As extreme temperatures continue to scorch south Lincoln County, a near-unprecedented demand for ice is threatening to leave some local businesses high and dry.

Vault toilet approved near cross country ski facility

Months after first appearing on Libby City Council’s agenda, a proposal for a vault toilet near the Flower Creek cross country ski course received approval this week.

Leftover general fund dollars could go to Libby's new capital improvement fund

Recent efforts by City of Libby officials to clear the municipality’s debts and bolster its savings seem to be paying off.

Teenager missing after plunging into the Kootenai

First responders are searching for a possible drowning victim along the Kootenai River after a 17-year-old entered the water near the falls Tuesday.

Libby administrators iron out process for letting non-public school students join extracurriculars

With the fall sports season approaching, administrators with Libby Public Schools continue to grapple with a new state law that allows homeschooled and private school students to participate in public school extracurriculars.

Mitigation work performed at Libby preschool after asbestos accidentally released

Administrators with Libby Public Schools undertook an unexpected asbestos mitigation project after workers accidentally released the toxic mineral while removing a boiler from the Plummer Preschool Center last month.

Town Pump Charitable Foundation benefits area first responders

As part of an effort to support first responders in rural communities across the state, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation gave $43,200 to Lincoln County law enforcement agencies and volunteer ambulance and fire crews earlier this month.

Potential buyer eyes Asa Wood site

With a federal grant in hand to clean up the Asa Wood property, administrators with Libby Public Schools are courting another buyer for the defunct elementary school building and grounds.

Health department grapples with increasing stream of waste

Lincoln County Health Department officials want to bolster local dumpsites, citing a jump in population size, demolition projects and waste.

Roby receives one-year sentence after jury finds her guilty of misdemeanor

A Libby woman accused of assaulting her husband received a one-year sentence in Lincoln County District Court on July 12.

Burnt Peak Fire surpasses 1,000 acres

As the Burnt Peak Fire continued to grow this week, breaking early fire season records for the Kootenai National Forest, U.S. Forest Service and local officials briefed the public on containment efforts and attempted to quell rumors about evacuation notices.

Burnt Peak Fire expanding in dry, hot conditions

Aided by hot and dry weather, the Burnt Peak Fire, located roughly eight miles southwest of Troy, swelled to around 600 acres over the weekend.

Forest Service officials urge visitors to enjoy the woods responsibly

With the summer season in full swing, local officials are seeing more recreationists using, and occasionally abusing, campsites in the Kootenai National Forest.

Troy's new power manager wants to see the city's billing system overhauled, but it comes with a cost

Clay Campbell knows the dangers of lax safety measures all too well. Having worked for years as an electrical lineman, Troy’s new power manager has seen disaster strike with fatal results.

FWP seeks applicants for citizen advisory committee

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking applicants for its Region 1 Citizen Advisory Council.

KNF officials hold out hopes of hitting goal of 80 million board feet of lumber

With a series of forestry projects headed down the pike, officials with the Kootenai National Forest are still hoping to hit their goal of 80 million board feet of lumber by the end of September.

Libby City Council approves wage increases for employees, elected officials

Libby City Council signed off on a series of wage increases for employees and elected officials earlier this week to keep municipal pay in line with inflation and simplify bookkeeping efforts.

School officials seek grant to inspect underground tank at Asa Wood

Concerns about a possibly leaking underground storage tank have spurred Libby school officials to seek a state grant for the defunct and on-the-market Asa Wood property.

Kootenai RC Flyers take to the skies

The prop plane squirmed on the tarmac as Ken Huber ran it through a final checklist.

Troy seeks volunteers for skate park committee

Troy City Council has taken the first steps towards revamping the municipality’s dilapidated skate park, voting to create a committee focused on the project June 16.

Kootenai Highland Games fast approaching

The event, which is set to run from July 16-17, will feature traditional celtic games, vendors and representatives from Irish and Scottish clans.

Lincoln County eligible for drought assistance

Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that Lincoln County — along with 14 other Montana counties — was eligible for drought assistance on July 6.