The Western News

07/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/05/feds-list-wolverines-as-threatened-under-endangered-species-act/

Decision comes after decades of advocacy by Western conservation groups urging federal listing.

06/12/2023

Jan. 9, 1964

•David Olson and Howard Disney, members of the Montana Centennial Band, which scored a resounding hit in the Tournament of Roses parade, returned to Libby from Pasadena Saturday.

Both boys spoke in glowing terms of Montana’s sendoff to its Territorial Centennial and Statehood Jubilee year.

The Montana float won third place in its division and state participation in the California pageant won praise from Gov. Tim Babcock, Sen. Mike Mansfield and many others.

Both the float and the band received the praise of parade commentators. As they described the parade for television viewers, Betty White and Arthur Godfrey took time to praise Montana. Godfrey remarked about the proficiency of the band playing “Home on the Range” in swing march time.

06/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/05/troy-woman-draws-state-sentence-following-probation-violations/

Earlier this year, Williams pleaded guilty to burglary and received a 6-year deferred sentence in March. The other charges were dropped after a plea deal was negotiated.

06/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/05/lack-of-snow-crunchy-conditions-made-hunting-tough/

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks tallied more than 10,000 hunters at its four regional check stations in northwest Montana. Hunters reported harvesting 761 white-tailed deer, including 567 bucks and 97 mule deer.

06/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/05/county-gets-debriefing-report-from-election-administrator/

District 1 Commissioner Brent Teske said the commissioners wanted to hold the session after he said he received quite a few questions from voters about ballot problems and other issues.

06/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/05/state-urges-montanans-to-discard-recalled-cinnamon-products/

According to the FDA and DPHHS, these products were sold at 19 Dollar Tree stores in Montana, including Libby.

05/12/2023

Jan. 2, 1964

•Robert Jacky assumed office yesterday as sheriff of Lincoln County.

Undersheriff for the past year, Jacky was appointed to succeed George Mourar who resigned because of poor health.

Jacky, who said he and his family will occupy the sheriff’s apartment in the basement of the courthouse, announced these appointments to his staff.

Marion Orr, undersheriff; Roy Livengood, deputy; Phyllis Bonney, clerk; John Carabin, deputy, all stationed at Libby; Frank Heibein, deputy at Eureka and Robert Rice, deputy at Troy.

05/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/05/county-authorities-seek-whereabouts-of-missing-libby-man/

According to the county Sheriff's Office, Johnnie Lee Hantz was last seen leaving Libby on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

05/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/05/residents-concerned-about-proposed-grizzly-rules-that-include-killing-on-public-lands/

In August, the commission amended the proposed rule to require ranchers to try nonlethal means to deter grizzlies threatening their livestock on public land before they can receive a permit to kill a grizzly following pushback from the public.

05/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/05/canada-lynx-draft-recovery-plan-available-for-public-review-and-comment/

The Canada lynx lower 48 DPS includes populations in northern Maine and northeastern New Hampshire, northeastern Minnesota, northwestern Montana and north Idaho, northcentral Washington and southwestern Colorado.

05/12/2023

Round two of the FCS playoffs is in the books! Montana State lost a heartbreaker to North Dakota State. Montana easily handled business with Delaware. Idaho had a walk-off field goal to beat Southern Illinois. What a great weekend of games!! 🏈

04/12/2023

Dec. 13, 1973

The tree in Troy that currently holds the undisputed record as the world’s tallest living lighted Christmas tree will not be lighted this year for the first time in 53 years in deference to the energy crisis.

The half-century of tradition will undoubtedly be missed by both townspeople and travelers. The custom of lighting he big tree began in 1920 when a Mrs. McDonald had lights placed on the tree as her Christmas present to the town. At that time Mrs. McDonald was the sole owner of the company that supplied electrical power to the town of Troy. She had purchased the power plant from the Greenough family, which had built it some years earlier while they were developing their mining claims in the area.

Montana Light and Power Company, a subsidiary of the St. Regis Paper Company, has supplied the electricity to illuminate the globes placed on the tree each year since 1946.

Throughout the first years the tree was lighted, area residents customarily gathered around it on Christmas Eve to sing carols while awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus.

That custom has long since been discontinued, but each year on Christmas Eve Santa still comes to the tree to meet, greet and gift the children who gather and await his arrival. He is expected again this year.

04/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/01/troy-man-accused-of-dui-homicide-returned-to-jail/

Winebark was arrested at about 6:10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22 at the Troy Bowling Alley after District Judge Matt Cuffe signed a bench warrant on Nov. 20 for his arrest following a motion by county Attorney Marcia Boris.

04/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/01/county-authorities-seek-whereabouts-of-missing-libby-man/

According to the county Sheriff's Office, Johnnie Lee Hantz was last seen leaving Libby on Tuesday.

04/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/01/troy-woman-pleads-not-guilty-to-animal-cruelty/

The owner’s concern was that Reid had allegedly abandoned a dog at the property.

03/12/2023

Dec. 6, 1973

A pessimistic report on the condition of the city swimming pool was heard by the city council Monday night from its park committee chairman, Ed Baker, who said the pool does not now meet current standards of the State Board of Health.

Quoting from a report prepared by the Helena consulting firm Campeau and Crennen, Baker said the pool, which was built about 1939, would require expenditure of more than $200,000 if it were to be brought up to modern standards. Among the deficiencies noted are excessive shallowness in the diving end and altered inlet pipes that allow the use of only one instead of the original four pipes.

Filtering and heating equipment would also be needed for modernization.

Councilman Tom Wood suggested that if any money is expended on a swimming pool, the facilities be constructed for year-round use.

03/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/01/montana-counties-plead-with-gianforte-on-property-taxes/

In fact, MACo said the state will still receive an extra $20 million over last year even at fewer mills.

03/12/2023

Nov. 2, 1983
Libby’s Kathy Devlin grimaces on her way down in a tussle over possession of the basketball during a Western AA game with Anaconda Friday. Lisa Robbe, 43, is the other Logger reaching for the ball. Libby over Anaconda 55-37.

02/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/01/sheriff-office-blotter/

Three police officers respond to a trespassing call...

02/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/01/legal-petition-seeks-ban-on-shooting-wolves-from-helicopters-in-idahos-national-forests/

Wildlife conservation groups today petitioned the U.S. Forest Service to prohibit aerially gunning of wildlife in national forests in Idaho.

02/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/01/bits-n-pieces-from-east-west-and-beyond/

Her legacy, according to historian Stanley Godbold: she was “a master politician, diplomat, as well as caring mother and wife, she was intimately involved in every aspect of the Carter presidency.”

02/12/2023

Welcome to the FCS playoffs! 🎉 On Saturday, Montana State will host North Dakota State, Montana will host Delaware and Idaho will host Southern Illinois! 🏈

01/12/2023

Nov. 15, 1923

•E.A. Wall has received a new machine called the Snowmobile. This is an attachment for Ford cars that converts an automobile into a motor snow vehicle. It is now being set up at the Libby Garage.

01/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/01/several-christmas-themed-events-on-tab-in-south-lincoln-co/

For the next few weeks, there are plenty of events ready to get even Scrooge into the holiday spirit.

01/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/01/setting-the-record-straight-on-kootenai-national-forest-timber-sales/

I do, however, take issue with his “revisionist history” concerning the closure of the Stimson Mill in Libby

01/12/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/dec/01/winter-weather-advisory-issued-for-kootenai-cabinet-region/

Mountain passes west of Lincoln County could see significant snowfall through Sunday morning. Forecasters say there is a 90% chance for more than 30 inches at Stevens Pass and a 60% chance of more than 18 inches at Lookout Pass. Hazardous travel is expected on mountain passes from Friday through Sun...

30/11/2023

Nov. 22, 1923

30/11/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/nov/28/state-committee-wrestles-with-montanas-childcare-capabilities-low-wages-and-staff-retention/

After the presentations, lawmakers acknowledged there was significant work to do on several facets of the workforce and childcare issues, as childcare is now costing Montanans, on average, about 28% of their median household income.

30/11/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/nov/28/proposal-to-change-primary-elections-on-2024-ballot-advances-with-state-high-court-order/

Currently, Montana voters in a primary choose which party’s ballot they want to vote, but in August, a group called Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund proposed a constitutional initiative to change the way primaries are held.

30/11/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/nov/28/chronic-wasting-disease-confirmed-in-yellowstone-national-park-for-first-time/

Parks says mule deer from Wyoming died on southeastern side of park.

30/11/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/nov/28/sheriffs-office-blotter/

Multiple deputies respond to a two vehicle crash...

29/11/2023

Nov. 15, 1923

•Two young fellows who were taken off a Great Northern train last week and lodged in the county jail by a G.N. special agent, and who agreed to pay their railroad fare if allowed to collect on two bank checks which they had with them, were turned loose this week, cash from the checks having arrived.

29/11/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/nov/28/montana-supreme-court-sides-with-state-orders-counties-levy-full-statewide-school-mills/

The court found the department’s interpretation of its taxation authority is consistent with the Montana Constitution and the Legislature’s directive to equalize funds for public education across Montana.

29/11/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/nov/28/city-oks-new-school-safety-zone-lists-parking-restrictions-for-snow-plowing/

City Streets Supervisor Justin Williams and Chief of Police Cody Ercanbrack did a site visit and came up with a plan for the area.

29/11/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/nov/28/man-admits-to-stealing-from-libby-resident/

Henry Mareman Yeadon entered his plea during a hearing on Nov. 6

29/11/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/nov/28/libby-library-hosting-two-events-on-friday/

Starting at 4 p.m. and going until 5:30 p.m. on the same day, Dec. 1 , the “Bows & Blows” musical group will be providing music of the season and other selections.

28/11/2023

Nov. 8, 1923

28/11/2023

https://thewesternnews.com/news/2023/nov/28/grizzly-spotted-in-missouri-river-breaks-on-american-prairie-land/

Grizzly tracks have been documented in the area near the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument the last couple of years as the bear population has expanded.