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Second accused dog napper pleads not guilty
One of two Libby residents facing charges after allegedly breaking into the county animal shelter and stealing a dog was arraigned on the charge Monday in Lincoln County District Court.Ronald Edward Ringsbye, 59, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of burglary.Ringsbye was being held in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $25,000 bail, but his attorney S. Charles Sprinkle sought his release on his own recognizance. Judge Matt Cuffe granted it after Deputy County Attorney Lauren O’Neill didn’t oppose it.Ringsbye’s next hearing is set for Aug. 19.Michelle Lynne Yeager, 54, is also charged with burglary. She is free after...
Sheriff's Office blotter
The law roundup is compiled from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office incident log from July 8 to July 14. It is not meant to serve as an exhaustive account.A county deputy received a report of vehicle vandalism in the 400 block of Forest Road, Troy.A deputy responded to an arson call on U.S. 93 and Indian Springs Road, Eureka. He reported a criminal endangerment situation.A deputy made a traffic stop for someone speeding excessively on Highway 37 near River View Road.Two officers investigated a report of a stolen boat in the 13200 block of U.S. 2, Troy.Four officers conducted a...
Heat dome intensifies, elevating Montana fire danger
A dangerous heat dome that continues to smother much of the West intensifies this weekend with triple-digit thermometer readings expected for many western Montana valleys.Beginning Friday, low-lying areas like Libby and Plains will endure four days of excessive heat warnings. A mercury-bursting high of 107 is possible Sunday in Libby, with 105 on Monday. The warning area encompasses all of Lincoln, Sanders and Mineral counties.Meanwhile, a heat advisory is in place for Flathead County through July 24, with highs in Kalispell hitting 99 on Sunday and 98 Monday. Even parts of Glacier National Park will sizzle in the mid 90s.While...
WILD ART-Lincoln County Pride Festival
Lincoln County hosted its fourth Pride Festival Saturday, July 13, at the Kootenai Heritage Memorial Center in Libby. The events included a dog fashion show, live music, dancing, speeches, drag performances, raffles and prizes, aerial performances by members of Kalispell-based Levitation Nation Aerial Studio and a showing of the documentary, "Stonewall Uprising." Redheaded Stepchild performs Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the Lincoln County Pride Festival at the Memorial Center in Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Fire season expected to ramp up with hot, dry conditions
Fire season is ramping up in Montana and is expected to increase as hot and dry conditions intensify this week.According to the National Weather Service, south Lincoln County is expected to see daytime high temperatures at 100 or higher through Sunday. North Lincoln County will see the century mark begin Wednesday and continue for the remainder of the week.The Kootenai National Forest and Lolo National Forest went to very high fire danger while the Flathead National Forest remains at low fire danger, mainly thanks to a wet spring. Lands administered by the Montana Department of Conservation and Natural Resources also...
Sheriff's Office blotter
The law roundup is compiled from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office incident log from July 1 to July 7. It is not meant to serve as an exhaustive account.Two deputies took a theft call on Tamarack Lane, Libby.The county animal control officer investigated a report of a dog biting a female juvenile in the 36800 block of U.S. 2, Libby.An off-road vehicle operator was warned by a deputy for riding on the road and in the fairgrounds.A resident from the 4600 block of Kootenai River Road, Libby, came to the sheriff’s office to report the theft of his fifth wheel.Dionne...
Local officials preach caution for area boaters, swimmers
There are many areas of the Kootenai River that may appear calm and even harmless.But to those who know the river best, it’s anything but a benign waterway.In the wake of a 40-year-old Moyie Springs, Idaho woman’s drowning death in the river near China Rapids June 26, Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short published a personal warning on the department’s Facebook page.“I want to personally warn you about how dangerous the Kootenai River is. This river has swift, meandering, falling, swirling and pooling currents along with severe undertows,” Short said. “Every year, the Kootenai River claims victims.“I do not want YOU...
Sheriff's Office blotter
The law roundup is compiled from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office incident log from July 1 to July 7. It is not meant to serve as an exhaustive account.A call was made about a missing juvenile in the 32500 block of Bull Lake Road.Someone reported dogs running loose in the 600 block of East Missoula Avenue, Troy.One officer responded to a vehicle accident in the 4700 block of Granite Lake Road, Libby. No injuries were reported.A deputy responded to the 200 block of County Shop Road, Libby, for a trespassing report.One deputy looked into a citizen dispute in the 200...
For country and community: Yaak’s Independence Day Celebration
For the fifth year, more than 70 Yaak residents and guests gathered at the steps of the Yaak Community Hall to celebrate America’s birthday by reading the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2024. This year had special meaning as it was the kickoff for a fund-raising drive to refurbish the 99-year-old Yaak Community Hall.Sen. Mike Cuffe (Montana Senate District 1), Judge Matt Cuffe (Montana 19th Judicial District Court) and Judge Dan Wilson (Montana 11th Judicial District Court and candidate for Montana Supreme Court Seat No. 3) and Jim Hammons (Lincoln County Commissioner) were on hand to help celebrate and participate in the reading. They were joined by...
Legals for July, 12 2024
NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE To be sold for cash at a Trustee’s Sale on November 6, 2024, at 11:00 AM outside the North doorsteps at the Lincoln County Courthouse located at 512 California Avenue, Libby, MT 59923, the following described real property situated in Lincoln County, State of Montana: Lots 3C of Block A, Johnston’s Acre Tracts, as described on Plat #352, records of the Clerk and Recorder of Lincoln County, Montana. More commonly known as 113 W Poplar St, Libby, MT 59923. David R. James, as Grantor, conveyed said real property to Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund, Inc., as Trustee, to secure...
'Bad actor' lawsuit against Hecla dismissed
A “bad actor” lawsuit filed against Coeur d’Alene-based Hecla Mining Co. by a coalition of tribes and environmental groups has been voluntarily dismissed as a result of the recent abrupt retirement of Hecla’s former CEO Phillips Baker Jr. The suit had sought to block Hecla’s attempts...
County seeks $ from defendant to pay for dogs’ care
Lincoln County authorities are attempting to recoup costs it has incurred while taking care of 11 dogs that were taken from a man facing felony animal cruelty charges.Steven David Aver, 63, was charged on Jan. 26, 2024, with 10 felony and one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty following an investigation of a residence at 1652 Old U.S. Highway 2, located near the Idaho border.Aver was in district court on Monday, July 1, for arraignment on the charges. There was also testimony about the costs of caring for the 11 dogs. According to court documents, the Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter has...
County commissioners hear proposals for J. Neils bull
The bull flew a bit at the last two Lincoln County commissioner meetings.The bull in question is the statue that marks the entrance of J. Neils Memorial Park just outside Libby off Highway 37.Libby resident Dave Harman attempted to make his case for why the bull should be removed and placed elsewhere. Kootenai River Stampede organizer Patty Rambo has other thoughts.When asked why the location of the bull was of such urgent nature, Harman said it had been discussed for many years and that the bull didn’t properly represent the Neils’ legacy.“I’m not gonna tell you the names of the people...
Legals for July, 9 2024
Lincoln County Transportation Committee will meet to vote on transportation resolutions for the 2024-2025 school year. The public is invited to attend on Thursday July 18, 2024, at 11:00am in the conference room in the Lincoln County Courthouse. PUBLISHED IN The Western News July 2, 5, 9, & 12, 2024. MNAXLP PUBLIC NOTICE Notice to Water Users (Pursuant to Section 85-2-307, MCA) The following application has been submitted to change a water right in the State of Montana. THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION PROPOSES TO GRANT AN APPLICATION TO CHANGE A WATER RIGHT. DESCRIBED BELOW ARE THE PERTINENT FACTS WHICH SUMMARIZE...
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