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Eureka man gets 30-year term for killing father
A Eureka man who pleaded guilty to shooting and killing his father during an incident in a remote part of Lincoln County more than two years ago was sentenced Tuesday in district court to 30 years in the Montana State Prison.Joshua Joseph Sauls, 26, the son of the victim John Sauls, pleaded guilty to an amended count of mitigated deliberate homicide May 13 in front of District Judge Matt Cuffe.Sauls was first charged with deliberate homicide after investigators with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said he fired three rounds from a .45 caliber handgun into the back of 64-year-old John...
Libby woman gets prison time in meth possession case
A Libby woman accused of drug trafficking following an incident late last year was recently sentenced to prison time.Rochelle Denise Styles, 44, was first charged with three felony counts of transferring illegal articles (dangerous drugs), criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and a misdemeanor count of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. Styles pleaded guilty on May 20 in Lincoln County District Court to the drug distribution charge. The other charges were dropped according to the terms of a plea deal.District Judge Matt Cuffe sentenced Styles on July 15 to four years in a state Department of Corrections facility. Styles was taken into...
Campfire time comes to a stop in northwest Montana
At least for now, camp fire time is over in northwest Montana.Northwest Montana Region fire managers determined it was time to enact Stage 1 restrictions, which begin at midnight Friday, Aug. 2.Lincoln County Commissioners voted to approve the emergency resolution at Wednesday’s meeting. Montana code gives commissioners the authority to restrict open burning.It follows the declaration made by Troy Volunteer Fire Department Chief D.J. Welch who called for Stage 1 fire restrictions July 22 inside city limits.The restrictions include lands on the Flathead National Forest, Kootenai National Forest, Glacier National Park, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Lost Trail and Swan...
Libby Food Pantry gets a big lift from LOR Foundation
For many years Libby Food Pantry and its volunteers have been a safe haven and blessing for many families and individuals throughout the community.The nonprofit, which has no paid employees, is an all-volunteer operation whose members donate their time and talents. In 2023, they served more than 250 food-insecure households, providing nearly 140,000 pounds of food to local Libby families.The pantry, through its Back Pack Program, bought, packaged and distributed food to about 120 food insecure kids at participating local schools.The pantry, which moved from the older Asa Wood School to the former JC Clubhouse in 2022, typically serves an...
Northwest Montana enters stage 1 fire restrictions
Northwest Montana moved to stage 1 fire restrictions that prohibit campfires last weekend.The rules are for Flathead and Lincoln counties, the Flathead and Kootenai forests, Glacier National Park and state lands. It also applies to Stoltze, Stimson, Southern Pine and Green Diamond forestry land.Stage 2 restrictions remain in place for Sanders, Lake, Mineral and Missoula counties.“We’ve gotten some rain and while we’re doing better than most of the state with large fires on the landscape, the message here is to not be complacent. It’s hot, it’s dry,” said Marcel Getz, a fire prevention specialist with Montana DNRC, on Thursday. Getz said that...
Stage I fire restrictions to go into effect Saturday morning
Interagency fire managers are implementing Stage I Fire Restrictions that will go into effect at 12:01.am. Saturday, Aug. 3 across the Flathead National Forest, Kootenai National Forest, Glacier National Park, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation - Northwestern Land Office, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 1, Lincoln County, Flathead County, and Sanders County. Each year, 80 to 90% of wildfires are human-caused. Northwest Montana is currently experiencing drought conditions including extremely dry forest fuels; forecasts of temperatures above normal accompanied by low humidity, wind, and minimal precipitation; and competition for firefighting resources, as fires...
Election officials in Lincoln County want to break off from Clerk and Recorder's Office
Lincoln County commissioners are considering separating the Election Department from the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.The matter arose at a July 10 meeting when Election Administrator Melanie Howell presented the idea to the commissioners.She and assistant Sierra Gustin cited many reasons for wanting to split the operations of the offices. Howell also cited state code that the clerk and recorder is the default election administrator unless another is appointed.“When we had to move to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office, the space we had was not big enough,” Howell said. “We’re doing several school elections and the infrastructure in elections involves continual...
FWP seeks committee applicants
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is seeking applicants to fill volunteer positions on the northwest Montana (FWP Region 1) Citizen Advisory Committee. The CAC is a general advisory committee that provides input and feedback to FWP on diverse issues, from wildlife and fisheries management to access, state parks, outdoor recreation, and law enforcement. The committee is designed to have a membership that represents a variety of northwest Montana communities and natural resource interests.
Precipitation forecast and wildfire updates
Northwest Montana was expected to receive its first wetting rain in more than three weeks with the arrival of a cold front on Tuesday, July 30.Rainfall amounts of up to half and inch were possible for valley locations during the day. The weather station at Glacier Park International Airport had not recorded measurable precipitation since July 6. Daytime highs for the Flathead Valley were set to reach the low 70s on Tuesday, then back to sunny weather in the 80s by Wednesday and carrying throughout the week. The cool down abruptly ends by the weekend as a high pressure rebuilds over...
FWP seeks members for Citizen Advisory Committee
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking applicants to fill volunteer positions on the northwest Montana (FWP Region 1) Citizen Advisory Committee.The CAC is a general advisory committee that provides input and feedback to FWP on diverse issues, from wildlife and fisheries management to access, state parks, outdoor recreation, and law enforcement. The committee is designed to have a membership that represents a variety of northwest Montana communities and natural resource interests.FWP welcomes applications from anyone with an interest in natural resource issues and outdoor recreation. Applicants must live in FWP Region 1, which includes Flathead, Lake, Sanders, and Lincoln counties.To apply, download an application online, or contact (406) 751-4564 or email Dillon.Tabish@mt.gov.Completed applications must be received by Aug. 14, 2024.The function of the CAC is to:Provide a forum for ongoing, two-way communicationHelp FWP identify emerging issuesProvide advice and perspective on resource and management topicsAssist FWP with creating ideas on regional and statewide issuesThe panel of volunteers typically meets four times per year in Kalispell. Members serve two-year terms and can reapply when their terms expire. Meals and travel expenses are provided.Each FWP region has a CAC. Learn more at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission-councils-committees.
Troy enacts Stage 1 fire restrictions; road closure ordered for Libby OU3
Troy is the first municipality to institute fire restrictions in 2024 in south Lincoln County.Troy Volunteer Fire Department Chief D.J. Welch called for Stage 1 fire restrictions July 22 inside city limits.City officials said the goal is for “everyone to be cautious.”Stage 1 restrictions include the prohibition of building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire. Also, smoking is prohibited, unless done within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.There are exceptions to the restrictions, including...
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