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Libby man dies in motorcycle-deer collision
A Libby man died Thursday, July 4, after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a deer on Bull Lake Road.According to a report from Montana Highway Patrol, the man was driving a Honda CBR 1000 south near mile marker 33.5 at about 2:55 p.m. when it collided with a deer. The motorcycle slid and the man fell off the vehicle.The man, who was wearing a helmet, was taken to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center.Alcohol, drugs or speed were not suspected factors in the crash.A multiple vehicle accident Thursday morning on Bull Lake Road caused injuries, but no other details were available.There was also a vehicle crash at about 5:34 a.m. Friday, July 5, on U.S. 2 east of Libby that resulted in an injury. No other details were available.
Region 1 cow elk B tags cut following spring survey
HELENA — Biologists conducting spring deer and elk surveys found some areas with improved herd growth and some areas with lower recruitment due to poor habitat conditions and disease.During the spring season, state wildlife staff get a pulse on deer and elk numbers by conducting aerial spring trend surveys or green-up flights across the state. These flights occur in the same areas year after year so biologist can understand population trends. During the flights, staff count the total number of deer and elk they see and classify fawns/calves and adults to determine recruitment rates. Fawns/calves counted during spring surveys have survived their...
Wildfire on Lolo National Forest doused by smokejumpers
Smokejumpers attacked a small wildfire July 4 that popped up in a forested area of rural Sanders County.The 4-acre Fishtrap Fire on the Lolo National Forest north of Thompson Falls was quickly contained Friday after showing moderate behavior. The initial attack included 10 smokejumpers and firefighting crews from the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District and Montana DNRC.According to Sanders County Wildland Fire Information, 11 firefighters worked the fire Monday and hoped to put it in controlled status later that day.A 20-person Type 2 crew and two helicopters helped contain the fire and were mopping up on Friday. Engines could not be used...
Federal judge halts logging project near White Sulphur Springs
A federal court judge in Montana has halted a logging project near White Sulphur Springs in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest after he said the U.S. Forest Service failed to take into account a decline in nesting goshawks, which violated federal law.The Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Native Ecosystems Council successfully argued before federal magistrate Kathleen L. DeSoto that both the U.S. Forest Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service hadn’t properly considered the species, which are considered an essential indicator of old-growth forests.The defendants in the case, the federal agencies as well as the American...
WILD ART-Troy Fourth of July
Troy's Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration saw parade goers saving their spots on the route as early as 6 a.m. Thursday, July 4, 2024.The streets were packed as was Roosevelt Park for the Cruzers Car Club car show and of course, a grand fireworks show to cap the day.
Robert Lynn “Dancing Bob” Gray
Robert Lynn “Dancing Bob” Gray, 75, of Troy, Montana, passed away at his home on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Bob was born in Temple, Texas on Nov. 3, 1948, to Juanita Inez Smart Gray and Jack Thomas Gray. He grew up in Killeen, Texas and attended school there. After graduation, a few years later, he joined the United States Navy and served three years, 11 months and 29 days, before his Honorable Discharge. Around 1994-95, Bob decided to come to Montana to become a "Mountain Man." He always said it was one of the best things he had done. Bob’s biggest regret was...
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...
Highway 37 work begins this week
The Montana Department of Transportation and construction partner Schellinger Construction, began road rehabilitation project activities on Montana Highway 37 this week.The project begins at the bridge over Sutton Creek, three miles north of Peck Gulch Campground, and extends approximately 12 miles north, to just past the intersection with Salmon Drive.Rehabilitation work includes milling the existing road surface and placing a new plant mix overlay surface. Additional work includes new signage, pavement markings, guardrail and rumble strips. The project is intended to preserve and extend the life of the roadway whilereducing maintenance costs.Traffic control will be in place and includes reduced speeds and single-lane traffic. Travelers should expect 10- to 15-minute delays and driving on a gravel surface through the project area. For the most up-to-date width restrictions and road conditions visit https://www.511mt.net/.Crews will be working from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Work is anticipated to continue until November. Crews will return in June 2025 to apply a seal and cover (chip seal) and final pavement markings.For more information, call Joan Redeen at 406-396-1978.
Drought has state officials weighing fishing restrictions
Anglers should be aware that restrictions and closures may be implemented soon due to drought conditions. The trigger for angling closures typically happens when the temperature of a waterbody reaches 73 degrees F for three consecutive days. However, some closures can occur at lower temperatures depending on the species being protected. While several waterbodies across the state are nearing the criteria, cooler temperatures forecasted for later this week could put restrictions on hold for now. These would include “hoot owl” restrictions, which prohibit fishing between 2 p.m. and midnight on drought-impacted streams until conditions improve. Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Fisheries and Water...
O’Brien will bring a wealth of experience as Superintendent of Schools
I support Dr. Shannon O'Brien as the next Superintendent of Schools. Shannon's exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication to education, ability to listen and her deep understanding of the needs of our children make her the ideal candidate.In a time where the future of our education system is at a critical juncture, it is imperative that we have a leader who prioritizes the well-being and success of our students above all else. Shannon embodies this commitment, consistently putting the best interests of our children and grandchildren ahead of politics.As the mother of a high-schooler, Shannon understands firsthand the importance of safe and secure schools...
Time to take precautions against bears
HELENA – Bears can be found throughout Montana. In recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded. As you make plans for the July Fourth holiday, be sure to review these precautionary steps to “Be Bear Aware”.- Carry bear spray close at hand and know how to use it. - Travel in groups whenever possible and plan to be out in the daylight hours. - Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers. - Watch for signs of bears such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses. - Make noise, especially near streams or in...
Catherine (Caty) Marie Dhaenens Youso
Catherine (Caty) Marie Dhaenens Youso, born Aug. 8, 1950, in Spokane, Washington, passed away June 23, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. She was an amazingly unique spirit and her indelible mark on those around her will never be forgotten.Known for her spunky and sassy personality, she had a way of marching through the crowd, leaving laughs and love in her wake. She was particularly fond of her multitude of grand and great-grandchildren, showering them all with smiles, hugs, sage advice, (and the occasional piece of candy when mom wasn’t looking!). Caty was a consummate cleaner, often taking cleaning tasks over from...
Kathleen Shields Williams
Kathleen Shields Williams, born Dec. 30, 1923, to George and Li!y Shields in Bolton, England, passed away Oct. 26, 2023, just two months before her 100th birthday.Kathleen (Kathy) lived a long and interesting life. She was educated at St. Edmunds Catholic Schools. During World War II she worked in the lab at the steel foundry in her hometown of Bolton. During, the war, Kathleen met Dexter Williams and they were married June 11, 1945, while Dexter was stationed in England. After the war Kathleen traveled on her own by ship, bus and train to meet up with the love of her life...
Libby youth lands big one at Halfway House's Pike Strike
There are several dozen fewer northern pike swimming Bull Lake after the Halfway House Bar and Grill's Pike Strike tournament.Held the weekend of June 22-23, the tourney saw 49 anglers enter. They boated 74 fish that weighed a combined 346.4 pounds, an average of 4.68 pounds.Libby's Kory Peltier caught the largest pike, an 18.6-pound wall-hanger. Wallace Kiele's No. 2 fish was 16 pounds while Duane Condit Jr. landed one that weighed 12.7 pounds.For combined weight, Anthony Green's fish weighed a total of 34.9 pounds. Peltier's pike weighed 31 pounds and Ben McCann's were 30.4 pounds.
Sandra G. Orr
Sandra G. Orr, 77, passed away from asbestos related illness Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Kootenai Health in Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho, surrounded by loved ones.Sandy was born in Glendive, Montana on Oct. 25, 1946, to Beverly Murphy and Richard Mittlestadt. When she was three years old, Sandy and her mother moved to Libby. Sandy met Herb Orr in high school and the two were wed on May 29, 1965. Together they had three children - Darren, Dru and Dawn. Although her title of “Mom” was a major identity, her title of “Nana” was even more monumental. Holidays were a staple at...
Heat wave coming, officials urge careful recreation
Mother Nature did south Lincoln County a favor in terms of wildfire risk as rain has fallen on several days in the last few weeks.But things are expected to change rapidly as temperatures are expected to rise into the The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat watch next Tuesday and Wednesday in the Kootenai/Cabinet and Lower Clark Fork regions.It calls for dangerously hot conditions with major risk of heat effects possible. The level of heat affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in some health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure.Officials recommend drinking plenty of fluids, stay in...
Trout Creek angler lands state record largescale sucker
KALISPELL — Montana has a new state record largescale sucker.Wade Merschat, 12, of Trout Creek, used a nightcrawler to land a 6.72-pound largescale sucker from Noxon Reservoir in Sanders County on June 19. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists verified the state record and issued Merschat his state record certificate on July 1. The fish measured 25.25 inches long.The previous record was 6.16 pounds set in June 2008 from Woodland Park Pond in Kalispell. It measured 23.1 inches long.The sucker family is the third largest family of fish in Montana with nine species, behind only the minnow and salmonid (trout) families....
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The Western News, a twice weekly newspaper located in Libby, was one of the first Montana newspapers to go online - the first among smaller publications. The first online issue appeared in early Spring 1995 with our Spring and Summer Visitors Guide. The Western News reaches roughly 3,000 households with every edition and is the largest paid-circulation newspaper in our region. We cover southern Lincoln County, including Libby and Troy.
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