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The Western News
Searchers recover missing woman's body from Kootenai River
The search for a woman missing in the Kootenai River near Libby came to a sad ending Sunday morning.Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short told The Western News searchers from David Thompson Search and Rescue and the sheriff's department found the body of Jessica Prado at 8:45 a.m.Prado, a 40-year-old resident of Moyie Springs, Idaho, was missing since Wednesday evening after a two-person kayak she and companion Jared Satterlund, 42, who recently moved to Libby, were in capsized just below China Rapids.Members of David Thompson SAR and the county sheriff’s office combed the river and its banks for three full days...
Search continues for woman missing in Kootenai River
Searchers continued to look Saturday for a missing woman who disappeared in the Kootenai River Wednesday evening.Members of David Thompson Search and Rescue searched the river and its banks a few miles below the China Rapids section of the waterway west of Libby.According to Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short, the county and David Thompson Search and Rescue were using everything in their tool boxes to locate the missing woman, Jessica Prado.In addition to dogs and a drone, underwater camera equipment was used to aid in the hunt for woman.Also, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held back water at Libby...
Libby's Williams inducted into the state Broadcasters Hall of Fame
Long-time KLCB and KTNY local broadcaster Duane Williams was inducted into the Montana Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame this month recognizing his commitment and dedication to Montana broadcasting and the Libby community.Williams began his broadcast career as an announcer on a 500-watt daytimer in 1967. In the early 1970s he worked with KARR-KOPR, and later, KMON-KNUW, in Great Falls. In 1977 he moved to Libby and KLCB and built KTNY in 1986. Duane is former Chairman of the Board of the Montana Broadcasters Association, former President of the Libby Rotary Club, former board member of the Libby Chamber of Commerce, and...
Local vandalism spurs use of more surveillance cameras
Vandalism is not a new problem in south Lincoln County, but what can be done when first graders are engaging in destructive behavior?That was the case earlier this summer when some very youthful vandals made their way inside Libby’s Lee Gehring Field. They got into the bathrooms and proceeded to smash sinks and toilets, rendering them unusable.“We never imagined kids that young breaking fixtures,” Loggers Legion coach Kelly Morford said. The fixtures were replaced in time for last weekend’s Big Bucks Tournament, but even that didn’t go off without a hitch.Someone entered the stadium and stole a laptop computer and cables...
Motocross racers share thrills at Libby's Millpond
They came from northwest Montana, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia and the Flathead.Saturday’s Millpond Motocross track in Libby was the site of the annual races involving some of the best young riders in the region.One hundred seventy people attended the races to see 42 riders, some of who competed in multiple classes.“We also had 50 amazing volunteers who helped make the day a success,” event organizer Jenn Remp said. “And we are so thankful for the support we get from the local community and generous businesses.” Libby had four racers win in five events. Westin Remp won the schoolboy and 85cc events....
No zoning in Lower Yaak
My husband and I live on Pine Creek in the Lower Yaak area. We areopposed to zoning proposals as infringements on the independent spiriton Montanans and personal property rights.There are many land development controls already in place which directsafe and responsible preservation of Montana's outdoor areas. Zoning is entirely inappropriate in the rural outdoors and lacks the structure orfunding to guarantee protection of Montana's beautiful areas. Surely the deplorable condition of areas within zoned municipal areas should show how effective zoning really is in preserving a healthy environment.James and Elizabeth HolmesPine Creek Road, Troy, Montana
Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond
East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact. A recent sampling:Ending no-fault divorce, currently legal in all 50 states, is a new target of conservative lawmakers, The Guardian reported. For those who think it can’t happen, it was noted that Roe vs. Wade was regarded as stable, until the current right-leaning Supreme Court reversed it.The first presidential debate between Trump and Biden was June 27 on CNN. Both sides agreed to no studio audience and muted mics, except for when it was their turn to speak.Belt tightening? Under a new program requiring no receipts, over...
Troy man accused of threatening officers, harassing 911 dispatchers
It’s been about a decade since Dan J. Savage Jr. was making headlines in Lincoln County for some of his run-ins with the law.The 47-year-old man from Troy is facing new charges after some alleged incidents earlier this year, allegedly occurring between Jan. 19 and Feb. 11.Savage was most recently in district court June 17 for a hearing to determine the length of a possible trial. County attorney Marcia Boris and public defender Scott B. Johnson agreed two days would be sufficient.May 20, Savage was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to multiple counts, including felony intimidation. He is also facing...
In 2024, it’s a plodding geezer versus a grifting sleazer
Having lost an election, I know it hurts to lose. I know, too, that there is a good life beyond losing because I’ve been living it for the past 20 years.I know that the people’s will in a democracy can only be determined by a process of elections; American democracy has successfully functioned on that model since George Washington.When the people lose their faith in elections, democracy is finished.There have been as many losers as winners in our legacy of elections extending back more than 230 years. By their respect for the will of the people in elections, those who...
Sheehy, PERC and the future of public lands conservation in Montana
A great recent article by Chris D’Angelo reports on the connection between Tim Sheehy, the Republican challenging Jon Tester for his senate seat, and PERC, the Bozeman-based Property and Environment Research Center that promotes what it calls “free market environmentalism.” While Montanans might wonder about Sheehy’s background and policy positions given the shifting sands in his explanations, the fact that he was on the board of PERC is not in question — despite his failure to disclose that fact as required by Senate rules which his campaign says is an “omission” that’s being “amended.” For those who have long been...
Canadian environmentalists question plan to sell coal mines above Lake Koocanusa
A pair of Canadian environmental organizations have asked Canadian regulators to consider several issues that could throw a wrench in a major coal mine sale north of the Montana border. The request tees up a decision that will have implications for Lake Koocanusa, a boundary-spanning waterway that a coal mining operation in British Columbia has polluted for decades.Wildsight and Ecojustice submitted the petition last week out of concern that the pending sale of Teck’s coal mining operation to Swiss commodities giant Glencore bodes poorly for the prospect of adequate remediation of the land and water that have changed dramatically as a result of...
Fight for Montana
Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy is a Montana newcomer masquerading as someone who understands and supports Montana values. He doesn’t. In a recent debate with incumbent Jon Tester, Sheehy revealed his true colors. Beware of Sheehy. He wants to ban abortion nationwide. Sheehy is endorsed by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America that demands support for a national abortion ban. His inflammatory lie about Tester supporting the abortion of full-term babies is as ludicrous as his lies about ensuring politicians pass a balanced budget when he can’t balance his own checkbook showing a $77 million loss last year. (Billings Gazette).One more thing, according to a GOP Super PAC supporting Tim Sheehy, there are three genders, “male,” “working woman” and “homemaker.” Sheehy does not support LGBTQ or women’s rights. Jon Tester supports human rights and believes in a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions without government interference. Sheehy thinks he can waltz into our state and change our way of life. Well, he’s wrong.Montanans will fight for truth, our freedoms, and a woman’s right to choose. Betty Kuffel, Whitefish
Loggers gear up for stretch run with third at Big Bucks tourney
The Libby Loggers Legion baseball team came out of the Big Bucks Tournament with three wins in four games and optimism for the rest of the season.“Our goal coming into the tournament was to use it as a jumping off point for the second half, we won a few games and learned we can play well and compete,” Loggers manager Kelly Morford said. “We know baseball is the most fun when you’re in close games and now we just have to be ready to compete every time we go out.”The Loggers, which had two wins entering Big Bucks, opened strong...
Libby Senior Center July menu
Here is the menu for July at the Libby Senior Center.Staff is asking those that want to reserve a meal call the center 24 hours in advance. The number is 293-7222.Tuesday, July 2: Swiss steak, rice, dinner roll, vegetable, salad and brownie.Wednesday, July 3: Ham & cheese sandwich, bean soup, salad and cookie.Friday, July 5: Pork roast, mashed potatoes, dinner roll, vegetable, apple sauce and muffin.Tuesday, July 9: Country-fried chicken breast fillet, mashed potatoes, biscuit, vegetable, salad and cake.Wednesday, July 10: Cheeseburger with bun, chicken with rice soup, salad and cookie.Friday, July 12: Fish, macaroni & cheese, cornbread,vegetable, salad and lemon bar.Tuesday, July 16: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, dinner roll, vegetable, salad and Jell-O.Wednesday, July 17: Egg salad sandwich, minestrone soup, salad and cookie.Friday, July 19: Lasagna, garlic bread, vegetable, salad and cupcake.Tuesday, July 23: Cranberry chicken, roasted potatoes, dinner roll, vegetable, salad and cookie.Wednesday, July 24: Bacon, lettuce & tomato sandwich, potato soup, salad and cookie.Friday, July 26: Barbeque pork, rice, dinner roll, vegetable , salad and pineapple cake.Tuesday, July 30: Meatballs & gravy, mashed potatoes, dinner roll, salad and banana pie.Wednesday, July 31: Biscuits & gravy, bacon, scrambled eggs, salad and cookie
Happy's Inn hosting fundraiser for wounded Montana vet
After an explosive hit Warren Childs’ truck in Afghanistan in 2009, the Marine was left with a neurological condition that is only getting worse over time.He now lives in west Kalispell with his family to enjoy life to the fullest as his seizures and tremors progress but is in need of some major upgrades to his house."When we started work on the house, I was doing whatever I could. We did a refinance on the house to help fix some things. But we ended up having to spend a bunch of that money on some medical expenses for one of...
Birth announcement
Keaton and Amber Julson announce the birth of their daughter, Brynlee Sue Julson, at 7:02 p.m. on May 19, 2024, at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby. Her paternal grandparents are Ross Julson, of Libby, and Marci Gossett, of Anaconda. Her maternal grandparents of Steve and Pam Winter, of Libby.
Legals for June, 28 2024
ELI J. PATTEN (Bar ID 11219) LINDY M. LAUDER (Bar ID 42075069) CROWLEY FLECK PLLP 500 TRANSWESTERN PLAZA II 490 NORTH 31ST STREET P. O. BOX 2529 BILLINGS, MT 59103-2529 TELEPHONE: (406) 252-3441 epatten@crowleyfleck.com llauder@crowleyfleck.com ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF MONTANA NINETEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LINCOLN COUNTY WBL SPO II, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. MILFERD K. SIEFKE a/k/a MEL K. SIEFKE, ANN M. SIEFKE, WRT II, INC. d/b/a WILDLIFE RECAPTURE TAXIDERMY, and MAC’S MARKET, INC., Defendants. Cause No.: DV-16-152 NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE OF REAL PROPERTY TO BE SOLD at Sheriff’s Sale on July 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at the LINCOLN COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 512 California Ave, Libby, MT 59923; the following real property located in Lincoln County, Montana, which...
Authorities search for missing woman in Kootenai River
Lincoln County authorities are searching for a missing woman in the Kootenai River.According to a press release from the sheriff's office, dispatch received a call at about 7:58 p.m. Wednesday for the missing person, identified as Jessica Prado. She and Jared Satterlund were kayaking above Kootenai Falls when they began having problems.Satterlund tried to help Prado, but he last saw her struggling in an eddy in the river before losing sight of her.Deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and David Thompson Search and Rescue responded to search for Prado. A cooler was found near the shore above Kootenai Falls and the damaged kayak and other property were recovered below Kootenai Falls.Two Bear Air Rescue were contacted and responded to assist with the search. David Thompson SAR continued a ground and water search Thursday and will possibly receive additional assistance from Two Bear Air Rescue if the weather permits.
Not guilty pleas by Libby man accused of assaulting infant son
A Libby man lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center after being accused of assaulting his four-month-old son pleaded not guilty Monday, June 17, to the offenses.Masin Reed Payne, 24, is charged with two felonies, assault on a minor, victim under 36 months, serious injury. His bail is set at $150,000.Payne made his initial court appearance on May 28 in front of Judge Jay Sheffield. Ben Kolter, of the state Public Defender’s Office, was assigned to represent Payne.District Judge Matt Cuffe set Payne’s next hearing for Monday, July 15.According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by county Attorney Marcia...
The Western News
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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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