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The Western News
The accessibility of our right to know
The framers of our state Constitution crafted the Right to Know to help create more responsive, open, and accountable state and local governments. Along with the vote, our power to access government information is our check on the government. Through this right we have the power to exercise oversight, meaningfully participate in decision making and make educated decisions when we vote. The Right to Know ensures that the people stay in control of government.But the Right to Know only promotes good government if the people can exercise that Right. Unfortunately, our government can obstruct and effectively deny our Right to Know...
Gary Burnett
Family is sad to announce the passing of Gary Burnett peacefully in hospice (Calgary) on May 18, 2024.Gary was born in Ketchikan, Alaska on Oct. 23, 1942. He spent most of his youth in Libby, Montana where he met and married Betty in 1961. Gary worked at the St. Regis sawmill for several years before moving his family to Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan to work at the sawmill there. While in Meadow Lake, he and Betty built their dream home, enjoyed getting their pilot licenses and taking trips in their plane. They owned a building supply company and the Dorintosh General Store.In 1986, Gary and Betty moved to Cochrane, Alberta where he worked at Spray Lakes Sawmill until his retirement when he received his heart transplant in 1997. His retirement years were spent traveling in the RV to Glacier, Utah and visiting family in the states. He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids Brooklyn and Marshall, puttering in his workshop and helping Betty in the garden.He is survived by his loving wife Betty, his children, Dave (Debbie), Jeff, Danna (Drew) and Jeramy, his grandchildren, Brooklyn (Brady) and Marshall.In lieu of a funeral our family will be remembering him together privately.
State of the Scotchmans event set for June 29
The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness is hosting their annual State of the Scotchmans on Saturday, June 29 at the historic Blue C Ranch in Heron, Montana.All are welcome from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at this venue with a view for live music, food, an update on the Scotchman Peaks, volunteer awards, yard games, raffles, good company and live speakers. This year’s “Bear Aware” themed event is shaping up to be one of our best yet.An update on our work towards Wilderness designation through the legislative process will be given by FSPW Executive Director, Phil Hough. Among the other speakers attending,...
County seeks new provider for wayward pets
Lincoln County is looking for a new provider to take care of pets that have nowhere else to go.At the June 12 commissioners meeting, Health Department Director Kathi Hooper said the Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter was ending its $50,000 contract with the county to house and care for animals collected by animal control. The contract expires on July 4.Hooper told The Western News she's optimistic that someone will step forward, but hadn't received any proposals as of Monday morning."We're talking with individuals and organizations to see if there is any interest and we're also working on estimates for the county...
FWP employee fired three months after being cleared of hunting-without-permission charge
Longtime Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks employee Michael Volesky, of Helena, is alleging that the department’s recent decision to fire him is politically motivated.Volesky, who most recently served as chief of operations for FWP, told Montana Free Press the department had no defensible cause for terminating his employment last week, especially after a county attorney dropped the hunting-without-permission charge that purportedly led the department to place Volesky on extended administrative leave in October.The agency fired Volesky last Monday, June 10, three months after Lewis and Clark County Deputy Attorney Deanna Rothwell dropped the charge that had spurred the agency’s review into...
Troy's Gravier helps lead North 16U travel softball team
PULLMAN — The North 16U travel softball team took third after winning four out of their five games at the 2024 Wheatfield Classic held June 15-16 in Pullman.Several Troy Trojans are on the Sandpoint-based team and have played key roles.They include Leslie Gravier, Addyson Fisher, Halle Wallace and Hailey Dungan.In the most recent tournament, Gravier was 8-for-17 with seven runs scored, four singles, a double, three home runs and nine RBI.The North combined for 54 runs over the course of five games and defeated the Velocity 18U of Spokane Valley (10-2), the Villains 16U of Spokane Valley (10-5), the Palouse...
Eureka man sentenced for magic mushroom possession
A Eureka man was recently sentenced for possessing psilocybin mushrooms.Gunnar Lee Shelton, 20, got a one-year deferred sentence May 20 from Lincoln County District Judge Matt Cuffe. He received credit for serving 12 days in the county jail. According to his attorney, public defender Ben Kolter, Shelton would have no issues with paying $1,030 in restitution.Shelton initially pleaded not guilty, but later changed his plea on March 25 to one felony count of possession of dangerous drugs.The case began May 31, 2023, when county deputy Clint Heintz and probation officer Steve Watson did a probation check at Danny Luciano’s residence...
Flathead Co-op members surpass $5M mark in Roundup for Safety
Flathead Electric Co-op’s member giving program this spring exceeded $5 million in contributions.In 1997, Flathead Electric Cooperative doubled down on its guiding business principle of “concern for community” and launched a program to improve safety in its service area. The co-op dubbed it Roundup for Safety and appointed a board to get the program off the ground.Next, cooperative members volunteered to allow their electric bills to be rounded up to support community safety projects. For example, a bill of $55.01 or $55.99 is rounded up to $56. Over each year, most members end up contributing about $6 to Roundup for...
Washington man blames wife’s radiation for alleged drug use
A Washington man was arraigned on drug possession charges Monday in Lincoln County District Court.Jeremy A. Gustavel, 50, of Everett pleaded not guilty to the offense while appearing via Zoom. His next court hearing will be July 15.The case began on Aug.15, 2023, for county Sheriff’s Deputy Clint Heintz when EMS asked him to respond to a possible drug overdose at 1068 Corvette Drive, Eureka. A man, later identified as Gustavel, thought he was overdosing on Percocet or Valium possibly laced with fentanyl.When Heintz arrived he said the caller, Emily Conev, was outside a white conversion van with California plates....
Libby man dies of injuries in traffic accident
A Libby man who was involved in a traffic accident on June 8 has died.According to a report from Montana Highway Patrol, Carl Andrews, 59, was driving a Ford F-150 east on U.S. 2 near Pearl Street when it was struck by a Mazda B-4000 pickup truck driven by a 62-year-old man from Tenino, Washington.The Mazda was on Farm to Market, attempting to cross the highway when it struck the F-150. The Ford struck Flathead Electric poles before stopping. The Mazda went over the curb and landed on the driver side.An airbag in the F-150 deployed. Andrews, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center before being flown to Logan Health in Kalispell by an A.L.E.R.T. air ambulance. He was then taken to Billings Clinic.The man driving the Mazda was taken to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. He was wearing a seat belt.Alcohol, drugs or speed were not suspected in the crash.First responders included two units from Libby Volunteer Ambulance, three from Libby Volunteer Fire Department, multiple units from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Montana Highway Patrol.
Pennsylvania woman drowns near Glacier's St. Mary Falls
Sunday afternoon, a 26-year-old Pennsylvania woman drowned after falling into the water above St. Mary Falls on the east side of Glacier National Park.According to witnesses, the woman was washed over the falls and trapped under water for several minutes. Bystanders pulled her from the water below the falls and administered CPR until emergency responders arrived. Park rangers and Babb ambulance personnel took over CPR upon arrival. An A.L.E.R.T. helicopter landed nearby at about 6:20 p.m. and crew members assisted with resuscitation efforts but the victim never regained consciousness. Resuscitation efforts were terminated at about 7 p.m. and A.L.E.R.T. personnel pronounced...
Joyce Collins Emens
Joyce Collins Emens, 82, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Troy, Montana. She is survived by her daughter, Jill; son-in-law Rick; granddaughters, Katelyn and Lindsay, all of Troy; son, Larry Collins of Modesto, California; three grandchildren, Logan, Sydni and Quinn; and three great-grandchildren in California and Florida.Per Joyce’s request, no services are planned. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.
Community briefs
Libby Friends of Library book saleThe Libby Friends of the Library will have a special book sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, June 28 in the book sale room downstairs at the library. This sale includes several collections of various authors and themes just in time for summer reading enjoyment. There will also be some books reviewing the birth of our nation for the Fourth of July. Purchase of items is by donation with all money received going to support programs for our library.Cabinet View Women's Golf League resultsThe Women's Golf League at Cabinet View Golf Club on June 12 played even holes out, add your total score for the odd holes, low gross wins. Nancy Hull won A Flight and Pat Neils won B Flight. Low Gross A Flight was Nancy Hull, B Flight was Pat Neils. Low Net A Flight was Suzie Jahn and B Flight was Donna Havens. On June 19, the Women's Golf League played a two-person scramble.Nancy Hull and Vona Hull won low gross. Donna Havens and Dee Wright won second gross. All women golfers are welcome to join us at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays.
It’s official: New world record Roosevelt’s elk smashes old mark
The records department of the Boone and Crockett Club recently convened a Special Judges Panel to verify the entry score of a Roosevelt’s elk received earlier this year. Two separate teams of judges remeasured the entry and adjusted the score from 439 7/8 points to 455 2/8 points.“The main objective of any panel, whether it be a Special Judges Panel or Awards Judges Panel, is to confirm the accepted entry score,” said Kyle Lehr, the Club’s director of big game records. “Sometimes differences in measurements are discovered through this process, and corrections need to be made. In the case of Mr....
To help baby animals survive, leave them alone
They look so cute and helpless. But your efforts to help could end up harming the animal and reducing its chances to survive.It’s important to understand that wildlife care for their young much differently than humans. One strategy that some species, particularly those species typically preyed upon by other animals (deer, rabbits, birds), use is to distance themselves from their young for many hours at a time. This helps to keep predators away from their young. For example, fawns are born without a scent, and it is safer for them if their mother, who has a scent, is not nearby. This...
Election reform group says it gathered enough signatures for Nov. ballot
Sandi Ashley said she was taken aback when she moved from Colorado to Montana in 1976 and was asked to pick a primary to vote in, which she saw as a loss to her voting power.Now, Ashley volunteers to gather signatures for two ballot initiatives that would change how primaries run and how elections are won in Montana, which as of Wednesday has enough signatures to qualify to be on the ballot, according to the group behind the effort, Montanans for Election Reform.Constitutional Initiative-126 would change Montana primaries to a top-four system, meaning the top four vote-getters regardless of party...
City OKs street closure for businesses' anniversary celebrations
Libby City Council approved a request for a section of Mineral Avenue to be closed Saturday, Aug. 3, for a street dance for two businesses celebrating anniversaries and another opening its doors to the public.The closure will be from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the 200 block between 2nd and 3rd Street.Sarah Sorensen, co-owner of Cabinet Mountain Brewery made the request. The brewery is celebrating its 10th anniversary.Co-hosting the event will be the Pastime Bar and Grill, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.Also joining in the festivities is a new business, Kootenai Float Company, which will be holding its...
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:Via executive order President Joe Biden recently issued a restrictive immigration policy for U.S.-Mexico border asylum-seekers when the numbers reach certain levels. Authorities could automatically block people wanting to present their asylum cases. The immigration system, not updated in 30 years, has an exceptional backlog. Republicans have blocked past efforts to pass immigration reforms. The Guardian interviewed people seeking asylum, whose reasons ranged from escaping severe domestic violence to escaping serious death threats from cartels.The UN says it has added Israel’s military to a global list...
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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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