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The Western News
Two men drown Saturday in Glacier National Park
Two drownings claimed the lives of two men in two different areas of Glacier National Park Saturday.A 26-year-old India man was hiking past the gorge on Avalanche Lake Trail when he went into Avalanche Creek around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. Friends and witnesses saw him go into the creek, go underwater and resurface briefly before being swept away by the current and into the gorge.Glacier National Park dispatch was alerted at 8:37 a.m. Park campground staff were on the scene almost immediately, followed by law enforcement rangers at about 9 a.m.A.L.E.R.T. helicopter conducted aerial searches of the creek and...
Martha M. Burrell
Martha M. Burrell, 69, passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2024 in Kalispell, Montana. There will be a service at 10 a.m. Friday, July 12, 2024, at the Libby Baptist Church of Libby, Montana. There will be a reception at the Libby Baptist Church following the interment at Libby Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby, Montana. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.
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...
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...
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...
A flood of misinformation
In Moldova, a false video implied that a pro-Western president actually favored Russia. In Bangladesh, a conservative Muslim country, a female lawmaker was portrayed wearing a bikini. In Slovakia, a doctored audio tape made it seem that an anti-Moscow candidate wanted to double the price of beer.No fabricated videos have surfaced — yet — of Joe Biden boasting a bikini bod or boosting beer prices. But this year’s presidential contest is already drenched in a flood of disinformation, and the problem is likely to get much worse.As those foreign examples illustrate, “deepfakes” pose a serious threat. These are false ideas...
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...
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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