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The Western News
Investigation still in progress after 10 railcars plunged into the Yellowstone River
A year after 10 Montana Rail link railcars plummeted into the Yellowstone near Reed Point, sending nearly 412,000 pounds of molten asphalt into the river, federal authorities have yet to release their findings on the cause of the crash.The Federal Railroad Administration told Montana Free Press that the crash, which occurred on June 24, 2023, is still under investigation. FRA spokesperson William Wong did not provide a timeline for the release of its report but did say the agency is in the final phase of its investigation.A report Montana Rail Link provided to the FRA in the weeks after the accident...
Libby man jailed following alleged road rage incident
A Libby man stands accused of assault with a weapon after a recent alleged road rage incident on U.S. 2.Ashley R. Swartzenberger, , is being held in the Lincoln County jail on $75,000 bail, set by Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield. Court documents indicate he has a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 3.According to a report by county sheriff’s deputy James Derryberry, Swartzenberger used a 2008 GMC Sierra pickup truck at 8:51 p.m. June 20 to repeatedly ram another driver’s vehicle.According to the alleged victim, Swartzenberger pulled on to U.S. 2 near Mountain Meadow Road and cut...
William Joseph Guynup
William Joseph Guynup, 72, passed away in Moyie Springs, Idaho on May 11, 2024.Will was born to Carl and Agnes Guynup on Aug. 17, 1951, in Plattsburgh, New York.He served in the U.S. Army for three years and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in the Ordinance Corps in 1973.Will is survived by his siblings Susan (Richard) Fifield, Daniel (Peg) Guynup, Andrew (Judy) Guynup, Ellen (Jim) Lundy, Russell (Laura) Guynup, and Miles (April) Guynup; along with 14 nieces and nephews and 21 great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by both his parents and his brother Robert Guynup.Will had a passion for mining, metal working, music and puzzles. He will be interred with his parents in Cadyville, New York.
Libby Lofts to hold grand opening event at old high school
Libby Lofts developers recently issued a press release about work going on at the grounds of the Historic Libby High School. "Libby Lofts extends heartfelt thanks to the Rotary Club of Kootenai Valley for their generous donation of a concrete picnic table to the park located on the grounds of the Historic Libby High School," said Tracy McNew. "This thoughtful contribution enhances the community space as the historic building undergoes restoration. Libby Lofts also thanks Noble Excavating for their excellent work in placing the picnic table, ensuring it is perfectly situated for Libby residents and visitors to enjoy."In addition to the...
Man gets suspended sentence in DUI homicide case
A man accused of driving under the influence during a vehicle crash in November 2022 when two Troy men died was recently sentenced.David Daniel Lefell, 68, formerly of Troy, entered no contest pleas on two counts of felony vehicular homicide under the influence on March 18 in Lincoln County District Court.Lefell was sentenced June 6 by District Judge Matt Cuffe to two six-year suspended terms, to be served consecutively.In Cuffe’s sentencing order, he wrote that, “the sentence is consistent with Montana law and given the weather conditions and conflicting evidence regarding intoxication, the sentence is an appropriate resolution under the...
The religious underpinnings of one of America’s most sacred concepts, private property
Newsflash: Property law in the U.S. is not rooted in the Constitution.America’s legal foundation for property law (possession), “anti-Indian law,” and the concept of nation-states is religious, not secular. Where did this deep sense of entitlement, hierarchy and dominion over unknown lands and its original sovereign peoples originate? How was this wilderness continent, upon which its people depended – for millennia – for survival, end up being converted into “real estate” by a bunch of European Christian princes and pirates? Most people who own real estate, work and live on this settler-colonized land we now call “America,” cannot answer the...
Birth announcements
Andrey and Natalya Bokov of Trout Creek and Family Birth Services are pleased to announce the birth of Ksenia Emmarika. Born June 2, baby Ksenia weighted 8 pounds, 11.5 ounces. Welcomed into the family by brothers Andrew and Dennis, and sister Masha. Grandparents Mykola and Galyna Vasyanovich and Alexander and Nadezhda Bokov also reside in Trout Creek. She was delivered by Joyce Vogel, CPM LM, and Rebekah Sweet, LMA.Zarach and Mary Epperson of Trout Creek and Family Birth Services' Joyce Vogel CPM LM and Rebekah Sweet LMA are proud to announce the birth of Mary Carmen. Born Sunday morning, May 19, 2024, Mary weighted 8 pounds, 5 ounces. She was welcomed home by her loving sisters and brothers, Bethany, Diana, Hawkins, Henry, Carrie, Katie, Jackie, Rebecca, Thomas and Victoria. Blessed are her parents and grandparents, Robert Epperson of Leakey, Texas, Yvonne Epperson of Trout Creek, Montana as well as Delores Knoll of Rathdrum, Idaho.
Troy excited to host annual Fourth of July celebration
Those who dislike the heat that sometimes comes with the July 4 holiday, forecasters are predicting a pleasant Independence Day in south Lincoln County.According to the National Weather Service, the day is expected to be sunny with a high near 85 degrees. Weekend high temperatures are expected to hit 91.As it always is, Troy is the place to be with its more than a century old festival planned.Troy’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July on Thursday at Roosevelt Park on the Kootenai River is the highlight as several thousand people are expected to attend.The celebration will include the traditional fireworks display,...
‘Sacred Return’: Tribal ceremony honors birth of prophesied white buffalo calf
HEBGEN LAKE, Montana — The birth of a sacred white buffalo calf earlier this month in Yellowstone National Park’s Lamar Valley fulfills a tribal prophecy, according to Native American spiritual leaders.The prophecy means people need to take better care of Mother Earth and must come together to do so, leaders and elders told a group of about 500 people gathered Wednesday on the north shore of Hebgen Lake.“It’s up to each and every one of you to make it happen for the future of our children. We must come together and bring that good energy back,” said Chief Arvol Looking Horse,...
David Lee Kieffer
David Lee Kieffer, 85, of Libby, Montana passed away peacefully at home on June 20, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. He was born on Feb. 24, 1939 in Stevensville, Montana to Casey and Roxy Kieffer.Dave was Hazel’s devoted husband for 56 years and a loving father to his children Pam, Steve, Heidi, and the late Terri and Brian. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Wanda. He had seven grandchildren, Sara, David, Sean, Dan, Rachel, Katerina and Aidan and eight great-grandchildren.He was a long-time owner of the Libby Credit Bureau and was active in...
Legals for July, 2 2024
PUBLIC HEARING PETITION FOR ABANDONING A COUNTY ROAD BETWEEN Part of Creekwood Road between Pinewood Lane and Tamarack Lane NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held in the meeting room of the Lincoln County Commissioners at 512 California Avenue, Libby, Montana, at 11:00am, Wednesday, July 24, 2024 for the purpose of hearing comments regarding the abandonment of part of the Creekwood Road running north between lots 1 & 8 of Block 9 and Lots 5 & 6 of Block 8 pursuant to 7-14-2615 MCA. The portion of road affects property owners: Jim Webb 270 Tamarack LN, Margie Rorke 292 Tamarack LN, Mike Noble 275 Pinewood LN, Robert Wilburn 303 Pinewood LN For questions or further information please contact: Clerk & Recorder Corrina Brown at 283- 2306 or email lcclerk@libby.org PUBLISHED IN The Western News July 1 & 19, 2024. MNAXLP 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
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...
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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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