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The Western News
Libby teen, LOR gives Jerry Dean Park a helping hand
It’s been a little more than a decade since long-time Libby educator Gerald “Jerry” Dean died, but one Libby teen is working to keep his namesake park a clean place for area residents to enjoy.Fifteen-year-old Crystalina Noble recently took the initiative to keep the park in orderly fashion.“It’s a place I go a few times a week and I like to hang out there,” Noble said.But Noble decided the trash and litter that was left needed to go, so in February she began walking with her own broom and trash bags nearly a mile from her home to clean the...
Carl Amos Andrews
Carl Amos Andrews, born Dec. 4, 1964, passed on June 8, 2024.He was preceded in death by his parents, Cody and Eldon Andrews.Carl leaves behind daughter Amber and three sisters, Vicky, Sandra and Dianna, as well as countless friends and family members who love him.Carl lived life on his own terms, unapologetically and made the best of what he had every day.Taken suddenly, and too soon, his presence will sorely be missed by many.A celebration in his memory will be held by the family at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 7, at the Mint Bar, 110 Mineral Avenue, Libby.
Mission Valley sweeps Libby Loggers Legion baseball
POLSON — Dawson DuMont picked up three RBIs and crossed the plate twice himself as the Mission Valley A Mariners swept the Libby A Loggers in a doubleheader Tuesday evening.According to Daily Inter Lake reporting, seven walks aided the Mariners in game one to a 10-0 victory with just four hits in the six-inning game. The game ended due to the mercy rule.Brayson Dumont picked up a hit and tallied a pair of runs for Mission Valley.Five errors from the Loggers helped Mission Valley’s lead.Landon Shoemake started for the Mariners and went 5 1-3 innings, allowing just two hits. He...
Dennis Norstebon
Dennis Norstebon was born Dec.10, 1957, in Libby, Montana and passed away suddenly at home June 22, 2024, in Libby, Montana, at the age of 66.Dennis loved fishing, hunting, camping and huckleberry picking. But most of all, he really loved being around his family and friends. He was loved more than he realized and will be very missed.Dennis was preceded in death by his parents Morris and Ida Norstebon, sister Shirley Norstebon, brother Larry Norstebon, nephews Christopher, Danny Drake, grandson Brandon Murer, sister-in-law Carrie Norstebon and brother-in-law Jerry Snyder.He is survived by brothers Dale Norstebon, Marvin (Kathy) Norstebon, sisters Carolyn Norstebon, Linda Snyder; daughters Jenni (Travis) Risley, Misty Norstebon, Shannon (TJ) Lafley, Debbie Norstebon (Neal), grandkids, great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 24 at 237 Enders Drive, Libby.
Montana Historical Society expands Capitol tours to weekends
For people seeking a special guided experience, the Montana Historical Society (MTHS) is now offering free tours daily that explore the art, architecture, and history of Montana’s Capitol.“We’ve been delighted by the interest in our Capitol tours so far this summer and are excited to increase the times and days they’ll be offered,” said Darby Bramble, museum education officer at MTHS. “Since the beginning of June, we’ve seen more than 600 people participate in our guided tours.”Participants range from Montana families to people traveling from across the globe. The Capitol is located at 1301 East Sixth Avenue in Helena.Starting July...
Two Libby residents accused of dog napping from animal shelter
Two Libby residents are facing charges after allegedly breaking into the county animal shelter and stealing a dog.Ronald Edward Ringsbye is being held in the Lincoln County Detention Center on one felony count of burglary. His bail is set at $25,000.Michelle Lynne Yeager, 54, is also charged with burglary. She is free after posting $25,000 bail on June 18. Yeager appeared in district court Monday, July 1 and pleaded not guilty. Her next hearing is Aug. 5.A date for Ringsbye’s arraignment hasn’t yet been scheduled.County deputy Andrew Smith and county detective Brandon Holzer investigated the case and deputy county attorney...
Federal judge stops Flathead forest plan because it doesn’t protect grizzly bears
Federal Judge Dana Christensen has stopped the Flathead National Forest from implementing its forest plan for the 2.4 million acres because the U.S. Forest Service ignored the impact of roads on the endangered grizzly bear and bull trout populations.In his decision, which mostly upheld federal magistrate Kathleen DeSoto’s initial ruling, he said that the Forest Service continues to ignore the impacts of closed roads and unauthorized motor vehicle use on roads in grizzly bear and bull trout habit.The case is similar to many which have centered on grizzly bears and roads recently. The U.S. Forest Service, which doesn’t comment on pending...
Accused sex offender drowns in Flathead's North Fork
A North Carolina man with several warrants for his arrest, including child sexual battery, apparently drowned in the North Fork Flathead River recently after fleeing from law enforcement.According to a press release from Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino, on June 20, the office received a tip about the possible location of 35-year-old Steven Jeffrey O’Shields of Franklin, North Carolina, in the Kalispell/Evergreen areas. O’Shields had extraditable felony warrants for his arrest regarding various crimes, including burglary, theft of services, obstruction of law enforcement and sexual battery against a child, all out of North Carolina. He was also reported as a non-compliant...
Sheriff's Office blotter
The law roundup is compiled from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office incident log from June 17 to June 23. It is not meant to serve as an exhaustive account.Four officers responded to a disturbance in the 31900 block of U.S. 2, Libby.A few hours later, two officers responded to a disturbance on Lewis Loop, Libby.A report of criminal mischief was called in from the 400 block of City Service Road, Libby.A traffic crash with injuries occurred on Yaak River Road. Several first responders answered the call.Three officers responded to a fight in the 35200 block of U.S. 2, Libby.The animal...
Legals for July, 5 2024
PUBLIC HEARING TROY RURAL FIRE DISTRICT ANNEXATION Petitions for annexation were submitted to the Lincoln County Clerk and Recorder on May 24, 2024, by the Troy Rural Fire District. Pursuant to MCA 7-33-2125, the County Commission is mandated to schedule a public hearing on the petition, which must occur no less than 4 weeks after the presentation date, on June 5, 2024. Pursuant to MCA 7-33-2125(2) states, “On the date set for the hearing, the board of county commissioners shall consider the petition and any objections to the annexation. The board shall approve the annexation unless a protest...
Libby Legion B team plays in Badrock Invitational
The Libby Loggers Legion B team played last week in the inaugural Badrock Invitational at Glacier Bank Park.The 8-team, double-elimination tournament also featured the 406 Flyers from Billings, Federal Way from Seattle, Mission Valley Mariners, Kalispell Sluggers and Flathead As.According to the Daily Inter Lake, Libby lost 17-5 to the Badrock Baseball U15 squad.In one of four games played Thursday, Badrock prevailed thanks in large part to crooked numbers in the third and fifth innings. Badrock scored six times in the third, getting a two-run single from Luke Dalen.Libby scored all of its runs in the bottom of the third inning, with Mason Crowe hitting a 3-run triple to key the outburst. Brayson Orr had an RBI single in the inning as well.Libby played the Sluggers Saturday, but no score was available. Libby second baseman Carson Wolgamott (6) catches a popup against Badrock during the Badrock Invitational at Glacier Bank Park on Thursday, June 27. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Libby man accused of assaulting wife
A Libby man is jailed after authorities say he beat up his wife and attempted to assault another person who intervened in the incident.Gregory Thomas Moss, 29, is facing charges of aggravated assault, partner or family member assault and strangulation of a partner or family member. Moss is being held in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $60,000 bail, set by Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield.Court documents indicate Moss has a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 3.He was arrested by Libby police officer Don Luthey following an incident at 4:15 a.m. June 23 at an East Sixth...
Dolores M. Fredericksen
Dolores M. Fredericksen, 94, of Libby, Montana passed away June 25, 2024. She was born Feb. 21, 1930, in Libby, Montana to the late Joseph and Etta McCallum. Dolores attended grade school and graduated high school in Libby. Dolores was employed as a receptionist for Dr. Nelson in Libby, she also worked for JCPenney from 1960 to 1974. Her most recent work was in a managerial role at Happy Inn Resort where she worked for over 25 years. Dolores was most excited about the resort where she raised enough money to build the fire hall and donate the first ambulance. Dolores met her first...
Whitefish physician charged in multi-million-dollar Medicare fraud case
A Whitefish physician was charged Monday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Montana with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for allegedly helping facilitate about $39 million in fraudulent billing of Medicare and other federal benefits programs during the Covid-19 pandemic.Ronald David Dean entered into a plea deal with federal prosecutors in which he agreed to help the government continue its investigation into the fraud, according to federal court documents, and as part of the agreement will have to pay back around $780,500 in restitution to the Medicare program and two other federal programs.According to a criminal charging document filed Monday in U.S. District Court...
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...
Permanent birth control on the rise
HELENA — Sophia Ferst remembers her reaction to learning that the Supreme Court had overturned Roe v. Wade: She needed to get sterilized.Within a week, she asked her provider about getting the procedure done.Ferst, 28, said she has always known she doesn’t want kids. She also worries about getting pregnant as the result of a sexual assault then being unable to access abortion services. “That’s not a crazy concept anymore,” she said.“I think kids are really fun. I even see kids in my therapy practice, but, however, I understand that children are a big commitment,” she said.In Montana, where Ferst...
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...
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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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