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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...
American spirit on display at Happy's Inn
Every now and then, one of the largest flags in Montana needs a makeover.The 60-foot by 30-foot American flag at Happy’s Inn, halfway between Kalispell and Libby, has been flying 120 feet in the sky since 2020. For Happy’s Inn, the flag is a symbol of American spirit. For patrons of the bar, it represents community.With wind damage and exposure to the sun, the flag needs to be taken down every three to six months and returned to Wisconsin, where it was purchased, to undergo repairs. Sometimes the wear and tear requires a new flag altogether.Recently, in anticipation of the Fourth...
County seeks $ from defendant to pay for dogs’ care
Lincoln County authorities are attempting to recoup costs it has incurred while taking care of 11 dogs that were taken from a man facing felony animal cruelty charges.Steven David Aver, 63, was charged on Jan. 26, 2024, with 10 felony and one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty following an investigation of a residence at 1652 Old U.S. Highway 2, located near the Idaho border.Aver was in district court on Monday, July 1, for arraignment on the charges. There was also testimony about the costs of caring for the 11 dogs. According to court documents, the Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter has...
Green Hat clown Austin Singley comes to Kootenai River Stampede
Organizers are feverishly preparing for the 20th annual Kootenai River Stampede PRCA Rodeo later this month.The event, set for Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27, will feature the Green Hat Clown, Austin Singley. He performed in his own venue prior to the Covid epidemic effectively shutting the country down. In the Libby arena at J. Neils Memorial Park, Singley will wear many green hats, filling the role of clown, barrelman and as the featured act.Singley is an award winning rodeo clown, entertainer and stuntman out of Clearfield, Utah. His true love for performing and making people laugh began in junior...
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.
County commissioners hear proposals for J. Neils bull
The bull flew a bit at the last two Lincoln County commissioner meetings.The bull in question is the statue that marks the entrance of J. Neils Memorial Park just outside Libby off Highway 37.Libby resident Dave Harman attempted to make his case for why the bull should be removed and placed elsewhere. Kootenai River Stampede organizer Patty Rambo has other thoughts.When asked why the location of the bull was of such urgent nature, Harman said it had been discussed for many years and that the bull didn’t properly represent the Neils’ legacy.“I’m not gonna tell you the names of the people...
Libby man dies in motorcycle-deer collision
A Libby man died Thursday, July 4, after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a deer on Bull Lake Road.According to a report from Montana Highway Patrol, the man was driving a Honda CBR 1000 south near mile marker 33.5 at about 2:55 p.m. when it collided with a deer. The motorcycle slid and the man fell off the vehicle.The man, who was wearing a helmet, was taken to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center.Alcohol, drugs or speed were not suspected factors in the crash.A multiple vehicle accident Thursday morning on Bull Lake Road caused injuries, but no other details were available.There was also a vehicle crash at about 5:34 a.m. Friday, July 5, on U.S. 2 east of Libby that resulted in an injury. No other details were available.
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...
Federal judge halts logging project near White Sulphur Springs
A federal court judge in Montana has halted a logging project near White Sulphur Springs in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest after he said the U.S. Forest Service failed to take into account a decline in nesting goshawks, which violated federal law.The Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Native Ecosystems Council successfully argued before federal magistrate Kathleen L. DeSoto that both the U.S. Forest Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service hadn’t properly considered the species, which are considered an essential indicator of old-growth forests.The defendants in the case, the federal agencies as well as the American...
WILD ART-Troy Fourth of July
Troy's Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration saw parade goers saving their spots on the route as early as 6 a.m. Thursday, July 4, 2024.The streets were packed as was Roosevelt Park for the Cruzers Car Club car show and of course, a grand fireworks show to cap the day.
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...
Legals for July, 9 2024
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 PUBLIC NOTICE Notice to Water Users (Pursuant to Section 85-2-307, MCA) The following application has been submitted to change a water right in the State of Montana. THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION PROPOSES TO GRANT AN APPLICATION TO CHANGE A WATER RIGHT. DESCRIBED BELOW ARE THE PERTINENT FACTS WHICH SUMMARIZE...
Highway 37 work begins this week
The Montana Department of Transportation and construction partner Schellinger Construction, began road rehabilitation project activities on Montana Highway 37 this week.The project begins at the bridge over Sutton Creek, three miles north of Peck Gulch Campground, and extends approximately 12 miles north, to just past the intersection with Salmon Drive.Rehabilitation work includes milling the existing road surface and placing a new plant mix overlay surface. Additional work includes new signage, pavement markings, guardrail and rumble strips. The project is intended to preserve and extend the life of the roadway whilereducing maintenance costs.Traffic control will be in place and includes reduced speeds and single-lane traffic. Travelers should expect 10- to 15-minute delays and driving on a gravel surface through the project area. For the most up-to-date width restrictions and road conditions visit https://www.511mt.net/.Crews will be working from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Work is anticipated to continue until November. Crews will return in June 2025 to apply a seal and cover (chip seal) and final pavement markings.For more information, call Joan Redeen at 406-396-1978.
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...
Time to take precautions against bears
HELENA – Bears can be found throughout Montana. In recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded. As you make plans for the July Fourth holiday, be sure to review these precautionary steps to “Be Bear Aware”.- Carry bear spray close at hand and know how to use it. - Travel in groups whenever possible and plan to be out in the daylight hours. - Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers. - Watch for signs of bears such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses. - Make noise, especially near streams or in...
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...
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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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