Libby
LATEST NEWS
Curry no longer part of group seeking to redevelop old Libby High School
The ownership group working to renovate the old Libby High School no longer includes Scott Curry.According to a press release from Libby Lofts, the school, vacant since 2008, is now under the new ownership of ZT Development (Zach and Tracy McNew) and Brick Briar Development Group (Bruce Weatherby and Joan Oakland). They recently completed the buyout of NW Properties (Scott Curry), with each new partner acquiring a 50% stake in the project.“We’re thankful we could do it,” Tracy McNew said. “It simplifies things.”McNew said some trees have been removed on the property and there are plans to install a drinking...
Incident at park lands Washington man in jail
A Washington man was jailed after a recent incident in Libby’s Fireman’s Park.John David St. Clair, 62, of Everett, was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and obstructing a peace officer. All are misdemeanor charges.As of April 17, St. Clair was locked up in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $5,000 bail. According to the probable cause statement by Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy Joshua Brabo, St. Clair was arrested at about 5:18 p.m. Sunday, April 14.County dispatch told Brabo that a drunk and disorderly man was yelling profanities at Fireman’s Park while multiple children were in the park. When Brabo spoke to...
Libby man honored by state health department
Libby's Bob Weber was among a group of foster parents, child protection workers, youth and non-profit organizations honored earlier this month at the annual Montana Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference in Great Falls.The event, held on April 9, was sponsored by the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).Weber was among a number of northwest Montana residents who were recognized, including those from Kalispell, Bigfork and in Mineral County.Weber and Jonathan Butler of Helena each received the Resiliency Award. They display qualities that foster a supportive and positive work environment and embody a healthy work/life balance. DPHHS and the...
School trustee ballots due in county election office May 7
Ballots have been mailed to Lincoln County voters for school trustee elections in Libby, Troy and Eureka.The elections are mail-in only. Ballots must be returned to the county Election Office by 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. Ballots may be returned to the Election Office in Libby at 418 Mineral Avenue, county Sheriff’s Office in Libby at 512 California Avenue. The zip code is Libby is 59923.Ballots may also be returned to Eureka Dispatch at 855 US Highway 93 North, Eureka, MT, 59917, and to the Troy Police Department at 301 North 3rd St., Troy, MT, 59935.Libby has four candidates for...
More fur flies in Lower Yaak Zoning District discussion
For many, bringing up the word zoning in rural Montana is akin to using a curse word in a place of worship.The subject brought strong feelings to the surface again during the Lincoln County Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, April 24.Commissioners were prepared to vote on a resolution that would have created the Lower Yaak Zoning District.But following a presentation by planners and hearing comments from many county residents, the trio opted to table the decision to a future date.Many of those in attendance voiced their opinions that the matter should be tabled so more comment could be heard. Many are...
Forest intends to prepare an over-snow travel plan
The Kootenai National Forest is taking steps to prepare a comprehensive Over-snow Motorized Use Travel Plan to manage motorized over-snow use across 2.2 million acres of National Forest lands, including the Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area. According to regulations, the agency is required to designate trails and areas open to motorized over-snow vehicle use and the Forest Service will be preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) to analyze potential impacts of the proposal. An amendment to the Kootenai National Forest 2015 Land Management Plan may be considered to modify the boundaries of management area 5a (Backcountry-Non-motorized Year-round). The USDA Forest Service proposes to...
Heritage Museum seeks copies of old photos; readies for May 18 opening
The Heritage Museum is asking the community for help in locating copies of old photographs, negatives, slides, or 8mm and 16mm films of any of the J. Neils Shay Locomotives and early 1900s photos of the Libby mill site, logging operations and logging camps in and around Libby in the forest. Those interested in donating are asked to call the Museum at 406-293-7521 and leave a message with the name and telephone number or send an email to heritagemuseum@frontier.com.Donors will be contacted by someone at the museum to schedule an appointment for photos to be brought to the museum.At the museum,...
Lincoln Co. resident dies in structure fire
A Lincoln County resident died in a residential structure fire Sunday afternoon.Fire crews from Lincoln County Rural Fire District 1 responded to a small home off MK Road a little before 4:30 p.m.“The structure was fully engulfed when we arrived,” Fire Chief Steve Lauer said. “The cause of the fire and the person’s death are under investigation.”Lauer and fellow firefighter Matt Backen, in training to do investigations, will perform the inquiry.Fire fighters wore oxygen tanks while battling the blaze as heavy smoke poured from the home. The blaze also burned some trees located immediately behind the residence and fire crews were...
Truth in sentencing
To the Editor:About a year ago, I was cast into the dark underside of the law when I was issued a $50 citation for my dog trespassing on a private property.I recently read of a criminal sentencing, though more serious in nature (involving gun play, recklessness and other infractions) where the offender’s charges were amended and even dismissed for having a “college degree in forestry.”Not one to question the wisdom of Lincoln County jurisprudence; with a degree in forestry myself (UM 1976), I was puzzled as to what the hell this had to do with anything?With that in mind, I then wondered if I too could be shown some leniency and be reconsidered as a respectable citizen and get my fifty bucks back?Tom Horelick, Libby
Jury: BNSF contributed to two deaths in Libby where asbestos sickened thousands
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A federal jury on Monday said BNSF Railway contributed to the deaths of two people who were exposed to asbestos decades ago when tainted mining material was shipped through a Montana town where thousands have been sickened.The jury awarded $4 million each in compensatory damages to the estates of the two plaintiffs who died in 2020. Jurors said asbestos-contaminated vermiculite that spilled in the rail yard in the town of Libby, Montana was a substantial factor in the plaintiffs’ illnesses and deaths.Family members of the two victims hugged their attorneys after the verdict was announced. An...
Betty S. Longo
Betty S. Longo, 88, of Libby, Montana passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Libby Care Center of natural causes. She was born April 20, 1935 in Tucumeari, New Mexico to Lloyd E. and Floy (Morris) Beck. There will be no public services. Arrangements were under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby.
Libby's Martin honored by Montana State Air Force ROTC
The Air Force ROTC at Montana State University bestowed 20 awards upon selected cadets on April 17. The name of the award, the recipient, major, anticipated graduation date and hometown follow: Military Order of the World War Award - Cadet Lucky Martin, History, May 2026, Libby. - Cadet Norah Martin, Criminology, May 2027, Lake Tapps, Washington. - Cadet Isabella Rogers, Criminology, May 2025, Kirkland, Washington. Dwight Smith Sword Award - Cadet Dustin Edgerton, Computer Science, May 2024, Wasilla, Alaska. Richard J. Kramer Award - Cadet Dawson Grier, Business Finance, May 2025, Garden Grove, California. Gunner Award - Cadet Jack Peterson, Political Science, May 2026, San Diego, California. Tony Anderson Award - Cadet...
Lincoln Co. participating in annual drug take back day
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana joins the Drug Enforcement Administration in support of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27. The biannual event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at sites across Montana. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.Locally, prescription drugs may be dropped off at the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office lobby on California Avenue in Libby, the north Law Enforcement Center lobby in Eureka and at the old Troy dispatch lobby in Troy. Sheriff Darren Short said the sites...
Libby softball endures three-game losing streak
The Libby Loggers softball team is enduring a three-game losing streak as it battles through the injury of starting pitcher Paislee MacDonald.MacDonald was struck by a batted ball against Columbia Falls on April 18. She stayed in the game for a bit before coming out in the second inning of a 16-1 loss in four innings to the Wildkats.Coach Kellen MacDonald said Paislee is doing OK, but the ball that struck her caused some pretty severe bruising and limited her mobility. “She’s pretty tough so it’s hard to get a read on how much it’s hurting her but we are hoping...
Cabinet Peaks' Paint it Pink Program receives $10,000 grant from Glacier Bank
Cabinet Peaks Medical Center's “Paint it Pink” program is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a generous $10,000 grant from Glacier Bank, in collaboration with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines). This grant is part of the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund, which has disbursed a total of $190,000 to 17 deserving area nonprofits.Paula Collins, Coordinator of the PIP program, conveyed her sincere appreciation, saying, "We are profoundly thankful to Glacier Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines for their generous support. This grant will empower us to advance our...
Beagle, Andersen win titles at Libby Tennis Invitational
The 2024 Libby Tennis Invitational is in the books and the hosts celebrated winning Boys Singles 1s and Boys Singles 2s.The invitational, which featured teams from all over western Montana, saw sunny days with no rain at the Community Courts and Libby Racquet Club. More than 100 players from Troy, Ronan, Whitefish, Cut Bank, Bigfork, Loyola, Stevensville, Columbia Falls joined the Loggers at the Community Courts April 19-20. A total of 164 matches were played, according to Libby head coach Kyle Hannah."The community support we receive is tremendous," Hannah said. "Many parents who came to watch their kids told me...
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