Troy
Troy, MT · LATEST NEWS
The Western News
Support pours out for Eureka homicide victims
For those who want to support the families of homicide victims Ryan Terpsma and Merrisa Marie Walker, there are multiple ways. Terpsma, a 28-year-old Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy and Walker, a 46-year-old Eureka resident and mother, died Friday, Oct. 30, from gunshot wounds. Eureka police officer Dave Steed was wounded in the shooting and is recovering. Matthew David Dye, 50, of Kalispell, faced deliberate homicide charges and an attempted deliberate homicide charge in the alleged incident. But he died Wednesday night while in custody at the Missoula County Detention Center. An investigation will be held to determine how he died. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, a candlelight vigil and honor circle for deputy Terpsma, Walker, veterans and first responders will be held at the Lincoln County School District Track facility, located at 1010 Osloski Road in Eureka. Attendees will gather to honor Deputy Terpsma, Walker, first responders and Veterans in the community as it works to heal in the wake of the tragedy. It will be co-hosted by Mayor Sonya Richardson and Lincoln County School District Superintendent Joel Graves. For Walker’s family, a Meal Train has been established to support them in various ways. It may be accessed at
The Western News
Libby couple accused of felony animal cruelty
A Libby couple is facing felony charges of animal cruelty following a recent investigation by county authorities. Codie J. Williams and Jaymee I. Robinson are each charged with cruelty to animals - carrying or confining. One count is a misdemeanor while two subsequent counts are felonies. According to the probable cause affidavit, Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy Andrew Smith, he arrived at a property to check in to a complaint. He saw a cabin on the north side of the property with a dog inside. Peering through a window, the officer saw the canine standing in garbage and a large amount of dog feces. Deputy Smith then went to the main residence on the west side of the property where he saw two dogs through a broken window on the front door. Again, he saw garbage and a large amount of what appeared to be dog feces. The deputy photographed the conditions of the dogs. He reported the conditions were a significant health and safety concern for the confined animals. Deputy Smith said confining a dog in an enclosed space with accumulated feces and garbage deprives the animal of basic sanitary conditions needed for its health and well-being. Accumulated feces can
The Western News
William “Bill” (Pancho) Titus
William “Bill” (Pancho) Titus July 4, 1950—Oct. 12, 2026 Bill experienced a difficult childhood in Los Angeles, California and joined the Army at the age of 17. He was trained as a radarman but upon arriving in Vietnam was assigned to a LRRP unit. For the next 15 months his only thought was survival. He returned from Vietnam as a highly decorated veteran, but as was common at the time amongst disillusioned vets, he threw all his medals away. The one medal he saved and was proud of was the CIB (Combat Infantryman's Badge). Upon discharge from the Army, Bill moved to eastern Oregon and began a successful career as an auto mechanic and married Marlene. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of engines, guns and anything mechanical. Bill and Marlene moved to the Astoria area early in the 1980s and started a restaurant called Pancho Villas in Uppertown, Astoria, Oregon. By all accounts it was a very good Mexican restaurant, but his personal life was not going well. Soon the restaurant closed and Bill and Marlene were divorced. He was referred to the VA for help. Bill was reluctant to have anything to do with the VA, but in time