The Western News

08/20/2026

July 15, 2013

Night Ranger Band members Brad Gillis, left, Joel Hoekstra and Kelly Keagy Saturday evening during the third annual Big Sky Bash at J. Neils Park.

08/20/2026

Prominent voices in Montana’s legal community last week castigated efforts to infuse partisan politics into the state’s independent judiciary.

During the 2025 Montana Legislature, GOP lawmakers introduced 34 bills aimed at reforming what they have repeatedly characterized as an unfair judicial system, including initiatives that would change the way judges are elected, the recension of a ban on political party donations to judicial campaigns and the establishment of a judicial performance commission.

Prominent voices in Montana’s legal community last week castigated efforts to infuse partisan politics into the state’s independent judiciary.

08/19/2026

June 21, 2010

Keepin' Kool on the Kootenai...

08/19/2026

When West Kootenai Fire Protection Company’s main fire engine had a pump failure last fall, Fire Chief Thomas Lane knew he was treading in hot water.

Repairing the pump cost between $25,000 to $30,000 — about $10,000 more than the fire engine was worth.

When West Kootenai Fire Protection Company’s main fire engine had a pump failure last fall, Fire Chief Thomas Lane knew he was treading in hot water.

08/18/2026

Aug. 25, 1926

•Floyd Bowen of Libby has received word that his mother, Mrs. J.P. Bowen of Portland, was seriously injured about 10 days ago in an automobile smash-up.
Mrs. Bowen and her daughter, Mrs. Harry Elliston, were driving to California with an Oldsmobile closed car, and near Grants Pass, Oregon had a collision with another car.
Their car was practically demolished and Mrs. Bowen badly bruised about the head and body, it being necessary to take several stitches in a scalp wound. She was confined to a hospital for a week. Mrs. Elliston was practically unhurt.

08/18/2026

The message was delivered loud and smokey.

Following a dispute between Libby city officials and the Igniters Car Club, the door opened wide for classic car and truck drivers to burn rubber on Mineral Avenue Friday night as the Ignite the Nites car show returned to its past glory.

Not since 2019 did “The Gut” see this level of burnouts...

08/18/2026

The Kootenai National Forest recently approved another blowdown salvage project in another attempt to clean up the mess left behind from the winter storm events of 2025-2026.

The Getner Again Blowdown Salvage project, located 12 miles south of Libby...

08/17/2026

Aug. 26, 1976

Libby’s newest recreation-oriented business will hold open house this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its new building south on Highway 2. The business is a roller skating rink called The Carousel.
There will be free refreshments, and skating lessons begin in the afternoon. Owners of the business are Mr. and Mrs. Argyl Harrington and her brother, Charles Hassett.

08/17/2026

A domestic incident in Troy led to multiple felony charges against a local man.

Bryce Allen Hammrich is accused of assaulting a police officer, criminal mischief and drug possession, all felonies, following the July 26 incident near Roosevelt Park.

Hammrich is also facing several...

08/17/2026

Local search and rescue organizations are receiving new support through Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety program, helping equip first responders with critical gear used during emergencies across Northwest Montana.

David Thompson Search and Rescue in Lincoln County received $4,000 for swiftwater rescue kits, lifejackets and helmets.