'Year in Review; January-April 2009'

Editor’s note: This is the first of three stories reviewing Libby and Troy news of the past year. In this issue, read about the first four months of 2009. In the Jan. 6 edition, May through August will be reviewed, followed by September through December on Jan. 8.


1*  Heavy snow continued to fall in northwestern Montana and created challenges for residents, businesses and government. Local law enforcement stayed busy responding to snow-related incidents.

2*  Asbestos-related agencies expressed fear that they would not make it through 2009 without state funding. “If the state doesn’t step up to the plate, these agencies will end,” Tanis Hernandez of the Center for Asbestos Related Disease said. Reps. Chas Vincent and Jerry Bennett said during a December Community Advisory Group meeting that it was vital for Gov. Brian Schweitzer to hear residents’ concerns

3*  Libby City Council passed an emergency ordinance amendment that outlawed the pushing of snow into city streets. The amendment served as a clarification to the previous ordinance.

4*  The Libby Police Department got up to a full staff with Terry Watson sworn in as an officer. The department had four active officers, a chief and one officer on injury leave.

5*  St. John’s Lutheran Hospital welcomed the first baby of 2009 on Jan. 7 with the arrival of Natalya Grace Chvilicek, daughter of Bo and Lindsay Chvilicek of Libby.

6*  The Circus of Science rolled into Libby to wow children and adults with a variety of experiments. The event is a product of the University of Montana’s SpectrUM program.

7*  Terry Spear was appointed to the post of technical adviser for the Technical Advisory Group.

8*  Semitool cut 13 employees from its Libby plant on Jan. 8. The staff reduction was the result of a worldwide downturn in the semiconductor market.

9*  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delisted the gray wolf in the northern Rockies on Jan. 14. Federal officials said that they believed the management of the recovered wolf population could best be managed at the state level.

10*  Christopher Haines, 26, was sentenced to 20 years in prison – with 15 years suspended – for molesting his young son.

11* School boards in Libby and Troy gave passing grades to superintendents Kirby Maki and Brady Selle, respectively.

12*  Troy Mine employees received notice that they would keep their jobs at least through February after they had been informed in December that the mine could close because of low metal prices.

13* Libby High School wrestler Justin Graham won his division at the Rocky Mountain Classic in Missoula on Jan. 17.

14*  St. John’s Lutheran Hospital revealed on Jan. 20 that the site of its new hospital would be located adjacent to the current facility.

15*  Rep. Chas Vincent of Libby proposed several bills aimed at forest and fire management as the 61st Montana state legislature kicked off.