SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER
Scott Shindledecker is the editor of The Western News. He covers public safety, city, county, sports and outdoors news. He is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in journalism. He has been the sports and outdoors editor for the Courier-Express newspaper in DuBois, Pa., and worked for Hagadone Montana newspapers in Northwest Montana. He can be reached at 406-293-4124 or sshindledecker@thewesternnews.com.
Recent Stories
Thorne Creek firefighter threatened; evac notices lifted
Thompson Falls Police Chief Chris Nichols addressed the threat as well as the efforts of Montana National Guard members and fire crews.
Cabin Fever Quilting Guild supports its community
The Cabin Fever Quilting Guild has worked hard for two decades to support its communities and last weekend at the in Mineral County Fair the members were able to share the fruits of their labor.
Plains man pleads guilty to burglary in Flathead
A plea deal calls for Raymond to receive a 5-year sentence to the state Department of Corrections on the burglary charge.
Tensions rise at meeting, but rain helps on Thorne Creek Fire
Nevertheless, no structures, such as homes, cabins or outbuildings, have been reported lost in the lightning-caused fire despite its rapid growth between July 23 and Aug. 1.
Authorities say Thompson Falls sex offender violated probation
A child sex predator is locked up in the Flathead County Detention Center after authorities say he violated his probation by viewing online pornography.
Trout Creek welcomes back Cool Summer Nights Car Show
It’s also a great place to hear the remarkable stories behind the vehicles and their owners.
Gun owned by Danielle Wood found in Clark Fork River
The serial number on the gun matched one bought by Wood a few months before the shooting death of Matthew LaFriniere. LaFriniere and Wood had a child together and prosecutors alleged dur
Clark Fork's Reese, Pereira heads to U.S. Junior Olympic Nationals
Both compete with Missoula-based Mountain West Track.
Search continues for missing Mineral County woman
According to county Sheriff Mike Toth, 33-year-old Rebekah Barsotti and her dog haven’t been seen since the afternoon of Tuesday, July 20.
Sheriff's Office orders evacuations for Graves Creek area residents
According to information from West Lolo Complex officials, the areas under the evacuation order are described as “from Cougar Creek south to the intersection of Blue Slide Road and River View Lane.”
Local man jailed after fracas with deputies
He allegedly was armed with a crowbar. She said he threatened to break down the door.
Weather conditions continue dire fire forecast
Stage II restrictions went into effect last Friday in Lincoln, Sanders, Mineral and Lake counties, meaning all campfires are strictly prohibited.
Fire officials hosting meeting tonight in Thompson Falls
Local and federal officials will provide updates to the status of work being done on wild fires scattered throughout the county.
'Better Together' and 'Red Pill' festivals coming to Mineral County
A planned appearance by one group of people in Mineral County has spawned a festival by another on the opposite end of the political spectrum.
Sanders County will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions
In the county, the National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures in the mid 90s through next Monday with south winds at 10 to 15 mph and gusts as high as 25 mph.
Fire meeting planned Sunday evening at MIneral Co. Fairgrounds
This meeting will be open to the public and streamed live on the West Lolo Complex Facebook page.
Firefighters battle several lightning-caused blazes in Western Montana
U.S. Forest Service firefighters worked with local crews on the Lolo while Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal personnel continued to actively battle several fires after last Wednesday’s thunderstorms.
Washington man accused of trafficking fentanyl into Montana
Aaron Ramirez Espinoza, 36, faces four charges, including three felony counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to distribute.
Pin-Up Girls treat Plains veterans to unforgettable show
Last Saturday night, the Pin-Up Girls came to Plains and put on a show few will forget at the VFW Post 3596.
Church arsonist pleads guilty, receives deferred sentence
Denim Renee Howard was accused of setting a fire that caused extensive damage to the United Methodist Church in Alberton.
Man arrested in alleged knife assault in St. Regis
A former member of Montana State University’s Native American Studies program was recently accused of threatening two men with a knife in Mineral County.
County resident accused of shooting father in Trout Creek
A Thompson Falls man is lodged in the Sanders County Jail after authorities say he tried to kill his father during a recent domestic incident.
Noxon's Morgan headlines Sanders County performances at state
Three Sanders County athletes had plenty to celebrate after several medal-winning performances.
Clark Fork's Reese is a state champ in the javelin
Reese won the event at the Missoula County Stadium after delivering a personal best throw of 128 feet, 3 inches.
Thompson Falls' Burk is a state champ in shot put
All year, Thompson Falls senior Cody Burk has been among the best throwers in Montana and Saturday at the Class B state championships in Laurel, he cemented that status with a state title in the shot put.
Mineral, Sanders county track and field athletes qualify for state
Boys and girls athletes from Mineral and Sanders counties dealt with snow, rain and wind at last week’s Western Class C divisional in Missoula to qualify for...
Thompson Falls track and field team qualifies several for state
Winning is great, but qualifying for the state championship meet is the ultimate goal.
Local man pleads not guilty in head-on crash incident
Bridger Frederick Bischoff entered his plea in front of Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher Tuesday, May 18.
Thompson Falls holds off Plains, 2-1, in Western B-C playoffs
The Thompson Falls Lady Hawks softball team extended its season last Tuesday with a 2-1 win over county rival Plains.
Once a state champ, Plains' VonHeeder now a Big Sky winner
Plains native Carley VonHeeder was a star javelin thrower for the Trotters before taking her talents to Montana State...
Plains man lodged in Lincoln County jail pending plea deal
A Plains man with warrants for his arrest in six different counties was recently released from the Flathead County Detention Center and taken to the Lincoln County jail.
Area golfers qualify for Class B, C state tournaments
Three Thompson Falls golfers will advance to the state tournament after qualifying last...
Thompson Falls thin clads send several to 7B Divisional meet
Cody Burk led the boys team with two wins in the shot put and discus and a second in the javelin.
Clark Fork track and field teams are 14C District champs
The Clark Fork Mountain Cats track and field teams enjoyed the warmest day of spring as each rolled to wins....
Fees increase as Bison Range opens under tribal management
Less than six months after former President Donald Trump signed Bison Range Restoration legislation, there are big changes at the 19,000-acre facility in Northwest Montana as it opened last weekend.
Trotters celebrate Senior Night with sweep of Troy
The Plains-Hot Springs softball team made sure Senior Night was going to be a memorable one.
Thompson Falls wins fifth game in six contests
Just two years removed from a one-win season, the Lady Hawks have clearly made strides.
Joint Operation Mariposa partners with Trout Creek School, U.S. Army
The latest painting of local artists Dave Williams’ and Plains High School junior Hailee Steinebach’s “Guardians of the Herd” series...
The Rex will host Music for Moms event May 7
The Cancer Network of Sanders County is raring to go in 2021 with a special Mother’s Day event.
Plains man describes dowsing as a spiritual matter
The Blackfoot, Idaho native and resident of Plains for the last 11 years, is a dowser.
Plains graduate Kinzie excelling in softball at Miles Community College
Now, the Plains High School graduate is helping the Miles Community College Pioneers to a strong 2021 season.
County sheriff IDs inmate who died in custody
Mineral County Sheriff Mike Toth recently announced the name of an inmate who died in custody in the county jail last month.
Thompson Falls golfers compete at Bigfork
Three Thompson Falls golfers placed in the top five at last week’s Steve Hullett Invitational in Bigfork.
Retired wildlife investigator has seen it all out in the field
In his long career as an investigator, Brian Sommers has dug into some of Northwest Montana’s most interesting and tragic cases involving people and animals.
Burk paces Blue Hawk thinclads to fourth at Bigfork Invite
Senior Cody Burk led the Blue Hawks with a win in the shot put at 47 feet...
Thompson Falls' Detlaff a double winner at Bigfork Invite
Among Sanders County schools, Thompson Falls had a solid showing with 43 points, good for fourth. Plains was 11th with eight points.
Beloved former Plains resident perishes in fishing accident
A beloved former Plains resident drowned in Lower Thompson Lake in a fishing accident Monday.
Western Montana man headed back to prison
At the time, James Todd Whitmarsh, 51, was reported missing from a campsite on the morning of Monday, May 25.
Northwest Montana convict back in prison
Keeping up with the criminal record of 40-year-old James Rand Hernvall is no easy feat...
Northwest Montana woman accused of stealing from elderly parents
Kathy Ann Lewis, 63, of Kalispell, was booked into...