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
Tribe closes hunting for cow, calf moose
Declining moose populations in Western Montana have led the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe to close hunting of antlerless animals on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Plains VFW Auxiliary honors its own
There is no questioning the commitment of the Plains VFW Post 3596 Auxiliary.
Hot Springs residents depend on Buck’s Grocery
The values of hard work and acting in concert are on display at Buck’s Grocery in Hot Springs.
Sanders, Mineral voters pick school trustees; St. Regis levy passes
The ballots are back and the voters have spoken in Sanders and Mineral counties on a number of school-related elections.
Sanders County Coalition battles child abuse
Crystal Buchanan, her husband and daughter had their work cut out for them last week when they placed 875 pinwheels in the grassy strip in downtown Plains.
Plains residents orchestrate own ‘Spartan Race’ runs as scheduled
The COVID-19 pandemic may have forced the cancellation of countless events in Montana and across the world, but Plains resident Mike Tatum didn’t let it stop him from putting on an abbreviated version of the famed Spartan Race.
Thompson Falls Schools welcomes Scully, Schrock
When students return to school in Thompson Falls in a little more than three months, they will be greeted by a new superintendent and high school principal.
House fire leaves Plains couple hospitalized
A house fire in Plains Sunday night has left a married couple hospitalized.
Western Montana mourns passing of Hot Springs child
A little girl from Hot Springs who inspired thousands of people across Western Montana as she battled brain cancer during the past year has died.
Regional Housing Task Force is looking for way to fight shortage
The housing shortage in Mineral and Sanders counties isn’t new, just as it has been an ongoing problem across Montana.
Sanders County schools finalize year-end plans
School officials in Sanders County have mostly finalized plans for the end of the 2019-20 school year.
National Bison Range remains closed
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service temporarily suspended public visitation and use at the National Bison Range April 9 and there is no word on when it may reopen.
Thompson Falls’ High Bridge hits anniversary mark
Northwest Montana is blessed with countless destinations and sights to see, but one of the more family friendly ones is the Historic High Bridge in Thompson Falls.
Sanders, Mineral voters pick school trustees; St. Regis levy passes
The ballots are back and the voters have spoken in Sanders and Mineral counties on a number of school-related elections.
Clark Fork Valley Hospital CEO urges continued diligence
Despite the fact Sanders County hasn’t had one positive COVID-19 case, health care professionals are urging continued diligence.
Plains students are winners in poster contest
Three Plains High School students were recently named winners of the “Keep Montana Green” art contest.
Free firewood cutting begins April 1
Personal firewood cutting will be free to the general public from April 1 through June 1, 2020, on the Lolo National Forest and no permit will be required during this time.
Plains declares declaration of local disaster emergency
As concerns mount over COVID-19, Plains Mayor Dan Rowan issued a declaration of a state of local disaster emergency Tuesday, March 24.
Hot Springs hit with string of crimes
Even the small town of Hot Springs is not immune from the ravaging effects of dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine.
Meth driving crime spree in Hot Springs
Even the small town of Hot Springs is not immune from the ravaging effects of dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine.
Texas parolee lands in hot water in Hot Springs
A Texas fugitive is facing several felony charges after two separate incidents in Sanders County.
All-Star basketball games in Ronan canceled over virus
The 25th Annual Mission Mountain All-Star basketball games have been canceled.
Hot Springs man accused of hitting girlfriend and child
The specter of methamphetamine use can be found nearly anywhere and Hot Springs is no exception.
Firefighters climb in memory of Franklin Reed
Concern with the coronavirus led the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to postpone its annual firefighter stair climb in Seattle last weekend.
Sanders County 4-H kicks off Communication Days event
There was a hair braider, a tomahawk thrower and an equestrian, all showing their talents in their respective areas of expertise at last weekend’s Sanders County 4-H Communication Days events.
Church arson suspect makes bail; allegedly reoffends
A woman accused of setting a church on fire in Alberton last month made bail and allegedly continued to terrorize community members in the small village.
Ten Sanders County wrestlers qualify for state
Ten wrestlers from Sanders County qualified for the state tournament this week at MetraPark in Billings.
Paradise man jailed after alleged Christmas day assault
A Paradise man is lodged in the Sanders County Detention Center after authorities said he beat up his wife on Christmas day.
Hecla is hopeful about mines despite legal fight
Despite several lingering legal challenges, officials with an Idaho mining company remain confident they will be able to open two mines in Northwest Montana at some point in the future.
Woman jailed in connection to Alberton church blaze
A suspect in the fire that damaged a Alberton church last week is in custody.