December 28, 2022
Submitted by Mayor Peggy Williams
On November 21, 2022, three employees of the Libby Police Department resigned abruptly expressing dissatisfaction with workplace conditions. As a result, the city initiated its own investigation, which included interviews of current and former employees and a review of other relevant evidence. As is common for investigations of this type, the city took the additional step of placing Libby City of Police Chief Scott Kessel on administrative leave until the investigation was completed.
The investigation did not indicate any actionable violations of law or policy. Chief Kessel will be returning to his duties as of Tuesday, December 27th, 2022. The city is committed to providing a safe and professional environment for its employees and will take all steps necessary to achieving this goal. The city is also committed to the safety of its citizens and will cooperate with other local law enforcement agencies to ensure uninterrupted law enforcement services.
The city is currently hiring for officer positions and recruitment materials are posted locally with the Libby Job Service.
Public Information Meeting Regarding Consolidation of Troy Area Dispatch, Jan. 5
Attention Troy Area residents,
There will be a public information meeting regarding the consolidation of Troy Area Dispatch with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office on January 5th, 2023 at the Troy High School Auditorium at 6 pm.
At this time, this is strictly informational and to get public input on this matter. No decisions will be made at this time.
We are expecting representatives from the Lincoln County Commissioners Office, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, the City of Troy, and Troy Area Dispatch to be present to answer questions that may arise.
We encourage members of the public to attend to voice their concerns, opinions, and to ask any questions they may have.
This topic has caused strong reactions from the public in the past.
Courtesy of Troy Area Dispatch
Locals Bring Holiday Cheer to Libby Kids Thanks to New Storage Equipment: Local Champion: Our Kids- Date Funded: November 28, 2022- Grant Amount: $4,900
Over the past several years, an increasing number of children in Libby have been in need of presents during the holidays. In response, Our Kids, a local nonprofit, created a community program to match donated gifts with kids. But as donations increased, Our Kids ran into issues organizing and storing all of the toys it receives.
To alleviate the issue, staff from Our Kids reached out to the LOR Foundation, which helped the organization purchase shelving units, locking file cabinets, tagging guns, and other equipment to create a more organized storage facility and bring a Christmas smile to the faces of Libby’s youngsters.
Submitted by Tabitha Viergutz,
LOR Foundation
Local Libby Student Recognized For Amazing Impact Work
Submitted by Kayla-Rustic Pathways
18-year-old Ethan Morley is featured in Rustic Spirit Spotlights for his amazing impact work – Ethan goes out of his way to make others feel welcomed, loved and included. He advocates for mental health awareness and suicide and bully prevention. In addition to making sure all students know there’s someone to talk to, Ethan offers bracelets, stickers, signs, flowers, or anything that’ll make someone’s day better.
The article details the work accomplished, and also covers Ethan’s impact advice and what his hopes and aspirations are for the future. You can read the original story at https://rusticpathways.com/inside-rustic/online-magazine/rustic-spirit-spotlights-ethan-reilly-and-ethan
Ethan Morley-photo courtesy of Kayla- Rustic Pathways
Lincoln Theatre Open With Upgrades
By Ashley South
The Lincoln Theatre in Troy is open for business! The theatre built in 1924, has been a staple for the Troy Community over the decades. Josh and Tina Moore currently own the theatre and are excited to be showing new, classic, and older movies. After ten years of the theatre being closed due to an obsolete projector, the Moore’s were given a large donation by the Troy United Methodist Church Women’s Auxiliary. The church wanted to support the theatre to have a place for locals to gather, and to give the kids something to do. The digital projector plays movies and can also stream all types of media new and old. It is an immense upgrade from the previous system that had to be manually spliced together by Josh Moore and threaded through the projector.
Once the digital projector was ordered, the Moore’s worked to make upgrades to the bathrooms, popcorn machine and butter warmer, new carpet, painted floor, and upgrades to the stadium. Honey Do Crew painted the outside in true Trojan colors, and jump started the cleaning process. Josh and his crew painted the inside. The Moore’s shopped locally at Larson Lumber, True Value, and Mark’s Magic Carpet. The theatre can seat one hundred and sixty people and offers movie theatre concessions as well as the famous Blue Moon Drink. Upgrades in the future will be focused on new theatre seats with cup holders, curtains, and repairs to the roof. “The Troy Theatre was one of the main hangouts when I was younger, it was a great place to meet friends and watch new shows.” Said Sarah McVay. Many Troy students have worked at the theatre over the years, taking tickets and selling concessions.
The theatre can be rented out for a low cost for any event “Sky is the limit for new ideas for the theatre, we can do so many things with the theatre space I thought Troy’s got talent, or an on-line gaming tournament could be so fun! We have done birthday and office parties, family reunions, and memorials. Said Tina Moore. Along with renting the theatre, the Preview Café can be utilized for no additional cost. Currently accepting cash or checks, the theatre plans to have additional payment options by summer.
The Lincoln Theatre is open Friday, Saturday, and Monday at 7 p.m. Sunday’s Matinee will always be a kid’s movie and starts at 3p.m. Call for what’s playing! The theatre has plenty of parking, so if you and your family are looking for something fun to do, visit the Lincoln Theatre. You can call to reserve the theatre for special events at 406-291-5624. For further information call 406-295-5350.