Investigations

• Health board presses EPA for investigation results: Newly released documents shed light on inquiry into payments of legal fees [1st place investigative news story, Div. 2: Weekly newspapers, Montana Newspaper Association 2019 Better Newspaper Contest]
• Libby City Council member Ford’s story of ID theft, credit card fraud conviction differs from police, son’s accounts [Related: Libby City Council member Angel Ford fined in 2005 for mailing campaign postcard under opponent’s name] [2nd place investigative news story, Div. 2: Weekly newspapers, Montana Newspaper Association 2019 Better Newspaper Contest]
• Resigning Libby chamber president falsified resume, has forgery and identity fraud convictions [1st place investigative news story, Div. 2: Weekly newspapers, Montana Newspaper Association 2018 Better Newspaper Contest]

General/Community News

• Who will answer the call if volunteers don’t show up? Rural communities struggle to maintain emergency services [3rd place best continuing news story, Div. 1: Weekly newspapers, Montana Newspaper Association 2020 Better Newspaper Contest]
• At JHS, food for students without enough [1st place best news story, Div. 1: Weekly newspapers, Montana Newspaper Association 2020 Better Newspaper Contest]
• Judge gives woman ‘last chance’ to treat drug use: Samantha Terrel granted deferred sentence in 2011 for causing crash that killed teen in 2010 [3rd place best news story, Div. 1: Weekly newspapers, Montana Newspaper Association 2020 Better Newspaper Contest]
• ‘I have no regrets’: Injured researcher recounts May 17 grizzly encounter in Cabinet Mountains
• ‘Everybody knew Donnie’: Friends and family say Happys Inn man should be remembered for his giving life, not for his inexplicable final day
• In the shadow of terror: Family of woman found dead on day of mass shooting say they feel forgotten
• Grieving San Bernardino family fights to block parole of loved one’s killer
• Bloody scene detailed in court records that ID dead grandmother, granddaughter
• Gilman Springs Road: A crash a week, but getting better

Breaking News

• 20 left jobless after fire destroys Libby mill [2nd place breaking news story, Div. 2: Weekly newspapers, Montana Newspaper Association 2018 Better Newspaper Contest]
• West Cajon Valley couple return to find home safe from Blue Cut fire
• Balcony collapse injures 74: Seven in serious or critical condition after Polson bar incident [1st place spot news reporting, Div. 5: Daily newspapers, Montana Newspaper Association 2005 Better Newspaper Contest]

Features

• Getting published is happy ending to storyteller’s tale
• A dog fight over Woods Bay: Pair of peregrine falcons chase off eagle from a prized perch
• Coffee talk: Lakeside men’s club has a long history of morning meetings
• Alta Egos: Does Alta Club membership still have its privileges?
• Going for Broke: Is it tithing or carelessness that leads Utahns to bankruptcy?
• Dream Boats: Boating’s past is boat builder’s present
• After a busy life outdoors, Jack Whitney is coming in from the woods