A black day on the highway

Inter Lake editorial

After almost 30 years without losing an officer in the line of duty, the Montana Highway Patrol has lost two troopers in less than 10 months.

Kalispell Trooper Evan Schneider, 29, is the latest victim. He died Tuesday evening in a violent head-on crash on U.S. 2 near the mouth of Bad Rock Canyon.

His death follows that of Trooper David Graham, 36, who died - also in a head-on crash on U.S. 2 - last October just north of Kalispell.

Two fine, young troopers cut down in the primes of their careers barely 20 miles apart on the same highway: The coincidences are just chilling.

Both troopers were on duty when they gave the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives while they were working to keep highways safe for the rest of us.

Schneider's death reminds us again that every day, at all hours across the expansive miles of highway in this state, the men and women of the Highway Patrol put themselves at risk.

We mourn the loss of Schneider from the Patrol and the community. And the next time we see a Highway Patrol vehicle, we all should give a prayer and a silent salute to the bravery and dedication of the troopers who put themselves in harm's way every day.

Herb Neils has long been a champion on the tennis court and now he's a champion for the Libby community.

Neils was the driving force behind courts that were built as part of the Libby Racquet Club in the 1960s. Now, at age 82 and terminally ill from a brain tumor, Neils is spearheading a "pay it forward" effort to renovate the aging courts. He's using the proceeds from his new book, "The Greatest Trophy," to help pay for the project and aims to raise $40,000 for the first phase and $100,000 to refurbish three other courts.

Neils is the third generation of a Libby family known for its leadership and philanthropy. Through the years he's put $1 million into the Racquet Club facility and has donated countless hours of time teaching children the sport of tennis.

Now, in the face of his own personal health struggle, he's still giving back to the community. Neils is an inspiration to us all.

The Alpine Theatre Project scores another coup with its latest production.

Academy Award-winner Olympia Dukakis brings her charm and quick wit to the stage in "Another Side of the Island," her adaption of Shakespeare's "The Tempest." With its adventurous qualities, the production makes a perfect fit for the Alpine Project, which has been entertaining local theater goers for several years.

Congratulations to Dukakis and all involved.