News Briefs
Jan. 14
Walgren, Holle announce candidacies
Art Walgren, assistant chief of the Ronan Police Department, announced his candidacy for sheriff of Lake County in a press release on Tuesday. This election promises to bring the people of Lake County a choice for Sheriff, the release said.
The release said: “I (Walgren) bring to this election more than 20 years of experience, 8 years in small towns like those in Lake County and 12 years in the cities of Portland, Ore. and Boise, Idaho. I will be out in the coming weeks and months going to public forums, introducing myself, talking about my ideas and making sure I hear what you, the citizen, want from your Sheriff’s Department.”
Paula Holle, chief deputy clerk and recorder, announced in a press release last week her candidacy for Lake County Clerk and Recorder. Ruth Hodges, the current clerk and recorder, is retiring after 30 years of public service, the release said.
-Courtesy of Paula Holle/Art Walgren
Polson wins drama invite
Polson captured first place in Class A Drama Sweepstakes on Saturday at the 18-school Columbia Falls Invitational. Polson had 56 points to second place Libby’s 55 points and Hamilton’s 51.
Polson’s sole event champion was Barbara Kenmille in humorous solo acting. classical duo actors Kelsey Koberg and Laura Barta and Natalia Arlint in pantomime took second place.
Logan Garcia won third place in serious solo acting. Larissa Hanson placed fourth in pantomime. Nation Garza and Josie Benedetti were fifth in classical duo.
Molly Ricketts and Rob Ricketts were sixth in humorous duo acting. Josie Benedetti and Kelsey Koberg were sixth in serious duo acting.
Delaney Kohler and Katelyn Mergenthaler earned seventh in classical duo. Logan Nutzman placed seventh in Lincoln-Douglas debate.
Molly WhiteWater and Sydney Gambrel were eighth in serious duo acting.
- Courtesy of Judie Woodhouse
Longtime Ronan educator to retire
RONAN — At Monday’s Ronan school district’s Board of Trustees meeting, longtime Ronan resident and administrator Jim Gillhouse announced his intent to retire, effective at the end of the 2009-10 school year.
Gillhouse has been with School District No. 30 for 36 years. He is currently the principal at Ronan Middle School, but has also taught multiple years at the high school and K. William Harvey Elementary School. His wife, Cathy, is currently the choir teacher for the middle and high schools, and has been with the school district for more than 30 years as well. Their son Jay is the school resource officer on site.
-Reporter Sasha Goldstein
Arlee woman charged in accident
An Arlee woman has been charged with a misdemeanor after allegedly striking, and killing, a man with her vehicle on Dec. 28.
Sunny Marlene Tucker was charged with failure to give notice by quickest means of an accident last Wednesday in a Missoula County justice court.
Peter Liberti, 69, was killed as he attempted to cross U.S. Highway 93 just north of Wye in Missoula County. According to court records, witnesses said the vehicle that hit Liberti did not stop. According to court records, Tucker was not impaired or distracted in any way when her 2002 Subaru Legacy allegedly struck Liberti. Tucker said she knew she hit something, “assumed it was a deer,” slowed and checked her rearview mirror. Not seeing anything, Tucker continued on her way home.
When investigating officers informed Tucker that she had allegedly hit a person, not a deer, and he had not survived she “dropped her head and began to cry,” according to court records.
In the complaint, the prosecuting attorney explained the charge; the nighttime speed limit is 65 miles per hour and even if Liberti had been wearing reflective clothing (he was not; he was dressed in dark clothing) and had been visible to the driver, they would not have been able to brake in time, according to the investigating highway patrol trooper.
If convicted, Tucker faces up to 20 days in the Missoula County Detention Facility and/or a $200-$300 fine.
-Reporter Aimee Niles
Man charged after fall break in
A 28-year-old Missoula man has been sentenced to 30 years, with 20 years suspended, in the Montana State Prison for attempting to rob an Arlee woman in September.
Tyson Rasmussen broke into the home of Theresa McClure and tried to steal cash and prescription pain pills.
McClure kept the pills, which she was prescribed for back pain — and money in a fanny pack around her waist and Rasmussen attempted to remove the fanny pack while McClure slept, according to court records.
-Reporter Aimee Niles
McClure awoke to find a man, Rasmussen, with a ski mask attempting to steal the pack. When McClure struggled, Rasmussen struck her in the head with the butt of a pistol.
McClure’s daughter was asleep on the couch and awoke to the noise of the struggle. She too was struck with a pistol when she tried to help her mother, according to court records.
McClure and her daughter where able to fight back, smashing Rasmussen over the head, run to a neighbors house and alert police. Rasmussen was apprehended when police tied his vehicle to the break-in.
-Reporter Aimee Niles