Polson Vietnam veteran receives Navy Cross Medal
James H. Stogner, a former Polson resident who now lives in Thompson Falls, received the prestigious Navy Cross Medal during a special ceremony April 5 at the VFW in Polson.
Lance Corp. Stogner served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. The presentation, which was facilitated by Montana Sen. Steve Daines and his office, was made by United States Marine Corps Lt. General Frank Libutti. Daines served as master of ceremonies for the well-attended event.
April 5 marked the 52nd anniversary of the day when Stogner showed extraordinary heroism and courage while rescuing a fellow Marine. On that date in 1967, the 18-year-old Stogner was serving as part of a machine gun team, carrying ammunition. He saved the life of fellow Lance Corporal Elijah “Eli” Fogg, who was being tortured while in the hands of the North Vietnamese Army soldiers, and saved the lives of numerous other Marines.
The Navy Cross is the U.S. military’s second-highest decoration award after only the Medal of Honor.
Lt. General Frank Libutti attended the ceremony to present the Navy Cross Medal to Stogner. He read, “Jim is, no doubt, a Marine’s Marine. The kind we read about, the kind we want to be about. Jim’s story is a story in a thread in the fabric in our nation’s history with a reminder that freedom isn’t free. Jim, thank you for the service, thank you for the sacrifice. Congratulations from everybody.”
— Lake County Leader
Zero to Five initiative helps young kids
A Lincoln County collaborative initiative working to improve the outcomes for children in their earliest years is moving ahead after the Missoula-based Headwaters Foundation — which is providing funding — gave organizers the go-ahead to hire a coordinator earlier than planned.
In January, Lincoln County Public Health Manager Jennifer McCully said that the grant from the Headwaters Foundation in Missoula would fund a $23,000 planning phase, with around $177,000 left for implementation.
However, the Headwaters Foundation has removed the requirement for coalitions to finish the planning phase prior to hiring a coordinator, freeing up the rest of the grant funds to be used toward paying the coordinator.
The grant is part of the Zero to Five initiative, meant to be an infusion of seed money from the Headwaters foundation into creating local collaborative groups in a community-led effort to “improve the lives of children and their families,” according to the zerotofive.org website.
McCully said that Lincoln County is one of six Montana counties that have been approved for the pilot project, which is expected to provide $200,000 each year for six years for use in Lincoln County.
Under the original timeline, the implementation phase would include hiring a program coordinator, but that was expected to happen around July 1.
However, the Headwaters Foundation has now green-lighted communities receiving the grant to hire coordinators during the planning phase. Other coalitions around the state have already hired a coordinator, and have found that it works better for them, McCully said.
A full time coordinator will be able to focus on just the Zero to Five initiative, McCully said.
— The Western News
Homicide suspect to be arraigned April 16
The arraignment for former Thompson Falls resident Danielle Wood, of Polson, who has been charged with one count of deliberate homicide, has been set for Tuesday, April 16, before Lake County District Court Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher.
Wood was arrested on March 20 and the charge stems from the May 2, 2018, death of 51-year-old Matthew LaFriniere of Thompson Falls. She is being held on a $1 million bond at the Lake County Jail in Polson.
LaFrineire’s body was found May 3, 2018, with multiple gunshot wounds at his home east of Thompson Falls.
— Mineral Independent
ZaneRay to relocate to new Whitefish location
The Whitefish City Council last week approved a permit allowing for an office building on Denver Street just off Wisconsin Avenue.
Henry Roberts, of Half Full, LCC, requested a conditional-use permit to develop a professional office building on the site that is currently vacant. A permit is required because the building is greater than 4,000 square feet in size. The property is located at 643 Denver Street, east of Bonsai Brewing Project.
Roberts said the ZaneRay Group, of Whitefish, which develops websites for outdoor companies, is expected to occupy the building. The company is currently located in the Railway District, and with 26 employees is looking for a larger building, he noted.
Mayor John Muhlfeld said ZaneRay Group would be a great addition to that side of town.
The plan calls for a two-story building about 8,500 square feet in gross floor area. There is set to be 35 parking spaces for the building, and vehicle access to the property is from Denver Street.
— Whitefish Pilot