Ledger Looking Back 25 Years: 2/4/1997

FEBRUARY 4, 1997

In a letter to Jefferson County Attorney Valerie Wilson, Town Attorney Jack Morris asserted the felony assault charges against Whitehall resident James Piazzola should not have been dropped and should be refiled by the Jefferson County Attorney. Morris wrote that Wilson’s legal analysis was “flawed” and that her motion to dismiss felony charges against Piazzola was “premature and unnecessary.” It was faulty legal analysis by Wilson, not faulty law enforcement work in Whitehall, wrote Morris, that resulted in the charges against Piazzola being dismissed. The charges against Piazzola stem from a January 3rd incident at the Mint Bar in Whitehall. Piazzola, along with Jason Marker, allegedly assaulted Whitehall resident Ricky Lamb of Whitehall and two other individuals, Jamie Norris, and William Arnold. After the incident, Arnold was taken by ambulance to St. James Hospital in Butte where he underwent extensive facial reconstructive surgery. Arnold suffered two broken cheekbones, a broken jaw, and damage to his right eye.

A mountain lion attacked a horse in the Pipestone area west of Whitehall and injured the horse’s neck and flanks. The lion attacked the horse during the night of January 21st less than 100 yards from the front porch of the house of John and Karen Brower. The horse, owned by the Browers, was treated by Whitehall veterinarian Dr. Bob Henningsen and is recovering. Brower said five distinct claw marks were visible on the horse and a government trapper from Sheridan was called to inspect the horse. The trapper believed that the attack was from a young lion, in part because horses seldom survive attacks from adult mountain lions.

The Whitehall Board of Trustees will consider at its next meeting a motion to seek a voter-approved mill levy hike. Paul Stremick, Whitehall School Superintendent, said a combination of reduced student enrollment and increased teacher salaries has created the need for the board to discuss additional operating revenue for the school district.

Whitehall Student of the Week was Natasha Momsen. She was chosen for her work in English 2 for coming to class with a “great attitude and a beaming smile, doing outstanding work and adding in every way to each class hour.” Natasha is the daughter of Wayne and Jean Momsen and has plans to pursue a pre-med degree. Natasha, a sophomore, enjoys volleyball, band, and drama.

Whitehall Athlete of the Week was Trojan basketball player John Feight. John was nominated by Coach Kreis for his “outstanding effort this past weekend in basketball.” John is a sophomore and the son of Dale and Colleen Feight. He has plans to attend college after graduation. John enjoys playing basketball, football, waterskiing, and all outdoor sports.