Courts

Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal

Chinnock sentenced for girlfriend’s murder

By Taylor Davison Valley Journal

AURORA, COLORADO — A Polson man who pled guilty to the murder of his girlfriend earlier this year was sentenced in Aurora District Court on July 12.

Dakota Chinnock, 21, has been sentenced to serve a total 60 years behind bars for the kidnapping and murder of Amanda Farley, 20, also of Polson. Chinnock was sentenced to the maximum 48 years for second-degree murder and an additional 12 years for kidnapping, both sentences to be run consecutively.

According to the charging documents, on Sept. 5, 2021, Aurora police responded to the City Center Station Apartments at 7:58 a.m. following the report of a woman unconscious and not breathing. Chinnock, who made the 911 call, had a fresh scratch on his forehead and right thigh according to officers and his hands were sullied with dirt and blood.

The victim’s boyfriend since their time at Polson High School, Chinnock was arrested after further questioning, interviews with witnesses and the discovery of a green propane tank believed to be used as a weapon.

Originally charged with four separate felonies for first degree murder, deliberate homicide, rape, and sexual assault with a weapon, Chinnock pleaded guilty in May to lesser charges of second-degree murder and kidnapping, as well as a crime of violence count which is a sentence enhancer.

The sentence was handed down by Arapahoe County Judge Elizabeth Ann Weishaupl. Chinnock will serve his 60 years in a Colorado Department of Corrections prison.

Dakota Chinnock

Nonresident hunters can check their Alternates List status online

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks

HELENA – Nonresident hunters who registered to be placed on the Alternates List can now check their status on MyFWP: https:// myfwp.mt.gov/fwpExtPortal/ myDrawResult_input.action. Every year, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks gets several unused nonresident combination licenses (big game, general elk and general deer combination licenses) returned by customers. FWP resells these returned licenses through the Alternate’s List. After registration for the list closed on June 30, the list was randomized. The hunter in the uppermost randomized position on the list will be contacted by email to finalize the purchase of the license, and so on until the returned nonresident combo licenses are exhausted.

Quinones pleads not guilty to endangerment

POLSON — A Polson man is accused of making some poor driving decisions while reportedly late for work. Carlos Florentino Quinones, 26, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson on July 20 to felony criminal endangerment.

According to court records, on June 10, Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Andy Ivanoff was conducting a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 93 near mile marker 56 with his emergency lights activated. That’s when a white vehicle passed at a high rate of speed. Trooper Ivanoff left the traffic stop to engage the white vehicle as other complaints on the white vehicle came in. Trooper

Ivanoff observed the white vehicle swerve in and out of traffic, cutting other vehicles off and forced at least one motorist off the road. Meanwhile Trooper Wayne Bieber got behind the white vehicle and activated his emergency lights. This did not stop the white vehicle nor slow it down. However, the white vehicle turned off U. S. Highway 93 onto Mud Creek Road before stopping. The driver was Carlos Quinones identified as Quinones. Quinones admitted to seeing Trooper Ivanoff at the traffic stop with his emergency lights activated and that he failed to slow down. Quinones said he was late for work. While Trooper Ivanoff was speaking with Quinones, another motorist pulled up to report they had been forced off the road by Quinones. Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial Jan. 3, 2023. Quinones remains at liberty.

Garza pleads guilty to possession

POLSON — A sentencing date of Sept. 7 has been set for a Washington State man who admitted to dealing large amounts of methamphetamine in Lake County. Luis Alfredo Garza, 35, entered a plea of guilty to criminal possession with intent to distribute at District Court in Polson on July 20 before Judge Molly Owen.

According to court records, on April 30, Ronan Police Officer Jonathan Gilliland observed a suspicious vehicle. The license plate on the vehicle did not match any vehicle prompting a traffic stop. The driver allegedly lied about his identity. He had no registration nor proof of insurance. The driver said he was from Texas and had recently purchased the vehicle. The driver consented to emptying his pockets after advising Officer Gilliland that he had a screwdriver in his sweatshirt. The officer located a suspected meth pipe during a pat down. After being placed under arrest, Officer Gilliland was able to determine that the suspect he arrested was Garza. The vehicle Garza was driving was seized and Officer Gilliland obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. The subsequent search turned up a green backpack. Inside the backpack, Officer Gilliland located 180 grams of methamphetamine, digital scale and electronic devices. A review of the electronic devices revealed information pertaining to Garza.

Lake County Attorney James Lapokta says the guilty plea came as part of a plea agreement that calls for Garza being committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years with no time suspended.

Luis Garza

Ronan student represents Montana at American Legion Nationals

News and Photo from American Legion Auxiliary

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Leina Ulutoa, Ronan, is one of 100 young women selected to attend the 75th American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Girls Nation session July 23-30 in Washington, D.C. As part of the premier ALA program, two outstanding high school seniors are selected to represent their respective state as “senators” at ALA Girls Nation after participating in one of 50 ALA Girls State sessions held across the country. ALA Girls Nation is a seven-day leadership conference that provides aspiring young women leaders with practical insight into how the federal government operates, instills a sense of pride in our country, and promotes youth civic engagement. Many participants of the program go on to have careers in public service at the local, state, and national level.

Ulutoa, a rising senior at Ronan High School, was active in many ways during her week at ALA Montana Girls State. She also participates in many activities in her school and community. She participates in volleyball, basketball, and track and field. She is involved in student government, yearbook, and youth group. She’s also a member of the National Honor Society and Business Professionals of America.

At ALA Girls Nation, Ulutoa will participate in mock senate sessions complete with caucuses and debating bills that range from personal to political interests. Other activities on the agenda include a visit to Arlington National Cemetery where they will place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a community service project, and a tour of the D.C. monuments.

“ALA Girls Nation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our nation’s future leaders to learn about the inner workings of the federal government before they are of voting age,” said Nancy Magginnis, ALA Girls Nation Committee chairman. “After attending their local ALA Girls State program and then ALA Girls Nation, the girls return home ready to be engaged citizens at all levels of government.”

The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) is a community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families. Our members also support the mission of The American Legion in improving the quality of life for our nation’s veterans. Proud sponsor of ALA Girls Nation, National Poppy Day® and recognized for advocating for veterans on Capitol Hill, the more than 600,000 ALA members across the country volunteer millions of hours annually and raise millions of dollars in service to veterans, military, and their families. Founded in 1919, the ALA is one of the oldest patriotic membership organizations in the U.S.A. To learn more and to volunteer, join, and donate, visit www. ALAforVeterans.org.

Providence St. Joe’s in top 30 most socially responsible hospitals in nation Bloomin’ Polson contest held

News from Providence

POLSON — Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson has been named one of the top 30 most socially responsible hospitals in the nation by the Lown Institute.

Providence St. Patrick Hospital also received an “A” grade and was ranked third in the state.

The Lown Institute, a nonpartisan health care think tank, ranked more than 3,600 U.S. hospitals based on 53 metrics across categories of health equity, value and outcomes. Hospitals with “A” grades on each of the three categories are considered “most socially responsible.”

The Lown Institute used publicly available data from Medicare claims, CMS hospital cost reports, IRS 990 forms and other sources for the rankings.

The Equity grade combines assessments of community benefit spending, pay equity, and inclusivity to evaluate hospitals’ commitment to community health and civic leadership.

The Value of Care category reflects hospitals’ avoidance of unnecessary care and ability to achieve good outcomes without overspending.

The Outcomes category reflects a hospital’s performance as it relates to their patients’ health and experience of care.

Devin Huntley, Chief Operating Officer at St. Joseph Medical Center, says, “I am thrilled that our hospital team received this recognition, but not surprised. Our caregivers’ number one commitment has always been making sure our patients are safe and well-taken care of. This award appropriately recognizes our caregivers across the organization. Whether cleaning rooms, delivering supplies, preparing meals, or laying healing hands on patients, every single person here contributed to this remarkable achievement. I am truly honored to be a member of this team!”

St. Joe’s offers numerous community-based programs, such as: - The St. Joseph Medical Center Medication Assisted Treatment Program provides care and support to those struggling with substance use disorders. It uses a teambased approach, providing medications, behavioral health, care coordination, peer support and other services in an outpatient capacity. - More than five years in the making, Journey of Hope (formerly Wrapped in Hope) combines pre- and post-natal screenings, postpartum support, lactation clinic services and pediatric interventions with behavioral health and trauma-informed care to support parents and infants with health issues caused by substance use. - Seeing a gap for people in need of mental health therapy or counseling, with an emphasis on those who are marginalized and/or with low incomes, St. Joe’s has integrated mental health care into its primary care clinics. The number of patients served with depression treatment in these clinics continues to increase. To learn more about the Lown Institute, and the list of other socially responsible hospitals, visit https://lownhospitalsindex.org/lists/2022-social-responsibility/.

News from Envision Polson/ Beautification Committee

POLSON — The Beautification Committee of Envision Polson. Invites you to nominate what you consider to be the “bloomin’ best” gardens. Nominate yourself, neighbor and/or business in the category of:

Best Bloomin’ Business Best Bloomin’ Residence

Nomination forms are available at the Polson Chamber of Commerce Office and Chamber’s website (polsonchamber. com). Judging will be based only on the front yards of residences and fronts of businesses the week of Monday, Aug. 1. Drop off your nomination forms to the Polson Chamber of Commerce office by 1 p.m. Friday, July 29 or mail to: Polson Chamber of Commerce, 402 First St E #102, Polson, MT 59860.

Please fill out one entry form for each nomination.

For questions contact Mary at 406-849-5288.