Latest news with #LibbyMiddleHighSchool
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local's Eagle Scout project in honor of those who served
May 16—A family legacy of service to their country led a young man from Libby to take on a particularly ambitious Eagle Scout project. Since members of the Thom family arrived here in the 1600s from Europe, they have answered the call to take up arms in defense of it. Seventeen-year-old Dominic Thom, a junior at Libby Middle High School, was first a member of Cub Scout Pack 4925 at the age of six before he joined Libby's Boy Scout Troop 1971. As he considered what he would do for his penultimate project, his mother, Ashley, had an idea. "I'm into family ancestry and I focus on history," she said. "The family has had several members serve their country and Dom started thinking that a project to honor area veterans would be very appropriate." Knowing the graves of several veterans in the Libby Cemetery could use some tender, loving care, Dom, who has one brother currently serving with the U.S. Air Force and another who recently was in the U.S. Army, set his sights on rehabilitation. "Over time, the head stones slowly sink and they tend to lose their level station," Dom said during last week's project. "So we set out to dig them up and get them leveled out. "We wanted to show respect to the service members who rest here and make it better for those who come here to pay their respects," Dom said. After getting the unanimous support of councilors at the April 21 Libby City Council meeting, Thom picked a weekend and made arrangements with his Scout Troop mates to get the work done. The goal was ambitious — lift 100 headstones in Section 10 with care, place enough sand under them to level them with the ground and reset the stones. And all in one weekend before family members begin decorating the graves in advance of Memorial Day. Some of the stones, owing to their age, needed more care during removal. Some edges were cracked, also requiring special attention. Work began Friday, May 9 after school. It continued through the weekend. Thom had help from his dad, Chuck, Scoutmaster Chris Caudill and troop members Hayden Caudill, Jana Hall and Elry Hall Friday. They used spades to cut and edge the grass away from the grave stones. A bar was used to help lift the stones from their resting places before carefully lifting them so sand could be shoveled in to the hole. When work began Friday afternoon, Dominic and Hayden Caudill began the process. The older Scout showed maturity beyond his years while explaining to Hayden, "I've been in Scouts as long as you've been alive." The group also had a surprise visit from former Scoutmaster Ron Thatcher who stopped to say hello and offer words of encouragement. "It really meant a lot to everyone," Ashley said. Saturday and Sunday saw several more volunteers, some members of Troop 1971 and some not. Troop members included Kale Hall, Emmette Lamson and Jace Muniz. When the weekend was over, more than 50 stones were lifted and restored while several others had edging done so they were more easily seen. "It was very satisfying to see everyone get together and accomplish what we wanted to do," Dominic said. "We hope it will provide a better experience for those who come here to visit their loved ones."
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Germany reaches deal with county in youth assault case
Feb. 21—Former Libby Middle High School Principal Jim C. Germany, Jr., has reached an agreement with the Lincoln County Attorney's Office that could see his record cleared if he avoids further legal issues. Germany, Jr. pleaded not guilty to felony assault on a minor Jan. 13 in Lincoln County District Court following accusations he struck a student Dec. 9, 2024, during class. Germany worked at Libby Public Schools from 2002 until his resignation following the assault accusation. Germany was scheduled to appear in court Feb. 18, but his attorney, Ann German, and Deputy County Attorney Jeff Zwang, the prosecutor, signed a pretrial diversion agreement Feb. 12. The agreement says Germany will not be tried for the offense during the pretrial diversion, which is in effect for one year. The deal calls for Germany to not violate any laws of Montana, the U.S. and any other state. Other stipulations include the following: — Germany is not allowed to have any contact with the alleged victim and must obey any restraining orders or orders of protection; — Germany must obtain a mental health evaluation with a focus on anger management and follow all recommendations of the counselor; — Germany must complete 20 hours of community service; — If the state determines Germany has violated the terms of the agreement, it may proceed with the prosecution and request a trial date; — The agreement shall be terminated and the prosecution dismissed with prejudice upon its expiration and compliance with the terms of the agreement. — Germany understands he is not pleading guilty to any offense and is not admitting any of the allegations made against him. According to Libby Police Chief Cody Ercanbrack, he learned about the alleged incident Tuesday, Dec. 10. According to a complaint filed Dec. 17 by Zwang, Germany Jr. purposely or knowingly committed the offense of assault by striking a student under the age of 14 years while being a defendant over 18 years of age. In the charging document, Libby Police Chief Cody Ercanbrack attended a regular, weekly meeting Dec. 10 of the Student at Risk Counsel at Libby High School. The counsel is a group of professionals, including school counselors, administrators, law enforcement personnel and youth court services personnel, who meet weekly to discuss students with behavioral problems. According to Ercanbrack's affidavit of probable cause, Germany spoke about a 13-year-old student who he said was sleeping in class the previous day, Dec. 9. Germany allegedly said he walked up to the student and slapped him on the head to wake him up. Germany demonstrated the slap by raising his arm high, then swinging across his body in a large motion, consistent with a hard slap. The accused described it as a "Gibbs slap," a reference to the Gibbs character on the television program, NCIS. Chief Ercanbrack returned to the school later the same day, Dec. 10, and tried to talk to the student, but the student had been picked up from school by a parent. Ercanbrack then spoke to Germany, seeking more information about the alleged incident. According to Ercanbrack, Germany said the chief was overstepping and became agitated. Germany allegedly said he had spoken with the student's mother and said it was a joke between he and the student. Dec. 11, Ercanbrack spoke to the student and the child's mother. The student said he fell asleep in class because he hadn't slept enough the previous night. He said the teacher and Germany tried to wake him, but after he didn't, Germany allegedly smacked him in the head to wake him up. The student said Germany apologized for hitting him that hard. The student said he didn't think of it that much until he got home and realized he had a headache. "He must have socked me pretty hard for me to get this bad of a headache," the student said. According to the student's mother, Germany told her he tried to shake the boy awake, it didn't work, so he smacked the student in the back of the head. The mother said Germany allegedly apologized because he slapped (him) "pretty hard." A conviction for assault on a minor may result in a state prison term of five years and a maximum fine of $50,000. According to school board meeting minutes, Germany, a long-time educator with Libby Public Schools, was hired as the new principal in April 2022 after Ruth Ann VanWorth-Rogers announced her retirement. Germany served as vice principal for many years. He was nominated for school Employee of the Year for the 2023-24 year. According to a 2013 story in The Western News, VanWorth-Rogers was offered and accepted a contract to be the middle high school principal. Five board members favored her while two favored Germany. Germany graduated the University of Wyoming in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts in English/Communications. He earned his Masters in Educational Leadership in 2002 from the University of Wyoming. He was a 1985 graduate of Rock Springs High School in Wyoming. Another 2013 story indicated Germany dealt with disciplinary issues at the high school and supervised coaches and sponsors of extracurricular activities. He also led the positive behavioral activities at LHS. He also has been involved in supervising support staff and teachers while at high schools in Libby and Riverton, Wyoming. In 2022, a series of interviews with several candidates followed. The first prescreening interviews, conducted March 18, 2022, according to meeting minutes, were Aimee Konzen and Tyler Baker. No decisions were made following the interviews. On March 23, 2022, a man named Richard Ferris had a pre-screening interview. Following a closed executive session, board members decided to re-advertise for the principal position. A timeline was considered for possible formal interviews of Ferris and future applicants. Three applicants, including Germany, Ferris and Martha Braly were listed and scheduled to be interviewed April 21, 2022, but only Germany and Ferris interviewed for the job. Following interviews and a closed executive session on April 21, 2022, Board Trustee Alida Snow made a motion to approve Germany for the middle high school principal position. Ericka Hartley seconded the motion and Germany was approved by a 4-3 vote. Snow, Hartley, Lori Benson and Rob Delmas voted for Germany while Kristin Martin, Sam Rosling and Bgee Zimmerman voted against him.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Libby Middle High School gets new water filling stations with LOR grant
Feb. 21—A LOR Foundation grant was awarded to Libby Middle High School to purchase and install seven new water bottle filling stations. "These new stainless steel filling stations are replacing some very old, original white porcelain water fountains," Assistant Principal/Activities Director Mark Rochin said. "The fountains were a welcome surprise to all the students, staff and community members. Rochin wrote the grant with the help of local LOR director Tabitha Viergutz. The new water fountains replaced many old fixtures that have not been used in a long time and in some places the fountains were placed in new areas. The areas that now have new water fountain stations are the front lobby (where two were installed), music hallway, science/math wing, middle school hallway, auto/wood shop and the welding shop. "The school would like to thank the LOR Foundation, Mike Rosas Northwest Plumbing and Masters Electric for their expertise in installing the new water fountains. The school now has a total of 11 refrigerated filter water stations," Rochin said. Long time welding teacher Mort Curtiss said, "It is great that my welding students do not have to leave the welding room for some fresh cool drinking water." LOR and Libby Public Schools have partnered together on a number of initiatives to improve conditions school facilities. Following the idea of a teacher and coach, a LOR grant helped buy mobile drink and hydration stations, a project that helped several sports programs. The two drink stations have filters and a portable Cramer Power Flo 50 Hydration Station will benefiting Libby's youth athletes from track and field to football and soccer. The Middle High School was able to purchase essential medical supplies and equipment such as defibrillators and wall mounted exercise stations for the trainer's room, ensuring students and staff can receive immediate care when injuries occur during school hours or extracurricular events.
