Time Capsule: New physicians, Mission police commissioner, Winning wrestlers

The Lake County Leader, April 7, 1994

Health care explosion: Valley expects four new physicians in next several months

RONAN - Four new physicians will be moving to this area in the next six to eight months – one could be here as early as April 15, according to Shane Roberts, administrator at St. Luke Community Hospital.

That means Ronan will gain three doctors. Dr. Mark Genich has announced he'll be leaving St. Luke's at the end of May.

Genich will continue practicing full-time until he leaves. "We appreciate the services Dr. Genich has rendered to the community and to the hospital during his 13 years in the valley," Roberts said.

•The first of the new doctors to arrive should be Dr. John Coon, a general surgeon currently practicing at St. Joseph Medical Center and West Mesa Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M.

Dr. Coon will add to the services at St. Luke and St. Joseph Hospital in Polson. He specializes in laparoscopic surgery and can also do gastrointestinal work. "Something now that people are having to travel for, Roberts said

Dr. Coon is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and his medical degree from the Ul Medical School. Dr. Coon completed his internship at Saginaw (Mich.) Affiliated Hospital

He was a general medical officer and U.S. Army captain in Korea. He completed his surgical residency in 1975 at the University of New Mexico. Coon also completed a business degree at the University of New Mexico.

Dr. Coon and his wife Mary, will be here in a few weeks. His office will be across from St. Luke at Big Medicine. His hours will be announced at a later date.

•Dr. Albert Gordon Lui, from Redlands, Calif., is expected to move his family (wife Janet and two small children) to Ronan sometime in May … 

Mission appoints police commissioner 

ST. IGNATIUS - Mayor Sam Rouillier appointed council president Steve McCollum as the police commissioner at Tuesday's town council meeting.

McCollum noted that he would be willing to consult with someone in the law enforcement community should a need arise. The council also ratified the full-time police officer appointment filled by Tim Nelson. The position includes a one-year probationary period.

Also, the council discussed the possibility of hiring another officer and whether or not the position should be part-time or full-time. Budgetary constraints need to be considered, as well as the feasibility of finding someone fully qualified who would be willing to accept a two-day-a-week job.

Nelson said he would like to see another full-time officer hired. The mayor suggested hiring a part-time officer to work three 10-hour days, making the exposition more appealing to certified officers. The council will discuss the issue further at a later date. 

Nelson was given the go-ahead buy an answering machine to access calls from the public that are not of an emergency nature. Nelson stated that he would like to make the police department more accessible to the general public.

Polson is top team 

POLSON - Local Little Guy wrestlers claimed eight individual titles Saturday, as well as the large program team title in the Western Montana championships in Missoula.

In the novice ranks, Brett Fors was first at 65lbs. Wes Gilmore struck gold at 70 Ibs in the middle category, with Trevor Gunlock the champ at 90 Ibs. Five junior wrestlers also took first: Shawn Johnson at 85, Pat Owen at 90, Casey Lozar at 100, Matt Owen at 119 and Brandon Burke at 155.

Other placers:

Beginner: Eamon Torgison, third, 65; Chris Bourdon, second, unlimited. Novice: Jeff Dooley, third, 70; Derek Davis, fourth, 70; Joey Tusick, second, 80; Brook Gunlock, third, 80; Tyler French, third, 110. 

Middle: Levi Mazurek, second, 70; Tony Coble, fourth, 7. Junior: Ryan Braumberger, third, 80; Scott Phifer, second, 165; David Gabbert, third, super-unlimited.