Craig Daily Press / Milestones

Student News: Mackenzie Maneotis

Mackenzie Maneotis, daughter of Tony and Kim Maneotis, was recently recognized on the vice president’s honor roll at Laramie (Wyo.) County Community College’s Cheyenne Campus, according to a news release.

Birthday: Winfield Pankey, January 7, 2012

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Winfield Pankey’s 80th birthday party from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4265, 419 E. Victory Way, in Craig.

Craig-area couple relives unexpected visit from grandson serving abroad

If Fran Davis’ memory of Christmas Eve could take form, it would be a photograph, its edges worn soft by use from a loving hand. Some of the details in the picture are blurry, like a background out of focus. She can’t remember the songs she was supposed to sing that night for mass at St. Michael Catholic Church or what she said when she greeted other members of the congregation. But the focal point is crisp, the subject clear and distinct. “Do you know how many times a day I relive that moment?” she said, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Birthday celebration: Dorothy Gray

Dorothy Gray is turning 90.

Army Ranger and MCHS grad back in Craig for holiday

Picture the wounded soldier returning to the place of his youth. The familiar landmarks — schools, parks, streets — are dusted with snow. Thanksgiving is coming, and holiday lights twinkle in the storefronts. Maybe he thinks of boyhood games he played here. Maybe he thinks of friends left behind. He spends the holiday with family, who rejoice that their son, nephew and grandson has come home alive. These images could easily belong to the realm of Hollywood and black-and-white celluloid film.

Former Craig man saves life of suicidal soldier

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by the Fort Hood Sentinel in Fort Hood, Texas. Staff Sgt. Timothy Warden lived in Craig with his family for about 25 years. He is the son of Don and Louise Warden and sister to Dawn Goethe, of Greeley. Warden and his wife, Jennifer, live in Fort Hood, Texas, have two daughters, Michaela and Alexa. FORT HOOD, TEXAS — Just past 6 a.m. Oct. 9, few people were inside the III Corps Shoppette on T.J. Mills Boulevard. Staff Sgt. Timothy Warden stopped in to buy some ice and soft drinks on the way to work. “I was getting ready to go to the range,” he said. “We had a unit preparing to train on urban operations.” Inside the shoppette, the staff sergeant, an infantryman with 1st Battalion, 393rd Infantry Regiment, 479th Field Artillery Brigade, Division West, noticed another patron having issues with the cashier.

Student News: Elder Gage Alan Spears

Elder Gage Alan Spears has received his two-year mission call for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has been called to the Baltimore, Md., mission. He is the son of Brian and Mindy Spears and brother to Garrett, Gaven, Grayden and Gregory Spears.

Milestone: Harry E. Russell, Jr.

Harry E. Russell, Jr., a retired Little Snake River rancher, turns 100 on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011.

Student News: Chandra Warren

Chandra Warren, of Craig, is one of the contestants in this year’s Miss Colorado USA and Miss Colorado Teen USA competitions, slated for Oct. 30 in Greeley.

Student News: Cayla Maneotis

Cayla Maneotis graduated from the University of Northern Colorado this spring with a bachelor’s degree in human services and a minor in recreation and tourism.

Student News: Sara L. Arguello

Sara L. Arguello, a 1999 Moffat County High School graduate, graduated with a medical degree in May from the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. She is now employed by UNM Hospitals in Albuquerque, N.M.

Army Ranger with Craig ties injured Saturday in Afghanistan

About every three days, Don Penner would get on Facebook and chat with his friend, Casey Greene, a specialist with the U.S. Army Rangers. And Penner always asked his fellow Moffat County High School graduate the same question. “Every time I talked to him, I would say, ‘Hey, man, are you staying safe?’” said Penner, who lives north of Craig. “And he would just say, ‘I’m trying to, but it’s hard.’” Penner had reason to ask. Greene was stationed in Afghanistan and serving his third deployment.

2011 MCHS grad opts to join U.S. Marine Corps

The list of Colin Walt’s achievements would make almost any college dean look twice. A 4.0 student all through high school. Captain of the Moffat County High School football team and the Moffat County Bulldogs club hockey team. A student who earned 34 college credits at Colorado Northwestern Community College by the time he earned his high school diploma.

Governor orders flags lowered for Patriot Day

Hickenlooper also calls for state residents to participate in Moment of Remembrance

Gov. John Hickenlooper issued an order this morning that flags be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings statewide Sunday, in honor of those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Flags are to be lowered from sunrise to sunset. On Dec. 18, 2001, Congress approved Public Law 107-89, which designated Sept. 11 as Patriot Day. It’s become customary for the president and governors to order flags lowered on this day annually.