Week of March 19, 2025
Week of March 19, 2025
The March 17 Whitehall Town Council meeting, held at the Town Hall, was filled with legal jargon as the Council approved variances oand rdinances and discussed policy updates. Councilwoman Linda Jung read the legal verbiage surrounding the proposed variance for StarrBuds, as provided by the town's attorney, Ed Guza. Due to hardship and the "peculiar" layout of Whitehall's commercial district, Guza suggested approving the variance as the ordinance was meant to support, not prevent, businesses in...
There's something for everyone at a Friends of NRA event, so don't miss the Jefferson Valley Friends of NRA Banquet on Friday, April 11, at the Madison County Fairgrounds pavilion! Tickets are selling out FAST! Doors open at 6 PM! From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is brimming with excitement. Whether watching that unique item in the live auction, trying your luck at one of the games, or just dining on some delicious food, you'll have a good time. It's a family-friendly event...
The Whitehall Baptist Church is hosting the fourth Annual Outdoorsman Night! Bring your family and enjoy an evening of food and friends, all supporting the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department. The event will be held at the Whitehall Community Center on Friday, April 4. Doors open at 4:30 PM, with the fun beginning at 6 PM. ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by April 3 at $20 per person. For children seven years and under, it will be $5. Space is limited to 250 attendees, and this event has...
Jefferson County's Planning Department has released a Draft Growth Policy aimed at guiding future development while preserving the county's natural beauty, infrastructure, and quality of life. The policy is now available for public review, and residents are encouraged to provide feedback before it is finalized. The Draft Growth Policy serves as a blueprint for managing population growth, land use, economic development, and environmental conservation. The county has been working closely with...
PAGE WOCK: Whitehall High School senior Ethan Wock was a page on the House floor during the 69th Montana Legislative Session from February 24th through March 1st. Representative Marta Bertoglio sponsored him, and his duties consisted of running errands, delivering messages, and distributing bills, amendments, and other documents. He enjoyed this opportunity, especially working the floor during some exciting bills that week. Ethan would like to thank Representative Bertoglio for this...
Who are the Jefferson Valley Friends of NRA (JVFNRA), and what good do they do for our community? First, let's explain who they work for. The JVFNRA works on a grant program when half of the money raised in Montana STAYS in Montana. The other half goes into a national pool for chapters to draw from. In both cases, it is a 501(c)3. None of the money is used politically. It is all charitable. Each year in January, committees around the state meet in Helena to fund requested grants. This year, the...
MARCH 15, 2000 The Whitehall Town Council had a busy agenda during its March 13 meeting. By the time the council adjourned, it had hired a town attorney, given initial approval of a community decay ordinance, heard an update on the street paving project, and then decided to get tougher with abandoned and unlicensed vehicles. A decision was made to buy two new doors for the ambulance and police garage. According to information released this week from the Local Government Center at the University...
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in men and women under age 50. According to the American Cancer Society almost 153,000 individuals in the U.S. were diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer in 2024, and more than 53,000 died from the disease. March is Colon Cancer Awareness month, a time to raise awareness about the disease and the importance of prevention and early detection. Awareness is crucial, as many cases of colon and...
The 2025 spring Whitehall Hunter Education will be for online students only. In addition to the online portion, it will consist of a two hour evening class and a field day. Students will bring their papers from passing the online test to the evening class; the field day will involve live fire. The projected date for the field day is April 26. Registration for the class will open March 20 online at the FWP website. Class size will be limited. Students must be 12 years of age or older to take the...
Peanuts work well in sweet desserts and are commonly found as peanut butter swirled with jelly atop bread for lunchtime sandwiches. However, they can also be an ingredient in savory dishes. Peanuts are often included in the popular Thai dish Pad Thai, Thailand's variation on a traditional Chinese stir-fry. It's salty, sweet, and often spicy. Try this version courtesy of 300 Best Stir-Fry Recipes (Robert Rose) by Nancie McDermott. INGREDIENTS: 4 ounces dry rice noodles 1/4 cup chicken stock or...
Let me introduce myself! I'm Brandi, the assistant Librarian here at the Whitehall Community Library. I have been asked to write this week's column; so I thought I would take this opportunity to share my passion here at the library. It is my goal to help each and every child grow to be a lifelong learner. I love seeing that "light bulb" moment when a child finally gets it - the wheels start turning and a thousand why questions follow. They ask such amazing questions I have to research and learn...
The Whitehall Country Store Board of Directors is pleased to announce the availability of four $5,000 scholarships to be awarded to graduating Whitehall High School seniors or home schoolers who will be fulltime students enrolled in Fall 2025 classes at an accredited college, university, or trade school. Although the focus of most scholarship programs is academic, the main criteria established by the Board of Directors is a student’s deep desire to further their academic goals beyond high school and their need for financial assistance. This...
Abbie Frankman, a senior Nursing major at Grove City College from Cardwell, has been named to the Dean’s List with Distinction for the fall 2024 semester. Abbie is a 2021 graduate of Homeschool and is the daughter of John and Kelli Frankman from Cardwell, MT. Students eligible for the Dean’s List have a GPA of 3.40 to 3.59; for the Dean’s List with Distinction a GPA of 3.60 to 3.84 and for the Dean’s List with High Distinction a GPA of 3.85 to 4.0. Grove City College (gcc.edu) is a highly distinctive, nationally ranked comprehensive...
Intermountain Health’s on-demand services are expanding in Montana to bring patients faster access to common medications and medical services without having to see a doctor. This recent expansion increases the number of pharmacy products that patients can access in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Montana. The goal is to increase access to healthcare, especially in rural areas where patients may experience longer wait or travel times to see a specialist. “Intermountain’s on-demand services are helping us reach the goal of bringing healthcare...
Whitehall is a special place, full of history, hardworking businesses, and people who care about their community. Whether you've lived here for generations or are just starting to put down roots, you play a role in shaping what comes next. On Monday, April 1, at 6 PM at the Whitehall Senior Center, we have an exciting opportunity to come together and talk about that future. The Montana Main Street Program is visiting Whitehall to share how we can build on our strengths, support local...
The Importance of Regular Computer Maintenance In today's digital world, computers have become an essential part of our daily lives. From work to entertainment and communication, we rely on these devices for almost everything. However, just like a car needs regular oil changes and tire rotations, computers also require routine maintenance to keep them running smoothly and efficiently. One of the key reasons for regular maintenance is performance. Over time, computers can slow down due to...
I am writing to bring to your attention a set of 5 bills that are harmful to regular Montanans in general, and specifically right now to the people of Libby, Montana, involved in asbestos litigation. SB 385 (Sen Tom McGillvray) creates a "governor-appointed" special court that has the same clout as a state district court, except the judges are not elected and, as such, are not answerable to the people who elected them. The special court this bill creates will also include the "asbestos court,"...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, forcing an agenda right now might backfire. It is best to be patient and let things unfold organically. A few new people may come to your aid this week and support you. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 You might need to reconsider what you have been fighting for, Taurus. A battle could be tough to win, so you must rethink your strategy. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Someone in a position of power might try to convince you that their way is the best approach this week, Gemini. You are determined to stick with what you think is...
Dear Editor, I want to give a huge shout-out and a fervent thank you to the men and women of PULSE/JVEMS and the doctors and nurses of the St. James ER and Hospital! This past week has been a whirlwind for me. What started as a touch of something on Sunday (it turned out to be Influenza A) escalated by Tuesday into something I'd never even heard of before. By Tuesday evening, I couldn't even get out of bed without falling on my face. Apparently, I'd also contracted Rhabdomyolysis! Long story...
Dear Editor, There's an effort in the legislature to keep Montana citizens off the ballot. HB 207 hasn't made many headlines, but the bill is an attempt to make it harder for Independent, third-party, and write-in candidates to qualify for the ballot in districts across Montana. Independents already face a higher barrier to getting on the ballot than candidates from the Republican or Democratic parties, and we shouldn't make it even harder for those who don't affiliate with our two major...
Technological developments have gone from making life easier to making life harder (unless you pay for the latest technological development) in our lifetimes. People without teeth can close their mouths further. Due to time zone differences, some babies are born hours before others but have a later birthdate and are thus considered younger. When the Berlin Wall fell, over fifteen acres of public art were destroyed virtually overnight. If images reflect light, a video at 2x displays something at twice the speed of light. Humanity has gone from...
Dear Editor, Concerning House Bill 320 (HB 320): I applaud Representative Walsh's rationale as stated in the Whitehall Ledger's March 12th issue on his NO vote on HB 320. He reasoned a NO vote due to the "lack of proper oversight and the risk of undermining the foundation of public education." The 32-page bill reads like IRS instructions. It is overly complex and ambiguous on the types of private education that could qualify for educational tax credits. I did manage to find the sections where...
GEORGIA, I have a question, My mother taught me that when being toasted, one doesn’t take a sip, as that’s like tooting one’s own horn. When my spouse and I celebrated an anniversary with a party, the guests toasted us with champagne. When I didn’t sip, one of the guests asked me why, implying that my marriage wasn’t something I wanted celebrated. YIKES! My choices were to “correct” the guest—which I don’t feel is right, as they aren’t one of my children—or leave the impression that my marriage was less than...
When was the last time you lost something? A common question around our home is, “Where are my keys?” Losing something can be quite distressing, sometimes confounding, when you blame someone else and find the keys in your coat pocket five minutes later. LOL. Jesus’ existence in history was to fulfill God’s ultimate act of love, as Christ gave up His life as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Albert Einstein said, “As a child, I received instruction both in the Bible and the Talmud. I am a Jew,...
Richard L. Saunders Jr. was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. A gentle giant with a kind heart, he touched the lives of many with his warmth, wisdom, and unwavering presence. His sun rose in October 1962 and set on March 11, 2025. Richard, a proud long-haul trucker, logged over three million miles on the road, knowing every truck stop and mile marker by heart. Even after leaving the road behind, he could still recall the best routes and exits, always ready to offer guidance to those...
Laberta June "Bertie" Grasser passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at her home in Whitehall, Montana. She was born on Friday, February 5, 1932, at the family home in Waterloo, Montana, to George and Helen (Crossman) Hunt. Bertie attended schools in Waterloo, Twin Bridges, Whitehall, and Butte. She married Sid Atkins, and they had two daughters, Debbie and Linda, but they later divorced. She married Robert Grasser on April 20, 1957, in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, and together, they had three more...
Allan James Peterson was born on April 13, 1936, in Butte, Montana, to Vic and Erna (Soderstrom) Peterson. He died on March 11, 2025, at his home in Butte, Montana, in the arms of his loving wife. Allan graduated from Butte High School in 1954. On June 3, 1956, Allan married Beverly Sutey, the love of his life. This coming June, they would have been married for 69 years. He worked as a Substation Operator for the Milwaukee Railroad in East Portal, Montana, Avery, Idaho, and Piedmont, Montana....
SUNDAY, MARCH 9 01:07:52 Stranded Motorist 07:29:53 Traffic Stop: N Whitehall St 10:16:02 Animal: Sheep Camp Rd 11:16:10 Dog at Large: Mills Rd 12:14:21 Tow: Jackrabbit Ln 13:05:47 Hit & Run: I-90 13:13:48 Traffic Stop 16:23:59 Burglary 16:29:04 Stolen Vehicle: Hwy 2 W 16:46:27 Traffic Stop 17:11:38 Traffic Stop 17:35:22 Motorist Assist: N Brooke St 18:09:42 Traffic Stop 19:20:24 DUI: N Whitehall St 19:26:22 Burglary: Bluebird Ln 20:41:39 Wrong Way Driver: I-90 20:51:18 Motorist Assist: I-90 21:00:45 Citizen Assist: I-90 21:01:32 Suspicious...
One person is dead after local and county law enforcement responded to a threat at the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse Friday afternoon, according to authorities. At around 1:30 p.m., Helena police officers and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the county courthouse, 228 E. Broadway St., after numerous 911 calls reported that a woman was brandishing a handgun. The woman threatened several people, including a judge, according to a release from Helena Police Chief Brett Petty and county Sheriff Leo Dutton. The suspect,...
Whitehall's Concerned Citizens group has grown, and at the last meeting, held Wednesday, March 12, in the Whitehall Community Library, a total of 15 people attended and contributed to the discussion. Should the group exceed 20 people, a new location will be needed - but the group is very pleased to see so many new faces and welcomes all to attend. The group opened with a "Real or Fake" AI quiz and discussed types of media bias. We generally agree on the bias placement from right to left for...
A bill that would allow exemptions for vaccine requirements at schools and daycares sparked impassioned debate on the Senate floor before passing on a narrow vote. Senate Bill 474 would require schools, daycares, and other organizations that require vaccinations to accept religious and medical exceptions. Sen. Cora Neumann, D-Bozeman, opposed the bill. Similar exemptions already exist, which she said would be unsafely expanded under the bill. “This amended bill, as-is, would create the most permissive exemption policy in the country and...
Almost 3 in 4 Montanans were concerned about being able to afford housing in the state over the next five years, according to a Montana Free Press-Eagleton Poll. According to the poll, 2 in 5 Montana households spent more than 30% of their income on rent or mortgage. That means roughly 40% of poll respondents self-identify as cost-burdened, a term defined by the U.S. Census Bureau to describe those whose housing costs exceed that threshold. Adults under 35 were more likely than those over 50 to feel concerned about being able to afford...
In this legislative session, I introduced House Bill 740 to help Montana’s pharmacies stand up to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Decades ago, these industry giants started out filling a legitimate need in the processing and negotiating of prescription drug insurance benefits. However, they quickly grew and consolidated into some of the largest corporations in the United States, and now, just a few PMBs control virtually the entire drug benefits market. In 2023, the top three PBMs made a...
The Whitehall Little Guy (WLG) Season is underway, with two weeks left in the season. Fifty-two wrestlers from age 5 years old through 6th grade are wrestling and have had some great tournaments. On March 8, Whitehall hosted a very successful tournament - thanks to the help of our parents, wrestlers, high school coaches, and overall wrestling community. Thank you to everyone! WLG wrestlers competed in Dillon for Southwest Little Guy Wrestling Divisionals on March 15 and wil be in...
The Whitehall High School Athletic Hall of Fame, founded in 2015, aims to identify and honor the outstanding accomplishments of former athletes, coaches, administrators, teams, and contributors of WHS. Athletes are eligible for nomination 10 years after their class’s graduation. Such athletes must have competed in a WHS-sanctioned varsity sport and must have excelled in such sport. Among the accomplishments taken into account will be individual (State Champion, Division Champion, all-district, all-conference, all-division, all-state) and...
