Week of June 24, 2026
Week of June 24, 2026
The Whitehall community is invited to celebrate Independence Day and our veterans with a patriotic fireworks display honoring local veterans on Friday, July 4, starting at dark (around 10 PM). The show will be visible from nearly anywhere within Whitehall town limits, offering residents multiple viewing opportunities without needing to gather at a single location. While the fireworks will be launched from the Skypark area, organizers note that Skypark itself will be closed to the public during...
An exciting evening of cowboy action is promised at the annual Bulls, Broncs and Barrels on Saturday, June 27, at the Whitehall Rodeo Grounds (198 Viella St.) Gates open at 6 PM, and the competition starts at 7 PM. The evening will be kicked off with Marlin James singing the National Anthem. Then the action begins with stock saddle, saddle bronc, bull riding, and barrel racing throughout the evening. Come watch Montana's best cowboys and cowgirls compete in thrilling rodeo action! Food vendors...
The Montana Newspaper Association proudly announced the winners of the 2026 Better Newspaper Contest, inducted Milton “Milt” Wester into the Montana Newspaper Hall of Fame, honored Brice and Lois Lambert and Jeff Welsch with Master Editor/Publisher Awards, and elected Matt Baldwin as president during its 141st Annual Convention held June 18-19 in Miles City. The Better Newspaper Contest recognizes the best journalism, photography, design, advertising and digital work produced by Montana newspapers during 2025. This year’s contest was...
Overconfidence can ruin a good hike. When I surf through outdoor sites on social media, here's the essence of what I usually find: "This hike may be hot, long, and occasionally off trail, but it's rewarding, and route-finding really isn't that difficult." With advice like that assuring what seems a doable hike, it's probably not surprising that during 2025, Grand Canyon Search and Rescue responded to 848 hiker assists and 232 search and rescue incidents. What's more, 11 people died. In just the...
The June 3, 1926, edition of the Jefferson Valley News began the month with a variety of stories, some of which showed a dark side of humanity. The front page reviewed the details of the murder of Bob Neill by Ed Rollins. Rollins was known in this part of the county and had a record of trouble obeying the law. He finally made a confession to the murder after a week in county jail. A nationally known KKK leader, Reverend Smith, made an appearance in Whitehall, but without the traditional...
Montana wildfire season is here, and the American Red Cross is urging families to take simple steps now to protect themselves and their loved ones. “Wildfires move fast and can leave little time to get to safety,” said Scott O’Connell, regional disaster officer for the Red Cross of Montana, Idaho and East Oregon. “Make sure you have an evacuation plan and practice it with everyone in your household. Taking a few simple steps today can make all the difference tomorrow.” PREPARE NOW: • Clear brush and flammable materials from around...
The Whitehall Community Swimming Pool has a delayed opening due to major leaks in the water-circulating pipes. The pool board figured the pool was losing 12 to 18 inches per day, which amounts to 27,000 gallons of water. That leaves the pool closed indefinitely, and depending on the cost of the repair, it may remain closed for the rest of the 2001 summer. WHITEHALL COACHES OF THE WEEK: Dan Segovia, Mark Allen, and Doug Robbins. The Whitehall White Sox coaches Dan Segovia, Mark Allen, and Doug...
This article provides an overview of two unique plants, Dalmatian toadflax and yellow toadflax, both of which are noxious invasive species in Montana and a serious concern for the state and its residents. We will explore their appearance and how to identify each plant, how they arrived in the state, what is currently being done to control their spread, and what you can do to help. To begin, Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica) is a 1–4-foot-tall plant with heart- shaped, blue-green, waxy...
July arrives next week, and with it, many families are headed to the mountains, lakes, or to be with family. Knowing that from years past, we will not be having a program on Wednesday, July 1st at the Whitehall Community Library. We will be serving lunches from Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 1 PM. The library will be closed on Friday, July 3rd, and Saturday, July 4th, for the Independence Day holiday. Programs happening the week of June 29-July 2 include History Book Club on Monday, June...
The Town Pump Charitable Foundation is providing $750,000 in grants to volunteer fire departments across the state to help cover the costs of training, equipment, tools, technology, clothing, and other necessary items. Grant applications are available now at www.townpumpfoundation.com through Friday, July 17. Grants will be awarded on Friday, July 31. “It is an honor and a privilege for the Town Pump Charitable Foundation to provide support to volunteer firefighters across Montana,” said Bill McGladdery for the Town Pump Charitable...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, physical activity can boost your mood and clear your mind for some big decisions that are ahead this week. Tackle some larger projects. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Indulge in simple pleasures this week, Taurus. They will lead you to the happiness you deserve. You may discover a new favorite recipe or a cozy nook to hang out in. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Networking may feel less like a chore and more like a party this week, Gemini. A chance encounter could open a door to an excellent opportunity. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22...
My family operates a working cow ranch in central Montana halfway between Roundup and Winnett. We’ve been ranching here since 1956 and in Musselshell County since 1978. We love what we do and are grateful for our neighbors, partners, and community, without whom we likely would not be here. Everything we do is the result of a complex, inescapable interdependence with everything and everyone around us. How communities (businesses, government, public institutions, churches, and non-profits) respond, interact, and adapt to their changing...
Dear Editor, Concerning The Montana Plan, I-194, when deciding whether or not to sign the plan's petition, I asked myself one simple question. Should corporations control the people of Montana, or should Montanans control corporations? I chose the latter because I'm fed up with all the twisted, disparaging misinformation paid for with tens of millions of dollars of corporate money in each election. I have a question for the Montana Chamber of Commerce, which is opposing I-194 and supporting...
Dear Editor, A Helena resident recently reported an unusual encounter while fishing along the Missouri River near Beaver Creek. The witness stated that he had arrived before sunrise and was enjoying the quiet morning when at first light, as the sun hit the hills, he noticed a large dark figure standing on the opposite bank. At first he assumed it was a bear. But as it moved, he could see it was not a bear. The figure was enormous. The figure remained upright. Completely upright. The witness...
Dear Editor, Many thanks to our signature gatherers and Montanans statewide for our effort to collect signatures for I-194, the Montana ballot initiative to end corporate and dark money in Montana elections. We collected over 50,000 signatures that came from all of Montana's 56 counties. This immense effort was powered by all volunteer signature gatherers, some 500 in total! To qualify I-194 for November's ballot, we need 31,121 verified signatures statewide out of our collected 50,000, and we...
GEORGIA, I have a question. If you aren’t invited to the actual wedding, are you still required to send a gift? I’m in a pickle - let me give you some context. I’m 19F; my half-sister is 27. Same dad, different moms. We were never super close since she lived with her mom full-time, but we see each other at holidays and text sometimes. She’s getting married in a few months. I knew about the wedding; I just never got an actual invite. I figured she was keeping it small. I didn’t make a big deal about it. Last week my phone buzzed, and...
The person keeping everyone updated is usually the last one people check on. This is the first time in the United Kingdom's history that they are looking for a new Prime Minister, James Bond, and Dr Who at the same time. Father’s Day should be nine months before Mother’s Day. As AI deepfakes get more realistic, physical camera film might become the ultimate luxury. It will be the only proof of reality. For every time you unexpectedly run into someone you know in a random place, there are probably just as many near-misses you’ll never...
Perhaps it is the country directness of the parishioners of Southwest Montana, but people tell me they feel welcome at our church. Perhaps it is the honesty and caring nature of our team. I appreciate how Pastor Ben Mandrell, author of the Together series, emphasizes Biblical principles to address loneliness within churches. Mandrell says, “We’re not strong when we walk alone.” The Christian life is healthier when we walk alongside other believers in family-like relationships. The honest truth is the choices we sometimes make bring on...
I grew up in Anaconda, in the shadow of the smelter stack. As a proud union Democrat, I was 12 years old before I realized “Damnrepublicans” was actually two words. I ran for the Montana Legislature as a Democrat, later served as Superintendent of Public Instruction, and spent my career fighting for working families. When I ran for Congress in 2000, I carried my father’s lunch bucket with me across the state as a reminder of where I came from and who I was serving. I have supported Democrats my entire life, and I will continue to do so....
SUNDAY, JUNE 14 07:31:38 Traffic Stop: Hwy 55 10:22:44 911: Hwy 2 W 14:27:24 Traffic Offense: I-90 15:26:19 Agency Assist: I-90 16:40:35 Dog at Large: Yellowstone Trl 17:04:25 Reckless Driver: I-90 17:05:48 Citizen Contact: W Legion St 17:31:22 Welfare Check: Hwy 2 E 17:47:12 Wildlife 19:20:22 Fire/Smoke Report: Cottonwood Rd 22:42:08 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury): Hwy 2 W 22:46:31 911: Hwy 2 W MONDAY, JUNE 15 00:24:09 Agency Assist: Rolu Rd 01:23:43 Citizen Contact: W Legion St 09:42:09 Agency...
Whitehall Indivisible (WI) attended one of several candidate Meet & Greets in lieu of our regular weekly meeting, held at the historic Whitehall Star Theatre on Wednesday, June 17th. Five candidates spoke briefly, then fielded questions from the audience. The candidates in attendance were the three sheriff candidates: Tom Grimsrud (incumbent), Dave Kosola, and Tom Voigt; District 2 County Commissioner candidate Richard Rhodes, and one HD 75 candidate, Pat Sullivan. Richard Rhodes is running against Cory Kirsch (incumbent), who was not...
Carley Ryan of Whitehall and the Montana Wolves U-14 girls recently competed in the Chipotle USA National Hockey Championships in Detroit, Michigan. Montana was one of the 24 teams from all over the country entered in the tournament. Montana entered pool play competing against Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. The Montana girls quickly became the crowd favorite, as they were the only non-academy team entered. Academy teams typically play together on campus where they go to school, train, and practice together daily. Almost all the academy teams...
