Week of March 4, 2026
Week of March 4, 2026
Punch more roads through the forest, and you’ll get more people starting fires, fewer bull trout, and an even heftier maintenance bill. Keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place, and you’ll ensure elk have a healthy habitat, and you’ll still be able to reduce wildfire risk. Those were some of the arguments former U.S. Forest Service employees made Friday at the edge of the Silver King Inventoried Roadless Area east of Missoula. Montana Trout Unlimited and the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers hosted the event as the Trump...
Gold investment scams are booming: the elderly in Texas lost over $55 million to gold scams, and for most of them, it was all their life savings. While institutions still issue warnings on safe investments and fraud avoidance, and with gold prices reaching record highs and going beyond $5,000 per ounce, scammers are preying more and more on Americans, especially seniors, to invest. In the last two years, FBI Boston documented over 100 instances of a courier being used to pick up illicit cash or...
The Montana Urban and Community Forestry Association (MUCFA) and MSU Extension are offering an in-person Urban Forestry Diagnostics Bootcamp March 23-24 in Whitehall in the Madison-Jefferson MSU Extension Office at 103 W. Legion Street. The bootcamp is designed for urban foresters, city parks staff, nursery owners, master gardeners, extension agents, tree board members, and landscapers responsible for tree health and management in southwest Montana. The bootcamp will be limited to twenty-five people. This bootcamp focuses on building...
Golden Sunlight Mine, one of the largest gold mines in the county and one of the most productive in Montana history, is celebrating the pouring of its two millionth ounce of gold on Friday, March 30, 2001. WHS Creative Leader of the Week: CYRENE JANACARAO. Cyrene Janacaro, the sophomore class representative on the Whitehall High School Student Council, earns honors this week. Advisor LeeAnn Gallagher says Cyrene is a very willing worker. Cyrene is the daughter of Jeff Janacaro and Florie...
According to the American Cancer Society, about 108,860 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed this year (55,410 in men and 53,450 in women), and 55,230 people will die this year from colon cancer. However, the good news is that the number of people diagnosed with colon cancer has dropped, due to people getting screened. Colon cancer starts in the large intestine or rectum, often from small growths called polyps, and often does NOT have symptoms. Colon cancer is VERY preventable and HIGHLY...
MARCH 1926 • After a six-day trial, Anthony Bimba wins an acquittal in a Brockton, Massachusetts, courtroom on March 1. Bimba is the last person in the United States to be charged with the crime of blasphemy. • Assistant Secretary of War Hanford MacNider formally rejects New York watchmaker Oscar M. Lazarus’s offer to design and install a wristwatch on the Statue of Liberty on March 2. • Zizi Lambrino files a lawsuit against Prince Carol of Romania on March 4. The lawsuit claims Lambrino, who is seeking 10 million francs, was still...
The Butte 4-C's is proud to announce a new program designed to support local families during one of life's most important seasons: welcoming a new baby. "Meals for Moms" is now available to new and expecting mothers in Silver Bow, Jefferson, Powell, and Deer Lodge counties. All expecting mothers or mothers with newborns under three months are eligible. The program provides five frozen, fully cooked meals, delivered directly to a family's door at no cost. Each meal feeds two to four people and...
If you've lived in the area for awhile, you've most likely heard of Piedmont Wetlands or the "swamp." Search your memory - do you have a fond story you could share? Residents who have fished, hunted, explored, or simply grown up around the Piedmont wetlands are invited to contribute their experiences, as community stories will help shape the future of this unique landscape! This area could soon become a destination for walking, wildlife viewing, education, and recreation for generations to...
The end of February marks the end of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) winter debris burning restrictions period in Jefferson County. Debris burning (any fire over 48” in size) still requires the purchase of a county burn permit, and burners must activate their permits each day of their burn. Permits are available online at https://app.egovmt.com/burnpermit/ or in person at the Sheriff’s Office in Boulder. Those wishing to conduct debris burning should be aware of their responsibilities before lighting their fires....
The Whitehall FFA Alumni & Supporters will host their annual dinner and dance fundraiser, "Forever Blue," this Saturday, March 7, at the Whitehall Community Center, inviting the community to come together for an evening of good food, live music, and support for local FFA youth. The event will feature a dinner, live and silent auctions, and a dance, with doors opening at 4:30 PM and dinner served at 5 PM. The evening will continue with auctions and dancing, highlighted by live music from Lance...
When it comes to baked goods, it's hard to deny the appeal of a homemade brownie. Whether eaten on their own or paired with ice cream, brownies are a welcome treat that few can resist. Though chocolate dominates the flavor profile of brownies, these beloved treats can be enhanced with additional delicious ingredients, like pecans. Anyone who wants to add a little extra flavor to their next batch of brownies can consider this Pecan Brownies recipe from Lines+Angles. INGREDIENTS: (12 Brownies) 12...
March is a busy month for the Whitehall Community Library as we fill up April tours, plan the rest of summer reading, and finish up our regular programming. Our tour bookings for the Anne Frank Exhibit are filling up fast. If you would like to bring a group to tour the exhibit, please call the library at 406-287-3763 to confirm your spot. We have four school districts coming with over 30 tours already filled. There is still room to book tours outside of school hours and on a few days during the week. We can do some Saturday tours or evening...
The American Red Cross urges donors to help the national blood supply recover from a severe blood shortage and empower their health by making an appointment to give blood in March. As a thank-you for helping save lives, successful donations will receive free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes, in March (one result per calendar year). New Red Cross data reveals 1 in 5 blood donors have elevated A1C levels — a sign that prediabetes and diabetes are prevalent among adults in generally good health. The findings...
Gold Junction Presents (GJP) is rolling out the red carpet once again for the 3rd Annual Oscars Watch Party at the historic Whitehall Star Theatre - and this year's celebration promises to be bigger, brighter, and more glamorous than ever Set for Sunday, March 15, the community is invited to step into Hollywood for an evening of sparkle, spotlights, and cinematic fun for just a $10 entry fee. Doors open at 4:30 PM, with the Oscars broadcast beginning at 5 PM. Guests are welcome to come and go...
MSU Extension wants you to know there’s still time to save a little extra on Montana income taxes for 2026. And the good news is, it’s easier than you might think. Montanans can open a Medical Care Savings Account (MSA) at their local bank or credit union any time before Dec. 31 and potentially shave dollars off their state income tax bill. “Many people don’t realize how simple it is,” said Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist. “You don’t have to spend the money this year—you just have to deposit it....
The Montana Urban and Community Forestry Association (MUCFA) is sponsoring a large tree pruning workshop in Whitehall from 1 -4 on March 24. The workshop is being held for the city public works employees and others who may be interested. The workshop will start with a presentation in the MSU Extension office meeting room at 103 W Legion and then proceed to demos with a 45-ft man lift on local Whitehall streets and/or parks. ISA Certified Arborists can receive 3 CEUs by attending the class. Please dress for the weather as Whitehall is usually...
The Star Self Defense Club was born out of a need to empower and educate those who need it most. If you have ever been in a scary situation and wanted to be braver next time, we are for you. If you have felt threatened simply because of your identity, we are for you. If you don’t seek trouble but are willing to fight to keep yourself, your loved ones, and your community safe, we are for you. Joining us, you’ll learn tried-and-tested skills for escaping common street attacks, such as grabs, headlocks, hair pulls, and the like. You’ll...
The Jefferson Valley Sportsmen’s Association annual fund-raising banquet will be held on Saturday, March 14, from 5 PM to 9 PM at the Whitehall Community Center at 11 North Division Street in Whitehall. Banquet tickets are $30 per plate. Doors will open at 5 PM, and dinner will be served at 7 PM. The annual banquet features live and silent auctions, raffles and door prizes, a no-host bar, and a catered meal from Red Apron Catering. Here are a few examples of what the Jefferson Valley Sportsmen’s Association does: • assist public land...
In a recent newspaper article in the Silver State Post/Philipsburg Mail, a group of local school board representatives and staff weighed in on Artificial Intelligence (AI). This subject is getting heightened attention here in Montana, nationwide, and around the world. My specific interest in this topic is not only related to the Montana Digital Academy Board, but also relating to the School Funding Interim Commission, both in which I participate. In the mid-February article, school reps and...
I’m tired of watching good Montana legislators get dragged by out-of-state groups that don’t know our communities and don’t care about our facts. Lately, these attacks have zeroed in on Representative Ken Walsh, criticizing him for supporting the HELP Act, Montana’s own Medicaid solution. The problem is simple: the attacks aren’t true, and they ignore what this program has actually done for our state. Montana’s Medicaid solution has been in place for more than a decade, and the results speak for themselves. Despite the...
Dear Editor, In rural Montana, we notice who's pulling the strings. A lot of us in Madison County are conservative by instinct. We believe in hard work, personal responsibility, local control, and taking care of our own. That is exactly why we should be cautious when outside political groups like Americans for Prosperity come to Montana, recruiting politicians willing to prostrate themselves to sell a packaged version of "prosperity" in exchange for campaign funding. In a rural county,...
Dear Editor, Thank you to Jefferson Valley EMS for welcoming the Boulder Ambulance Service to the recent CPR and Refresher course. Your new building is amazing and we greatly appreciated your hospitality. ROSEMARY PERNA City Clerk/EMT Boulder,...
Dear Editor, In the upcoming November general election, two groups, Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts and Montanans for Fair and Impartial Judges, are proposing that Montana voters amend our Constitution to guarantee that judicial elections continue to be nonpartisan-as they have since 1935. This Constitutional Initiative (CI-132) proposes to add a new Section 1 to Article VII of Motana's Constitution by adding a new Section 12 that reads: Section 12. Nonpartisan Judicial Elections. Judicial...
Exemplary leadership is a characteristic that we often look for in others, although, as humans, we all have flaws or even sinful tendencies. Who is someone you admire? Christianity is no different; we are imperfect people. But Christ forgives the truly repentant. It is impossible to live sinlessly on this side of heaven, but the good news is that we can set our standards higher. It is interesting that Paul in Philippians wrote about “modeling” Christlike behavior. “All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And...
If the “use it or lose it” theory of neuroscience is correct, then we’re going to have an absolute explosion of AI-induced Alzheimer’s in the future. People say they want peace, but often mean winning without consequences. It’s a shame we didn’t get real pictures of UFOs before AI pictures and videos are going to make it harder to tell the truth. All it takes is one family of girls to wipe out a last name forever. OpenAI’s military models probably killed people who considered ChatGPT their best friend. You don’t realize how...
Dear Editor, While some people are thrilled to golf in February, I wake up with a knot in my stomach. Winter used to mean reliable snow and temperatures that stayed below freezing. Now we hover in the 40s and even 50s. I find myself asking: Why can't I ski this year? What will this mean for wildfire season? For water? For summer? If you feel that too, it's easy to slip into helplessness. The climate feels too big, too global, too far beyond our control. But there is one practical step we can...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, your natural charisma is at an all-time high right now. A bold idea you’ve been sitting on finally gets the green light. Put your plan into action this week. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Comfort and luxury find you this week, Taurus. Expect a heartwarming moment in your personal or professional life that restores your sense of peace and well-being, GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Your social circle may expand this week in the best way possible, Gemini. A new connection brings a refreshing perspective to a creative project. Now...
Opal Joyce Held, lovingly known as Joyce, was born on October 23, 1930, in Butte, Montana to Cecil & Leona Atkinson. She had two brothers and one sister, all deceased. Joyce married her lifelong love, John "Jack" Held, and together they made their home in Whitehall, Montana. Their life was built on enduring love, partnership, and a deep commitment to each other and their family. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and family was always her greatest joy. She was a true and loyal...
Governor Greg Gianforte and Montana Department of Revenue (DOR) Director Brendan Beatty announced an extension for property owners to apply for the Homestead and Long-Term Rental Reduced Property Tax Rates. The new deadline is March 20, 2026. This extension is a direct response to intermittent technical issues with the department’s online application portal caused by a high volume of last-minute filings. “Our top priority is delivering permanent and meaningful property tax relief to the hardworking Montanans who call this state home,...
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 00:19:42 Traffic Offense: Kountz Rd 06:52:07 Traffic Stop: W Legion St 07:06:54 Medical: Jackrabbit Ln 09:26:55 Agency Assist: I-90 09:33:49 Motorist Assist: I-90 11:28:48 Extra Patrol: Hwy 2 E 12:16:10 Citizen Assist: Yellowstone Trl 13:30:16 Reckless Driver: I-90 14:53:38 Traffic Stop: Hwy 55 15:36:29 Traffic Stop 16:06:33 Suspicious Vehicle: Whitetail Rd 16:56:53 Traffic Stop: S Division St 17:34:56 Citizen Assist: Whitetail Rd 17:35:05 Dog at Large: Thriftway 18:44:29...
Whitehall Indivisible (WI) has decided to shift its weekly meeting date back to Wednesdays. WI will host Patrick Sullivan, newly declared candidate for HD 75, at the WI meeting on March 18 at 6 PM in the Whitehall School Library. WI will not host a No Kings III protest in Whitehall on Saturday, March 28; rather, WI will add its numbers to the larger protests in surrounding communities, with over 20 sites anticipated in Montana. Whitehall Indivisible is a nonpartisan, pro-democracy group of locals that takes active steps against government...
The Whitehall Lady Trojan's basketball team had a strong showing at the district tournament and will advance to the next round of the postseason, while the boys' basketball team saw its season come to an end in postseason play. The Trojan Ladies basketball team secured a third-place finish at the District 5B Tournament, capping its run with a 42-36 victory over Townsend on Saturday, February 28. Whitehall opened the tournament with a 48-43 win over Townsend in the first round on Thursday before...
The Butte U14 Junior Irish Hockey Team recently won the state championship tournament in Billings. Coming into the weekend as the $5 seed, WHS freshman Carley Ryan and her teammates beat #2 seed Helena 7-1 for the championship. Carley finished her weekend with two goals and four assists. Carley's hockey season continues with a Montana Wolves U14 women's tournament in Phoenix, then on to Nationals in Detroit. Congratulations and good luck,...
