Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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Dear Editor, When or if your readers read “Protect Children, Not Guns – An Initiative” in today’s Ledger, everyone should understand that it is not an Op-Ed by me. It is not an opinion. It is a fact and a reality faced by all of America’s children every day. It is my hope that many of you will “download” the entire publication of the Children’s Defense Fund’s “Protect the Children, Not Guns” and ask yourself, do I “treasure” my child/children - warm, loving, creations of God; or do I “treasure” my gun/guns – cold, hard, tools of Satan? “Fo...
On April 20, 1999, Americans witnessed a once unthinkable and no unforgettable tragedy at Columbine high School. We watched in horror as frightened children fled with their hands up, frantic parents tried to reunite with their children, and traumatized survivors told reporters about the violence they witnessed. It was the first time many of us saw these terrifying scenes. But it was far from the last. Since Columbine, an entire generation of children has suffered these sudden and terrifying...
Dear Editor, Why are our county election administrator Bonnie Ramey and state representative Marta Bertoglio supporting voter suppression bill HB176, which eliminates same day voter registration on Election Day? 60,000 Montanans registered and voted on Election Day over the past 15 years. Montanans have shown their support for this same day registration law when they voted to keep this law in place several years ago. Now, our elected officials support taking away this voting right from thousands of Montanans for every future election. This is...
Dear Jo, I am a bit chubby. I guess how chubby depends on how you view weight. I am also single. I am writing because I get mixed messages about the dating scene. Some say that losing weight and getting fit is important before I venture into dating. Others stress that I will only be happy with someone who can accept and care about me as I am now. Do you have any advice, an opinion? Thanks! Signed, Waiting Dear Waiting, First, don’t wait for ANYTHING in your life! Go ahead and date, do anything you are interested in, no waiting. Dating can be o...
One year into this pandemic, Montanans are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our vaccines are safe and effective, COVID cases are falling thanks to the tireless efforts of our frontline health care workers, and Spring is on the horizon. But even with this good news, we still have work to do before we get through the worst public health and economic crisis in generations. Over the past year I’ve had hundreds of conversations with families, workers, doctors, educators, veterans, farmers, Tribes, and small businesses f...
Dear Jo, Have you ever heard of the 80/20 happiness rule? My sister has told our family over the years (again and again), that everything you do should fit the 80/20 happiness rule. If you are not happy at least 80 percent of the time, change whatever it is you are not happy with or in. This can be applied to your relationship, your job, your body….anything. What do you think? Signed, Percentage Overwhelmed Dear Percentage, That’s a new one for me. When I really thought about it, it made a lot of sense, for most things. If you stick with the ru...
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials announced today the state now has 19 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 virus variant strains. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified DPHHS late yesterday (March 16) and today (March 17) of 11 additional variant cases that match two California variant strains and a New York variant strain. These cases involve specimens of Montana residents that were submitted for testing dating back from January to early March 2021. These 11 cases are from Beaverhead,...
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials announced March 17th the state now has 19 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 virus variant strains. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified DPHHS of 11 additional variant cases that match two California variant strains and a New York variant strain. These cases involve specimens of Montana residents that were submitted for testing dating back from January to early March 2021. These 11 cases are from Beaverhead, Cascade, Glacier, Hill, Jefferson, Madison,...
Dear Jo, I am not sure how to say this, I guess the best way is just to get it out. I love my horse more than my husband. There it is, in black and white. I want to keep my husband, and of course, my horse. I am feeling guilty and wonder if I need to admit to my husband that if I had to choose, it would be my beloved horse. Is that a terrible thing? Should I come clean and tell my husband? I think he knows, he is often jealous when I head out in the hills without him. Please help me. Signed, Giddy-up Girl Dear Giddy-up, Well, this is a first, a...
Dear Editor, After reading the somewhat new and improved Whitehall Ledger over the past month, I’ve got to say...redneck bullies who have little else to do other than harrassing, threatening and attempting to intimidate the Owner/Editor of the Ledger need to get a life. A “real” life! Based on truth. Not propogranda and conspiracy theories. Haters are going to hate. That’s what they do, that’s who they are. Resist those who seek to promote division. I, and 80 million fellow Americans, did just that on November 3, 2020. Have a good day! Gera...
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials announced the brand new Southwest Montana Veterans Home (SWMVH) welcomed its first resident into the facility today, March 8. The very first Veteran to move into the facility, William "Bill" Davis, was welcomed by Governor Greg Gianforte, SWMVH Foundation members, facility staff, community members and others. The event also included a tour of the facility. Davis, age 80, is Veteran of the U.S. Air Force and retired in 1976. "This...
Dear Jo, I could really use some advice. One of my very good friends is on several dating sites. She uses a picture from about 15 years (and 40 pounds) ago. She will often share stories of this “great looking”, “super buff”, “really rich” guys who she is meeting online. I am skeptical about online dating to begin with, but how can she believe these guys really are what they are saying when she herself is not being truthful? Also, if she agrees to meet someone, how will she explain her profile? Should I talk honestly with her and warn her th...
Dear Jo, Great paper again this week – I love reading it. My favorite person in the world is Patricia Ann DeBack, I call her “Mom”. She always tells me to make sure I wear clean underwear in case I get into an accident. My second favorite person is John Wayne, I call him “Duke”. He always said “A man’s got to have a set of codes, laws to live by. I won’t be wronged. I won’t be insulted. I won’t be laid a hand on. I won’t do these things to others and require the same of them.” My third favorite person is your editor, I think I will call her ...
Farmington, a city of 45,000 in the northwestern corner of New Mexico, has run on a fossil fuel economy for a century. It is one of the only places on the planet where a 26-kiloton nuclear device was detonated underground to free up natural gas from the rock. The city’s baseball team was called the Frackers, and a home run hit out of their practice park was likely to land next to a pack of gas wells. The community’s economy and identity are so tied up with fossil fuels that the place should probably try a new name like Carbonton, Met...
Dear Jo, So, have you ever looked up into the night sky at the stars and heavens and wondered if “we’re alone”? I’m here to tell you- WE ARE NOT! I’ve met someone and she or maybe he is just the person or thing for me. Do you think we can make it work? Signed, VERY Long Distance Relationship Dear Long Distance, I am assuming you are referring to the aliens, little green people, purple people eaters? Most people have trouble with relationships that span a few hundred miles, let alone a few hundred light years. My advice would be to keep your...
Montana will lift its 14-day quarantine for out-of-state travelers as the state transitions to phase two of the Reopening the Big Sky plan on June 1, Gov. Steve Bullock announced Tuesday. Lifting the quarantine will coincide with a likely June 1 opening of Montana's gates to Yellowstone National Park in West Yellowstone, Gardiner and Cooke City, Bullock said. Yellowstone's Wyoming gates opened to travelers on Monday, May 18. The lifting of the quarantine was not initially considered part of...
The beef supply chain in the United States typically starts on a ranch like Marty Malone's, in Paradise Valley, with the birth of calves. After a summer of grazing, a cow reaches about 500 to 700 pounds. Then the cow is sold to a feedlot in the Midwest or Great Plains, where it eats feed like corn and barley to fatten up. At about 1,200 pounds and 18 months of age, it's slaughtered at a nearby packing plant. Then it's shipped to a wholesaler, who sells the meat to a restaurant or grocery store,...
Frank Joseph Heilig 1/2/1952 – 8/13/20 I would often introduce Frank Heilig as my homeless neighbor. He was that, but he described himself with a far more colorful montage; mountain man, logger, survivalist, mechanic, ham radio operator, provider of security services, fire fighter, former marine and helper to all who ask. Some of his neighbors knew him only as "GI Joe" or "Camo Guy." And some found his dress and demeanor a bit intimidating. But he wrote "I bring people together." I can attest t...
If any of you followed the state legislature this past Spring you would have read about proposals to cut state spending and funding for our schools. They did restore millions of dollars in funding for Montana schools that were originally on the chopping block but they did so by depleting a different pool of school payments. School Block Grant funding and Natural Resource payments have been diminished and the burden has been pushed to local taxpayers to make up the difference, and neither the taxpayer or our local school districts have any say.... Full story
On Labor Day, the small historic mining town of Mammoth rolled out its own brand of a "Rocky Mountain High" Music Festival. Nestled in the Tobacco Root Mountains, this year's festival was conceived and hosted by local residents, Dave and Marjorie Klem. The 3 hour music extravaganza touted a line-up that featured a diverse genre of music from mostly local talent. The Klem Brothers, Dave and Marjorie's Grandsons, kicked off the Festival with Carson Klem on Cello and Winston Klem on Viola. After th... Full story
