Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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At the first school board meeting of the 2022-2023 school year, it was overwhelmingly obvious that students will be returning to a much-improved school fall. “The custodial and maintenance teams deserve a ton of credit,” Superintendent Hannah Nieskens said. “At the beginning of the summer we weren’t sure if everything would get done before school started, but it is.” Nieskens listed off a few of the many repairs and updates made over the summer, including: • 91 windows replaced • 27 rooms in the Elementary school refloored, • new flooring in...
The Jefferson River Watershed Council would like to inform Jefferson Valley residents that the river has reached the 280 CFS drought management flow trigger at the Twin Bridges USGS gauge. JRWC is asking for voluntary reductions in irrigation and municipal water use. Weekly meetings with water users will be coordinated by the JRWC. The goal of the voluntary reductions is to maintain a minimum flow of 50 CFS at the Waterloo USGS gauge. Additionally, FWP will evaluate the need for a mandatory fishing closure. To stay up to date on current and...
As the summer continues on, so does the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce's mural restoration/renewal project. The first mural to be replaced is located on the south side of Jefferson Fresh Foods. Artist Kit Mather has been working hard and conscientiously to finish and her results and work are completely spectacular. As with any project, there will be ongoing costs for the Whitehall Chamber-sponsored project. Most expenses have thus far been covered by generous grants from the Jefferson Valley...
The internet is all abuzz about a recent video showing Chef Gordon Ramsay saying it's "oven time" and "yummy yum" to a lamb he's selected to eat. Why is this so funny, to me at least? Because of its timing, as we finish the Madison County Fair and move on to the Jefferson County Fair. Each year hundreds of 4H club members select, raise, and then sell their animals - with most buyers intending to slaughter and eat them. Bidders come from far and wide to see whose animal will weigh the most and...
Dear Editor, These are just a few thoughts running through my head for a couple of years now. What if the recent so-called pandemic (some say Plandemic) has been a blessing in disguise?! Now, whether one believes there’s anything to all these conspiracy theories floating around or not, one must admit though it has been quite painful, much if not all of what has been revealed in the past years is eye-opening. And that is, to say the least! When this pandemic hit our shores back in early 2020, after spreading waves of terror around the world, d...
Calling all parents and grandparents! Time to get your kids’ exhibits ready for “A Fair of the Heart,” the Jefferson County Fair, August 25-28, at the Jefferson County Recreation Park one-half mile south of Boulder. Every exhibit gets a ribbon and there are cash prizes for purple, heart, and best in show ribbons. Fair events and contests include: · Art, photography, crafts, cooking, sewing, canning: you name it, we have a category for it or we will make one up. See the fair book for entry ideas. People can enter exhibits in the fair no matter w...
The Jefferson Valley Community Foundation is calling all area non-profits. The opportunity to apply for monetary grants is fast approaching. As in past years, the Whitehall Community Library under the direction of Library Director Jeannie Ferriss will direct a grant class for those wishing to enter the grant cycle for the JVCF organization’s grant awards. The Grant Workshop will be held on August 20 from 10 AM until noon. Those unable to make the grant writing class may pick up grant applications at the library. All applicants are reminded t...
There are lots of people that don’t get any compliments because everyone already thinks they get complimented. A lot of people have stung their eyes from opening them underwater after seeing people on TV do it flawlessly. The crust is bread armor. The more sleep-deprived you get the more dreamlike everything becomes. Rule breakers, anarchists, eccentrics, nonconformists, selfish people, and megalomaniacs; whether we like it or not, they drive society forward and ensure we continue to evolve and survive. Before TikTok and Instagram, it was f...
Dear Jo, I was just daydreaming and thinking a lot today. I was thinking about how crazy it is that a person has walked on the moon and on Mars. Do you think a person will ever walk on the sun? I know it’s really hot but I am thinking if they went in the wintertime when the sun is only like 30 degrees they could probably do it. What do you think? Sunny Daydreamin’ Dear Sunny, Hmmmmmmm...maybe we need to revisit our basic knowledge of science and the universe. While life on Earth would not exist without our huge hot glowing ball of gas, lif...
Back by popular demand, the Montana Historical Society once again is asking collectors to show off their treasures during special monthly "pop-up" exhibits. The pop-up exhibits will be held on Second Saturdays this fall – Sept. 10, Oct.8, and Nov. 11 – in the lobby of the Montana Historical Society, 225 No. Roberts in Helena. The MTHS is searching for collectors who want to show off everything from telephones to toys, menus to matchboxes, bonnets to bandanas. "Last spring's pop-up exhibits were a big hit with our visitors, so we decided to do i...
I have long been known to have pet peeves about the debris hikers drop along trails, but one piece of litter has become more annoying: the ubiquitous facial tissue. A used tissue lying boldly in the middle of the path could indicate a person who does not know better. But a tissue stashed under a rock demonstrates that somebody knows it should be carried out, and is attempting to hide the evidence. While wearily picking up the umpteenth piece of used paper along a trail recently, I had to wonder why hikers don’t use handkerchiefs, or that i...
August 13, 1997 Local and state law enforcement officers made four arrests and confiscated nearly 300 marijuana plants during an August 6, 1997, pre-dawn raid on a home about eight miles south of Whitehall that resulted in what officials called one of the biggest drug busts in Jefferson County history. Jefferson County Undersheriff Tim Campbell, a 19-year veteran of the County Sheriff’s office, said the drug operation at 150 Fish Creek Road was “very sophisticated” and the biggest in his memory. Jason Schwartz, 28, and his wife Theresa, 29, b...
Some echo the words “There is nothing free in life” The pessimist opines, “In one way or another there’s some sort of catch.” Sadly some relationships are founded on play for play or a hard fast IOU. Power and greed infect our lives way too easily. Here’s some refreshing news: the Bible teaches us there is a far better way. In a world enamored with self-centeredness, God’s kingdom is quite opposite. God offers each of us a free gift. Jesus through an act of selfless love paid the price for our sin. This grace is offered to any person, no ma...
Vera Jensen was born in Colfax, Washington, March 31, 1929 to Charles and Ivy Watson. She was the youngest of six girls, hence the nickname, Tince. Her family moved from Pullman, WA, to the Fife area near Tacoma where Vera graduated valedictorian of her class. In 1948, she married Lynn Jensen when he returned from the Pacific Theater serving in the Marines. She had great pleasure in sharing family history and stories. Her memory was amazing, the stories were always the same! Lynn and Vera lived... Full story
Our brave Sarah left us Wednesday, August 10, 2022, after a nine-year battle with brain cancer. She died peacefully at home in the arms of her loving family. Sarah was born April 19, 1982, to Leslie and Robert Clark in the hospital in Sheridan, Montana, and grew up on the family ranch in Waterloo, Montana. She grew up riding horses and driving the family's Pinto Belgians. At age 7, she rode her horse from Bannack to Helena for the 3 weeks of the Montana Centennial Wagon Train. Sarah attended... Full story
This Saturday, August 20th, from 10 AM to noon, the Library will hold a grant writing workshop with an emphasis on local grants and grant paperwork. So many non-profit organizations are finding their funding harder and harder to raise, making grants a wonderful alternative source of funding. The workshop is free to the public and everyone is invited. If you are coming, please contact the Library so you may be added to the list for supplies and handouts. The Library's number is 1-406-287-3763....
It should come as no surprise that playgrounds and parks play an important role in children’s lives and development. And with Whitehall making decisions as to its own playground, it seems a good time to look at why playgrounds are important and what features set some above the rest. Playgrounds give kids a chance to let out their energy while at the same time relax and access their playful nature. They tap into children’s imaginations and creative play. A well-designed playground invites different types of play: active, creative, sensory, ima...
On behalf of Whitehall Middle and High School, I welcome everyone to the start of the 2022-23 school year, I am honored to serve the Whitehall Community as the 6-12 Principal. I look forward to working together with the leadership team, staff, students, and parents to create a tradition of excellence. School is an adventure that is filled with ups, downs, challenges, and opportunities. Attendance and attitude are two factors that are proven to benefit learning and increase opportunities. The staff and I are committed to providing a safe...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comments from the public on a set of recommendations for commercial-use and recreation management on the Madison River, one of the most popular fisheries and recreation destinations in the state. Public input in this process is especially important because it could inform recreation management for other rivers in Montana. The recommendations were developed by a 12-person work group representing a variety of interests that the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission tasked with looking at management...
A full fishing closure will go into effect on a section of the upper Big Hole River due to low flows. The closure begins at the river’s confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River upstream to Saginaw Bridge. This section will be closed to fishing starting at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11. The closure will remain in place until lifted by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in consultation with the Big Hole Watershed Committee, or until Oct. 31. The fishing closure replaces a hoot owl fishing restriction that has been in place here since J...
For the last 41 years, Montanans have donated their bodies to the Montana Body Donation Program (MBDP). Some Montanans are motivated by the desire to make a contribution to medical education. Others donate because they want to recognize the value and importance of using bodies for educating present and future health professionals about human anatomy. These include doctors, nurses, dentists, physician’s assistants, physical therapists, and students. Still, others donate because of their hope that knowledge will be gained to help future p...
Block Management Area (BMA) Program information for 2022 will be available to hunters beginning Aug. 10. Hunters can request their BMA Access Guide online and can print individual BMA property maps and rules at https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/access/blockmanagement. The FWP website, https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/access/blockmanagement, allows hunters to download the Access Guide, up-to-date BMA maps and rules for every individual BMA enrolled in the program. These individual BMA property maps and rules are...
When preparing meals at home, cooks know that it helps to have a few simple, easily prepared dishes in their culinary repertoire. These are dishes that don't require too much planning and utilize certain staples that are present in everyone's pantry. Such is the case with this recipe for Crunchy Cucumber Salad with Crushed Peanuts from Ruta Kahate's 5 Spices, 50 Dishes (Chronicle Books). Most of the ingredients for this flavorful salad are likely already in your kitchen, and it won't be long after you begin preparing the recipe that you'll be s...
