Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 1009 - 1033 of 1331
Enrollment numbers continue to rise at the two Whitehall secondary schools. At the Board of Trustees meeting last week, Whitehall 6-12 Principal Hannah Nieskens said the enrollment at the high school is now 139 after recently adding two freshman and a sophomore. She said they also added a student in the middle school, bringing the sixth to eighth grade total to 86. “It‘s exiting we are getting more kids,” Nieskens aid. K-5 Principal Britt McLean reported a total attendance of 182. He said there are 26 in kindergarten, 26 in first grade, 32 in...
Hi Folks, At last week’s regular meeting we gave final Plat approval for the Ridge Minor Subdivision near Clancy and approved Resolution 37-2017 which created The Ridge Rural Maintenance District. We also had a lengthy discussion with a couple of Library Board members about maintenance of the Library Building in Boulder. The building and land are owned jointly by the City and County. The Library is responsible for the maintenance of the building and grounds, which includes lawn care and snow plowing. The Board members didn’t think they got all...
Chuchos Tacos in Whitehall has a new home. The restaurant that was previously located at 14 East Legion has moved into the Chief Motel Building at 303 East Legion. Owner Heather Fortin said they have been working on the move for the past several weeks and are hoping to re-open October 17. Fortin said she now owns the Chief and the restaurant portion is a tiny, yet very cozy location. Fortin added she has also applied for a beer and wine license. Since opening in June, Fortin said they have a...
A free water rights workshop is taking place Thursday, October 5 at the Borden’s Hotel Conference Room in Whitehall at 6 p.m. The workshop is being hosted by Ponderosa Advisors LLC, and will focus on recent letters sent to land and water right owners by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). The five water rights questions that will be answered at the workshop are: 1. Do I need to file for an old stock or domestic water right? 2. How do I protect my current water use? 3. I received a handful of “Review Abs... Full story
The Jefferson Valley Community Foundation will host their Fall Grant Cycle Awards next week. The event will take place October 12 in the Borden’s Conference Room at 7:00 p.m. 2017 grants will be presented to area nonprofits and will also include an Ice Cream Social. They JFCF is happy announce that Amy Sullivan, Montana Community Foundation’s Director of Gift Planning will make a presentation of Legacy Planning and the Montana Endowment Tax Credit at the event. Amy will also present a program at the Senior Center at noon, and at the Bar... Full story
When it comes to solar power, off-the-grid guru Christopher Borton of Whitehall seems to have a direct line to the sun. Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO) Expo participants will find out on Saturday, Oct. 21, when Borton gives a solar power-directed workshop, one of a dozen sustainability-themed skill and resource sharing sessions on the agenda. Borton's workshop, "Energy 201: PV 4 U," will provide participants with the tools and knowledge they need to explore putting solar panels... Full story
Hi Folks, At our regular meeting last week we were finally able to get all of the various levies in from the Towns and Schools so we could approve Resolution 32-2017, Fixing Tax Levies for FY 17-18. We also approved Resolution 33-2017, Declaring October Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Jefferson County. We encourage all County employees to wear pink on Tuesdays throughout October to show support. We had an appraisal done on a piece of property in Basin and we decided to advertise in the paper for anyone interested in purchasing the property.... Full story
The Town of Whitehall has cancelled the November 7 General Election for municipal officer positions. Because there is no election, five will be elected to municipal positions by acclimation. Mary Janacaro Hensleigh will be the new Mayor, Katy James is elected as a Council Member in Ward 1, Barbara Gagnon is elected in Ward 2, and Jason Good and Montina Rawson are elected in Ward 3. According to a Resolution 2017-3, passed Wednesday night by the Whitehall Town Council, Montana HB 447 authorizes a municipality to cancel a general election for... Full story
The Federal Aviation Administration and Montana Highway Patrol are investigating a plane accident that took place the afternoon of September 21 in Whitehall. According to Jefferson County Sheriff Craig Doolittle, a plane was apparently taxiing on the runway when it got away from the pilot and ran into a house at 36 S. Centurion Way. Doolittle stated no injuries were reported. Attempts to obtain information from the FAA were unsuccessful as of press time.... Full story
Each year people from all over the world descend upon Lewis and Clark Caverns, with thousands coming during the summer to take part in the popular cave tours. While a dedicated and thoroughly knowledgeable Montana State Parks staff does an amazing job keeping the Caverns one of the true gems of Montana, volunteers also play an integral role in helping things run smoothly. "Volunteers are an essential part of daily operations at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park," said Brian Turner with the... Full story
Monday, Sept. 18 12:40 a.m. – abandoned auto, Hwy 69, Whitehall 8:15 a.m. – traffic/ reckless, I-90 eastbound, MM 252, Whitehall 9:10 a.m. - suspicious/person/vehicle/circumstance, Hwy 2 East, MM 9-10, Cardwell 10:12 a.m. - suspicious/person/vehicle/circumstance, 3 Commercial Way, Whitehall 10:57 a.m. – stolen property, 91 First Road, Whitehall 11:58 a.m. – civil assist, 40 Friendspring Road, Whitehall 2:12 p.m. – traffic/ motorcycle, I-90 westbound, MM 259, Cardwell 2:24 p.m. - neighborhood disputes, Whitetail Road, Whitehall 5:58 p.m. – stray... Full story
The courtroom exudes formality. An ornate chandelier looms in the space over Bella Dally. Above it is the intricately detailed ceiling of Judge John Larson's court. For Dally, this intimidating room with its gold columns and rich wood is a place where she feels welcomed and respected. Larson presides over the family drug court he established in Missoula close to ten years ago. His was the first drug treatment court in Montana. This is a place Dally once dreamed of standing, but as an attorney... Full story
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
Officials at the Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine are pleased with the current progress of underground operations at the site. At the Community Transition Advisory Meeting last week, Mine General Manager Dan Banghart reported the production in August was 3,300 ounces, they have already completed a four-day mill run in September -- with an eight-day run scheduled this week. “The underground continues to do quite well,” Banghart said. While the grade of the ore is still not what they would like, Banghart said they are making up for it with ton... Full story
Monday, Sept. 11 4:57 a.m. – animal problem, Paul Gulch Road, Whitehall 7:00 a.m. – animal problem, 206 1st Street West, Whitehall 10:35 a.m. – criminal mischief, Whitetail Road, MM 16, Whitehall 10:54 a.m. – hit & run, Hwy 2 West, Whitehall 12:53 p.m. – property found, Hwy 2 West Whitehall 1:11 p.m. – public safety, 55 Skyline Drive, Whitehall 3:02 p.m. - traffic accident/2 vehicles/non-injury, Legion Avenue, Whitehall 3:23 p.m. – abandoned auto, I-90 westbound, MM 233, Whitehall 3:44 p.m. - suicide attempted adult male, 44 Kountz Road,... Full story
With the first case of influenza confirmed in Jefferson County last week and several others in 5 other Montana counties, it looks like the 2017-18 flu season has begun. Last Friday, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced that 14 laboratory-confirmed influenza infections were reported across the state, with 3 of them hospitalized. Ages of the patients ranged from infant to 91 years. Other counties reporting flu were Cascade, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, Flathead, and Yellowstone. This is an abrupt start to the... Full story
Hi Folks, Interesting change of weather this past week. There wasn’t much easing into the change. It went from the 90’s to the 40’s in about three days. This should go a long way toward ending our fire season for this year, especially since we have more rain and snow forecasted for the next few days. At our regular meeting last week we gave final plat approval to the Amended Palmer Minor Subdivision. We approved having our Recreation Department submit a grant request to develop a new website that will highlight all of the recreation oppor... Full story
The FAA and Montana Highway Patrol are investigating a plane accident Thursday afternoon in Whitehall. According to Jefferson County Sheriff Craig Doolittle, a plane was apparently taxiing on the runway when it got away from the pilot and ran into a house at 36 S. Centurion Way. Doolittle stated no injuries were reported. Look for more information in the September 27 issue of the Whitehall Ledger.... Full story
The Whitehall Town Council is looking for proposals on what to do with the Ambulance Barn located at 207 West Legion. At their regular meeting Monday night, the Council approved to advertise requests for proposals on the space that was most recently used by the Community Beacon of Hope Inc. Ambulance Service. Town Attorney Ed Guza and Deputy Town Attorney Elizabeth Musick will draft the advertisement to meet legal specifications. Mayor Dale Davis said people want to know what they are going to do with the building, and asked permission to... Full story
Monday, Sept. 4 2:35 a.m. – agency assist, 700 Cottonwood Road, Cardwell 11:05 a.m. - traffic/roads parking, Whitetail Road, Whitehall 11:20 a.m. – traffic stop, Whitetail Road, MM 8, Whitehall 4:03 p.m. – traffic stop, Hwy 359, Cardwell 4:27 p.m. – traffic stop, 1455 Hwy 2 East, Cardwell 4:49 p.m. – traffic/reckless, I-90 eastbound, MM 259, Whitehall 6:13 p.m. - suspicious/person/vehicle/circumstance, Robbins Lane, Whitehall 8:37 p.m. – traffic stop, Hwy 69, MM 15, Cardwell 9:09 p.m. - public safety-fire/smoke, I-90 westbound, MM 263, Cardwe... Full story
In an effort to raise money to upgrade their building at 501 N. Whitehall St., the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce is conducting a Gun Raffle. The prize is a Precision Guns Custom Rifle Combo Package, a $4,200 value. The package includes a rifle up to 300 Ultra Mag (winners choice), scope, load development, and hunting turrets. Chamber Treasurer Jill Dove said they are trying to do their part to beautify Whitehall and provide for a better tourist experience. Dove said there are plans for a pavilion with a picnic table and brochure holders so... Full story
The annual Whitehall Fall Gun, Knight and Antique show is just a few days away. The popular annual event is scheduled to take place September 8 to 10 at the Whitehall Community Center located at 11 N. Division St. The show is sponsored the Whitehall VFW and American Legion, and the Weapons Collectors Society of America. The event will take place September 8 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., September 9 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and September 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Organizer Tom Harrington told the Ledger earlier this year what makes the Whitehall show... Full story
Local businesses were honored last Wednesday night in Whitehall at the Jefferson Local Development Corporation annual dinner and awards. JLDC Co-Manager Tom Harrington addressed the crowd at the conclusion of the dinner, and thanked current members for their support. He said after the loss of 250 jobs at the MDC in Boulder, a big priority for JLDC in the past year has been in Boulder. He discussed the creation of the Boulder Transition Advisory Committee, adding the future is bright for the... Full story
The Conrow Fire that started August 24 near Whitehall is nearly 100 percent contained. The latest update September 5 from the United States Forest Service showed the fire was 97 percent contained. The fire transitioned to a local Type IV Incident Command September 3. Sunday was the last shift for the Nevada Type 3 Incident Management team, who had been running operations. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 12 personnel on the fire. The number peaked last week at 160. The total acreage of the fire is 2,741. The fire caused by lighting is seven... Full story
Hi Folks, I hope everyone had a great Labor Day. At our regular meeting last week we held a series of four Public Hearings. The first Hearing was for the use of Title III funds that we have received over several years from Secure Rural School’s money. Since Congress has not reauthorized that payment the program is ending and we need to obligate the funds we have. The use of the money is very limited. We are proposing to use some of it to purchase a Curtain Burner, which would allow us to burn woody waste at our transfer sites without the d... Full story
