Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 721 - 745 of 1320
As of Wednesday morning, there were a total of 208 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Montana, with two of the positive tests in Jefferson County. Gallatin County currently has 76 positive tests and there are six in Madison County. There have currently been 4,918 tests completed statewide, 17 hospitalizations, and five deaths related to COVID-19. Jefferson County Public Health Supervisor Karen Wandel announced the second confirmed case in Jefferson County on March 27. "The person has been notified...
Governor Steve Bullock issued a Directive last Thursday requiring Montanans to stay home and temporarily closes all nonessential businesses and operations to curtail the spread of COVID-19. The order, will buy time for health care workers on the frontlines and seeks to limit long term impacts to the state's economy. "In consultation with public health experts, health care providers, and emergency management professionals, I have determined that to protect public health and human safety, it is...
There were 12 new cases of COVID-19 reported Monday, five Tuesday, and three Wednesday in Montana bringing the statewide total to 53. The first reported case in Jefferson County was announced Tuesday afternoon. There are two reported cases in Madison County and 19 in Gallatin County. Governor Steve Bullock announced Tuesday that school closures, as well as dine-in and bar restrictions would remain in effect till April 10. Local businesses and organizations are continuing to be impacted by the...
On Thursday of last week, Governor Steve Bullock declared a state of emergency to exist within the state of Montana related to the communicable disease COVID-19 novel coronavirus. In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, later Bullock announced Sunday a two-week closure of public schools in the state from March 16 to March 27. The directives announced by Bullock also included limited visitation at nursing homes, and public guidance regarding social distancing. Jefferson County Public Health...
A high-level Barrick Gold official is optimistic about the planned TSF 1 Tailings Reprocessing project at the Golden Sunlight Mine near Whitehall. Patrick Malone, Vice President of Closure and Governance for Barrick North America, told Community Transition Advisory Committee members last week the company is very excited about the project. He added the TSF 1 project would keep the site open for another ten years with the potential for much longer with the proposed TSF 2 project. "I'm extremely...
Following on the heels of January's abundant snowfall, February also delivered above normal to record-setting snowfall in mountain ranges supplying water to regional rivers and streams. New records were set for February snowfall at seven mountain SNOTEL (SNOwpack TELemetry) sites in southern and central Montana that were favored by the unstable north-northwest flow coming from Canada during the first three weeks of the month. The recovery in snowpack was well timed. "January and February snowfal...
A gray wolf was shot March 1 on private property north of Boulder. According to Montana FWP Game Warden Bill Dawson, the wolf was shot by an employee of the landowner/ranch. Dawson conducted a field investigation and determined the take was lawful. "Landowners (or a 'landowner's agent') may take a wolf on their private property if it poses a potential threat to livestock, human safety, or dogs, and it must be reported to FWP within 24 hours. In this case, it was in a calving pasture next to...
As part of the Western Montana Zone, Jefferson County is, as of March 1st, transitioning from the winter burning season into the open burn period that runs annually from March through the end of November. While the air quality restrictions are relaxed during this open burn period, burn permits are still required for fires over 48" in size. Those who need a permit can log onto the system at https://app.mt.gov/burnpermit/ to purchase and activate their permits. Remember that your permit must be...
The deadline to file declarations for Jefferson County offices in the upcoming election is March 9 at 5 p.m. The county offices open for the June 2 primary are County Commissioner (District 2), the Clerk of Court, Justice of the Peace, Superintendent of Schools and the Jefferson Valley Conservation Supervisor. The filing fee for the six-year commission seat that includes the communities of Boulder, Basin, Elk Park, Bernice, Jefferson City, and Clancy is $319.67. The seat is currently held by...
The 2020 Whitehall Area Phone books have been printed and are now available at various local businesses. The popular annual book can currently be found at the Corner Store, Jefferson Fresh Foods, A&W/KFC, Whitehall Chamber, Cardwell Store, Whitehall Community Library, Pepper Tree and Ledger Office. Ledger Publisher Jack Smith said the books are a great way to not only find the phone number you are looking for but to see the many local business options. "There are a lot of great businesses...
There was some recent positive news for the feasibility study for a possible meat co-op processing facility in the Whitehall area. JLDC Manager Alison Richardson said in-conjunction with the Headwaters RC&D, they have received a $30,000 Big Sky Trust Fund grant for the study. At a meet in late December, Tom Harrington with the Jefferson Local Development Corporation and MSU Extension detailed how the co-op could be a benefit for local producers, tying the project in with a pet food processor,...
Join Johnny Appleseed and his pioneer friends as they plant apple orchards across the West this Saturday, February 22 when the Missoula Children's Theatre and more than 40 Whitehall students present an original musical adaptation of the classic tale, “Johnny Appleseed”. The performance is scheduled for Saturday, February 22 at 2 p.m. at the Tia Kober Gym. Tickets are free but they will be accepting donations. Playing the title character of Johnny are local students Cooper Montgomery and Alannah Leonti. Other featured performers include Mik...
Abundant moisture spilled into the Treasure State from the Pacific during January, boosting snowpack in all river basins to near or above normal for February 1. In some locations, the amount of water added to the snowpack was record setting. Between December 30 and February 1, SNOTEL (SNOwpack TELemetry) sites west of the Continental Divide received up to 18 inches of snow water equivalent, roughly proportionate to 100 to 150+ inches of snowfall. Five SNOTEL sites would go on to set new records...
After tabling the issue last month, the Whitehall Council will once again be discussing a possible medicinal marijuana dispensary in town limits. The topic will be on the agenda at their February 10 meeting. The Council voted unanimously January 13 to table the vote on a business license for Peace of Mind Dispensary. The proposed business would be owned by Chris Nelson and Martina Iwen and located at 401 E. Legion. The grower for the business would be David Nelson of Livingston. The business...
After a quiet start to the flu season last October, 2020 has brought a fair amount of influenza B and recently influenza A to Jefferson County. According to Public Health Supervisor Karen Wandel, their public service announcements on the county radio station have encouraged vaccination, staying home while ill, and seeking medical care as necessary. "We are now beginning to see some influenza A which can be more severe than flu B. Although we've had over thirty flu cases reported in the past...
The lineup has been announced for the 2020 Headwaters Country Jam scheduled for Thursday, June 18 to Saturday, June 20 at the "Bridge" near Cardwell. The headlining acts for the festival are Midland, Clay Walker, and Dustin Lynch and tickets will go on sale Friday, January 24. Other acts scheduled are Ashley McBryde, Tanya Tucker, Rayne Johnson, Mitchell Tenpenny, the Cadillac Three, Meghan Patrick, Ryan Griffin, Craig Morgan, Blanco Brown, Madison Kozak, and Tim Montana. Prior to last year's...
To make her new album, "While I'm Livin'," it could be said Tanya Tucker went on the musical equivalent of a blind date. When Tucker arrived at in Los Angeles to get into the studio, she had not discussed the type of album she was going to make with Shooter Jennings, the co-producer for the project. Before arriving for the recording session, Tucker had also not met Brandi Carlile, heard her music and knew very little about Carlile, who teamed up with her long-time musical partners, Phil and Tim...
There will be two open seats on the Whitehall School Board in the upcoming May 5 election. According to District Clerk Patti Drake, the three-year seat currently held by Jeff Briggs in Whitehall School District 4 and 47, as well as the three-year seat currently held by Paul Shaw in Whitehall School District 2 (Cardwell) are both open this year. The district is asking anyone interested in seeking election to submit a Declaration of Intent and Oath of Candidacy prior to Thursday, March 26, at 4 p.m. The forms are available at the District...
Members of the Whitehall Town Council will need more time to decide if they will approve a business license for a medical marijuana dispensary. At their monthly meeting Monday, the Council voted unanimously to table the approval of a business license for Peace of Mind Dispensary. The proposed business would be owned by Chris Nelson and Martina Iwen and located at 401 E. Legion. The grower for the business would be David Nelson of Livingston. The business would be open Tuesday to Saturday from...
The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG) Groundwater Investigation Program (GWIP) conducted a groundwater study in the Upper Jefferson Valley. This study was partly funded by Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine, and Madison and Jefferson Counties. On January 27, The MBMG will present an overview of the findings and recommendations from this study and will take questions. The presentations will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Borden Conference Room, 103 West Legion, in Whitehall. The purpose...
Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) would like to announce and invite the public to comment on a proposal to resurface approximately 8.4 miles of State Highway 29. The project begins approximately 4 miles north of Silver Star at the Junction of MT-41 and MT-55 and extends north 8.4 miles ending at the Junction of MT-41 and MT-2 (Locally known as Cactus Jct.). Proposed work includes seal and cover (chip seal), upgraded pavement markings, signage and guardrail. The purpose of the project...
It was a busy year in 2019 for the Whitehall Schools. In April, the school board voted 6-0 in favor of hiring current high school principal Hannah Nieskens as the new Superintendent. She took over for John Sullivan who resigned at the end of the summer. Nieskens had served as principal of the high school since the 2015-16 school year and has been named Montana High School Principal of the Year and was one of three finalists for the National High School Principal of the Year. In May, the...
Over the past few months, the idea of a Co-operative Meat Processing Facility in Jefferson County has sparked an interest from local producers, government officials, and local organizations. The idea was once again discussed last week at a joint meeting between the Jefferson and Madison County Commissions. In a presentation at the meeting, Tom Harrington with the Jefferson Local Development Corporation and MSU Extension detailed how the co-op could be a benefit for local producers, tying the...
In August of 2020 the Rockin' The Rivers Musical Festival will be celebrating their 20th year at the event held at the "Bridge" near Three Forks. To celebrate the festival scheduled for August 13 to 15 organizers have recently been making lineup announcements each Friday and will continue to do so until this Friday, December 27. So far acts announced have included Skillet, Georgia Satellites, .38 Special, Steven Adler of Gun N' Roses and LIT. Earlier this year, co-owner Dave Hamilton discussed...
For the third consecutive year, Whitehall High School has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best high schools in Montana. Whitehall was listed by the publication as the 14th best out of 104 ranked schools in the state. Principal Melissa Robbins said they are very proud of their staff and students for their efforts. "Staff work diligently to deliver the best instruction and to create an environment where students can learn and be challenged. The students take ownership...
