Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 1126 - 1150 of 1557
Dear Jo, How can you tell if someone is really sorry? I feel like people say “I’m sorry” because they believe it will make me feel better or ease a tense situation, not because they genuinely are sorry. Signed, Sick of sorry Dear Sick, You are right! I feel the only way to tell if people are really sorry is to see if their behavior changes. If the sorry is followed by the same attitude or behavior, you know it was not truly meant. Signed, Jo ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Jo, I am a nurse and I am pregnant. The other day a patient actually asked me if wa...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, love and romance are definitely in your favor this week. If you have been pondering setting up a date or taking a spouse out for a night on the town, do it. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Even the best partnerships can be challenging, Taurus. Right now neither one of you is looking to take the lead. Even if it means flipping a coin, someone has to step up. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, grab what you want this week, but remember that the more tightly you try to hang on to it, the more likely it will slip through your fingers....
If you’re strapped for time, we’re going to let the cat out of the bag right away with the theme of this email: Scrap multi-tasking. Focus on doing one thing at a time. Focus on in-the-moment unitasking. Unitasking is a practice of immersing yourself fully in the execution of the present moment. It’s an ability to be more fully aware of questions like: What exactly is happening in this moment? What do I want to get out of this moment? What do I need in this moment? Unitasking involves training—or practicing—the skill of attention, and doing one...
I’ve lived in Whitehall for 22 years now - which means I have seen nearly all of the graduating class of 2021 grow up in one way or another. And man, does that make me feel old. In 2008 when I worked for the Whitehall Ledger, I interviewed the kindergarteners about Santa and Christmas. Those kindergarteners are now the graduating class of 2021. Here were some of my favorites from those interviews: Mason Alexander: Q: What’s so special about Rudolph? A: I don’t know...oh, its special cuz his nose is red! Jamus DuBois: Q: What do you want for Chr...
Dear Editor, The most recent furor from the East has many of us scratching our heads . . . I mean, filling trash bags with gasoline, if you can believe it! What could possibly motivate someone to do something like that?! I mean, how much sense does it take to know that’s anything but safe?! Even filling plastic totes with the flammable liquid is well past the limits of common sense. So there’s a gas shortage, I get that, but why do some people have to horde it, knowing that means there may be none for somebody else? Do they just not think about...
Dear Editor, Jefferson County expects to get $2.4 million as part of the Covid-19 federal government spending program. Our County Commission is developing a plan on how to spend these monies. Their efforts, to date, appear to require some serious, thoughtful input. It appears the folks planning how to spend (or is it invest?) this windfall have overlooked where this money is really coming from. It is being stolen from our kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. How anyone can justify spending this stolen money to improve our current standard of...
Dear Editor, Another one from the Horseman: I sure would like to know who the person or person are who are trying to convince our Governor to suspend the stimulus program on June 27th. This whole thing is a scheme to force people to work for cheap labor. With the shortages of everything you can imagine, workers are scrambling for good paying jobs so they can afford the high prices they have to pay. The $484.00 pandemic check, if you add 32% for benefits and taxes, comes to $638.8 a week or $15.97 ah hour minimum wage. I think being a leader in...
Dear Jo, I recently became a grandmother for the first time. My daughter-in-law does not believe in circumcision. I have known many men who have suffered later in life because they were not circumcised. Can I step in and let them know how strongly I feel about my grandson’s future health?! Signed, Concerned Grammy Dear Grammy, To circumcise or not to circumcise is, well... not your decision. It is the decision of your beautiful grandson’s parents. It may be time to take a step back and let the scalpel fall, or not fall, where it may. Sig...
Does a day go by without news that America is a racist country? Isn’t it one of the most divisive matters of modern America? Media outlets are complicit, and they fan the flames, while at the same time chiming in “Racism has to stop.” The Democrat Senators canceled South Carolina’s Tim Scott’s bill that addressed police reform. Most objective observers concluded that their reason for doing so was to prohibit Republicans and Donald Trump success before the election. To the large issue of racism, I would like to point out an actual solution...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, altruism is a noble trait, but remember to also devote some time to your own interests. There is a way to find a balance between all of your actions. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Travel plans may be on your mind, Taurus. Weigh all of the pros and cons of traveling before purchasing your plane ticket or booking that hotel. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, when opportunities spring up sometime this week, you may need to grab that golden ring quickly or it is bound to pass you by in a flash. Then regrets may sink in. CANCER Jun 22/J...
Fairness is not a partisan issue. Fairness is the goal of the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act currently being considered in the United States Congress. The bill has bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. H.R. 1735 / S.673 is critically important to protecting the future of high-quality, local journalism in Montana and across our nation. Support is growing for the legislation, yet much more needs to be done before it can become law. This bill would make negotiations for fair compensation possible...
Dear Editor, I want to thank the Town of Whitehall and the high school teens who took time out of their day to clean the litter in the gully by my house. They did a fantastic job! I so appreciate them. Rebecca Robinson Whitehall, Montana...
Dear Editor, A letter from the Horseman: I keep hearing all these complains about how employers can’t find people to work anymore, because the pandemic checks are more than what people make working. Well, I think back forty years ago when a ranch in Pennsylvania called and wanted to pay all of my expenses - $1500.00 a month, plus a home and all utilities – to come out and ride colts and do ranch work. Nowadays, it probably still pays the same. I feel employers should pay the same as a pandemic check of $484.00 a week, plus taxes and ben...
Dear Jo, I believe that I am Flying Solo’s mom (letter in last weeks paper). She put her question very nicely, being loved is definitely not all bad. I think a family get-together, honest and open might help, but does not always work, feelings still get hurt. Be happy Solo, your family loves you so much. Do what you do, then let them deal with it. Signed, the Bubble Wrapper Dear Bubble Wrapper, Thank you for writing in. I hope Solo reads this weeks paper. I am sure your comments will be appreciated. Signed, Jo ~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Jo, How many p...
One hundred thirty thousand dollars. That’s what it takes for a down payment to buy an average-priced home in Bozeman, Montana. Then an aspiring homeowner must fork out another $3,000 each month, which is more than two-thirds of their household’s paychecks if they make the median income for the metro area. That’s because the average home in the greater Bozeman area is going for more than $650,000, up from an already astronomical $500,000 in early 2020. A couple of tenured professors at the local Montana State University might be able to swing...
Montana is facing a housing crisis. A lack of affordable housing is keeping working Montanans out of homes and forcing families to pay up 50% or more of their monthly incomes in rent. Lumber prices and labor shortages make it even tougher for developers to offer affordable homes to working families. HB 397 bill will provide a state-based funding resource to help private developers make homes affordable and economical. Both chambers of the 67th Montana Legislature passed House Bill 397, and it is now on the Governor’s desk. The only thing s...
How often have you heard or said that age-old nursery rhyme—to yourself or someone you care about? Probably more times than you can remember. And while it has good intentions, the reality is it couldn’t be further from the truth… Words have tremendous power. They can hurt, and they can heal. They can tear down someone’s world or build it up. Thanks in part to broadened lines of communication (like social media and text messaging), people are more likely than ever to rip each other apart with hurtful words (as they hide behind the veil of tech...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 It could be that you are very aware of things going on around you this week, Aries. Unfortunately, many of them will be out of your control. Still, keep an open mind. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Relax and settle down for a few days, Taurus. Take some time to enjoy the people around you and try to travel to some new locales along the way. A little vacation can be helpful. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Don’t be surprised if some relatively minor details cause a setback in the days ahead, Gemini. Some heightened focus might be in order. Try t...
Dear Editor, I’m not pro-vaccine, but neither will I condemn those who are. I may sadly shake my head and walk away, but I will not condemn their choice. I will not be taking the vaccine (not willingly, anyway), for somewhat the same reason as others who will not take it. "It’s too new!" That’s true enough, though apparently it has been tested to whatever extent. This, however, is not the main reason; the main reason I’m not going take it is because, admittedly, I’m a bit of a conspiracy theorist! No, I don’t wear a tin foil hat, though, som...
Dear Editor, There has been a lot of discussion lately about the town of Whitehall and its financial state. It has apparently not been managing its money very well. There have been some major accounting problems, some major shortcomings in funds due to these accounting issues. Using this an excuse, the town decided to try and raise the mill levies in town to make up for the shortcomings. This is a typical government answer to money woes. The right thing to do before raising taxes, especially in a community like Whitehall that has a large...
Dear Editor, Most of us would agree that we need to invest in our crumbling infrastructure. What we disagree on is defining infrastructure and how to pay for it. A conventional definition, which would include upgrading roads, bridges, rail, airports, clean water and sewage systems is certainly the bare minimum that is needed. However, in a modern and quickly changing world, doing just the bare minimum is not enough to remain competitive with China and the rest of the world. Infrastructure should also include research, development and...
Dear readers, I am going to post a Dear Jo which I have taken the liberty of rewriting to make the content ok to print. To my Dear Jo writer, I hope I both represent your question and give good advice! Jo Dear Jo, I have a big problem….My boyfriend is cheating on me. I am pretty sure it is because I have put the brakes on our sex life. I did this because that is what our entire relationship seemed about. I found myself falling into the trap of putting his “needs” ahead of mine own, but no more! I am about ready to give up on the whole thing...
Imagine yourself for a moment as an outdoor enthusiast, on the first leg of a five-day backpack journey. You are loaded with supplies, map and compass in hand. You have charted your course and plan to be at your destination by Day Two. At first, you thoroughly enjoy the fresh mountain air, animal life, and serenity. But, as the sunlight fades on Day Two, something is off, concern sets in, the landscape doesn’t match your research. You’re lost. After a sleepless night the joy of your experience turns quickly to dread, so you do your best and...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, love and romance are definitely in your favor this week. If you have been pondering setting up a date or taking a spouse out for a night on the town, do it. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Even the best partnerships can be challenging, Taurus. Right now neither one of you is looking to take the lead. Even if it means flipping a coin, someone has to step up. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, grab what you want this week, but remember that the more tightly you try to hang on to it, the more likely it will slip through your fingers....
It’s really exciting to see so many events coming up in the next few weeks. Dare I say it? Could we be headed back to “normal”? Honestly, I don’t think things will ever return to what they were pre-March 2020. But in many ways, I don’t think they should. We’ve become much more aware of one another, of illness, of feelings, or how our actions affect those around us, how our political viewpoints may differ from our neighbors. Normal, before, seemed (to me) to mean looking out for #1, for yourself. Now that we’ve experienced a pandemic, and...
