Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 526 - 550 of 1713
Dear Editor, I recently traveled out of state visiting family returning to find a sign I posted on my property destroyed. The sign, posted along the eastbound lane of I-90, stated "Embrace Democracy - Reject Trumpism." I salvaged a portion of the sign and re-erected it. I am disappointed that there are those who would commit an act of violence in order to suppress First Amendment rights of free speech because they do not agree with opposing views. However, suppressing different opinions is one...
Hunting season has arrived! As hunters flock to the hills in pursuit of Montana's treasured big game species, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the good work that was done in this spring's legislative session for hunters, landowners, and conservationists alike. Wildlife issues have frequently been overcome with intense division in previous legislative sessions. 2023 was different. Various stakeholders that are often in sharp disagreement on wildlife and land management policies managed to...
For some, naming a child is a thoughtful task; for others, tradition plays a much larger role. As my wife and I were expecting the birth of our four children, we took time in the months leading up to that significant event to explore name options for each of them. We explored meanings behind names, and examples seen in the Bible and considered past family members as kind of a balanced approach. I cherish the memories of those moments, with my hand resting on the womb of their mother, filled with joy and laughter. In Zachariah’s and E...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, beware of misinformation and make an effort to form your own educated opinion. Take everything with a grain of salt and verify the facts. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 If someone is struggling right now, show some support or offer helpful words, Taurus. A small gesture can go a long way, even if you do not think it will have a major impact. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, if you are feeling out of sorts in a situation or do not know how to proceed, ask someone who has been in this situation before. It never hurts to ask for help....
Montana collects $2.1 billion in property tax, with allocations as follows: 56% to schools, 28% to counties, 11% to cities/towns, and 5% to special districts. The 6 statewide university mills stay at the state, while the 95 statewide school mills are redistributed to local community schools, accounting for 35-40% of the $1.1 billion annual state school funding distribution. According to the latest Department of Revenue (DOR) appraisal, Montana properties have a total market value of $259 billion, spread across 18 tax and rate classes....
Dear Editor, People and especially businesses in Whitehall - you are about to lose a very important piece of infrastructure that brings many dollars into our town, the rodeo grounds. For whatever reason the Whitehall Town Council decided to not renew a lease with the Saddle Club to continue to use the property that contains the arena, pens, chutes, and other items needed to operate. Without doing their due diligence the council opted out without considering what it would cost to replace all... Full story
Dear Editor, The Rec Complex and Saddle Club dispute continues to bring confusion. We [the Whitehall Town Council] wish the matter was as simple as Doug Salsbury claims in last week's Ledger editorial, "We (SC) tried working with the town by suggesting to rent them the portable panels for $100 per year." The WSC drafted a Memorandum of Understanding and it's been narrowed to a second draft but it includes other provisions beyond a simple contract for panel rental which as town council and staff...
Dear Editor, A wise man once asked the eternal question, "Why can't we all just get along?" Well, as you know, we're all different, so that might be one way to explain it. How many people do we know, however intimately, who are as different as night and day, yet somehow, they manage to get along, seemingly even, against all odds? If only we could all learn to tap into the source of that happiness, that joy! Life is all about choice! The reason some people just can't seem to play well with the...
Telling people that fruit is filled with sugars is the biggest scare tactic ever. All the billionaires obsessed with longevity are exactly the kind of people you wouldn’t want to live forever. Changing your hair color is normalized but wearing colored contacts for your eyes is seen as fake. The most famous German was Austrian. Given how much we like to snack late at night, it’s unacceptable most microwaves don’t have a MUTE option. Smart people and stupid people are equally difficult to win an argument against. Almost all videos we see of re...
Throughout the rise and fall of history, cultures most definitely change. As you look back through your lifetime what changes have you seen occur? We have hope because of Jesus Christ even though there is some uncertainty due to current events and cultural upheaval surrounding us. Moral decline in modern society is concerning, but that’s only fitting in a culture that turns its back on God’s principles. I want to take you back to the first century, specifically the Jewish custom of circumcision. I’ve done more in-depth reading and study of Lu...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Pull together your dream team, Aries, because you are going to need all the help you can get at this point. The week is jam-packed with many different events. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, now is not the time to employ tough love if a friend or family member comes to you looking for help. You have to keep an open mind and a willingness to assist. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Your clever brain has a lot of creative ideas running through it, Gemini. It’s just a matter of zeroing in on one and then putting a plan into effect. Recruit s...
Dear Editor, On September 21 of this year, my husband and I were traveling through Whitehall on our way to be with family. Suddenly a medical emergency required immediate attention. We are grateful for all those who helped us at this time. We are mindful of a gentleman named, Jim. He could see our need for help and called 911. I am sorry because I did not write the names of those who helped. A Montana Highway Patrol Officer was on the scene immediately and was very kind and concerned. Also, we...
Dear Editor, Recently, driving into Whitehall from the Interstate, I felt like I was in a scene from It's a Wonderful Life when Jimmy Stewart's character sees his town as if he had never been born. I was born and am living, but, the town that I was raised in does not exist anymore. The area North of Yellowstone Trail and West of Main Street was once called Pyferville, after my Mother's family. There were families and homes. Today, a truck stop has swallowed up everything but four original...
Dear Editor, I attended last night's Whitehall Town Council meeting and was deeply disappointed at the unanimous vote to confiscate the Whitehall Saddle Club's portable panels. The Whitehall Saddle Club is one of many non-profit organizations in Whitehall. Over the years, all of our improvements were made by private donations, grants, and volunteer help. Our lease on the ground was canceled at the beginning of the year, mainly to get rid of the WSC clubhouse. We have tried working with the Town... Full story
That one guy who does voice-over for movie promos must be filthy rich. Someone is last in line for the British throne. Getting fat is fun, but being fat is not fun. Getting thin is not fun, but being thin is fun. None of the villains in The Incredibles movies have powers. The average person wouldn’t mind doing something until someone told them to do it. Disabled people are going to become some of our first cyborgs. People who turn the music up to full volume and force others to listen to it generally have the worst taste in music. Each year, 8...
The birth of a child is a life-changing experience and a positive event for most people. Some people dream of having children but are unable due to medical, health, or unknown reasons. Others encounter health complications either with the mother or child during the pregnancy. I have consoled couples and individuals in some difficult times, so I recognize that there is some pain. In fact, I recall a new father calling me on a dark, wintery late night as he traveled to see his wife and premature son whose little life was in the balance. Tears...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, this week you may invite a friend over who shares all of his or her good energy with you. It’s just the boost you need right now to have a positive few days. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 You may have an urgent need to get physically active, Taurus. That can propel you to get a gym membership or to organize a walking club with some local friends. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 You are brimming with energy right now, Gemini. It’s only a matter of figuring out what to do with it. A painting or other home renovation project could be the...
While remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic lowered reported instances of bullying, parents fear that, for some students, going back to school will mean going back to being bullied. “With the prevalence of technology and social media, you’re forced to be concerned. Now kids can be bullied in the privacy of their own home,” said Tomas, a father of three who lives in Oakley. Now 15 years after the inception of National Bullying Prevention Month in October, technology’s ever-greater presence in children’s lives has given bullying a new out...
Dear Editor, I recently attended a talk on Democracy at the Mansfield Center at the University of Montana featuring former congresswoman Liz Cheney and former governor Marc Racicot. Despite the self-inflicted chaos and commotion infecting our nation, their overall message was encouraging. Both speakers thought our country would be able to survive these times of conflict and controversy. However, they added that in order for our Democratic Republic to endure, all of us need to play a part in...
Dear Editor: This past summer, my husband and I had occasion to make use of Whitehall Public Transportation's ride service, my husband more often than I did. What a blessing it is to have this service in this town. We are so appreciative of how efficient, how accommodating, and just plain nice they are. This is a wonderful part of our town. Also, our thanks go out to Ryan, from Jefferson Valley EMS, who gave such good out-patient care to my husband after his surgery. There are many good aspects...
Men are trained to never assume a woman is flirting with them. Women are trained to always assume a man is flirting with them. It’s easy to make everything a conspiracy when you don’t know how anything works. No one ever dresses up like Santa Claus for Halloween. When gas inevitably reaches $10+ gallon, most gas stations will need new gas price signs to accommodate that extra digit. 8 generations ago, 128 people having an intimate relationship with another person led to your existence. You know your life is starting to go downhill when the loca...
One sight that I get a kick out of is seeing a person driving down the road singing out loud to music. Are you a person who does this? From time to time, you might see me doing the same thing. Entertaining music is intertwined with our culture and many genres suit us. Music conveys attitudes, ideas, emotions and so much more. In the context of Christianity, music is also entertaining but another important element exists; worship, a person’s expression of appreciation towards God. Doctor Luke in chapter one of his account gives us details a...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, unless you are ready to take charge and spearhead an initiative for change, you may have to simply go with the flow this week. Think on it. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Ideas for creative projects keep popping up in your mind, Taurus. It’s just a matter of figuring out which avenue you want to explore and then finding the time to make it happen. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, some shake-ups at work may leave you wondering how secure things will be for you moving forward. Start asking a few pointed questions. CANCER Jun 2...
Dear Editor, Try that in a small town? I did. My family was met with vitriol, resentment, and judgment because we weren't born in that small town. Try that in a small town? I did. I spent time in the sea of vitriol, resentment, and judgment only to have my head kept above water by some of the most genuine and kind families I know. Let's please try to be less of the former and more of the latter, no matter what the size of our town. Signed by a person who grew up in this small town and now lives...
Dear Editor, This letter is not in response to anyone. It IS, however, a bit of a diatribe! The main subject of this letter may engender a negative response among certain people in this town; but then, sometimes the pot just NEEDS to be stirred! Not to be too negative though, it would seem that, for the last few thousand years, since the beginning of time, human beings have committed many atrocities in the name of their favored deity, or "God." Basically, what it comes down to is, that if you...
