Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 579 - 603 of 1719
Dear Editor, I watched the Town Council meeting on the TV and heard a brief comment about the horseshoe pits being taken out to make room for a children's playground along Legion Street (MT Hwy 2). Legion Street is a major route through town. Did the town get permission from Rail Link and also from the MT Department of Transportation to place a children's playground next to the highway? If a playground is put next to the highway, then what comes next – a fence to protect the children? Who w...
Dear Editor, OK, armed and ready, I sat down with a computer, a postcard, and letter from Governor Gianforte, and two letters from his Revenue Department on how to get a property tax rebate. Logged on to the website and bonk – What's a geocode? Frustrated, I set the paperwork aside. Days later, thought I'd try again and Googled, "What is a Montana Geocode?" Good ole Google took me to a website with four pages of instructions on how to get the code necessary to complete an application for a t...
Dear Editor, There's no question that Big Pharma needs to be exposed and taken down-even if it must be done one small step at a time. This is why I am urging our Senators in D.C. to pass the bipartisan Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2023. This bill does incredible work to expose Big Pharma tactics that manipulate consumers and have led to skyrocketing prices. Big Pharma has continuously spent more on fancy, targeted advertising campaigns on already available medication and...
Crappy WiFi is much worse than no WiFi at all. People don’t become what they want to be, they become what they can. A society where strangers are able to be naked around each other without sexualization is a society less barbaric than ours. Love at first sight is technically judging a book by its cover. The thicker your thighs are, the more puppies you can have lying on your lap. Someone owns the sharpest knife on Earth and doesn’t even know it. Pets and plants have more impact on mental health globally than psychologists and health pro...
I get it. Many people see me as the Halloween-obsessed owner of the Whitehall Ledger and the creator of Whitehall’s annual haunted House Screams Come True (SCT). And it’s true - I am all of those things. However, SCT isn’t just about Halloween. It’s not “just a haunted house” as I have heard many times in the last month as I fight to work out issues with SCT’s location and lack of commercial fire suppression system with the State Fire Marshals. SCT is so much more than that. Let’s get basic here. SCT provides the youth of Whitehall (as w...
Georgia, I have a question, Is it possible Elvis is my dad? I sing real good and look like him. I know my mom was a huge fan. I was born in 2002. Maybe Elvis Dear Maybe, No chance. Elvis died in 1977. While many dispute the King is actually dead, my guess is your dad is an Elvis impersonator. Because, you know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...unless it’s a baby. With love, Georgia Georgia, I have a question, I identify as a feline. I want to poop in the litterbox and preferably leave it there for the other cats to observe and know w...
Television has been a time for my children, wife, and I to be entertained, and not an exception to the rule was the ABC family show called Wipeout. Contestants were eager to compete on a wild and crazy obstacle course. One of the biggest menaces included “The Motivator,” a large swinging hammer that often caught contestants off guard by forcing them to jump or—in most cases--fall. If you have watched the show, I’m certain you were provided with many laughs, but, personally, I don’t think I would put my body through such punishment. Not worth it...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you may want to move your relationship in a different direction, but your partner is resistant. This could be a conflict or something that opens up a dialogue. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you might feel like doing all you can to make a problem go away and think that acting immediately is the way to go. But ponder a few options beforehand. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, a professional opportunity that seems to have many positive financial outcomes actually could have a downside to it. It’s best if you do your research b...
Dear Editor, A severe shortage of teachers in Montana... Montana beginning teacher salary lowest in the nation... The legislature is majority Republican. Do something, please. TOM HENDERSON Whitehall, Montana...
Dear Editor, Over the past few weeks, I’ve thought a lot about the issue of human trafficking, especially child trafficking and child sexual abuse in general. I have followed Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad for a couple of years and was very excited to see the “Sound of Freedom" screening in many theaters across the country, and the huge turnout at our local Star Theater, thanks to Colton Anderson. This film, and others, are so important, as they help all of us to understand how...
There is no reason for baby clothing to have pockets. People in zombie shows/movies only worry about gasoline for vehicles and never about any of the other fluids, like motor oil. Calling yourself HANGRY is the most adult way of crying for your bottle. Car alarms are one of the most pointless inventions since the vast majority of people assume they went off by accident. Every loan is you borrowing from your future self. Whenever you meet someone, there’s a small chance you’ve already flipped them off or cussed them out while driving wit...
Today, I’m not sure many of us are aware of how easily we over-extend ourselves. Still. In general, we often wish to help someone in need because of an honest desire to be compassionate, at least that’s how I operate, how about you? Then there are other circumstances where we may say yes with our words, but on the inside our heart it shouts “No Way.” Our country had better regain its balance fairly soon, or nothing will be left to balance. Dr. Henry Cloud says, “Every invitation to help or rescue someone is an opportunity to strengthen our hone...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 It is time to recharge your batteries this week, Aries. It may be challenging to slow down, but that is just what you need to do or you are going to run out of steam on your next project. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Early on this week, you may start out in a bit of a funk, Taurus. That all will change with some words from a friend that will help your mood bounce in the other direction. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, the side of your brain responsible for pragmatism has been working overtime. You are ready to solve any problems and fi...
Why do we put our pants on one leg at a time, but take them off two legs at a time? If someone from the past suddenly appeared today, what would be the most difficult thing to explain to them—the internet or avocado toast? UPS will leave a $900 video card on my porch without even knocking but I have to sign for a $10 pizza. If Apple owned the ISS it would spell disaster for other spacecraft that wanted to dock with it. A successful marriage ends with watching the other person die. There should be a millennial edition of Monopoly where you j...
With the otter attack fresh in my mind, I was a little leary when I made the decision to float the Madison in Three Forks to Headwaters on Sunday afternoon. Granted, no one thinks something as out-of-the-blue as an otter attack will happen to them, especially after it just happened less than two weeks ago on a different river. We went, and we half-heartedly joked about it happening to us because "it would be our luck" and then...Moose. Not just one, not just two, but four in the course of a few...
The state legislature passed $384 million in property tax rebates, the first half of which is currently available to Montanans. The window to claim your rebate-up to $675 on your primary residence-is August 15, 2023, to October 1, 2023. Go to getmyrebate.mt.gov to claim your rebate. The second round of rebates will be available during the same timeframe next year, so mark your calendar. You must file a claim to receive the property tax rebates to verify your primary residence information, as...
Georgia, I have a question, My four-year-old’s art is absolutely terrible. Should I tell her? Art-Obsessed Art, Ummmm...how do people such as yourself choose to be parents? No! Absolutely do not tell a four-year-old their art is not up to your “standards!” Nurture them, guide them, and praise them. Other than that, SHUT UP! With love, Georgia Georgia, I have a question, What should I do about my 19-year-old son? He JUST moved into his new dorm and has already started dating an older woman. She is 20-years-old and in the same classes at his univ...
I’ve noticed our culture is adrift, rudderless, and maybe exhausted. Maybe you’ve seen the same dynamic played out in a variety of ways. Wrongs have become rights. First, I’m not writing in any attempt to persuade anyone politically. My goal is to persuade readers to consider the truths of the Bible. Christian maturity and Biblical application are far more important to me than some political viewpoints. It is true that our foundational belief system will intersect into aspects of our daily life, so we must learn to examine in detail those...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Do not fight your emotions over the next few days, Aries. You need to embrace your feelings or you might not grow in your relationships. Show everyone the true you. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, capture all of your great ideas on paper or in digital form to refer to later on. You’re feeling creative right now, and soon you can turn this into projects that have legs. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Time isn’t on your side right now, Gemini. You may wonder how you can add hours to the day, but you must make do with the time you have. CAN...
Dear Editor, This is an open letter to Montana Legislators Fern, Hamilton, Gillette, Galloway, Yakanich, Buckly, Stafman, Dooling, Kortum, Malone, Essman, O'Brien, Fitzpatric, Hertz, Springer, Nikilakokos, Pope, Boldman, Caferro, L. Smith, McKay, Zephyr, Nicol, and Hayman. I am writing to thank you for your bills addressing housing and/or homelessness in the latest legislative session, even though few passed. From emergency shelters for the homeless and seasonal housing for guest workers to...
Dear Editor, Last Wednesday night the PBS News Hour covered a story on the decline of weekly newspapers due in part to the switch by advertisers to the internet. The result, in many cases, was a breakdown in connection within the communities which the reporters felt has contributed to the polarization from which our political processes currently suffers. It made me realize how fortunate our area is that the Whitehall Ledger continues to be published. RUTH LOTT Cardwell, Montana...
As a kid, my parents taught me to not believe everything I see on TV. Now, I have to teach them to not believe everything they see on Facebook. If ghosts can walk through walls, why do they bother with doors? Why do we call them “fingers” if we don’t actually “fing” with them? Nothing is on fire, fire is on things. Accidentally liking someone’s post while snooping through their profile is the digital equivalent of stepping on a twig while sneaking through the forest. “Go to bed, you’ll feel better in the morning” is the human version of “Did y...
Clearly, we are living in frightening times; modern culture is far different than even one generation ago. The peace of WWII is fading. Relativism is understood as the belief that there’s no absolute truth, only the truths that a particular individual or culture happens to believe. My friends this is a recipe for disaster! Josh McDowell author and co-leader of the Free to Thrive series makes an important distinction; culture today has seen a rapid progression over the past few decades on three levels. Society has long been guided by an ...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Things that have seemingly been holding you back should be reevaluated this week, Aries. You are looking elsewhere for solutions when all you need to do is make a few tweaks. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, spend time reflecting on things this week, as you may have some difficult decisions to make in the near future. A close confidante can serve as a sounding board. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, now is the time to identify your priorities as they pertain to the job. Do you want a career and a company that you stick with? Or,...
As I meet with Montanans in every corner of our state, I hear the same concern often –taxes are too high. And they're right. Taxes are too high and need to be reined in. Two years ago, we enacted a fiscally responsible budget, and as a result, the State of Montana today has a historic budget surplus. Ultimately, that means you overpaid your taxes, and we're giving it back to you. When we released our Budget for Montana Families last November, we again held the line on spending, and we focused o...
