Ledger Looking Back 25 Years: 8/27/1997

August 27, 1997

Nearly 70 fiberglass street signs were stored in the workshop of Jim and Kathie Moerbe’s Rader Creek home. The signs were purchased by the county to identify the confusing and changing Rader Creek roads, and are part of national, state, and county programs created to help emergency vehicle drivers locate streets and residences.

However, the signs divided the rapidly growing Rader Creek area, and it was uncertain if the green signs would be erected, and if erected, how long they would stay up. The population seemed to hold one of three views: 1) Signs would help emergency vehicles find local residences, would assist with utility hookups, deliveries, mail service, and other improvements; 2) Signs may be acceptable, and there may be value in erecting signs, but the metallic shiny green signs are ugly, intrusive and detract from the rural atmosphere of Rader Creek; or 3) Signs - any signs - are unwanted and unneeded, are intrusive and would ruin the view and rural flavor of the area. The next step on how the sign installation would progress was unclear.

Student discipline was the number one topic of concern when school ended last spring, and as Whitehall schools began in the fall, student discipline remained the top issue facing the Whitehall school system.

The four individuals arrested in the August 6 drug bust in Whitehall each pled not guilty during their arraignment hearing on August 22 and were released on their own recognizance by District Court Judge Frank Davis. Davis agreed to release them from custody, but imposed several basic restrictions, including constant contact with legal counsel, remaining drug and alcohol-free, no possession of a firearm, and consent to tests or searches to confirm conditions are met. They would reside in Bozeman until the trial began.

Whitehall Volunteers of the Week were Shirley and Bob Baustian, who have lived in Whitehall for four years. Shirley was the president of the Whitehall Food Pantry and Bob was the “handyman and Mr. Volunteer” for the group. The Food Pantry provided food, funds, fuel, and car repair for the needy.