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Articles from the November 15, 2017 edition


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  • High school play next week

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    The annual Whitehall High School fall play will have a very different venue in 2017. The performance of "Over the River and Through the Woods" will take place Monday, November 20 and Tuesday, November 21 at the Star Theater in downtown Whitehall. "Performing in the theater is a fantastic opportunity for these kids. It is a great space and such a learning experience for the students to work on a minimal set and minimal lighting," theater director Cheri Shaw said. "The closeness of the audience...

  • Council votes to retain Keogh

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    Although she was elected by acclamation to a Ward Seat on the Whitehall Town Council in October, it appears Katy James may not serve on the governing body when new members are sworn in the first Monday in January. At a meeting Monday night, the Whitehall Town Council voted 4-1 to have current Ward 1 Council member Gerry Keogh remain in the position. Keogh was selected by the Council to fill the term of Michelle LaFountaine, who resigned from her position in December of 2015. Council member Tom Jenkin was the dissenting vote. The discussion Mond...

  • Harvest Dinner Friday, November 17

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    The LDS Church Harvest Dinner is scheduled for Friday, November 17. The popular annual event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the church located at Mormon Lane and Yellowstone in Whitehall. The meal is a Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings, including a variety of desserts. In researching the history of event, volunteer Donna Loomis said the Harvest Dinner dates back to about 1978. "It is truly wonderful to see members of our community visiting, laughing and sharing a Thanksgiving style meal together," Loomis said. All proce...

  • Attendance on the rise

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    For the second straight month, Whitehall Middle and High School Principal Hannah Nieskens has reported an increase in attendance at the schools. At the board of trustees meeting last week, Nieskens said the number at the high school has increased to 140, adding they are expecting one more next week. She reported the number at the middle school has also increased, with a current enrollment of 86. Nieskens said that because the number has increased in the high school they have had to order more textbooks for ninth graders, where the enrollment ha...

  • Column: Naughty Winter Drivers

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    I should probably preface this column by saying these have words have been brewing for awhile, perhaps creating a “storm inside”. The first winter snowstorm of 2017 was a doozy and blanketed Whitehall with over a foot of snow in a little over 24 hours. The winter weather led to some horrific road conditions not only locally, but through the entire Treasure State. In last week’s Whitehall Ledger, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Report was full of accidents that were a result of the horrible mess of snow and ice. Having grown up in...

  • Editorial: Harvest Dinner great for the community

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    This Friday evening the Whitehall LDS Church is hosting their annual Harvest Dinner with proceeds going to the Whitehall Area Food Pantry. Local resident can also bring non-perishable food items that will also be given to the pantry. With a cost of $6 per person or $25 for a family, this is a very important night for the food pantry. In the past few weeks, I have had several editorials that have talked about the importance of donations during the holiday season, and I feel it is once again highly important to stress the importance of events lik...

  • Frank Cruz

    Nov 15, 2017

    Frank Cruz passed away peacefully on Nov. 4. Born June 17, 1931 in Butte, Montana, Frank, a fifth generation Montanan, spent his early years in Whitehall, Montana. While attending Whitehall high school he learned from his mentor, Hiney Lund, the importance of teachers and coaches in a young person's life. He also met and fell in love with a funny, smart, beautiful girl, Kathleen Shaw, when he, as the football Captain, crowned her homecoming princess. After high school Frank joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the USS Cotton. He traveled th...

  • Jefferson County Sheriff's Report

    Staff Report|Nov 15, 2017

    Monday, Nov. 6 2:42 a.m. - suspicious/ person/vehicle/circumstance, 1 Commercial Way, Whitehall 6:38 a.m. - traffic accident, I-90 westbound, MM 250, Whitehall 7:46 a.m. - traffic accident, I-90 westbound, MM 250, Whitehall 7:58 a.m. - traffic accident/ 1 vehicle /injury, Hwy 55, Whitehall 8:40 a.m. - fish & game violations, Hwy 69, Cardwell 8:45 a.m. - traffic accident, Hwy 69, Cardwell 9:32 a.m. - traffic accident, Hwy 55, Whitehall 10:34 a.m. - traffic accident, Hwy 55, Whitehall 1:35 p.m. - traffic/ reckless, I-90 westbound, MM 245,...

  • Council tables ambulance barn vote

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    The Whitehall Town Council voted Monday night to table a resolution that would approve the sale of the Ambulance Barn located at 207 E. Legion. Council member Mac Smith made a motion to table Resolution 2017-08, and asked the governing body to host a special meeting to allow residents the opportunity to speak on the issue and ask any questions they might have about the proposed sale. A special town meeting to discuss the potential sale will take place Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. At an Oct. 17 special meeting, the Council approved 4-1 to give Dr. Cory...

  • Governing body hires firm to complete PER

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    After a lengthy discussion about the ongoing uranium issues the town water supply, the Whitehall Council voted Monday night to hire Jason Crawford of Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson to complete a Preliminary Engineering Report due next year. The Council also voted for Crawford and the Helena-based firm to complete a grant funding application. Crawford told the governing body that the PER will be fairly comprehensive, and should be started sooner than later. He said he could probably complete both the PER and application for $30,000. Fess Foster, a...

  • Students honor Veterans

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    Local students did an amazing job last week hosting Veteran's Day programs in both Whitehall and Cardwell. The Whitehall program began with an introduction from U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Jeremy Bright, who discussed Veteran's Day and giving tribute to those who served before as well as honoring those who gave the Ultimate Sacrifice. WHS Student Council President Ryan Murphy then gave those in attendance a history of the Tribute or Buddy Poppy, stating it honors the dead by honoring the living....

  • Oliverson signs with University of Nevada

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    Kailee Oliverson, a resident of Cardwell and senior at Twin Bridges High School, signed a letter of intent November 8 to play NCAA Division 1 basketball at the University of Nevada. A two-time all state player, Oliverson has averaged 16.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks over her three year high school career. "Kailee is an exceptional person, student athlete, and basketball player. I have had the privilege of coaching Kailee for one year in which she led Twin Bridges to a 27-1 record,"...

  • Production on target at gold mine

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    Production was on target during October at the Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine. At the Community Transition Advisory Committee meeting last Thursday, Mine General Manager Dan Banghart said the production for the month was 4,000 ounces, on par with their budget and forecast. Banghart did however state they ran into some problems in the mill because of a different type of ore than they have seen recently, but they will make adjustments for the mill run this week. There are currently 51 Barrick and around 80 contract employees reporting to the site....

  • Chamber recognizing members

    Casey Chase, Whitehall Chamber|Nov 15, 2017

    The Whitehall Chamber would like to congratulate its members for reaching anniversary years of membership. Members reach the Entrepreneur designation when they have been members of the Chamber for five years. Five members reached the first anniversary tier in 2017, Entrepreneur’s include 4 Paws Rescue, Chrysalis Counseling Service, Garden Gift Shop, Legion Station, and Two Bit Saloon. Ten members are now considered Principal Members as we celebrate their tenth year of membership. These businesses include Whitehall A&W/KFC, Jefferson Fresh...

  • Gingerbread House contest added to stroll

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    A new event the 2017 Whitehall Christmas Stroll should be a crowd pleaser for the entire family. A Gingerbread House Contest is scheduled to take place at the event scheduled for December 9. The contest will include an adult division (17 and up), child division (ages 8 to 16), and a family division (group of 3 to 7, 1 adults and 1 child minimum). "We came up with it about two months ago. I started looking at what other towns do during Christmas and found Gingerbread House contests," Chamber board member Jill Dove said. "It seems so festive and...

  • iStation Man Congratulates Outstanding Local Students

    Nov 15, 2017

    At the November 8th Trojan Rally, Whitehall Schools' Superintendent John Sullivan dons the cape of "iStation Man" to help celebrate the success of the K-5 Whitehall Trojans. iStation is a new tool in the school district's arsenal of instructional materials, and so far teachers are saying great things about the reading program. iStation is an evidence-based, adaptive reading program designed for students in grades K-8, and the district decided on a full district license for all students K-8. Mrs. Behrens says, "Because iStation is adaptive, it...

  • Stageline Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    Those who are alone or unable to make a dinner on Thanksgiving Day will have a place to enjoy the holiday with a warm meal and a good company. The Whitehall Stageline Pizza is hosting a free of cost dinner Thanksgiving Day from 1 to 4 p.m. at the restaurant located at 605 W. Legion. "We've had a great six months since opening and this is a great way to give back to the community and help those in need. Helping other people is what it is all about," owner Tina Bates said. Tina and her husband Ken...