Week of February 11, 2026
Week of February 11, 2026
Happy February, and welcome to a busy couple of weeks at the Whitehall Community Library! Sign-ups are now open for the Speed Puzzle Contest this Thursday at 6 PM. There will be prizes for different team types, snacks, and lots of fun. Just call us at 406-287-3763 to sign up your team. This week is also the delivery of the Cupid Crew long-stemmed roses. If you have a senior in your life and would like us to take them a beautiful rose, please call us to be added to the list. Many of our seniors...
In a world where information is everywhere, it has become harder — not easier — to make fact-based decisions. Few topics illustrate this better than vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent changes to national childhood vaccine recommendations have sparked concern among healthcare providers and confusion among parents. Amid the turmoil, it’s easy to lose sight of a basic truth: vaccines are one of medicine’s greatest successes, and families are best served by...
Protein bars are a convenient energy booster that's easy to carry. That portability makes protein bars a go-to for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy activities like hiking that burn lots of calories. Though it's easy to pick up a protein bar at the store, it's also possible to make your own at home. Anyone interested can try their hand at this recipe. INGREDIENTS: (Makes 8 bars) 13 oz. peanut butter, no added sugar, divided 2 1/2 ounces pure maple syrup 3 oz. almond flour 3 oz. coconut oil 6 oz....
The Ladies of the Whitehall Auxiliary are looking forward to new "luxuries," such as heat and a bathroom. They will have to downsize, but look forward to being open year-round. The Ladies Auxiliary will be moving to the former town garage, as the town and the organization are "swapping" buildings. The Jefferson County "growth" meeting is set for Whitehall. The Montana Legislature in 1999 changed from a "comprehensive plan" to a growth policy and mandated that counties that update comprehensive...
Whitehall Elementary third-graders had a busy day on February 5th. In the morning, they were presented with their dictionary/reference books from the Whitehall Rotary Club. Rotary has been providing these books to third graders at Whitehall, Cardwell, and Harrison for more than 15 years. Besides words, students can read about the 50 states, the continents, clouds, presidents, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, sign language, and a number of science topics. In the afternoon,...
One hundred and twenty-six years ago, our little town's growing pains were slowly transforming Whitehall from a wild west railroad town into a respectable place to live and visit. The world was changing. Queen Victoria was in the news even in the Jefferson Valley Zephyr. Meat packers in the U.S. have a contract to supply 3,000,000 pounds of beef for the British army, and likely a better quality than was given to our own troops in recent years. President McKinley changed his position on the...
The Jefferson Valley Sportsmen's Association annual fund-raising banquet will be held on Saturday, March 14, from 5 PM to 9 PM at the Whitehall Community Center at 11 North Division Street in Whitehall. Banquet tickets are $30 per plate. Doors will open at 5 PM, and dinner will be served at 7 PM. The annual banquet features live and silent auctions, raffles and door prizes, a no-host bar, and a catered meal from Red Apron Catering. Here are a few examples of what the Jefferson Valley...
The Whitehall School Board moved through routine approvals and voted on several action items, including the annual music trip to Silverwood and several early graduation requests, at their meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Elementary principal Kurtis Koenig announced that the school has been invited to serve as a “lighthouse district” for science-of-reading implementation through the Montana Comprehensive Literacy State Development program. Koenig stated that his first question was whether this program would add work for his staff, to...
Whitehall’s Painters in the Potting Shed (also known as the PIPS) is pleased to announce its art exhibit, hosted by Boulder Hot Springs, through the end of February. Boulder Hot Springs welcomes the exhibiting artists and the general public to a reception this Sunday, February 15, 2026. Light refreshments will be served. Please join us to meet the artists and enjoy the event from noon to 2 PM. The PIPS is a group of local-area artists who have met weekly for many years to paint together, share ideas, and encourage artists at all levels to...
KIDDOS: Need a gift for someone special this Valentine's Day? Come down to the Star Theatre on Friday, February 13th, from 3 PM to 5 PM and paint a heart-shaped planter - all free of charge! This free event is brought to you by Raven 3D Printing & Design and Gold Junction Presents. 15 planters with seeds are available for children under 18. Too loud for your little one or need to go early? To-go kits are available! Questions? Contact Raven at...
Due to outdated equipment and the need to allow for more flexibility for businesses looking to sell hunting and fishing licenses, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is moving to a new License Ambassador program this spring. This move to the License Ambassador program is going to transition all license sales and applications to our online licensing system (OLS). This move allows FWP to add additional businesses that would like to sell licenses and move away from the old point of sale systems that were unreliable and outdated. As FWP has worked on...
WELCOMING PASTOR PULLMANN: With 96 in attendance, Pastor Gideon Pullmann was welcomed as the newly installed pastor at Zion Lutheran in Whitehall. Leading the installation service was Pastor Arlo Pullmann (father of Gideon Pullmann). He was assisted by Pastors Larry Miller, Riley Corrigan, and Dan Mears. Pastor Pullmann is also serving as pastor at Faith Lutheran in Boulder. This new joint agreement between the two congregations began on February 1st with the installation service. Zion meets...
Well below normal January precipitation and unseasonably warm temperatures stalled Montana’s snowpack accumulation last month. “Most Montana basins are now reporting below normal snowpack. While some higher elevations are holding onto their snowpack reserves, mid-elevation snowpack is falling behind, and low-elevation snowpack is noticeably absent,” said Florence Miller, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Hydrologist. “As of February 1, most major basins hold 65-90% of the median snowpack, a 10-30% decrease from the...
Landowners interested in allowing public hunting access on their property or providing access through private land to public land may now apply for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 2026 hunting access programs. Applications and program information are available for several landowner options, including Block Management, Block Management Access Corridors, Elk Hunting Access Agreements, Public Access Land Agreements, and Unlocking Public Lands. For more information, contact a local FWP regional office or visit fwp.mt.gov/hunt/landownerprograms....
Montana State University Extension has released a newly revised edition of its popular MontGuide, “Life Estate: A Useful Estate Planning Tool,” updated in December 2025 to provide Montanans with more comprehensive examples to support informed estate planning decisions. Co-authored by MSU Extension Economics Associate Specialist Joel Schumacher and MSU Extension Professor and Family Economics Specialist Marsha A. Goetting, the updated MontGuide explains how a life estate functions and how Montanans can use one to meet a wide range of...
Freedom Floral, located at 7 West Legion, has everything you need to surprise your sweetheart this Valentine's Day. After-hours pickup and delivery are available throughout the area for the holiday. Call 406-490-7940 for details or stop in and see what's...
Get ready to sweat, Whitehall, because Whitehall Weights (113 W Legion) opens this weekend and is open for your convenience 24 hours a day! Memberships are available to purchase as of Friday, February 13th. Their grand opening raffle will be drawn on Saturday, February 14th, at 1 PM, and the grand opening will be held from noon to 2 PM. Get your tickets now for the chance to win a KitchenAid Deluxe Series Mixer, a $100 gift certificate to Whitehall Coffee, and a $25 gift certificate to M&M...
The Whitehall Ledger was informed by the Southwest Montana Federal Credit Union in Whitehall of a current scam targeting patrons. A “bank” calls the customer, saying that their money is not “safe at its current location, and they are offering a safer alternative. The caller also advises the customer not to disclose the real reason for wiring money to the bank, but to state it is for a family member. Six local individuals have been defrauded of approximately $75,000 through fraudulent wire transfers. SWMTFCU employee LaDonna Knox urges...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 A spark of excitement brightens your week, Aries. You may rediscover enthusiasm for a goal you set aside. Take one confident step and watch momentum gather. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 This week brings steady comfort and satisfying progress, Taurus. Something you’ve been nurturing starts to show real signs of growth. You’re building something meaningful. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Your mind is in full brilliance mode, Gemini. New insights, clever connections, and energizing conversations fill your days. A fun invitation or...
Dear Editor, Montana's elections work because of the people working on the ground. County election officials and clerks across Montana are the best in the nation. Local election workers follow the law, verify voter eligibility, protect private information, and protect ballots. Non-citizens don't vote in Montana because doing so is illegal. Our county officials enforce the law carefully and consistently. Election fraud in Montana is extraordinarily rare. Strong election systems and professional...
Lies can wreck a business, destroy a career, kill relationships, and ruin lives. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is right. When an internet service provider hosts a defamatory, fabricated personal attack that accuses the target of reprehensible and criminal behavior, that provider possesses a certain degree of accountability for their refusal to take it down. Not unlike the print media knowingly publishing a libelous letter or op-ed, the internet carrier may, based on the evidentiary record, be found justly liable for allowing the damage and...
Dear Editor, The short game in Montana politics is not about governing or solving problems. It's a business model built on fear, anger, and resentment that substitutes fake policy analysis and ideological scorecards for honest debate. There are several central players in this short game: the Montana Freedom Caucus (MFC), Art Wittich (the Montana GOP's Florida-based staffer), Americans for Prosperity-Montana (AFP), the Frontier Institute, and the multiple groups they operate under pseudonyms....
Submitting to God and following His purposes daily is the primary goal of a Christian. There are days when doing so is not easy, and this is the message that Paul conveys in Philippians, chapters one and two. Here, we find the conjunction “therefore.” Our Bible College interpretation professor always said, “When you see a therefore in Scripture, be sure to see what it is there for.” Paul writes, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out...
WHAT ARE YOU SICK OF SEEING ONLINE: Everything - JB Armchair Warriors - KJT Commercials - AKP Division - LRB Politics - PP AI - MM and BK Mean People - LSA WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE SMELL? Boxer brief farts - MM Fishing worms left in the fridge since last summer - SH Rotten potatoes - JB Stale cigarettes - CW Cigarette smoke & Durian - SO Patchouli - KK Moldy Oranges - MP Diapers - AKP Peanut Butter - FR Vomit - MM Lavender - MB Diesel - JJ Bacon - KL Eggs - KH Dog/cat pee - LSA WHAT HUMAN BODY MALFUNCTION DRIVES YOU THE CRAZIEST? That...
American Football is essentially an IRL turn-based strategy game. One day in the future, “Do you smoke?” will mean marijuana by default, not nicotine. Unlike other content on YouTube, music videos tend to see their view counts increase consistently over time. When exercising, fat is broken down into components, and the carbon from it is breathed out. Losing weight is difficult because it involves changes at the molecular level. Much furniture design is limited by door size. It’s absurd that we accept rock losing to paper just because...
Dear Editor, Who speaks for Montana? In 1842, 91-year-old Levi Preston, who had fought at Concord as a Massachusetts Minuteman in the American Revolutionary War, was asked why he took up arms against the British on April 19th, 1775. Preston ignored the familiar list of grievances historians often cite and dismissed the idea that he had been inspired by the philosophical writings of John Locke, claiming he had "never heard of 'em." What motivated Preston and others like him who fought for...
Last summer, hunters and anglers stepped up in a huge way to help defeat a proposal by Utah Senator Mike Lee to sell off millions of acres of public land. In the end, public land defenders won. Confronted by an outpouring of grassroots opposition, Senator Lee removed his amendment to the Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” But the struggle demonstrated that we need to act sooner. Four elk hunters in Wyoming showed us what stepping up can look like. Instead of sitting back and looking sadly at a huge chunk of prime elk country...
GEORGIA, I have a question, Yesterday, I saw that my ex-boyfriend’s mom had posted on Facebook that she’d broken an arm and leg and was going in for surgery. Apparently, my ex didn’t know anything about it and is now angry with me for ruining his morning and causing unnecessary stress. He demanded that I unfriend his mother immediately and quit keeping tabs on his family. Little background: We broke up seven months ago after six years together. We still speak every day, see each other a couple of times a week, and live a couple of...
Lee Leroy Lewis, 71, passed away on January 26, 2026, in Whitehall, Montana. Lee was an avid outdoorsman, a NASCAR fan, and loved working on cars. He was preceded in death by his mother, Norma Jean Nighswonger; his father, William Charles Lewis; and his siblings, Ron Lewis, Robert Lewis, Nancy Jones, and Cheryle Stone. Lee is survived by his children, Jason (Rachael) Lewis, Ritchie Lewis, Mandy Kay (Justin) Cleverley, Michael Lewis, Amanda (Jesse) Ehnes, and Brittney Cranford; 15 grandchildren,... Full story
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 11:50:21 Trespass: Hwy 55 12:50:57 Animal Abuse: USFS Rd 8610 16:11:27 Neighbor Dispute: Prickly Pear Rd 16:29:04 Dog at Large: McLeod Estates Rd 18:59:11 Domestic Violence: Pipestone Rd 21:37:46 Animal: I-90 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2 07:28:27 Traffic Stop: W Second St 07:55:03 Traffic Stop: N Division St 09:04:21 Traffic Stop: Hwy 359 09:40:44 Agency Assist: I-90 10:33:14 Traffic Hazard 11:09:12 Traffic Stop: E Legion St 11:32:08 Traffic Stop: E Legion St 13:52:00 Medical: Hwy 2 W...
Join Whitehall Indivisible (WI) as we host guest speaker Representative Ken Walsh of HD 69 this Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM at the Whitehall school library for an update on his reelection campaign and Q&A. Walsh met with WI last July and was an informative speaker about Montana government in general, as well as his own role as a House representative. Whitehall Indivisible has now been meeting weekly for one year. Our focus for the upcoming year remains the same: to stay informed about challenges to democracy and to take...
TROJANS POST MORE WINS AT MANHATTAN TOURNEY: Several Whitehall Trojan wrestlers brought home wins. First-place honors are held by Cale Hoover, Joey Beebout, Levi Fuller, and Jack Raty in their respective weight brackets. Gavin Hockenberry and Colt McLean took second places in their brackets, while Cassidy Colling brought home a third-place win, and Corban Slater and Quade Skogen came in fourth in their brackets. Great job, Trojans! Photo courtesy COURTNEY...
The Whitehall Middle School Trojan girls' basketball team is enjoying a successful season, already tallying five wins and showing steady improvement with each game. The team recently competed in the Three Forks 7th-grade basketball tournament, placing third overall. Coaches say the strong finish reflects the players' hard work and growing confidence on the court. Head Coach Will Glaus and longtime assistant coach Kerry Sacry have been leading the program this season. Working together, the...
