Week of July 16, 2025
Week of July 16, 2025
Dust off your boots and saddle up, because Whitehall is fixin' to throw one heck of a hoedown during this year's Frontier Days, a three-day celebration of small-town pride, Western spirit, and good ol'-fashioned community fun. Brought to you by the newly formed Whitehall Events group, this year's theme is "Back to Our Roots," and from July 24th to 26th, the town is rollin' out the welcome mat for locals and visitors alike. The festivities kick off Thursday, July 24, with a dip in the pool and... Full story
The Whitehall Ledger is working hard to complete its annual Frontier Days special section, which will be released on Wednesday, July 23rd. This section includes the low-down on all of the Frontier Days events, parade grand marshall information, ad specials from local businesses, and more. It is circulated throughout the festival weekend to those in town. This special section's deadline of Friday, July 18th is quickly approaching! The 2025 rates are as follows: • Full Page: 11" x 20" $600 ...
Whitehall resident Marge Rankin and her late husband, artist Jerry Rankin, are huge supporters of the arts in Basin. LEGACY - Works from the Garage - a sale of work generously donated by the Rankins to benefit and promote the arts in Basin , opened June 29th at the Refuge Gallery in Basin. The art sale, which continues through August and features prints, paintings, and drawings by Jerry, is open Sundays 11 AM to 4 PM or by appointment. Additional artwork is on display at the Art Mine on Sundays...
The quaint countryside of Montana will soon burst into life, full of vibrant colors and tactile experiences, this Saturday (9 AM - 5 PM) and Sunday (9 AM - 3 PM) at the Copper K Fiber Festival! Situated at the historic Copper K Barn, just eight miles south of Whitehall, this festival is a paradise for fiber enthusiasts, artists, and newcomers. Whether you’re an experienced artisan or simply seeking a fun, creative weekend, join us as we aim to make this year’s festival the most memorable yet! Every year, the Copper K Fiber Festival...
Frontier Days is fast coming up. 4 Paws Rescue will have raffle tickets available starting the 1st of July. First prize is the Rooster painting by local artist Cheryl Gordon from Sheridan, 2nd prize is the Clays In Calico cookie jar [made in 2018 and never been used] and the 3rd prize is a pet basket filled with both dog and cat items. Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 tickets for $20.00. All proceeds go to help the pets with veterinarian needs and food. Tickets can be purchased [cash, checks or...
Graduates of Whitehall High School between 1980 and 1989 are invited to attend a reception on Saturday, July 26th, during Frontier Days. The event will be held at the Legion Center (405 W Legion) from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, featuring plenty of visiting, refreshments, and a cool place to escape the heat—no pre-registration required. For more information, please get in touch with Dani Rollison, Brenda Volz, or Amy Caliendo at whitehall8...
Bannack State Park’s signature event, Bannack Days, is scheduled for the third weekend in July, with many traditional activities, displays, and re-enactments celebrating Montana’s first territorial capital. Bannack Days will be Saturday, July 19, from 9 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday, July 20, from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Admission is $5 for individuals ages six and older, or $20 per family. Admission is free for children age five and younger. Tickets can be purchased with cash at the park entrance or online at montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com. Make...
With deep sorrow and profound respect, the Kelso community and the broader Washington education family mourn the loss of Dr. Gay V. Selby, a legendary educator, barrier-breaking leader, and relentless advocate for students and public education. Dr. Selby passed away peacefully from cardiac arrest on July 7, 2025, at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview. She was 83. Across a remarkable 50-year career, Dr. Selby transformed the landscape of education in Washington state, dedicating her...
The Whitehall Town Council voted on July 10, 2000, to settle a salary dispute between the Town and Francine Stevison. During their monthly meeting, they also heard an update on the paving project and voted to begin another dredging of the town's sewage treatment lagoons. WHS Organizer of the Week: The Whitehall Saddle Club (WSC). The WSC helps manage the rodeo grounds and rodeo arena, and schedules two major summer events. The Whitehall Saddle Club, composed of about 13 area families, sponsors...
July 1899. Some of the front-page news could be from today. The Brazos Valley in Texas was devastated by a massive flood. Hundreds were rescued, and hundreds died. The early estimate was as many as 300 deaths, with the loss of livestock, crops, and other farm losses estimated between $7,000,000 and $15,000,000. The other loss was also in the millions. In today's dollars, the farm loss would be between $271,000,000 and $581,000,000. Near Anaconda, a massive forest fire was destroying valuable...
It has definitely been an adventure this summer with all of the road construction right out the front doors of the Whitehall Community Library. I was admiring how beautiful it looked when everything was blocked off again to chip seal the highway. You can still get here, as hundreds of readers proved last week, just come in by the post office if First Street is blocked off. The highway workers are trying to make sure no one gets hurt; they aren't here to inconvenience anyone. My admiration for...
A summer barbecue or picnic wouldn't be the same without the perfect dessert. While a slice of pie with ice cream on top is a fan favorite, a fruit tart can be a welcome change, especially when it's bursting with juicy, delicious berries. This recipe for "Blackberry Streusel Tart" from "Classic Stars Desserts" (Chronicle Books) by Emily Luchetti is full of blackberries that are soft and juicy. Select varieties of blackberries, such as olallieberries and marionberries, which are not too tart...
When the temperatures rise, so does the strain on your heart. Hot weather doesn’t just make you uncomfortable—it can be especially dangerous for those with heart conditions or high blood pressure. Even healthy hearts can struggle when your body is working overtime to stay cool. Here are six tips to help you stay safe and protect your heart during the heat of summer: 1. Stay Hydrated—Even Before You Feel Thirsty: Your heart has to work harder when you’re dehydrated. Water helps your blood circulate more easily and allows your body to...
Most people would agree that television commercials are an irritant at worst and a beverage break at best. For University of Montana marketing researcher Jesse King, commercials – namely, pharmaceutical advertisements – are intensely interesting and a focal point of his studies for the past several years. Specifically, King studies how images used in those ads are juxtaposed against the stated benefits and risks of taking a drug. "The FDA requires pharmaceutical advertisers to present both...
How to Set Up Parental Controls on Your Devices In today's digital age, keeping children safe online is more important than ever. With so many devices and platforms available, it's easy for kids to stumble onto inappropriate content or spend too much time on screens. Thankfully, most modern devices come with built-in parental controls that are simple to use, even if you're not tech-savvy. START WITH THE BASICS: Whether you're using a smartphone, tablet, gaming console, or smart TV, parental...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, your confidence is peaking, and people are noticing. Even though you are on a roll, don’t let it go to your head. Midweek might be a test of your patience, but you’ll keep your cool. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 You are craving creature comforts, Taurus. This week, you might be happy with keeping things slow and relaxing. You also may want to splurge on a treat. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, this week, your brain may be best compared to a Wi-Fi signal. In other words, moving fast, seeking new information, and maybe...
Dear Editor, I'm extremely disappointed in every legislator who voted for one of the most harmful bills in history, Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill." Many people in our state and nationwide likely don't understand what this legislation means for our families and communities. Here's a breakdown of how some parts of this bill will directly affect us: • Phase out tax credits for wind and solar power, which will drive up our energy costs. • Withdraw aid for agencies like FEMA that monitor...
GEORGIA, I have a question, I need some advice, and I figured if anyone’s heard of a crazier situation, it’s you. I’m 34, divorced just eight months ago. My ex-wife recently asked me if I’d attend her wedding. Yes. Her wedding. To the guy she cheated on me with. She said it would “mean a lot” to her. Apparently, it’s important for our daughter (6) to see us both there, because she’s going to be the flower girl. And I do get that. I want to be a good dad and be emotionally mature, especially in front of my daughter, but this...
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) passed by Congress and signed by President Trump is a game changer that will benefit middle-income, working-class Montanans. Yet Montana Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers (Montana’s top Democrat) said “I just think it is a betrayal of working Montanans and Americans,” mirroring national Democrats’ political talking points. One must wonder if elected Democrats even read or understand the bill. Regarding Medicaid, it does not “gut” the program as Democrats claim. It will reduce Medicaid...
If ghosts produce cold rushes, then having a ghost friend around in the summertime would be nice. If a woman engineer had been the first to design pickle jars, they would never require a man to open them. Dogs have been domesticated for at least 14,000 years, which means they have been domesticated for all of recorded history. Public beaches remind us of how much the marketing and movie industries distort our reality. An item’s potential future value is usually inversely proportional to how hard it is marketed as a collectible. Professional...
Dear Editor, The passage of Trump's so-called "Big Bad Budget Bill" is a tragic milestone - not just because of what it contains, but because of what it reveals. To the conservatives who pulled the lever for Trump and the Republicans behind this legislation: this is the result of your vote. This bill guts healthcare, undermines clean energy, hikes household costs, and throws public lands to the wolves - and for what? More tax breaks for billionaires. More profits for polluters. More corporate...
In the business world, decisions are made constantly based on the “bottom line,” which is often referred to as net income or profit. We also use this phrase to refer to what matters most or in making a final decision regarding various aspects of life. For the follower of Jesus, the bottom line is that we should strive to live unoffendable and be free from anger. Brant Hansen says, “Being unoffendable involves constantly reminding ourselves that we don’t deserve God’s forgiveness- and yet God has chosen to forgive us anyway....
Gay Selby was born in Missoula, Montana, in 1941 to Vivienne Russell Selby and Larry Manley Selby. The family pioneered in the Gallatin Valley, the approximate location of the Big Sky Resort. They moved to Whitehall next to her grandparents, where she and her younger brother Garry were raised. The family heavily supported sports, and her parents led the band and cheer squad. After graduating from Whitehall High School in 1960, Gay attended one year at the University of Arizona and returned to... Full story
Wayne Darryl Peterson was born October 4, 1946, in Murray, Utah, to Cleone (Jensen) and Max Darrell Peterson. He passed away on July 4, 2025, in Whitehall, Montana. Wayne was raised an "Air Force Brat" and lived in dozens of states, plus three countries. He attended the University of Idaho (UI) and then enlisted in the Navy. Served as a communications technician in Kamiseya, Japan, in the late 60s. Wayne came back to the UI and received a bachelor's in economics. He moved cross-country to... Full story
SUNDAY, JULY 6 10:05:11 Panic Alarm: Hwy 2 E 12:02:47 Warrant: Curlew Ln 12:29:03 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury): I-90 12:32:12 Medical: Tobacco Root Ln 12:37:36 Traffic Stop: Legion/Stanley 15:25:25 Medical: Bowman Ln 15:50:50 Agency Assist: I-90 16:27:47 Welfare Check: I-90 16:38:02 Citizen Assist: S Brooke St 17:31:59 Animal: Piedmont Rd 19:11:08 Traffic Offense: I-90 19:38:25 Agency Assist: Hwy 287 19:45:21 Fire Restriction Violation: Jackrabbit Ln 21:45:28 Fireworks: S Lincoln St 22:06:43...
In a major boost to Montanans’ constitutional right to know, the state Supreme Court ruled that citizens who successfully sue for public records are presumptively entitled to recover their attorney’s fees. With this precedent, courthouse doors are more accessible to those who have been wrongfully denied their right to know. Montana Environmental Information Center v. Governor changes the calculus for those seeking government transparency and for government officials and agencies withholding information. Going forward, when a citizen...
