Week of October 21, 2026
Week of October 21, 2026
Inner-Mind Therapeutics, owned and operated by Diana C. Smith-Lamprea, will facilitate a grief support group for eight participants, meeting weekly for 8 weeks. The group aims to start on Monday, October 26, and run through December 14, from 11 AM to 12:30 PM, in the upstairs private conference room at the Star Theatre. Sessions cost $40 per person per session. Accepted insurances include Medicaid, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Cigna, First Choice Health, and Pacific Source Insurance. I want to acknowledge that choosing to come...
Just in time for Halloween, Butte Spooks and Spirits has launched the Hauntings Tour of Butte, America, a self-guided audio experience, “where history talks back to you.” Visitors use their own cell phones to explore the specters and haunts of Uptown Butte at their own pace. The free audio experience is narrated by Chris Fisk, a professional paranormal investigator and Butte historian with Butte Spooks and Spirits. The experience is available by downloading the free app from the app store, provided by the project’s technology partner,...
The third-grade classes at Whitehall Elementary School, taught by Mrs. Michelle Head and Mrs. Casey McLean, took a field trip to the Big Red Barn (Jefferson Valley Museum) earlier in October. The third graders toured the museum, learned the area's history, and discovered many items they never knew existed. Each year, the Jefferson Valley Museum presents third graders with a mystery item to guess. This year’s item was an antique optometer. The optometer is a 19th/early 20th-century ophthalmic instrument used to measure visual acuity and...
The Whitehall community will reunite as rehearsals for the annual community cantata begin. This year's theme is "THIS IS JESUS," and Janet Heilig will direct the cantata. Singers! Get ready! Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, October 25th at 7 PM at the First Christian Church (108 E First St - Whitehall). The performance will be on Sunday, December 13 at the First Christian Church. The main performance will be held at 7 PM; however, if you can't make the evening show or don't want to drive at...
CARDWELL CARNIVAL OCTOBER 29: It's that time of year to get spooked at the Annual Cardwell School Student Council Fundraiser - the Cardwell School Carnival! Come join the fun Thursday, October 29th from 5 to 7 PM, with Truck or Treat immediately following at 7:10 PM! Tickets are $1 each or $25 for an unlimited family pass. tickets get your into games, cake walk, haunted house and more! PTSA Trunk or Treat Oct. 30: The Whitehall PTSA is seeking help to FEED THE MONSTERS at their Trunk or Treat...
Economic development opportunities, upcoming community events, infrastructure improvements, and preparations for winter highlighted the Whitehall Town Council's October meeting, held in the Council chambers on Monday, October 19th. Headwaters RC&D regional director Jay Doyle provided an overview of programs available to local businesses, agricultural producers, and property owners, while introducing Jess LaDouceur as the newly installed director of the Food and Agricultural Development Center. Doyle and LaDouceur provided an informational...
This week at the Whitehall Community Library (110 W. First St - Whitehall) should be a little calmer than last week, as all of our volunteers are back! They all happened to be on vacation last week, and the staff has a whole new appreciation for how hard they work and how much they get done! Thank you all again for helping us to do everything we do! Next Saturday, the lovely ladies from the Clerk and Recorder's Office will be at the Library collecting ballots for the election from 10 AM until 1...
There are about 15 million hunters in the United States (I’m one of them), and an estimated 13 million of us still use bullets made of lead despite its toxic effects on wildlife and human health, which is why I switched to nontoxic ammo years ago. Hunters are not alone in loving lead. The Romans employed lead in their plumbing, Gutenberg made printing type from a lead-tin alloy, and lead-acid batteries worldwide start our cars. Lead is especially suitable for making bullets. Because of its low melting point, lead is easy to pour and cast;...
A century ago, politicians filled newspapers with their "vote for me" jargon. Back then, you could just skip that part of the newspaper unless you really wanted to know where a candidate stood on issues and what they planned to do if elected. In 1926, the main ballot initiative was No. 31, the Good Roads Bill, which, if passed, would send $16 million to our state over 10 years to improve Montana roads by increasing the gas tax. Other headline news included Wisconsin Dairymen Touring Montana;...
Hunters are key to tracking chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Montana. Every deer, elk, or moose you bring in for sampling tells us more about how to manage CWD and help stop CWD in its tracks. Is CWD a concern? YES. CWD is a fatal disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. It spreads through direct contact and contaminated environments, and once it is established, it is very difficult to remove from the landscape. Where do we need help most this year? FWP has identified CWD Priority Sampling...
A Whitehall committee, designed to ease the economic and tax burden when Golden Sunlight Mine eventually ceases mining operations, has decided to explore locating a tire recycling facility near Whitehall and to hold a public meeting to gauge public reaction to the proposal. WHITEHALL HIGH SCHOOL CREATIVE LEADER OF THE WEEK: Alissa Frazer. WHS Band member Alissa Frazer has earned honors this week for her leadership in a concert band. Band director Carol Ditez says that Alissa "has demonstrated...
For years, age 35 has been treated as a bright dividing line in pregnancy: younger than 35 meant routine care, while 35 or older meant “high risk.” That framing is too simplistic—and it can create unnecessary fear for people considering pregnancy in their late 30s or beyond. Pregnancy risk does not suddenly change on a person’s 35th birthday. It rises gradually with age and becomes more pronounced after 40, particularly for those having their first pregnancy. Even then, age is only one part of the picture. A person’s health before...
Symbolism and the holiday season go hand in hand. For those of Jewish heritage who celebrate Chanukah, several prominent symbols endure year after year. The widely recognizable menorah fits that bill, and jelly doughnuts also have withstood the test of time. Many Chanukah celebrants enjoy a specific variety known as sufganiyot. According to My Jewish Learning, jelly doughnuts are one of the more symbolic dishes associated with Chanukah. Oily foods have represented the miracle of Chanukah since...
Dear Editor, As someone who represented some large corporations in the last decade, I understand the frustrations about transparency in political spending. More money is pouring into Montana elections than ever, and with less information about where it's coming from. Proponents of Initiative No. 194 (I-194) want to do something about this "dark money" problem, and I applaud their intent. Unfortunately, the consequences of I-194's approach – no political spending as a condition of doing...
Dear Editor, For 33 years, I've worked as a clinical social worker in Yellowstone County supporting thousands of young people within Montana's criminal justice system. Over the course of three decades, I've learned that every kid should be treated fairly and that our assessment of their potential should not depend exclusively on our understanding of their past. For these reasons, I'm voting for Constitutional Initiative 132, which would keep our courts nonpartisan. As the former Executive...
Dear Editor, If your neighbor were being robbed in broad daylight, would you come to their aid? Would you at least yell "stop!"? Would you call the police? What if the police or any other public servants were the robbers? All three Madison County commissioners voted to ban certain development of private property on Raynolds Pass. This was done to accommodate the desire of local special interests to create a wildlife corridor, which would limit the rights of other property owners. Not only are...
At a traffic stop, during rush hour, did some bozo behind you honk his horn when you didn't jump immediately at the change to green? We will forgive him or her. But under some circumstances, I wish to point out that things are clear. Green is the main color for “Go.” Did you know Jesus gave Christians the “green light” to train disciples and share the Gospel with others? Yup. “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then...
Editor - a letter to our Jefferson County Commissioners, Hello, County Commissioners; Whitehall Indivisible wants to publicly express gratitude to the Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder's Office overall, to individual staff in particular, and to the volunteer election judges who step up to train and serve throughout Jefferson County on Election Days. As confidence in elections wanes in many parts of the country, we believe it is important to acknowledge that in our part of Montana, elections are...
Whether you’re voting on a ballot issue or a candidate for office, my advice to you is always the same: cast an informed vote or skip it and move on. Voting because it’s “good citizenship” is, in fact, bad citizenship if you don’t know who or what you’re voting for. Judge and Supreme Court justice races scream out as the biggest examples of voter ignorance – and thus, bad voting. We know this instinctively. Proponents of CI-132 (the measure banning judicial candidates from ever running on a party label) keep telling us “Judges...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 This is a great week for you, Aries. You are empathetic and tuned into your surroundings. You might feel warm and friendly to everyone. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, this is a feel-good week. Enjoy some private moments to reflect on what you want to accomplish. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, sympathy for a cause or a friend may prompt you to get involved with a charitable organization. You also are interested in learning more from others. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Use the fact that others are noticing you to your...
Dear Editor, I don't have enough words to thank the people of Whitehall, Butte, and the surrounding areas. I have shed a thousand tears over your incredible kindness and generosity. You have given so much love so generously. I’ve had hundreds of visitors and mountains of gifts. I truly had no idea how much I meant to you all, and please know that every single one of you means just as much to me! The gifts, cards, and fundraisers are absolutely incredible. Thank you so very much. While I am...
GEORGIA, I have a question, My wife of 22 years hasn't spoken to me since I suggested she get her hormones checked last week. We're both in our late 40s, and we have two teenagers. Over the last six months, she's been constantly on edge, getting angry over things that never used to bother her. Last weekend, I watched football with our son; our daughter was upstairs playing video games. My wife had been cooking most of the day when the dog got into something outside and made a mess. She started yelling from the kitchen that she was tired of...
When you read fiction, you are not getting an opinion on life from every group of people, only from writers. In terms of protein mass, the average American is probably 20-40% cow. Career Fry Cooks must have visibly better-aged skin due to all the oil. A chart of most popular birthdates can be reverse-engineered to be a chart of most popular conception dates. With Ozempic/GLP-1 now being available in pill form, all those “Take this diet pill and you will lose weight!” advertising scams in magazines back in the day are not scams anymore. If...
Kathy Gail Hugulet was born on April 11, 1955, in New York, New York, to Elmo and Marjorie Barton. She grew up with her sister, Moana, and her brother, Dana, sharing the family bonds that shaped her life. Kathy passed on October 7, 2026. In 1999, Kathy married Lance Hugulet, beginning a chapter of life filled with love and companionship. Kathy had a sweet soul and a kind heart, and she cherished the people who meant the most to her. She loved her family and friends deeply, and the time she...
Roy Caldwell, 95, of Mesa, Arizona (formerly of Whitehall, Montana), passed away peacefully on October 12, 2026, after a long, well-lived life. Born on July 6, 1931, in Jordan, Montana, Roy was a man of many talents. Throughout his long life, he worked as a carpenter, electrician, blackjack dealer, and musician. While he wore many professional hats, music was his true life's passion-second only to his deep love for his family. In the 1970s, Roy and his wife, Phyllis, bought the Borden Hotel and...
In addition to casting votes for three-quarters of the state’s congressional delegation, an open state Supreme Court seat, two Public Service Commissioners and legislative candidates, Montanans will also weigh in on three ballot measures in the upcoming election. Those measures, which have already satisfied multiple requirements to appear on the ballot, allow voters to directly amend the state Constitution or statutory code. This year, Montana voters will determine via initiative the future of nonpartisan state courts, corporate spending in...
Montana’s Constitution establishes the right to a clean and healthful environment. Does that right extend to how the state regulates the climate impacts of monopoly utilities, like NorthWestern Energy? A coalition of businesses, environmental groups and healthcare professionals says yes. That’s why they first petitioned the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) to include climate change in its regulatory decision-making two years ago. Last month the PSC formally rejected that petition, and earlier in October EarthJustice and the Western...
Whitehall Indivisible (WI) trekked to Boulder for this week’s commission meeting on Election Heroes Day to publicly thank Ginger Kunz and her staff at the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder’s Office for their excellent work every election (see letter to the Editor). This month’s Jefferson County Planning Board meeting opened with a letter from Sue Pullman asking the Planning Board to prepare for potential data center developments in Jefferson County. The Planning Board Chairperson said the Commissioners told the board to spend no time...
Absentee Drop-off Day will be Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 AM to 1 PM. The Jefferson County Election Office will be available at the locations below for voters to drop off their Absentee Ballots: • Whitehall Community Library (110 W. First St. - Whitehall) • Clerk & Recorder/Election Office (102 S. Monroe - Boulder) • Clancy Old Red School House ( 3 N. Main St. - Clancy) • Montana City Fire Hall (1192 Hwy 282 - MT City) Ballots can also be returned: • Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 12 PM, and 1 PM - 5 PM at the Election Office, and...
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11 07:02:21 Citizen Assist: W First St 08:27:19 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury): I-90 10:12:42 Vehicle Accident (Injury): I-90 10:18:56 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury): I-90 10:25:37 Vehicle Accident-Non Injury: I-90 11:48:53 Medical: E First St 12:02:25 Medical: E Legion St 13:24:40 Animal: Pipestone Rd 13:31:26 Citizen Assist: N Main St 13:41:30 Animal 15:26:21 Motorist Assist: I-90 15:56:33 Vehicle Accident (Injury) 16:44:55 Medical: Quarter Horse Ln 17:03:51 Unknown Alarm: W...
The Whitehall Trojan football team fell to Townsend 39-16 on Friday, October 16, at Broadwater High School, dropping the Trojans to 2-6 on the season. Whitehall will close its regular season at home against Manhattan on Friday, October 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM. CROSS COUNTRY: Whitehall will compete in the MHSA State Cross Country Championships on Saturday, October 24, at Amend Park in Billings. At last week's Tracy Logan 7 of 7 meet, the Whitehall's boys team finished 32nd with 213...
