Week of October 7, 2026
Week of October 7, 2026
Screams Come True, Whitehall's haunted house, has been recognized and voted as the top-rated haunted house in Montana. This award-winning attraction, operated by local nonprofit Gold Junction Presents, is 100% volunteer-run and transforms the local community center into an incredible, nightmare-filled horror experience every October, using the funds raised to support the historic Star Theatre and local arts initiatives. This is not your typical sheets and shadows haunted house, instead the...
Bethany Zulick went back to school in January to become a high school English teacher. Years ago, she taught English as a second language overseas and loved it. “It’s so exciting to me to watch someone learn a new word or have that spark of understanding,” she said. Zulick knew she could earn enough money as a substitute teacher to make going back to school financially viable — except for the cost of health insurance. She didn’t want to risk being unable to see her doctor for her allergies, or for preventative care. The health...
Only a month remains before the November general election. Political discourse is headline news. Today? Yes, and 126 years ago. What the United States exports to other countries is being talked about– Coal was being shipped by the millions of tons to Canada, with smaller amounts to Mexico and Europe. The November 1900 general election would determine the next president. Photos of Democratic candidates William Jennings Bryan and Adlai E. Stevenson appeared on the front page of every October...
October is the time for new computer classes at the Whitehall Community Library (110 W First St). This month, we will explore smartphones (both Android and iPhones), use Facebook Messenger, manage phone privacy settings, and more. The October calendars are out, and all of the computer classes are listed by date. Pick up a calendar today and sign up for classes you would like to attend. All classes are on Tuesdays and Fridays at 1 PM. The library will be closed on October 12th for Columbus Day...
Many Montana families spend years building farms, ranches, businesses, homes, and savings. Most people think about passing property to family members through a will or trust after they die. However, there is another option. A revised Montana State University Extension MontGuide, “Gifting: A Property Transfer Tool of Estate Planning,” explains how people can transfer property during their lifetime as part of an estate and legacy plan. The publication, written by Marsha A. Goetting, MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist, and Joel...
An upcoming October 10 meeting will discuss the first-ever "spooktacular" Whitehall benefit haunted house. Paul and Karen Mattern and assorted friends are converting the second floor of the Borden's Hotel into a haunted house WHITEHALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT OF THE WEEK: Monique Choquette. This week's honors go to senior Monique Choquette for her work in the photo and shop labs. Teacher Tom Wheeler nominated her "For her positive input and help in both the photo and shop facility." Monique is the...
The Cardwell Community Church invites you to learn about Restoring Hope Nepal on Wednesday, October 7 at 6 PM. Restoring Hope Nepal provides restoration and hope to women who have been rescued from sex trafficking. Since 2013, our safe home in Kathmandu has helped over 150 women gain freedom from sex trafficking and build new lives. The safe house provides love, safety, and education for 30+ women at a time. The residential program provides: • Vocational training & access to traditional education • Discipleship and counseling ...
Bread-making is a popular pastime for millions of people worldwide. When baking bread at home, kitchens and even surrounding rooms tend to fill up with an enticing aroma. The finished product is equally appetizing and often hard to resist. There's no end to the types of bread people can prepare at home. This winter, a recipe for "Winter Squash Bread" from Lines+Angles can hit the spot for anyone who loves making and indulging in homemade bread. INGREDIENTS (8 Servings) 1 1/3 cups sugar 1/3 cup...
At We Are HER (Healed, Empowered, Restored), we believe that every survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault deserves more than just recovery; they deserve a path to healing, empowerment, and restoration. Our mission goes beyond crisis intervention because we’re pioneering a new frontier of aftercare for survivors, and we need your support to keep our vital work going. In 2024, one of our volunteers, an MSU student with a big heart and a bigger idea, asked a simple question: "What if survivors' stories weren't hidden, but shared?"...
“Dark money” is the buzzword of the moment in Montana politics. It is on activists’ lips, in fundraising mailers, and on signs and billboards along Montana highways. But “dark money” is more than a buzzword. It is becoming a political weapon—and providing cover for a hostile takeover of Montana politics. The takeover is not happening in secret. It is happening in plain sight. Some of the wealthiest people in America are spending millions trying to influence who represents Montanans. At the same time, they invoke the “dark...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you have some free time this week. Focus on social outings and keeping things light. Use the time to relax and recharge. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Tact may be required in the days ahead, Taurus. You have strong opinions about how to approach a situation, but present your views with kindness and express a willingness to be flexible. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, save up your energy for something fun instead of getting swept up in someone else’s drama. Patience is your best friend this week, even if it doesn’t...
Dear Editor, The passage of the ballot initiative CI-132 is so important. CI-132 simply puts into the Montana Constitution that judges will remain non-partisan, as they have been for the last 90 years. It's that simple. Judges should not declare support for one political affiliation over the other, whether they are a candidate for Montana Supreme Court or a District Judge who will preside over civil cases, felonies, and probate. As our judges deal with everyday Montanans, we need to know they...
Beef is expensive. Shoppers see it every time they walk past the meat counter. Washington has responded with a band-aid solution by opening the door to more imported beef. While that may provide some short-term appeal to consumers, it does nothing to address the underlying domestic supply problem that drove prices up in the first place. In fact, allowing more imported beef actually makes the problem worse in the long run because it artificially manipulates the supply and demand signals that...
Imagine the state legislature passes a law that says this: “A Montana driver’s license allows you to drive on all state roads—except not to church services. People can still go to church, but they have to walk or find other arrangements.” Would that law be constitutional? Or suppose a law says that a barber’s license allows you to cut hair, but you can’t talk politics in your barbershop. If you do, you lose your license. Would that be constitutional? Or suppose the legislature says a business may incorporate in Montana, but it...
GEORGIA, I have a question. I just want to run a scenario by you and see if I overreacted. I am 31. I had been chatting with a guy, 34, for about two weeks, and yesterday we finally met in person. The plan was an afternoon in Bozeman, walking downtown, starting with lunch at my favorite cafe. He was fine in person. We did the awkward half-hug, a little stiff, but nothing horrible. Normal first date stuff. We walked up to order, and he patted his pockets and said, “Ooh. I left my wallet in my car. Do you want to walk with me to get it?...
The “church” has existed since approximately 33AD, following Christ’s resurrection on the Day of Pentecost as recorded in the book of Acts. Here we are 2000 years later, and the church is now worldwide and growing, fulfilling Christ’s words, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). Many are accustomed to referring to the “church” as a building or place of worship; however, the longer I have been a pastor, the more convicted I am that Jesus' love requires more. The church must be...
Elections have consequences, and Jefferson County citizens can choose between two vastly different legislative candidates for HD 75. I've personally known Mark Reinschmidt for 35+ years. He's one of us; he grew up and has lived here nearly his entire life. His Christian principles, background, and experiences have shaped his approach to representation. He's a consummate entrepreneur and knows personally about the hard work, risk-taking, and commitment it takes to be in business and sign...
Dear Editor, Montanans are being bombarded with television and other political ads in this year’s congressional races. Voters should understand an important limitation of ballot initiative I-194: it would not stop much of the political spending we are seeing today. I-194 restricts political spending by certain “artificial persons,” including corporations, nonprofits, partnerships and trade associations. But the initiative expressly exempts political committees, and its restrictions are aimed at state and local political activity—not...
Anatomically, horses' legs are essentially long fingers, which is why their hooves are made of keratin, like fingernails. If Godzilla attacked a city that isn't (near) yours, your life wouldn't change one bit. Just memes and news updates. If you’re wealthy enough, the lottery just becomes a low-yield investment opportunity. A nasal voice is when all the air passes through the mouth. A septic tank is one big bacterial battle for species supremacy. You can tell who is winning by the smell. Because of time dilation, your blood cells age more...
Aren’t people clever? Start by getting massive amounts of dark money from nonresident billionaires seeking to control Montana’s politics. Then run a ballot initiative that claims to control dark money influence in Montana. Bait and switch. Brilliant! Why, it’s enough to get you really cynical about politics… The dark money-funded I-194 signs and advertising are everywhere. It all sounds so doggone good. Too much dark money in politics, you say to yourself. Too much wealthy out-of-state influence. We need to do something about it....
Dolores Marie Brozovich passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 27, 2026, surrounded by her family. She lived her entire life in selfless service to the Lord, family, and friends. Dolores was born on November 4, 1944, to John and Lenore Wulf as the youngest of five children. She attended the Immaculate Conception Grade School and graduated from Butte High School. Over the years, she worked as a clerk for Hennessy's, a secretary for the State Highway Commission, and became the...
An absentee ballot requirement that has resulted in thousands of Montana votes being thrown out since 2025 was ruled unconstitutional on Monday, October 5th by a state judge. At issue is the requirement that voters write their birth year on absentee ballot return envelopes. In his Monday ruling, Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike Menahan said the requirement had disenfranchised nearly 6,000 Montana voters since it was created by the 2025 Legislature. The ruling means that 2026 general election ballot envelopes missing the birth...
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 00:46:03 Reckless Driver: I-90 07:22:00 Animal: Hwy 55 09:09:08 Suspicious: Yellowstone Trl 09:48:59 Traffic Stop 10:02:18 DUI: W First St 11:47:27 Traffic Stop: Piedmont Rd 12:05:28 Traffic Stop: Piedmont Rd 12:57:03 Traffic Stop: N Whitehall St 13:13:41 Traffic Stop: W Legion St 13:29:17 Traffic Stop: N Stanley St 14:34:48 Traffic Stop: S Division St 15:19:03 Traffic Stop: S Division St 17:12:57 Stranded Motorist: I-90 17:47:23 Traffic Hazard: Hwy 55 18:44:27 Suspicious:...
Whitehall Indivisible (WI) met last week with a focus on strategies against election interference. Across Montana and the country, election interference is being targeted differently based on phase. Phase One election interference occurs from now until November 3rd and includes voter intimidation, undermining confidence in parts or all of the election system, and creating barriers to registering to vote. The most visible effort against Phase One interference is the “No Kings: Vote Early” events across the country, which encourage people...
The new Southwest Lion Ecoregional Population Objective Panel will meet for the first time on October 19 and 20 to discuss managing mountain lions in southwest Montana. The committee will meet in Whitehall at The Iron Wheel (40 Cedar Hills Road) from 11 AM to 6 PM on Monday, and from 8 AM to 5 PM on Tuesday. The meeting will also be live-streamed and recorded. The public is invited to participate in person or online. Public input at the beginning of the meeting will set the stage for the panel’s multi-day discussions. FWP is seeking public...
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...
The Whitehall High School Trojan football team suffered a 37-0 loss to Columbus on Friday, October 2, at Whitehall. The Cougars controlled the game, kept Whitehall off the scoreboard, and built a 37-point lead. The loss drops the Trojans to 2-4 with three regular-season games remaining. Up Next: Whitehall will travel to face the Shepherd Mustangs at 7 PM on Friday, October 9, at Shepherd High School. VOLLEYBALL: Whitehall took on Broadwater on October 1. The score will be updated in the next issue. As of this recap, the Trojans are 2-4...
