Week of July 8, 2026
Week of July 8, 2026
Working Equitation (WE) is a competition created to recognize and promote the equestrian techniques employed in countries that use the horse to work in the field. Whitehall’s Brianna Krennerich is excited to bring Whitehall its first WE event - WE IN WHITEHALL - July 18th and 19th at the Whitehall Rodeo Grounds in cooperation with USA Working Equitation and Montana Working Equitation (MWE). Spectators are free! The aim of WE is to preserve and perpetuate not only the type of each equitation in each country but also the various traditions,...
Several hundred spectators took in Whitehall's first fireworks show up close and personal at the Jefco Skypark, with who knows how many more viewing the show throughout the valley. Thank you to those with the vision, those with the time to volunteer, and to those who supported in any way they...
Whitehall Theatrics will present CLUE at the historic Whitehall Star Theatre Wednesday, July 8th at 7 PM, Thursday, July 9th at 7 PM, and Sunday, July 12th at 1 PM. Tickets are $10. Doors open a half hour before show. When their mysterious host turns up dead, the guests and the butler, Wadsworth, must scramble to find the killer before the body count stacks up. It's a classic whodunit filled with slapstick comedy, secret passageways, and all the familiar. MEET THE SUSPECTS: Wadsworth (Kerry...
In 1900, our country was just one year shy of its 125th anniversary. Independence Day celebrations were often grand affairs with plenty of patriotic music, speeches, and a sea of U.S. flags waving in a Montana breeze. However, there was also the dirty little business of politics, not much different from the themes we hear today. Page 2 of the July 7, 1900, edition of the Jefferson Valley Zephyr did not hold back anything from the editorial about the "sordid, selfish, unsympathetic, snakey cold...
A cherished yellow pie plate can ignite more family conflict than a house or bank account. That’s the central message of a Montana State University Extension MontGuide that encourages families to plan ahead to pass along personal belongings of sentimental value. The publication, titled “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate? Transferring Non-Titled Property,” highlights how everyday items such as photographs, quilts, collections, and heirlooms can carry deep emotional meaning and often lead to disagreements if decisions are not made in...
After three years of preparation for the "Journey of Discovery," the play finally premiered on June 29, 2001. The history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was presented in this historical presentation, and it mostly focused on interactions between the Corps and Native Americans from St. Louis to the Rocky Mountains. WHITEHALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Brian Carey. Brian Carey won the bareback bronc competition at seven high school rodeos in 2001 and took third place in the state, qualifying him for...
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is hosting a Weekend of Western Music featuring two nights of live entertainment from local musicians. On Friday, July 10th, enjoy tunes from talented local musicians Ron Jung and Donna Weldon of Whitehall, along with Emily and Anna Grinder of Manhattan. Their program will offer a delightful potpourri of musical favorites, including selections inspired by John Denver, traditional guitar flat-picking, Western music, and beloved folk songs. Audience members can also enjoy performances on the dobro and ukulele,...
Thank you to all who purchased raffle tickets, supporting the fireworks, for one of these great prizes: red/white/blue flower pots from Garden Dr., and paintings by Samara Doran and Dana Brunet (The Star Spangled Banner lyrics and Our Service Members). Congrats to winners Jerry Penn and Bridgette Raybold (flower pots), and Mitch Tamietti...
Integrated Weed Management (IWM) is a weed management strategy that uses multiple control tactics. That is a long-term, holistic approach that combines methods to minimize economic, health, and environmental risks while preventing weeds from developing resistance or adapting to a single control mechanism. Think of this as a "toolbox" of noxious weed-fighting strategies that you can pick and choose from for the unique circumstances of your property. Here are many of the weed management strategies that are part of our IWM toolbox: 1) noxious...
Country cooking means different things to different people. For many, it is the comfort foods they grew up with. From fried chicken to mac and cheese to meatloaf, there are plenty of dishes that fall under the country cooking umbrella. But a pot of chicken and dumplings may be one of the most popular and recognizable country cooking staples. Chicken and dumplings are flavorful, feed a crowd, and appeal to everyone from adults to children. This recipe for "Quick Chicken and Dumplins" from "Lord...
It is lovely to have all the cool weather we have been having. Summer hasn't seemed like summer this year, but it is coming. If you are without air conditioning and the weather is hot, please feel free to come to the Whitehall Community Library (110 W First St., Whitehall) to cool off. You can pick up a lunch for your children, read books or magazines, participate in a program, or just sit on the couches and enjoy the cool air. It will get hot in the coming months, and we want everyone to know...
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is announcing and inviting public comment on a proposal to resurface about 3.5 miles of Interstate 90 (I-90) west of Cardwell. The project begins at the Montana Highway 69 (MT 69) overpass bridges and extends east to the bridges that cross the Boulder River. Proposed work includes replacing culverts, pulverizing the existing surface, applying a new overlay, and finishing with a seal and cover (chip seal), upgraded pavement markings, signage, and guardrail. Pulverizing is the process of using a...
I’ve been asked that question twice recently, in very different contexts. The first time was after I described a hike I’d just taken in Oregon’s Siskiyou Mountains. The trail was narrow and rocky, picking its way across a steep mountainside. It was hot, the footing was tricky, and I’m 73 years old with a gimpy knee. Exhilarating but hard. The second time was after I mentioned a political demonstration I’d just attended — one of many. But both times, I answered that question about what keeps me going with no hesitation:...
Fire season, during which millions of acres burn across the country each summer, is an annual obstacle for anyone aspiring to enjoy a long and healthy life immersed in the outdoors. As of early July, wildfire season hasn’t picked up in Montana yet. But as summer progresses and forests and grasslands burn, the state’s air quality will deteriorate. Carrie Nyssen, an air quality expert with the American Lung Association, told Montana Free Press that wildfire smoke contains toxic compounds, including carbon monoxide and carcinogens such as...
The Whitehall Ledger is working on the annual Frontier Days special section, which will run in the July 22nd edition and be passed around during the weekend's activities. This is a great way to get special sales you'll be running during Frontier Days out there, welcome new visitors to the community, or put an upcoming event in the spotlight! Deadline for advertisements is Wednesday, July 15. 2026 rates are as follows: Full Page: 11" x 20" $625 1/2 Page: 11" x 10.5" $325 1/4 Page: 11" x 5" $175...
Tickets for the 5th Annual Garden Tour are on sale now! Presented by The Beaverhead Food Pantry, The Resource Assistance Center, and Action Inc., just $5 gets you in to see three Native Plant Gardens and two more Traditional Gardens. The event is on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 10 AM to 2 PM, and tickets can be purchased at Womacks and Patagonia in Dillon. The day of the tour, tickets may be purchased at the Depot/Museum, outside at 15 S Montana St. Zack and Terri Medina of Lambros Real Estate in Dillon have generously offered to meet up to...
Do you ever feel like your body is betraying you? Do you feel like you've tried everything, but nothing is working? Do you feel like you're doing everything "right," but still don't feel better? If you feel stuck or just can't figure out what's going on with your body or your health, this is the class for you! Join us and learn: • The aspects of healing that are often overlooked or ignored that can block your progress. • How to listen to and understand what your body is trying to tell you....
Georgia, I have a question. I’m a tall man (6’4”) and sick of people asking to “borrow” my height. So...I finally said NO! Am I wrong here? A short woman asked me to grab something for her from the top shelf, but I said: “No, thanks.” I was doing my grocery shopping at Walmart, and some of the shelves there are pretty high. Reaching the top is obviously not an issue for me, although apparently that means I am expected to help whenever somebody shorter notices me nearby. A woman who was maybe 5’2” got my attention and asked...
The Montana Plan (I-194) is now being prepared for your ballot, placed there by over 50,000 Montanans and more than 600 all-volunteer signature gatherers who gave their time because they believe in something simple: elections should belong to the people, not to corporations hiding behind anonymous checkbooks. I’ll note this was the first all-volunteer signature-gathering effort in decades. That bothers some very powerful people. And they are doing everything they can to stop you. Don’t be surprised. This has been going on for a hundred...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 There is nothing that you cannot handle this week, Aries. Expect to juggle a lot at once, but somehow you make it look easy. A calm demeanor is a big asset. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 This week will be fairly quiet for you, Taurus. You are likely to connect with a task and dig down deep until it is completed. If someone tries to persuade you to take a break, you likely won’t. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Many forces are working together to provide insight, Gemini. Take a step back and consider all of the variables in play. The...
Thank you Whitehall! My sister and I came over from the Bitterroot Valley to spend the 4th with our nephew, Jesse Haacke Jr., and watch your fireworks show. You did not disappoint! And thanks to the whole town! There was fireworks from one side of town to the other. A spectacular display of freedom ringing throughout the town and country side. Here is Jesse's son Joey lighting off some of his own fireworks! SKEETER REIDHEAD Bitterroot Valley,...
Why do Montanans send legislators to Helena? It is to solve problems – it’s as simple as that. It’s a simple concept that voters across the political spectrum likely agree on. We elect representatives to make the state government work better for the people. We should not expect the Legislature to spend valuable time passing symbolic resolutions that accomplish absolutely nothing. Yet, every legislative session in Helena, we see taxpayer funds being spent on performative politics. One cringe-worthy example from the 2025 legislative...
While it makes for good scenery, the trend of taking maternity photos in a field of tall grasses seems like a uniquely bad time to risk a tick bite. The funniest thing about the Dunning-Kruger effect is that lots of people overestimate their ability to understand it correctly. Music conductors probably get the closest to how it must feel to be a wizard casting a magnificent spell. It is possible for a fluent English speaker with perfect vision to never learn the Latin alphabet and only learn Braille instead. Mouse and rat claws look big...
Dear Editor, I am reviewing the book The Maze Runner by James Dashner. This astonishingly heart-stopping, engrossing, and riveting novel is about a teenage boy named Thomas who wakes up unable to remember anything except his name. He wakes up surrounded by boys roughly his age in a place called The Glade. The Glade is at the heart of a gigantic maze. The maze is crawling with deadly creatures known as Grievers. Thomas and the other residents of The Glade must overcome near-impossible challenges...
Dear Editor, Please make sure to put in the paper how awesome the fireworks were. I was expecting some first time mishaps, but no! Everything went off without a hitch! They even had some fireworks that Butte didn't even have! I was in heaven watching them and thinking how everything went so well and how they knew just what to get for our 250th celebration! It was spectacular!! Amazing!! Over the top!! I have no words to adequately express how impressive it was.A food truck, music, and plenty of...
Societies have long deemed money and possessions to be the mark of success. A fancy house, a brand new Ford F-350, or the false security of a swollen bank account- these seem to be “The American Dream.” Jesus addressed the topic of money a lot. Throughout the Bible, we find advice and instruction on how to live a balanced life, including wise management of our possessions and valuing our relationships as our top priority. Since money and possessions vary amongst us, one common denominator we have is time. Last I checked, we all share 24...
"At this stage in my life, I have moved from being a 'giver' to being a 'receiver'." Jack Labrie offered his perspective shortly before his passing on June 23, 2026, at the age of 92. Jack was born to Joseph and Josephine (Kountz) Labrie on February 15, 1934, their fifth child. After his birth and early years in Long Beach, California, the Labrie family returned to Montana and settled on the family farm near Whitehall, ready to "make a million" in the potato farming business. Jack recalled, "I...
Mary Lou Hale passed away on July 1, 2026, at the age of 97. She was born in Cartersville, Montana, to Louis and Evelyn Roles; she was the youngest of five. The family moved to Miles City, MT, when she was nine years old. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic School. Mary Lou moved to Whitehall, MT, in 1964 and worked at Boulder River School and Hospital for 16 years before retiring in 1980. Mary Lou married Charles (Chuck) Hale in December of 1981. After living in Whitehall for 27 years, they...
SUNDAY, JUNE 28 07:02:43 911 10:23:42 Traffic Stop: Hwy 55 10:25:38 Suspicious: W Second St 10:27:00 Vehicle Accident (Injury): I-90 11:17:01 Reckless Driver: I-90 11:20:22 Traffic Stop: I-90 12:48:14 Duplicate Call: I-90 13:30:31 Vehicle Accident (Injury): I-90 14:04:51 Traffic Hazard: N Whitehall St 15:41:45 Traffic Stop: W Legion St 15:46:17 Found Property: W Legion St 15:49:42 Medical: Hwy 55 15:58:07 Traffic Stop: E Legion St 18:14:57 Animal MONDAY, JUNE 29 06:15:58 Vehicle Accident...
As we mark our nation’s 250 th anniversary, it’s worth celebrating what we the people have in common. What we literally have in common – own in common – are our public lands, our national parks and forests. In the West especially, glance at the photo library on your phone and it will probably look a lot like the person’s next to you in the coffee shop. Your parents’ and grandparents’ faded photo family albums probably have similar pictures too. That’s because our public lands shape us. They and hold our uniquely American...
New USDA data confirms that Montana, along with 35 other states, will soon be forced to take on enormous new costs to continue administering SNAP – increasing the risk that more than 75,000 struggling families in Montana could soon lose food assistance. Congress must delay this cost shift for all states, urges the Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN). The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a vital food assistance program that helps families and individuals bridge the gap of unemployment, low wages, high cost of living, and...
