Week of June 18, 2025
Week of June 18, 2025
The quaint countryside of Montana will soon burst into life, full of vibrant colors and tactile experiences 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! What to Expect ~ Every year, the Copper K Fiber...
While the agenda for the June Whitehall Town Council meeting, held Monday, June 16th, in the Town Hall, was completed quickly, the real topics were discussed during public comment. Whitehall resident Maxine Samuelson called several of Mayor Mary Janacaro-Henseligh’s actions into question. Samuelson urged the Council to revise ordinances now, rather than later, “specifically those that give any one person authority to negatively or positively impact an area or group in our community.” Samuelson continued, questioning the Mayor’s...
Jefferson Valley Fine Arts (JVFA) regrettably announces, that due to unforeseen circumstances, they will be unable to host the annual Frontier Days Art Exhibit. We will miss the opportunity to share the amazing local art with the community this year, but please look forward to our next show. Until then, thank you all for the incredible support and encouragement you have shown us. It is greatly...
The Jefferson Valley Community Foundation (JVCF) would like to alert area non-profits that have projects that would benefit from financial assistance to be aware of some upcoming events. Even though there is some time left in our summer, please be aware that a grant writing workshop will be held at the Whitehall Community Library. The date and time will be August 16th from 10 AM to noon; those planning to submit grants to JVCF should attend to ensure their grant applications are in good order. In 2024, JVCF awarded the most number of grants...
The Hilger Valley Fire north of Helena marks the beginning of the 2025 summer wildfire season, and public health officials are urging residents to be prepared. “Though wildfire smoke lies outside a typical resident’s circle of control, there are little things people can do regularly to reduce their exposure to harmful and chronic air pollution,” says Jay Plant, Lewis and Clark Public Health Environmental Health Specialist. Exposure to wildfire smoke can harm human health, especially among individuals with existing lung and...
Whitehall Events, the newly created non-profit that will head Whitehall's Frontier Days going forward, is seeking your help in acquiring donations for the annual event. Whitehall Events donations will be used for event prizes and activities; the group seeks cash, gift cards/certificates, product, and/or volunteer time. Whitehall Events, which is NOT a committee or board under the Town of Whitehall's jurisdiction, is made up of Whitehall volunteers, including Candace Ahlin, Ron Jung, Kory...
Dennis Smith was a WWII Army Medic from Whitehall who played a key role in building the Whitehall veterans' organizations into what they are today. The Dennis Smith $1,000 Scholarship is awarded to a deserving senior who answers the question, "What is a Veteran?" Following is Welch's essay. Each year, tens of thousands of young adults choose to enlist in the United States military. For many high school graduates, the choice isn't just about securing a stable job; it's about seeking purpose,...
The Montana Department of Corrections said Tuesday that it is considering three localities — Hardin, Butte, and the greater Boulder area — to determine where to site a new women’s prison. Boulder and Butte are under consideration because the department already owns property in those locations, spokesperson Carolynn Stocker said in an email to MTFP. She also said the department is working with Hardin because a community representative reached out directly. Stocker said the department has yet to make a firm commitment to any of the three...
Hunters can now sign up for the Surplus List, which includes leftover licenses not distributed by the drawing. The list will be randomized, and hunters at the top will be emailed instructions to finalize their purchase within a specified time. Over-the-counter Deer B and Elk B licenses are also available for purchase. These licenses can be purchased online at ols.fwp.mt.gov or in person at any FWP office or license provider. Residents and nonresident hunters can sign up for the Surplus List through their MyFWP portal; they are not...
Nearly a quarter of school teachers and administrators will be new when school starts in the fall. An arbitrator ruled on Monday, June 12, 2000 that Jefferson County did not overcharge Rockin' the Rockies. This means concert promoters must pay the county $19,715 by June 22. WHS Organizer of the Week: Whitehall Kiwanis. The Whitehall Kiwanis Club, a community service organization that focuses mostly on programs for kids. About 15 members strong, the Kiwanis are kicking off their weekly barrel...
This is one in a series of articles focusing on estate and legacy planning. Authors are Kaleena Miller, Madison-Jefferson County Extension Agent, kaleena.miller1@montana.edu and Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist, marsha.goetting@montana.edu. Montana residents can safeguard their home equity against unsecured debts by filing a homestead declaration, a legal tool that offers protection of up to $409,450 in home equity during 2025 said Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist. This safeguard is...
At this time of year, you might notice an infiltration of tall yellow flowers on your property. This Eurasian species arrived here in the early 1900s and has become quite the nuisance. Its thick, alternating leaves branch off of the thick stem, leading to the snapdragon-like yellow flowers located towards the top of the plant. You might have already guessed which noxious weed I am referring to: Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica). This invasive species thrives in cool, semiarid climates and...
Summer Feeding started this week, and the food is better than ever at the Whitehall Community Library! We are even going to get pizza this summer! Summer Feeding is a library partnership with Action, INC. in Butte and the Friends of the Whitehall Community Library. Lunches are free to anyone 18 and younger from 11 AM- 1 PM, Monday through Thursday. There is no paperwork to fill out and the lunches have a hot entrée 90% of the time. All you have to do is stop by the library and pick up lunch....
It's grilling season, and people are looking for delicious recipes they can easily cook outdoors. Many fall back on tried-and-true favorites because they may be apprehensive about grilling with new ingredients. But grilling is more than just burgers and steaks. Seafood is an excellent option for the grill, and it cooks up in a snap. INGREDIENTS: 4 fillets wild striped bass (approx. 8oz each) 1 teaspoon southwestern blend rub 1 Tablespoon canola oil 4 cactus paddles ("nopales" in Mexican...
Rotary clubs typically have a program at their meetings highlighting a business, project, or other relevant topic. When the program cannot come to a meeting, the club will sometimes go to the program! Members of the Whitehall Rotary Club did just that on June 10th when they made a visit to Summit Valley Outdoor Living south of Cardwell. Daniel Miller gave a very informative talk about the types and care of the wide variety of flowers and garden plants available in the greenhouse. With this...
Montana is known for its breathtaking landscapes, tight-knit communities, and independent spirit. Now, there's an app that brings all of that together in one convenient place-Meet Montana. Whether you're a local business owner or a curious traveler, Meet Montana makes it easy to discover and support businesses across the state while giving business owners the tools they need to grow their reach and customer base. Why Businesses Are Joining Meet Montana: The Meet Montana app offers businesses a...
How to Set Up a Multi-Room Audio System Have you ever wished your music could follow you around the house? A multi-room audio system makes that dream a reality by connecting speakers in different rooms to a single control system. This system lets you play music throughout your home, whether it’s the same song in every space or different tunes in each room. Start with a Plan: First, decide how many rooms you want to include and what kind of audio experience you want in each. Do you want soft...
Sage Wellness Center is hosting an open house on Wednesday, June 25th, from 4 PM - 8 PM. The open house is an opportunity to meet the practitioners working out of Sage Wellness Center, learn about the services they offer, and how they can support your health. The following service providers will be available to answer questions and offer demonstrations: • Alexys Bacon: Wildflower Massage & Wellness • Bethel Wagner: Sage Wellness Center • Cari Reinschmidt: Caring Massage • Katrina Wyant: Serenity Chiropractic The open house will...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, the universe is giving you a chance to rest and relax before you have to tackle your very long list of tasks. Soak it all up while the break lasts. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you value comfort and security, which is probably why you will want to revisit some of your investments over the next few days to determine if you are maximizing your money. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 You excel at seeing both sides of a situation, Gemini. Follow your intuition as you navigate a tricky situation at work that requires you to...
GEORGIA, I have a question, My father-in-law has breakfast every Saturday morning at the same restaurant. He arrives at 6 AM when they open and usually stays until 8:30. His kids and grandchildren drop in and out; most do not stay the whole time, and they either pay their checks on the way out or leave him cash to cover their bill, which he pays before he leaves. Last Saturday, my family and I went late, barely catching him. They headed home while I went ot the counter to pay the check. It was $171! I immediately asked for an itemized...
Dear Editor, When I returned from the "NO KINGS" protest in Butte on Saturday afternoon, I turned on Fox News. The Fox News spin on the hundreds of NO KINGS rallies which took place across the country Saturday was to portray them as disrespectful to the men and women who serve in the various branches of the military, which marked June 14th as its 250th Anniversary. Not true. The thousands of people protesting all over Montana and the millions of people protesting across the rest of the country...
Dear Editor, I must clarify my Letter to the Editor to the Whitehall Ledger, which I submitted on June 6, 2025, about the lady being fired from the Whitehall Senior Center. It was my mistake that some misunderstood that the Whitehall Senior Center fired her. The Senior Center is operated by Rocky Mountain Development Council in Helena; this entity does the hiring and firing. It has been brought to my attention that some folks are going in to the Whitehall Senior Center upset over the firing; I...
Dear Montana Congressional delegates Daines, Sheehy, Zinke, and Downing, Every member of Congress takes an oath, “to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” Donald Trump has broken the oath he took to defend the Constitution many times and is on his way to becoming a tyrant. We respectfully ask this question: Where is your line regarding the balance of power and preserving the Constitution? How far can Trump go to dismantle our democracy and disregard the rule of law, before you...
Millennials learned to Google, Gen Z learned to prompt, and Gen Alpha will wonder why we ever had to ‘ask’ machines anything. If you didn’t watch it when it aired, you’d never be able to catch up with The Truman Show. I don’t like to go to sleep because finding a comfortable position is difficult. I also don’t want to get up in the morning because this means I have to abandon the perfect sleeping position I’ve spent so much time searching for. IKEA has likely provided more hex keys to consumers than any other supplier. The...
Each of us Americans conducts our daily life in bubbles, all shockingly siloed from each other. These days, we don’t share much common ground between our circumscribed worlds based on culture, zip code, religion, and political beliefs. We feel empathy toward others inside our comfortable corrals. But too often, mutual support doesn’t reach outward. Mistrust replaces compassion. I spent late April in my conservationist bubble. Since the first Earth Day in 1970, I’ve tried to take stock of how we treat our home planet. For this year’s...
I must be honest; there are days when I’m shocked by another person’s behavior. Maybe you’re a bit like me? Life is cruising along, and the day is going well, then suddenly, someone says something or acts in a certain way, and now I’m leaning towards an offense. I certainly don’t live like my heart is on my sleeve all the time; I’m a bit more guarded and hopefully a little more graceful. Yet, those moments arise when someone’s behavior catches me by surprise. Such a “strange” experience. After all, we are human, and we all...
Save the date: Jeff Mangan, of the nonpartisan Transparent Election Initiative and former Montana Commissioner of Political Practices will be presenting at our regular meeting Wed, July 2nd from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. He has been crossing the state, sharing his ideas about how to restore election transparency by removing dark money from Montana elections. Learn more at transparentelection.org. Of the 23 No Kings protest sites in Montana, WI attendees had a presence in Butte, Helena, and Bozeman. All goers reported friendly crowds with good...
Gov. Greg Gianforte announced that he has appointed state Rep. Marta Bertoglio as the director of the Montana Department of Commerce, which administers state business development grants and conducts other economic development efforts. Bertoglio, a third-term Republican from Clancy, fills a vacancy created in February after then-commerce director Paul Green, himself a former Republican lawmaker from Hardin, left the role to run Big Sky Economic Development. This regional economic development authority serves the Billings area. Deputy Commerce...
SUNDAY, JUNE 8 09:21:16 Citizen Assist: S Brooke St 09:28:54 Traffic Hazard: I-90 12:22:19 Traffic Offense: I-90 13:23:13 Traffic Stop: Hwy 69 15:56:33 Traffic Offense: I-90 16:14:26 Citizen Assist: Ballard Ln 16:32:10 Court Order Violation 17:37:52 Citizen Assist: Kountz Rd MONDAY, JUNE 9 06:41:51 Medical: E First St 08:13:01 Citizen Assist: Hwy 41 09:23:58 Suspicious: N Whitehall St 09:31:09 VIN Inspection: Boe Ln 10:19:16 Medical: E Second St 10:22:16 VIN Inspection: Whitetail Rd 11:39:00 Civil: S Centurian Way 11:59:40 Suspicious Vehicle:...
Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) is deeply concerned by the proposed budget reconciliation bill, which would significantly weaken the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — a lifeline for thousands of Montanans and millions of Americans. As Montana’s only statewide food bank, we witness the reality of hunger every day through our network of 330 partners across the state, who have reported an 11.9% increase in the need for food assistance. MFBN sees firsthand the critical role SNAP plays in keeping families fed, small...
