Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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The Whitehall School Board convened for its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 7th, where end-of-the-year activities, test scores, summer maintenance projects, and upcoming budget shortfalls were discussed. Whitehall Elementary Principal Kurtis Koenig reported that the elementary had been selected as a “lighthouse” site for the Science of Reading, as the school drew attention from nationally recognized literacy expert Pati Montgomery. Montgomery plans to visit classrooms and collaborate with staff in the near future as part of her loo...
For the first time in recent memory, the Cardwell School has a contested trustee election, with current board member Justin Carey running against Asheli Racicot. Take a few moments to get acquainted with Carey (JC) and Racicot (AR), especially if you are eligible to vote for the Cardwell School Board Trustee seat. Please introduce yourself and state why you are interested in serving on the Cardwell School board: JC: I’m Justin Carey, and I’m a rancher from the Boulder Valley. I attended Cardwell K-8 and have served two terms on the board, whi...
At the April 9th meeting of the Community Transition Advisory Committee (CTAC), a range of community organizations and public entities covered topics including Whitehall Sustainability funding opportunities through Barrick’s Golden Sunlight Mine (GSM), community programming, and upcoming events. Jim Loomis of Barrick Golden Sunlight reported on recent operations, including over 1,200 days without lost-time incidents. Loomis also discussed the current projects presented to the CTAC board for the Whitehall Sustainability funds provided by GSM. I...
"What happens when a society forgets their humanity?" That poignant question was asked at the Whitehall Community Library's grand opening of the Anne Frank Exhibit by keynote speaker Rabbi Chaim Bruk of Bozeman. "People like saying the Nazis were monsters... this is the biggest mistake we made. They're not monsters...they're human beings that have been brainwashed to think that it's a good thing to do." The Anne Frank Exhibit is available at the library throughout April. The display also...
In communities like Whitehall and across Jefferson Valley, organizations that blend local impact with community involvement often stand out. The Jefferson Valley Friends of NRA (JVFNRA) is one such group, quietly working behind the scenes to support youth programs, promote firearm safety education, and strengthen opportunities in the shooting sports across Montana. At its core, Friends of NRA operates as a charitable foundation, with a clear focus on fundraising to support programs that emphasize safe, responsible firearm use and outdoor...
A proposed ordinance under informal discussion in Whitehall has sparked both curiosity and amusement, as it suggests a new approach to the town’s growing population of backyard chickens. The concept, which has not yet been formally introduced to the Town Council, would require local chickens to be “registered” as emotional support animals (ESAs), recognizing what some residents describe as their calming and routine presence in the community. The idea reportedly originated during a recent conversation among community members about backy...
A transportation concept making the rounds this week has sparked conversation across the region, as Jefferson County is reportedly exploring the installation of roundabouts at quarter-mile intervals along Interstate 90 between Butte and Bozeman. The proposal, described as part of a broader “continuous flow safety corridor” initiative, would replace traditional highway stretches with a series of closely spaced roundabouts designed to regulate speed and improve traffic awareness. According to preliminary descriptions, the concept aims to address...
A new proposal circulating in Whitehall could bring a creative—and energy-conscious—solution to one of winter’s most persistent challenges: icy sidewalks. According to preliminary discussions, the Main Street Green event park may soon be the site of an experimental heated sidewalk system powered not by traditional utilities but by stationary pedaling stations at Whitehall’s new 24-hour gym, Whitehall Weights. The concept would convert human-powered energy generated by cyclists into heat distributed beneath sections of sidewalk, helping to redu...
A recently announced grant award could bring an unusual addition to Whitehall’s streets, as the town has reportedly been selected to participate in a pilot program testing “scented stop signs” aimed at improving driver awareness. According to preliminary information, the program would incorporate subtle, scent-based cues at select intersections to reinforce traditional visual signage. The concept is designed to engage multiple senses, with the goal of increasing attentiveness—particularly in areas where visibility may be impacted by weather...
The Whitehall Baptist Church is hosting the fifth Annual Outdoorsman Night! Bring your family and enjoy an evening of food and friends, all supporting the Jefferson Valley EMS & Rescue! The event will be held at the Whitehall Community Center on Friday, March 27th. Doors open at 4:30 PM, with the fun beginning at 6 PM. ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by March 27 at $20 per person. For children seven years and under, it will be $5. Space is limited to 250 attendees, and this event has...
Montana is known for its strength-its wide-open spaces, its resilient communities, and the quiet determination of the people who call it home. But beneath that strength lies a reality that is far harder to see, and far more urgent to confront. Montana consistently reports one of the highest suicide rates in the nation-nearly twice the national average. Each year, hundreds of lives are lost. These are not distant statistics or abstract numbers. They are neighbors, classmates, coworkers, parents,...
At its March 16 meeting, the Whitehall Town Council corrected an error made several months ago regarding Keith and Connie Hamilton’s property on Valley View Drive. The Hamiltons had raised the issue of the town’s encroachment onto their property in December; at that time, Public Works Director Kory Klapan confirmed that an error had been made while fixing the roadway on Valley View and that surveys would be needed to conduct a land exchange. Resolution 2026-5, which was approved at the March meeting, stated the “intent to vacate the East 15 fe...
Gold Junction Presents (GJP) is rolling out the red carpet once again for the 3rd Annual Oscars Watch Party at the historic Whitehall Star Theatre - and this year's celebration promises to be bigger, brighter, and more glamorous than ever! This Sunday, March 15, the community is invited to step into Hollywood for an evening of sparkle, spotlights, and cinematic fun for just a $10 entry fee. Doors open at 4:30 PM, with the Oscars broadcast beginning at 5 PM. Guests are welcome to come and go as...
Longtime law enforcement officer David Kosola has announced his intention to run for Jefferson County Sheriff, bringing more than three decades of experience and a focus on community engagement to the race. Kosola has spent his entire law enforcement career in Jefferson County, serving since the mid-1980s, and has worked for both the City of Boulder and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. He later moved to the county full-time, where he continues to serve today. He will celebrate his 32nd year of service this spring. A Boulder native, Kosola...
Gold Junction Presents (GJP) is rolling out the red carpet once again for the 3rd Annual Oscars Watch Party at the historic Whitehall Star Theatre - and this year's celebration promises to be bigger, brighter, and more glamorous than ever Set for Sunday, March 15, the community is invited to step into Hollywood for an evening of sparkle, spotlights, and cinematic fun for just a $10 entry fee. Doors open at 4:30 PM, with the Oscars broadcast beginning at 5 PM. Guests are welcome to come and go as...
The Whitehall Town Council met on February 17, 2026, in the Town Hall chambers, approving routine business before moving into infrastructure updates, contract reviews, and new resolutions. Mayor Linda Jung reminded residents to verify their Montana homestead property tax relief registration online. Those who previously received the $400 tax rebate in August are already registered. Unregistered homeowners may see higher property taxes. Jung also reported that staff is reviewing town contracts, particularly those that may have expired or are...
If you’ve lived in the area for a while, you’ve most likely heard of Piedmont Wetlands or the “swamp.” Search your memory - do you have a fond story you could share? Residents who have fished, hunted, explored, or simply grown up around the Piedmont wetlands are invited to contribute their experiences, as community stories will help shape the future of this unique landscape! This area could soon become a destination for walking, wildlife viewing, education, and recreation for generat...
CTAC - what is it? The Community Transition Advisory Council (CTAC) was established about 20 years ago, when the Golden Sunlight Mine (GSM) was considered at the end of its life. The group, made up of public organizations and vested town individuals, as well as GSM management, was meant to keep the community abreast of the mine’s life and plan on how to transition to a closed mine, without the tax benefits to the town, when the time came. Thankfully, GSM’s lifespan was extended when additional mining veins were discovered, and new tai...
Get ready to sweat, Whitehall, because Whitehall Weights (113 W Legion) opens this weekend and is open for your convenience 24 hours a day! Memberships are available to purchase as of Friday, February 13th. Their grand opening raffle will be drawn on Saturday, February 14th, at 1 PM, and the grand opening will be held from noon to 2 PM. Get your tickets now for the chance to win a KitchenAid Deluxe Series Mixer, a $100 gift certificate to Whitehall Coffee, and a $25 gift certificate to M&M...
The Whitehall School Board moved through routine approvals and voted on several action items, including the annual music trip to Silverwood and several early graduation requests, at their meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Elementary principal Kurtis Koenig announced that the school has been invited to serve as a “lighthouse district” for science-of-reading implementation through the Montana Comprehensive Literacy State Development program. Koenig stated that his first question was whether this program would add work for his staff, to whi...
New Whitehall Mayor Linda Jung held her first Whitehall Town Council meeting on Tuesday, January 20th. The Council heard a detailed presentation on a proposed mixed-use tennis and pickleball court project, swore in two new council members, and appointed new board members during a quick, productive meeting. Sean Wisner, from the Wisner Family Foundation, presented plans for a mixed-use tennis and pickleball court facility, describing the project as a community recreation initiative rooted in a...
Get ready to sweat Whitehall, because Whitehall Weights is on its way - and it will be open for your convenience 24-hours a day! Owned and operated by Whitehall volunteer firefighters Creed Piaskowski and Jake Lewis, Whitehall Weights is steadily making progress towards its grand opening over Valentine's Day weekend at 113 W Legion, which was formerly Freedom Floral. Piaskowski and Lewis aim to provide round-the-clock access for residents looking to work fitness into busy schedules, all without...
The Whitehall High School wrestling team once again brought the heat this past weekend to the Choteau Wrestling Tournament. Whitehall brought home two more first-place trophies, again by freshman Halle Downey wrestling in the women's 120 bracket and junior Levi Fuller wrestling in the men's 165 bracket. Other Whitehall Trojan grapplers to place in the tournament included junior Jack Raty - 3rd place, senior Cassidy Collins - 3rd place, junior Braxton Walker - 6th place, and freshman Quade...
The Whitehall Town Council met on Monday, December 15th to close out the year by swearing in new Council member Jim Buterbaugh and new mayor Linda Jung. This transition for the town which will be in full effect January 1, 2026; the meeting highlighted the 12 years of service provided by now-former Mayor Mary Janacaro-Hensleigh and included a hot topic that will be discussed further in the new year - the City Court Clerk's contract. "It's been quite the ride," the Janacaro-Hensleigh said. "I'd li...
It's time to vote for your favorite Whitehall Ledger Photo of the Year! Vote now! Visit the Ledger's Facebook photo album entitled 2025 Photos of the Week (https://bit.ly/4p8h5Y6) and start voting! Likes/loves will be tallied, and a winner will be announced in the first paper of 2025! These are photos your neighbors, friends, and family submitted over the course of 2025, and they are beautiful! With over 50 weeks of photos to choose from, finding a winner is always hard - unless you vote! The photo with the most likes by January 1, 2026, will...
