Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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As the owner of the Whitehall Ledger, each week I have to make decisions on what is published. As a member of the media, I strive to be non-biased in my reporting and to never show my own personal opinions unless in my editorial. Several times I’ve been questioned about why I chose to print an opinion piece that was divisive or leaned one way or another. I’ve been called a “raging liberal” as well as a “right-wing conservative.” One extreme to the other, it seems. Why do I choose to print articles such as that on page 11? Do I agree with...
The Jefferson Local Development Corporation (JLDC) voted 6-2 on Wednesday, September 21 to purchase the Rogers Building (3 Whitetail Rd), in which to house the Western Legacy Center (WLC). In June the JLDC had pulled out of negotiations to purchase the building, with JLDC Executive Director Eric Seidensticker stating that “the Western Legacy Center’s business plan is not in the best interest of JLDC at this time.” However, since June, JLDC had reconsidered their position and at the September meeting voted again, with 6 in agreement, 2 against,...
The Lower Jefferson River Watershed Committee and the Whitehall Ledger are, again, sponsoring a Candidate Forum for the competitive races in Jefferson County for the November election. The forum will be held Thursday, October 27, 2022, in the Borden conference room at 6 PM. The Lower Jefferson River Watershed Committee has sponsored candidate forums for the last 20 years in an effort to let the voters get as much information as possible about the candidates before they vote. Candidates are invited to attend this forum and spend a few minutes...
He’s the friendly face you see most days as your many Amazon packages and whatnot are delivered right to your door, but as of October 6, Sean Byrnes will be resting and relaxing in retirement. Whitehall/Cardwell UPS route driver for the last five years, Byrnes is ready to take it easy after 29 years with the package delivery giant. A career with UPS wasn’t his intention when he applied to be a Christmas driver in 1993, but almost three decades later, he’s happy with where UPS led him. “It p...
The Whitehall Trojans Homecoming festivities are in full swing, so don't miss out on a single moment to show your support to your hometown team! The Whitehall JMG classes have done a campus cleanup to make the campus look its best and have also repainted the Trojan heads throughout the school property. Hallways have been decorated and lockers adorned by the Whitehall Booster Club for everyone participating in football, drama, volleyball, cross country, and cheerleading. WEDNESDAY: "Wake-Up...
To say Rich Holstein has embraced Whitehall High School is an understatement - he's Trojan Pride to the fullest. Holstein, who is the new Industrial Arts teacher at WHS, has always had a "god-given gift" working with his hands and is looking forward to sharing his gift and knowledge with the students in his classes. Holstein has been in and around the Yellowstone area for the last 34 years and only recently settled in Whitehall after taking the IA position - his first teaching position ever. He...
If there's one thing Wendy Turner knows, it's quilting. That's why she's excited to open Sew Unique Custom Quilting and Retreat just outside of Whitehall on Briggs Lane. Turner, who is the daughter of Wayne and Sherrie Turner, opened the custom-built space in September after closing her shop in Philipsburg due to rental increases. "It's good to be home," she said, smiling at her mother. Turner got her love of the art form from her mother and grandmother, quilting in 4H was she was around seven...
The September meeting of the Whitehall Town Council saw many standard reports and little controversy as the Town heads into the colder months. Whitehall Public Works Director Kory Klapan said Town workers would begin blowing out sprinklers at the Rec Complex, then move to the parks and cemeteries in the upcoming weeks in preparation for winter. Klapan also noted that potholes would be filled within the next two weeks and if you notice one that may not be on his radar, please contact the Town so that it can be repaired. Jefferson County...
On the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, one of my best friends contacted me. She works for ABC FOX Montana and had been given quite a few tickets to Montana's Biggest Weekend in Dillon, Montana for the rodeo. She asked if I knew anyone who wanted to go. After posting quickly on Facebook, the people to the right got to attend! I love being able to pay it forward. In this industry, many times I am gifted with tickets to events, discounts on items, etc. in exchange for the actual payment of...
RUMOR HAS IT... • ... the Jefferson County Commissioners have bought the River Restaurant building in Boulder for use by the County Health Department. THE FACTS Jefferson County Commissioner Leonard Wortman stated that the River Restaurant, owned by Greg Hughes, closed over the weekend and that there had been discussion about the possibility of purchasing the building for the County Health Department. The department has outgrown its space at the community medical center and has been looking at possibilities for growth. As the County can only p...
At the first school board meeting of the 2022-2023 school year, the summer was discussed as well as future plans for the Whitehall Trojan Campus. Superintendent Hannah Nieskens announced that the tennis courts near Yellowstone Trail on the school campus will soon be removed and disposed of by Whit Smith of Whitehall. The school has been working towards the removal of the unrepairable courts for several years, though with the acrylic in the refuse, it has been difficult to find somewhere to...
It's that time of the year again! The leaves are beginning to fall and Whitehall's Annual Fall Festival is a month away! Start planning now! The festivities will be held throughout town on Saturday, October 22. VENDORS The Whitehall Chamber has MANY more spaces available this year, as they will be hosting three different locations of vendors around town in addition to the Chili Cook-Off being held at the Assembly of God Church. They will be able to accommodate a very large number of vendors, however, since they reserve the right to limit the...
After four years off from teaching, Ceanna Berkram is ready to take on the challenges of High School English at Whitehall Schools. "I wasn't quite ready, I didn't think, to get back into teaching," Berkram explained, who has a three-month-old daughter Oakley)and three-year-old twins, Olive and Ozzie. "But then my husband [Kyle] saw the position open." Berkram's husband was very supportive and actually pushed her to apply. The reason? Small town school and the appeal of "home." Born and raised...
Whitehall’s childcare project, spearheaded by Jefferson Local Development Corporation, has garnered a $579,397 grant from the Montana Department of Health and Human Services. The Early Childhood and Family Support Division is partnering with 31 child care providers to develop and implement innovative community, area, region and/or business-based strategies which expand child care availability for Montana families. This project is part of the larger continuum of support for the child care industry in Montana aimed at enhancing the a...
At the annual Jefferson Local Development Corporation awards banquet, held Wednesday, August 17 in Boulder, two of Whitehall's Chamber of Commerce Board member businesses were honored, Settings by All Things Montana (Whitehall) and Arctic Heat (Boulder). Nature Story Montessori (Montana City) was also honored with the Community Improvement Award. "I feel humbled and honored to be chosen. Settings is a labor of love and it feels amazing for others to see its value, " said Pamela Polachi,...
The Whitehall Sustainability Committee is pleased to announce that Nevada Gold mines, operating locally as Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine, has approved and funded its first project via the grant process vetted by the Whitehall Sustainability Committee. The project, submitted by the Town of Whitehall, is for a playground on Legion Street. We are grateful for the generous support of Barrick in the amount of $35,000 and the vision of the town in regards to this project, which will provide community and visiting children a safe place to play for...
It's the cliche statement we hear every year. Summer went by too fast. Whitehall School starts today and summer is over. I've always enjoyed the start of a new school year. My son gets a haircut, he dresses up in his new school clothes, and school spirit is at its highest - at least for the first few days. But this year, I can't. I'm not ready. I blinked and I missed it. This year my son is a senior. What happened? This past Sunday I took him to have his senior photo consultation. He expressed...
At the first school board meeting of the 2022-2023 school year, it was overwhelmingly obvious that students will be returning to a much-improved school fall. “The custodial and maintenance teams deserve a ton of credit,” Superintendent Hannah Nieskens said. “At the beginning of the summer we weren’t sure if everything would get done before school started, but it is.” Nieskens listed off a few of the many repairs and updates made over the summer, including: • 91 windows replaced • 27 rooms in the Elementary school refloored, • new flooring in...
The internet is all abuzz about a recent video showing Chef Gordon Ramsay saying it's "oven time" and "yummy yum" to a lamb he's selected to eat. Why is this so funny, to me at least? Because of its timing, as we finish the Madison County Fair and move on to the Jefferson County Fair. Each year hundreds of 4H club members select, raise, and then sell their animals - with most buyers intending to slaughter and eat them. Bidders come from far and wide to see whose animal will weigh the most and...
Mayor Mary Janacaro-Hensleigh started off the August Town Council meeting, held in the Town Hall, by dispelling a recent rumor. “The Town did not kill the Rotary Fish Pond’s fish. It is sad that it happened, but the Town did not have anything to do with it,” she said. The Rotary Club Fish Pond, which turns 100 years old this year, housed fish throughout the summer. Late last month it was discovered the fish were deceased as the valves inside the pond were manually turned off. Town Clerk Allissa Christensen said that the Town’s IRS issues... Full story
This weekend three of my ladies and I went to Gunslinger Gulch in Anaconda and participated in a murder mystery game, along with 23 other individuals. This 52-acre ghost town brought us all the fun this past weekend and I just wanted to let others know about it! Gunslinger Gulch is one of those Montana places you hear about but don't really take notice of until you're there. Did Google Maps get us there on the first try? Definitely no! Did we dress up? Of course! Did we guess the correct...
While the name Debbie Holwegner may not sound familiar, her daughter and grandson's voices might. Jessica Jane Hegg and her son Jaxon frequently perform at Whitehall's Beats & Eats events. At one point you may have had their duet, Fishin' for Chickens, stuck in your head. Now, this mother of two is working to accomplish a miracle by donating two-thirds of her liver to her mother, Debbie Holwegner - a grandmother you might find it in your heart to support. Debbie, of Manhattan, MT, was diagnosed...
On Thursday, July 28, 2022, Whitehall resident Tim Schober became a cyborg. Well, not fully cyborg, but he did volunteer to have an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) chip implanted into his hand, making him, in fact, part machine. Schober, who is the Montana Science Center’s (MSC) Director of Technology, was gifted the RFID and spoke on Transhumanism to a group at the MSC “After Dark” series following the implantation of the chip into his hand. The Montana Science Center (MSC), locat...
Summer is in full swing and it's hard to find a friend, neighbor, or young one who hasn’t enjoyed the Whitehall Community Pool this summer. Not only does the pool provide a great place to cool down during a hot day, but it also provides several lifeguarding jobs throughout the summer. “We’ve always had a great turnout from the community, but in the last three years, we’ve gotten a following with people from Bozeman, Manhattan, Three Forks, and Dillon, coming to our pool,” Allissa Christenson, To...
While the museum portion of the Western Legacy Center (WLC) is still in the planning and implementation stages, the Montana Made gift shop within the WLC recently opened its doors to its first customers. "First purchase at the Western Legacy Center" one local posted, showing a Montana Jam and Candle hand-poured soy candle. Many did not realize the gift shop had opened since the museum portion itself is not complete. But Pamela Polachi, the gift shop coordinator, is excited to announce they are o...
