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  • Mayor discusses importance of upcoming levy

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 23, 2020

    During her monthly report at last week's Town Council meeting, Mayor Mary Janacaro Hensleigh discussed the importance of the November vote on a 30 mill levy increase to generate funding for law enforcement and the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department. "Whitehall has not asked for a mill levy increase in 50 years. The budget is very tight. Things will have to be cut if we do not get this mill levy increased. I think we've done a good job managing your money, but we can't live on a 1970's budget....

  • Chamber updating billboard

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 23, 2020

    A billboard visible from both Interstate 90 and MT HWY 2 is getting a fresh look. The board for the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce recently voted to change the artwork on the billboard. Jefferson County Events Coordinator Bruce Binkowski is assisting the chamber with the project and is hopeful the sign will be put up by the end of September. He added the pictures (see page 1) on the new billboard will be similar to the current one. Chamber Board President John Kreis said the new billboard was...

  • Trojans prep for high-powered Tigers

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 23, 2020

    The Whitehall/Harrison High School football team (1-1) will look to bounce back Friday when they travel to take on top-ranked Manhattan. Following a 31-13 homecoming loss to Townsend, Head Coach Dan Lacey said it will be super important to come out with a positive mindset and get ready for a solid opponent in the 3-0 Tigers. Looking back at last week, Lacey discussed how the Trojans turned the ball over three times in the first half which all led to Bulldog points as well as giving up too many b...

  • One Pedal At A Time: Hurd Raising Awareness For Suicide

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 23, 2020

    Three years ago, Daniel Hurd readily admits he was in a dark time in his life. After being encouraged by a friend to start bicycling, Hurd has not stopped. In the past 2.5 years, he has journeyed 16,500 miles in an effort to travel to all of the Lower 48 states, with each pedal hoping to shine a light on mental health and the alarming suicide rates nationwide. Hurd has attempted suicide three times and was thinking of his fourth when he said his friend got him on a bike and eight months later,... Full story

  • Administrator discusses all-mail election

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 16, 2020

    Jefferson County Election officials announced in late August they would be conducting an all-mail ballot election. The Jefferson County Commissioners voted earlier this month against a resolution that would have reversed the decision. The issue has led to concern for some local residents who asked for county officials for more clarification about the mail ballot process. To address concerns, Election Administrator Bonnie Ramey discussed the process in an email sent to county resident Bob Sims....

  • Whitehall takes down visiting Lady Tigers

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 16, 2020

    The Whitehall High School volleyball team shined in their first home game of the season last week against Manhattan. The Lady Trojans picked up their first win of the season Tuesday, September 8 with a 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 25-23 win over the visiting Lady Tigers. "I was so proud of them. Each one of them had a good game and contributed. It was truly a team effort," said head coach Kyla Simon. Brynna Wolfe and Meagan Johnson led the team with five aces. Wolfe also had a team-high 29 assists, and...

  • Whitehall Schools celebrate Homecoming

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 16, 2020

    It's Homecoming Week in Whitehall with a variety of activities planned on campus. According to WHS Principal Melissa Robbins, students will be participating in dress-up days, playing in an indoor volleyball tournament in grade cohorts, and royalty will be announced during the Friday night football game against Townsend. The school has also been allowed to conduct its annual parade that is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Robbins added the student council also initiated a food drive for the week and a...

  • High school, junior high rodeo set for September 12, 13

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 9, 2020

    There will be plenty of great rodeo action this weekend in Whitehall. The annual Whitehall High School and Junior High Rodeo are scheduled for Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13 at the Rodeo Grounds. Saturday action is set to begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday will start at 9 a.m. According to organizer Lonna Johnson, there is no gate charge for the 2020 rodeo, and spectators are being asked to practice social distancing of six to 10 feet, unless with immediate family. "The kids are...

  • Trojan football takes down rival Jefferson

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 9, 2020

    It's so far so good for the Whitehall/Harrison High School football team. The Trojans used a strong defensive performance and two Miles Hoerauf to Flint Smith touchdowns on their way to an 18-6 season-opening home win over rival Jefferson High School. Following the game, Whitehall Head Coach Dan Lacey praised the complete team effort on offense, defense, and special teams. "We are super proud of the effort of everyone tonight," he said. After a scoreless first quarter, the Trojans would capitali...

  • Lady Trojans show promise in opening two matches

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 9, 2020

    Editor's Note: The Lady Trojans picked up their first win of the season Tuesday evening with a 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 25-23 victory over visiting Manhattan. Read more about the match in next week's Ledger. While they were unable to pick up their first victory last week, there were plenty of positives in the opening two matches of the season for the Whitehall High School volleyball team. The Lady Trojans fell in three sets Thursday to Townsend (19-25, 17-25, 25-22), and lost a tight five-set match...

  • Whitehall opening season with limited attendance

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 2, 2020

    There will be a limited number of home fans allowed as the Whitehall High School sporting teams start the fall season in Phase 2 of the State of Montana Reopening. According to guidelines provided by Whitehall Superintendent Hannah Nieskens, Whitehall Schools will allow two fans for each home players active on the team roster. Those fans will be asked to check-in at the gate and add to the event fan roster that will be used for tracking purposes should a case of Covid-19 occur. Masks will be req...

  • Main Street Green: New 'Event Park' in Downtown Whitehall

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 2, 2020

    It was a special night last Thursday in downtown Whitehall with the official unveiling of Main Street Green. The special ceremony honored those who have helped make the new "Event Park" that will soon be home to a variety of cultural events in downtown come to fruition. The origin of Main Street Green dates back to a conversation between Bill Pullman and Star Theatre Manager Colton Anderson as they were standing three years ago in what was a bare lot on the corner of Legion and Main. Pullman sai... Full story

  • Column: Ghost Touch

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 2, 2020

    I often find myself writing about technology and how I am kind of in this never-ending loop of it driving me crazy while at the same time being an absolute necessity in my life. A perfect example of this would be last Tuesday evening when I had to use my phone to record a county commission meeting. It’s a very convenient thing to be able to not have to attend everything in person and it is even better to be able to fast forward when somebody will not stop rambling – saying the same things about the same issue. As happy as I was to be able to...

  • Trojans open season Friday

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 2, 2020

    After missing out on the playoffs the past two seasons, the senior class for the Whitehall/Harrison High school football team has high hopes for the 2020 season that will begin later this week with a September 4 non-conference home matchup against rival Jefferson High School. "We have a solid group of seniors that have truly seen the highs and lows of athletic competition. So, they are definitely battle-tested in both areas. This group still has some goals and benchmarks that they want to...

  • Plenty of positives at 2020 Madison County Fair

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 2, 2020

    While it may have been a little different from those in past, there was still plenty to smile about at the recent Madison County Fair in Twin Bridges. According to Mikayla Hudson, 4-H & Youth Development Extension Agent for Madison and Jefferson County, it was an amazing experience to see so many smiling faces excited to see their friends. 4-H organizers were able to include most of their schedule this year with all shows taking place in person but did reorganize to shorten the week and...

  • Trojans take down rival Panthers

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Sep 2, 2020

    It's so far so good for the Whitehall/Harrison High School football team. The Trojans used a strong defensive performance and two Miles Hoerauf to Flint Smith touchdowns on their way to an 18-6 season-opening home win over rival Jefferson High School. Following the game, Whitehall Head Coach Dan Lacey praised the complete team effort on offense, defense, and special teams. "We are super proud of the effort of everyone tonight," he said. After a scoreless first quarter, the Trojans would capitali... Full story

  • Mulligan reflects on time at Corner Store

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Aug 26, 2020

    Sitting in his office last Friday morning, Corner Store owner Tim Mulligan took time to reflect on his nearly thirty years as a business owner. With the store officially changing hands to a Thriftway Super Stops this week, Mulligan has mixed emotions about selling, but also knows he is leaving at the right time. Growing up, Mulligan was able to learn about small business first-hand with his parents owning an insurance and real estate agency. He also felt they stayed too long and became...

  • Lady Trojans open up 2020 season next week in Townsend

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Aug 26, 2020

    The Whitehall High School volleyball team will return a wealth of varsity experience when they open the season September 3 at Townsend. The Lady Trojans will welcome back three seniors with Meagan Johnson, Kendra Klapan, and Dalaney Scafani all returning for their final year with the program. Other key returners for the team include juniors Haley Briggs and Brynna Wolfe, and sophomore Maxine Hoagland. Incoming freshman Charity Nieskens and Lindsay Briggs will also return after playing on last...

  • Trojan football adds second Jefferson game to schedule

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Aug 26, 2020

    It looks like the Whitehall/Harrison High School football team will get a non-conference game --- well sort of. After having their first three games of the season canceled due to an order from the Jefferson County Health Department barring non-conference games for the Trojans and Jefferson High School, the two county teams have decided to schedule an exhibition game for September 4 at 7 p.m. According to Whitehall Head Coach Dan Lacey, the two teams will meet in a game that will not count in...

  • Bullock issues school mask directive

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Aug 19, 2020

    Students in both public and private schools will be required to wear masks at the start of the upcoming school year. Montana Governor Steve Bullock issued a Directive last Wednesday that is applicable to counties with four or more active COVID-19 cases. Jefferson County currently has five active cases. At the time of the announcement, the Whitehall School District did not have a mandatory mask policy for the 2020-21 school year. On July 15, Bullock announced a directive that required the...

  • Health Department says no to non-conference games

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Aug 19, 2020

    The Jefferson County Health Department has directed both Whitehall and Jefferson High Schools they will not be able to participate in non-conference games for the 2020 Fall season. According to Whitehall District Officials, the schedules will be modified accordingly. The Whitehall football team was originally scheduled to start the year with three non-conference games including August 28 against Cut Bank, September 4 at Shepherd, and September 11 against Missoula Loyola. Their original schedule...

  • Jefferson County seeking polling place volunteers

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Aug 19, 2020

    Jefferson County Commissioner Cory Kirsch announced last week the county is looking for some help to allow them to hold polling place elections rather than a mail-in only election in November. "We are in need of election judges for the polling places and without these critical volunteers, our polling place election may not be possible. This task requires you to be at the polling place all-day on Election Day and to wear personal protective equipment," he said. Earlier this month, Governor Steve...

  • Chamber Hosting August 19 event

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Aug 19, 2020

    After hosting the annual Frontier Days celebration in July, the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce is moving forward with plans for the Fall Festival. They are also hosting a special "Hot Summer Nights event Wednesday, August 19. Chamber President John Kreis said "Hot Summer Nights" would be similar to take out night events this summer but would be a little bit larger with music in the park and vendors. The event is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. and will feature music from local band KneeJürk! The...

  • Town officials pleased with results of chip seal project

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Aug 12, 2020

    Whitehall Town officials are pleased with the result of the recent chip sealing project completed by HardDrives Inc. At a Council meeting Monday, Whitehall Public Works Director Kory Klapan told the governing body the chip seal looks wonderful compared to when the company did the project in 2017 and that it should work out well. Mayor Mary Janacaro Hensleigh said both the recently completed MDT sidewalk and the chip seal project both turned out well. HardDrives Inc. had originally provided a chi...

  • Caruana helps to replace vandalized sign

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Aug 12, 2020

    Three Forks resident Julia Caruana was returning home after to a trip to Pipestone when she saw the vandalization to the joint campaign sign for U.S. President Donald Trump and Montana Senate District 38 candidate Jim Buterbaugh. What she witnessed propelled her into action. Caruana said there is always that "what the" moment when you've driven past something countless times has suddenly changed and she spent much of that evening storming over how something like this could happen in Whitehall...

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