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  • Knights of Columbus Fish Fry Friday

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 21, 2018

    After a one-year absence, the Whitehall Knights of Columbus Fish Fry will return this week. The event is scheduled to take place Friday, March 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Teresa’s Hall in Whitehall. Knights of Columbus member Jim Stearns said they would once again be serving Alaskan Pollock, a fish people really seem to enjoy. The cost to attend the popular event is $9 for adults, $6 for children 4 to 10, and $27 for a family. Stearns said the proceeds would go to charities in Whitehall and Ennis. He said some of these include Coats f...

  • Council votes to vacate seat

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 21, 2018

    The Whitehall Town Council voted Monday night to vacate the seat of Ward 1 member Katy James. In her motion to declare the vacancy, Council Member Montina Rawson referenced Montana Code 7-4-4-4111 “Determination of vacancy in municipal office”. Rawson said Section 7 of the code states “the incumbent’s ceasing to be a resident of the city or town or, in the case of a city council member, ceasing to be a resident of the city council member’s ward. This subsection does not apply to an appointed municipal officer who resides outside the city or t...

  • Chamber Easter Egg Hunt March 31

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 21, 2018

    In a little over a week, kids from across the area will make their way to the high school for the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce Easter Egg Hunt. The popular annual event is scheduled for March 31 at 10 a.m. at the Whitehall High School Football Field. The age divisions in 2018 are two and up, three to five, six to eight and nine to 12-year olds. According to event organizer Jill Dove, all the prizes have been purchased and the Whitehall Garden Club has been busy filling eggs. Dove praised the ga...

  • Skogen joins race for Justice of Peace

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 21, 2018

    A second Whitehall resident has filed to run for the Jefferson County Justice of the Peace. According to Jefferson County Election Administrator Bonnie Ramey, Larry Skogen filed for the office prior to the March 12 deadline. He will be joined in the race by Kevin Brunet of Whitehall, Steve Anderson of Montana City, and Dean Hildebrand of Boulder. The elected official will take over for longtime Justice of the Peace Dennis Giulio. The primary election is scheduled for June 5 and the general election will take place November 6. A list obtained...

  • COLUMN: March Madness and Blue Fields

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 21, 2018

    I'm an avid sports fan and my absolute favorite time of the year is the NCAA Basketball Tournament, especially the first four days. I grew up at a time when the University of Wyoming basketball team had an amazing program and their eclectic player Fennis Dembo even graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. I was able to experience the magic of the tournament watching the Cowboys play in Salt Lake City and those are experiences I will never forget. Unfortunately the success did not last long, but...

  • Trustees ask for May 8 levy

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 14, 2018

    The Cardwell School District Board of Trustees voted last week to take a $68,000 school levy to the voters at a May 8 special election. It will be the first time the district has sought a levy in 30 years. Board members Trent Biggers, Dawn Lewton, and Anne Marie Carey all voted in favor of the levy that will take place at a polling election at the school. According to District Clerk Lisa Morgan, the approximate increase a taxpayer would see on their bill for a $100,000 home is $29, and the number for a $200,000 home is $58. Morgan said when a...

  • Shakespeare in the Park at Frontier Days

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 14, 2018

    The 2018 Frontier Days Celebration in Whitehall will now include an additional popular annual event. Chamber President Jan Thorne announced at last week's general meeting the Shakespeare in the Park performance of "Love's Labour's Lost" is scheduled for Friday, July 27 at 6 p.m. Chamber members are currently working to host the event in Legion Park. Thorne said she was approached by the touring company and told they had an opening on the date and the only other time they could perform in...

  • Town Council changes March meeting date

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 14, 2018

    The Whitehall Town Council has changed the date for their regular monthly meeting. The meeting originally scheduled for March 12 has been moved to March 19 at 7 p.m. Mayor Mary Janacaro-Hensleigh said last week the meeting was changed due to a scheduling conflict. Mayor Janacaro-Hensleigh also said their would be another public hearing in April to obtain public comments regarding a a proposed application to the Montana Department of Commerce’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, Treasure State Endowment Program (TSEP), and D...

  • EDITORIAL: Spread the word about Cardwell celebration

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 14, 2018

    In a little under five months, both current and former residents will help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Cardwell School. The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 4 starting at 10:30 a.m. at the school, and will also include a dinner later that day at the Cardwell Pavilion. This event is a wonderful way to bring former students, teachers, staff and anyone affiliated to the school together for what should be an amazing day. Much like is the case with any small town school, the building in Cardwell means so much to so many people,...

  • COLUMN: Not the Zoom

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 14, 2018

    When I started my career in journalism as beat reporter for a daily newspaper I would often times have to take photos at meetings, games, or various events. While the paper did have a digital camera, they were not very handy at the time for anything other than “grip and grin,” type photos that are basically people posed and not moving – think of someone presenting a group with a check. I was given a nice camera to work with, but it wasn’t as simple as going taking a picture and being done. My first week on the job I was sent into a dark ro...

  • Whitehall trustees rehire two principals

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 14, 2018

    The Whitehall School District Board of Trustees voted last week to rehire K-5 Principal Britt McLean and 6-12 Principal Hannah Nieskens. Superintendent John Sullivan said the three administrators work together as a team and he thinks that is important for the district. Sullivan said McLean has done a good job and has the elementary school moving forward in a positive direction. Sullivan stated Nieskens also has her two schools moving in a positive direction. “She’s done a fantastic job. She’s been a real important factor to our schoo...

  • 2018 production above target at mine

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 14, 2018

    It’s been a good start to 2018 at the Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine. At the Community Transition Advisory Committee Meeting last week, Mine General Manager Dan Banghart said that after the first two months they are above their target for the year. He stated that while the February production of 4,738 ounces was 400 below the target for the month, they are still 120 ounces ahead for 2018 and this is encouraging. Banghart added the underground tonnage is also on plan for the year and the grades of ore from the underground have improved. B...

  • 2018 BTBJ organizers seek live auction items

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 14, 2018

    With the event a little over two months away, organizers of the Black Tie & Blue Jeans fundraiser are seeking help from local residents. At a meeting last week, BTBJ committee member Kristi Wilson said that while things are progressing nicely for the event scheduled for Saturday, April 28, they are still looking for some bigger auction items. “We are looking for some big ticket items,” she said. “We need a few big hitters.” In the past, Wilson said silent auction items will roll in just before the event, but they are really hoping for some he...

  • Three Trojans earn honors

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 14, 2018

    Three Whitehall High School basketball players were honored earlier this week with postseason accolades. One of the best players in school history, junior Max Feight was selected to the all-state team and was also named to the 5B District all-conference first team. Senior Wyatt Alexander was also named first team all-conference. Lady Trojan Asha Noyes was named second team all-conference. Whitehall boys head coach Zach McLean praised the two-standout players. "I'm so proud of both of them. They...

  • Scam hits Whitehall area

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 14, 2018

    It’s nothing out of the ordinary for Rodeway Inn manager Peter Niedermeyer to receive a package for a guest staying at the hotel located in Whitehall. During a shift last week, he received a package that turned out to be far from ordinary and wants to warn local residents about a scam circulating in the area. After a receiving the package, Niedermeyer searched through customers checked into the hotel located in Whitehall and could not find anyone by that name. A little bit later in the day, he received a phone call asking him if the package arr...

  • Supreme Court rules against appeal

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 7, 2018

    The Montana Supreme Court issued an opinion last week ruling against an appeal involving an unsuccessful 2016 recall petition in the Town of Whitehall. The court affirmed a Fifth Judicial Court order denying the payment of attorney fees, costs, and disbursements for former Mayor Dale Davis and four town council members. The five elected officials were seeking reimbursements from Jefferson County Election Administrator Bonnie Ramey and recall petitioner Lynn Nemeth. Court documents from the Supreme Court decision state the Fifth District Court...

  • Harshbarger nets prestigious honor

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 7, 2018

    A Whitehall attorney was recently recognized with a prestigious designation from the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys Lori Harshbarger was nominated and accepted as a 2018 AIOFLA 10 Best in Montana for Client Satisfaction. The AIOFLA is a third-party attorney rating organization that publishes an annual list of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in each state. "This is a great public honor from my peers and clients. Equally, valuable to me, is knowing at the end of every day, that I...

  • EDITORIAL: Town meeting a positive step for Whitehall

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 7, 2018

    The Town of Whitehall conducted a meeting late last month to obtain public comment to assist their pursuit of grants that will not only help the town meet their water requirements with the Department of Environmental Quality, but to also benefit future community development. It was very unfortunate the town water levels tested above the acceptable limit for Uranium in 2015, but it did happen. Without finding an acceptable water source the town will have to build a water treatment facility and while this is costly, pursuing grants will help...

  • COLUMN: Greyhound I'll never forget you

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 7, 2018

    I'll be the first to admit that I enjoy nothing more than a day off spent at my house binge watching my favorite new show or basketball, but every once in awhile I like to get out of town for a few days. My hometown is eight hours away, which is a trip I will do two or three times a year, and I also don't mind loading up the car for a trip to Seattle or Las Vegas. Sure the trip can be a little bit long, but it sure beats the cost of flying four people anywhere. Plus with the drive to an...

  • Past comes to life in Cardwell

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Feb 28, 2018

    Important historical figures came to life Monday afternoon at the Cardwell School when third to eighth grade students hosted a Living Wax Museum. Fifth and sixth grade teacher Ashley Moser said the museum is something she's wanted to do since she became a teacher, and decided to do it this year instead of a science fair. Moser said students were a bit intimidated by the science fair last year and the living museum has been a fun change. The students were asked to pick a historical figure they ad...

  • Water issues discussed at town hearing

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Feb 28, 2018

    The Town of Whitehall hosted a special public hearing last week to obtain input about community development needs. Jason Crawford, a Civil Engineer at Kadrmas Lee & Jackson currently working with the town, said they are considering applying for a Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) as well as other grants. Crawford stated the Town of Whitehall is looking for the public comments and community development needs like infrastructure, economic development potentials, and housing needs, and what the priority of those might be. He said funding...

  • Liberty Place partners with state to launch programs

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Feb 28, 2018

    Liberty Place has partnered with the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (MTDLI) to launch the state's first Community Health Worker and Behavioral registered apprenticeship-training programs. Officials from the Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program visited Liberty Place headquarters in Whitehall last week to discuss the programs that will help Gem State residents seek new opportunities to earn higher wages and improve their job skills in the healthcare industry. Liberty Place was...

  • Release of second "Bonnie & Clyde" book set for March 24

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Feb 28, 2018

    During his childhood in Whitehall, Clark Hays would often hear quite the tales from his father who once convinced him that a car on their ranch had belonged to Bonnie and Clyde. Years later, the 1984 graduate of Whitehall High School is publishing his second in a series of books about the popular criminal duo. Hays said, "Bonnie and Clyde: Dam Nation", a book co-written with Kathleen McFall, follows the first book in the series, "Resurrection Road", imagining an alternate history in which the...

  • Editorial: Thanks for all that make Montana winters safer

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Feb 28, 2018

    Montana winters can be brutal. Sometimes it is the well below zero temperatures,or the howling winds, or it can be a huge blanket of snow that sticks to the road. Several times a winter all three happen at once and it makes traveling near impossible. No matter how bad the winter conditions are, it is important to always remember law enforcement and emergency responders, as well as state, county, town employees working hard to make things better. It doesn’t matter when the bad weather hits whether it be a holiday or the middle of the day, t...

  • COLUMN: Naughty Fans

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Feb 28, 2018

    A few weeks ago I was at the district basketball tournament when I witnessed something that really bothered me. The Whitehall Trojans boys basketball team was taking on Manhattan in a game with everything on the line. The winner would live to play another day and advance to the divisional tournament in Billings and the losers would be done for the season. Anyone who has been to the district tournament knows that it is always a great atmosphere with a lot of passion and this was certainly the...

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