Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Articles written by Jack H. Smith


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  • Rockin' The Rivers Back On For 2021

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice|May 12, 2021

    After having the event canceled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Rockin' the Rivers is set to return in 2021. According to RTR office manager Jodie Petitt, the 2021 festival is scheduled to take place August 12 to 14 at the Bridge near Cardwell. Some of the headlining acts announced for the 20th-anniversary festival include Skillet, Lit, Saving Abel, Black Label Society, .38 Special, Black Stone Cherry, and the Georgia Satellites. Ticket and camping packages can be purchased at...

  • "Ultimate Domination" at Opening Duals

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Jan 6, 2021

    It was a great start to the season for the Whitehall High School wrestling team. The Trojans picked up a 51-24 win over Florence and also defeated Big Fork 43-30. During the two duals Whitehall had a total of 13 pins. "Pinning your opponent is the ultimate domination, and I am proud of how many pins we earned this weekend. It was a good start to the season. Things are often a bit rusty at the start of the season, but the boys were ready and intense and performed well," said assistant coach...

  • Flint, Dylan Smith selected to Shrine squad

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Dec 30, 2020

    The Whitehall High School football team will once again be well represented at the prestigious Montana East-West Shrine Bowl. The 2021 teams that were announced Christmas at Midnight include Trojan senior all-state players Dylan Smith and Flint Smith. The 74th annual game is scheduled for June 19 in Billings and will raise money for the Shriners Children's Hospital in Spokane. Whitehall Head Coach Dan Lacey said the Shrine roster has always been something he looks forward to seeing early...

  • Settings part of 56 county Peaks to Plains Tour

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Dec 30, 2020

    Settings by All Things Montana in Whitehall recently had the honor of being a stop on the U.S. Small Business Administration "Peaks to Plains Business Resiliency Tour". The seven-day statewide tour highlighted the importance of supporting small businesses during the holidays. SBA Montana Director Brent Donnelly visited a business in each of Montana's 56 counties between December 10 and December 18. "When local small businesses succeed, they create jobs for families, infuse new revenues into...

  • Talented Trojans open season Saturday

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Dec 30, 2020

    While the Whitehall High School wrestling team may have been unable to compete in December, they used the change in the schedule to their benefit. The Trojans started practicing December 7 and according to Assistant Coach Steve Sacry, they have used the longer preseason to really lock in on team goals, strategies, and techniques. Whitehall will open the season on the road on January 2 at Florence. Sacry said they will not be wrestling any tournaments until Divisionals, but in wrestling, it's always been one match at a time, so he is sure they...

  • Senior-laden Trojans open with conference tilt

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Dec 30, 2020

    The Whitehall High School boys basketball team will jump right into conference play when they open the season Saturday, January 2 with a 5B District road matchup at Big Timber. Not only will this be the opening game for the senior-laden Trojans, but it will also be the first game at the helm for new head coach Mike Moulchin who had previously served in the top position for the women's program at Clark High School in Las Vegas. Moulchin who was hired in May said COVID has made this a season like no other and the team had a limited open gym...

  • Whitehall students receive sweatshirts

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

    Since the creation of Montana Rail Link's Project Sweatshirt in 2014, a total of 16,243 sweatshirts featuring school colors and mascots have been presented as a gift to students and staff throughout the state. Last Thursday, students, and staff in Whitehall received sweatshirts as part of the program runs in conjunction with the Dennis and Phyliss Washington Foundation. According to MRL Vice President of Corporate Relations Ross Lane, 2,082 sweatshirts were handed out in 2020. Along with the two local schools, students and staff in Three Forks,...

  • Chamber announces contest winners

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

    The Whitehall Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of their 2020 Christmas Lights Contest. The winner of the residential contest was Jerry Ward at 404 2nd Street, and the winner of the business contest was Settings by All Things Montana at 11 N. Main. The residential contest was judged through a ballot by local residents and the business contest was judged by NorthWestern Energy. "It's truly amazing to drive around our community and see so many took the time to spread some holiday...

  • Demolition work continues on mills

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

    Demolition work is continuing in the mill area at the Barrick Golden Sunlight mine in Whitehall. At a Community Transition Advisory Committee meeting last week, Mine General Manager Chuck Buus reported a significant amount of demolition has taken place including the removal of the mills and cutting of concrete pedestals. The work is to ready the facility for the Tailings Reprocessing Project. Buus told committee members in his opinion the permitting is going well, and they should have a date for a public scoping meeting by the January CTAC...

  • Board approves voluntary rapid antigen test

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

    The Whitehall School Board of Trustees voted last week to approve BinaxNOW, a rapid antigen test for COVID-19. The use of the tests is voluntary for both students and staff. During a presentation, School Nurse Mary Beth Hunter stressed this is not mass testing, it is not asymptomatic testing, and it is not mandatory. She added a parent has to come in and sign a release and a staff member also has to agree to the testing School Nurse Krista Glaus told the board the rapid tests would allow them to get results in 15 minutes at the school, rather... Full story

  • Festival of Trees moves to online format

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 25, 2020

    While things might be a little different in 2020 with an online format, the annual Liberty of Place Festival of Trees will once again be huge in fundraising efforts for the organization that provides life skills and housing for individuals with brain injuries, with facilities in both Whitehall and Belgrade. According to Liberty Place Executive Director Ann Geiger, the event that usually takes place in Bozeman was moved online out of concern for the safety of supporters, staff, and residents.... Full story

  • 2 accidents lead to Monday I-90 fatality

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 25, 2020

    A tragic wreck just moments after another accident resulted in a fatality Monday on Interstate 90 between Cardwell and Whitehall. According to Trooper Michael O’Connor of the Montana Highway Patrol, there were two accidents Monday morning, the first was a semi who struck an elk on the Interstate. He said shortly after and before the scene was secured, a single-occupancy passenger vehicle also hit the elk and the vehicle then ran into the semi. The driver of the passenger vehicle was killed in the accident. The semi-driver and passenger were...

  • 7 Trojans earn postseason honors

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 25, 2020

    After advancing to the Class B quarterfinals for the third time in five years, the Whitehall/Harrison High School football team was well represented with numerous Trojans receiving postseason accolades. Seniors Dylan Smith and Flint Smith were both named to the 5B All-State Team. Dylan, who committed last week to play at the University of Montana, was also named first-team All-Conference at both offensive and defensive line. Flint was selected second-team All-Conference at both tight end and... Full story

  • Schools, town hall announce closures

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 18, 2020

    The Whitehall School district announced last Tuesday they will be closing the campus and moving to remote learning from Monday, November 16 to Monday, November 30. Accounting for the Thanksgiving holiday, students will have eight days of remote learning. The Cardwell School has also decided to close on-site learning the week of November 16 to November 20. Two Whitehall elementary school classes were quarantined last week due to 2 positive COVID-19 cases associated with the school. In a letter...

  • Mine General Manager Shares Optimism on Project

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 18, 2020

    Golden Sunlight Mine General Manager Chuck Buus is hopeful by this time next year they will have concentrate being shipped by truck to Nevada. In an update at last week's Community Transition Advisory Committee meeting, Buus discussed the Tailings Reprocessing Project and said they are hopeful to have a record of decision from the state by September. He said they have been able to do work inside of the mill area, but will not be able to do any work outside until the record of decision. As far...

  • Governor Elect Gianforte selects Nieskens for COVID-19 Task Force

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 18, 2020

    Whitehall Superintendent Hannah Nieskens has been named to Governor-Elect Greg Gianforte's COVID-19 Task Force. The 21-member task force is comprised of healthcare experts, business leaders, school administrators, law enforcement, and local and tribal leaders. Nieskens said the members are from all different backgrounds and will start meeting in the coming week where they will serve to advise and recommend COVID-19 related matters for the new Governor. Nieskens was both surprised and honored when Governor-elect and current U.S. Representative...

  • Christmas Stroll cancelled, Pop Up Market planned

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 18, 2020

    The Whitehall Chamber of Commerce’s event plan for the 2020 Christmas Stroll was denied by the Jefferson County Health Board. Chamber President John Kreis said it was very disappointing news but at the same time, they certainly understand the point of view of the health board. In the meantime, Kreis and chamber board members have been working hard on community-based events that would not draw a crowd but still emphasize the holiday season. Among the plans for the holiday season include a Christmas Pop Up Vendor Market that will take place...

  • Ridgeline Sports Opens in Whitehall

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 18, 2020

    Morgan and Lucy Shaw have a huge passion for the outdoors.  They recently decided to share their love for the outdoors in the Treasure State in the form of a new area business. Earlier this year, the two decided to open up Ridgeline Sports as an ATV rental business and recently expanded to a retail location at 401 E. Legion Avenue that offers guns, ammo, reloading supplies, gun cases, gun straps, optics, clothing as well as camping supplies. Morgan Shaw grew up in Cardwell, graduated from...

  • 3 earn postseason accolades

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 18, 2020

    After one of the most successful seasons in recent history, the Whitehall High School volleyball team was well represented on the 5B District All-Conference team. Senior Meagan Johnson was named First Team All-Conference, and senior Kendra Klapan and junior Brynna Wolfe were voted by district coaches to the Second Team. Head Coach Kyla Simon Said it was awesome for three players to be recognized. "Kendra, Brynna, and Meagan have put so much time in and have worked so hard. The thing I love...

  • Public Safety Levy denied

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 11, 2020

    A majority of Town of Whitehall residents voted last week against a public safety mill levy. The unofficial total vote count was 307 against and 260 for the levy that would have generated funding for the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department and the town contract with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. This was the first time the town had asked for a general mill levy increase since the 1970s. In Jefferson County, 82 percent (8,247 or 9,466) of registered voters participated in the general election. In Madison County, the number was 86...

  • JVCF Awards 2020 Grants

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 11, 2020

    The Jefferson County Community Foundation once again showed their love and appreciation for local non-profits at last week's Short and Sweet event at the Whitehall Community Center. Board member Amy French thanked those in attendance and said the JVCF only works because of everybody working together and it is such an honor to have so many organizations that take the money they grant and go out and improve the community. Grants were awarded in 2020 to the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce, the...

  • Two elementary students placed in quarantine

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 11, 2020

    Two Whitehall Elementary School classes were placed in quarantine last week. In a letter sent to parents, Superintendent Hannah Nieskens said the district was notified that two individuals associated with the school had confirmed, positive tests for COVID-19. The district release they have one third grade and one kindergarten class under quarantine. The rest of the district remains open. "Please note that the district will strictly adhere to privacy laws and will not disclose identifiable information of those who have been affected. School...

  • Trojans fall in quarterfinals

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 11, 2020

    A fantastic season for the Whitehall/Harrison High School football team came to an end last Saturday with a 40-13 quarterfinal loss at Fairfield. After trailing 12-0 just three minutes into the game, the Trojans (6-3) would show their resilience when sophomore quarterback Miles Hoerauf connected with Flint Smith for a 95-yard touchdown on third and 10 to cut the lead to 12-6 with 1:47 remaining in the opening quarter. The Eagles would answer back to up the lead to 26-6 before Whitehall would... Full story

  • Breakthrough season ends for Whitehall

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 11, 2020

    For the first time in 16 years, the Whitehall High School volleyball team had the opportunity to play at the Southern B Divisional Tournament. While the team was unable to advance out of last week's tournament in Red Lodge, it was truly a season to remember for the Lady Trojans. Head Coach Kyla Simon said she is very proud of her team of 8 girls was able to make it to Divisionals. "Last year's season gave us some momentum and motivation and placing at Districts was at the top of the list of...

  • Fall play to be televised next week

    Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Nov 4, 2020

    Whitehall High School drama students have been working hard in anticipation of next week's televised performance of their annual fall play. The performance of "Money to Burn" is scheduled for Friday, September 13 at 7 p.m. on Whitehall Low Power TV station 49.2. The cast for the 2020 play is Charlynn Mercer, Emily Smith, Marcus Wait, Mia Ballard, Marissa Ellison, Kyra Oliverson, Gabriel Popalis, Levi Whitehurst, Connor Graham, Brook Ballard and Lita Wetherelt. Director Marci Whitehurst feels this is a wonderful group of kids and they are... Full story

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