Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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Visionary Broadband has acquired Montana-based broadband provider MTWeb, expanding its service area and enhancing internet access for local communities. The acquisition expands Visionary's presence in Whitehall, where it recently completed a fiber build. The deal will bring upgraded internet to Twin Bridges, Pipestone, and Cardwell. Plans are in place to boost speeds, enhance reliability, and improve service for residents and businesses. Customers in Butte and Rocker will also benefit, as the...
Cardwell Elementary School dazzled families and friends on the evening of May 1st with a joyful and imaginative Spring concert themed "The Greatest Concert on Earth." Inspired by classic circus fun and nods to 'The Greatest Showman', the evening transported the audience under the big top for a musical celebration filled with color, talent, and heart. Music teacher Kyla Simon led the creative charge, crafting a delightful program that featured circus-themed tunes performed by students on kazoos...
Lawmakers gathered at the Capitol in January with a clear message from their constituents: The people of Montana are struggling to afford to live in Big Sky Country. The “working Montanan” was at the forefront of lawmakers' policy decisions this session, as Montanans struggle under the burden of high property taxes amid rising costs of living nationwide. There was no shortage of controversy as the legislators struggled with party-line divisions and their ideals. Alliances were made, majorities were upended, and measures passed for property tax...
The WHS Class of 2025 will be graduating in just over a month! BUSINESSES: The Ledger will be putting together its keepsake Graduation Section. Is your business interested in running an ad of congratulations for this section? Please let the Whitehall Ledger know as soon as possible! The deadline for inclusion is May 26, 2025; the graduation section will run in the June 4th edition of the Ledger as well as be handed out at graduation. Congrats ads in this section are priced as follows: • Business card: $50 • Rectangle: $100 • 1/4 page: $150...
House Bill (HB) 477, to phase out single-use expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam food containers across Montana, has passed both the House and Senate with strong bipartisan support and backing from a diverse coalition of stakeholders. The bill, aimed at protecting public health, reducing litter, and supporting agricultural and timber business opportunities, is now before Governor Greg Gianforte. Since first introducing an EPS phase-out bill in 2019, sponsor Representative Marilyn Marler, D-Missoula, has worked to address lawmakers’ concerns and c...
The first 2/3 years of The Truman Show must’ve been boring to watch. Depression and anxiety are symptoms of social isolation, but without having a pandemic. While obviously even, it just feels wrong for a number like 777,777,772 to not be odd. An advanced aquatic civilization would have a harder time space-faring. Some of the most critical decisions that guide our futures are when we are inexperienced, hormonally unstable, and cognitively underdeveloped. Every left-handed Beatles member is still alive, while every right-handed member is d...
Dear Editor, On the last day of his presidency, in his last speech, President Ronald Reagan recalled what someone had once written to him: "You can go to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey or Japan, but you cannot become a German, a Turk, or a Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American." "We lead the world because, unique among nations, we draw our people-our strength-from every co...
Dear Editor, A big THANK YOU to the Whitehall Country Store for being available to utilize the leftovers from the Cardwell Church Mission Trip Bake/Garage Sale from last week. The town of Whitehall is very blessed to have this wonderful resource for shopping for quality, affordable clothes as well as household items, toy,s etc., etc. The location is perfect for parking and/or unloading items, and it provides funding to the Town, Jefferson Valley Museum, Whitehall community swimming pool,...
Starting May 7, the Transportation Security Administration will no longer consider state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards without a Real ID certification sufficient for boarding commercial flights. This long-delayed policy shift could cause headaches for Montana travelers. According to the TSA website, several other forms of identification will be accepted in lieu of Real IDs, including passports, U.S. passport cards, U.S. Department of Defense IDs, permanent resident cards, and some IDs issued by federally recognized tribal...
The Latest Trends in Home Automation In recent years, home automation has evolved from a luxury to a practical upgrade for everyday living. Today’s smart homes go beyond simply turning lights on and off with your phone—they offer integrated solutions that enhance convenience, safety, and energy efficiency. As technology advances, here are some of the latest trends reshaping how we live at home. Voice-Controlled Everything: Voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri...
MAY 3, 2000 Soil moisture measuring systems hold major potential benefits for ranchers. For over a century, Jefferson Valley and Boulder Valley ranchers have faced some tough questions about irrigation, and most of those questions were answered with guesswork tempered with experience and knowledge. For 17 valley irrigators, the new millennium and the new technology will eliminate irrigation guesswork and wasted water and energy. Many community members - and some guests helped celebrate Spring...
4/30/2025: Whitehall Indivisible (WI) heaved a sigh of relief that the state legislative session is over. However, we will be puzzling out the new property tax bill and its exemptions and requisite applications (and paying) for years to come. On Wednesday, May 14th, at 6 PM, we invite the community to the Star Theatre for a showing of the 2005 award-winning drama Good Night and Good Luck (rated PG). Donations for Gold Junction Presents are encouraged, but admission is free. Concessions will be available for purchase. Starring David Strathairn...
The Whitehall Taking Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) group would like to invite you to join our group. The meetings are every Monday at 9 AM and are filled with interesting programs, contests, and general fun. We support each other not only in weight loss but also in our lives' ups and downs. We are friends. The Whitehall chapter of the TOPS organization has been around since 1967, and one of the founding members still comes today....
Paige Doreen Asten (Florence Doreen Stahl), born December 1, 1942, to Blanche Marie (Brant) and Wayne Seral Stahl in Somerset, Pennsylvania; died April 14, 2025, at Mustang Creek Estates of Sachse, Texas. Paige lived close to her sons and grandchildren for the last year of her life. To tell you of her life would be worthy of an epic novel that she loved reading. A mystery novel with a heroine who forged her path, realized her dreams, and helped others along the way. Her car broke down in Texas,... Full story
It is with a heavy heart and great sorrow that we confirm that our beloved mother, Ruperta Segovia, passed away on April 24, 2025. She died of natural causes at St James Hospital in Butte, Montana. She was in the presence of her loving family. She was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her most, offering abundant wisdom and love. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and strength. Her husband, Gabriel, and sons Rosalio, Francisco, and Daniel preceded her in death. She... Full story
In recognition of Maternal Mental Health Month in May, the Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) reminds mothers that the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides free, confidential assistance before, during, and after pregnancy. “In Montana, one in five women experience depression during pregnancy, and 13.5% experience postpartum depression,” said Mandi Zanto, Title V Director at the DPHHS Early Childhood and Family Support Division. “The hotline helps women know they are not alone. There is support and hope by calling 1-833...
Give your mom a fish, feed her for a day. Take your mom fishing, give her memories for a lifetime! Celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend on the water. Fishing licenses will not be required May 10 and 11, and the forecast looks fine. In 2021, Gov. Greg Gianforte signed into law Senate Bill 61, which makes it free for anyone, resident and nonresident, to fish in Montana on Mother’s Day. Montanans have enjoyed free fishing on Father’s Day weekend for more than 10 years. Here’s a rundown on the latest fishing report for area reservoirs: Canyon Ferry:...
The 28th annual Vigilante Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) Banquet will be held Saturday, May 17th, at the Round Barn in Twin Bridges. Doors open at 4 PM. A fantastic variety of firearms, artwork, trips, hunting gear, and jewelry will be available, as well as raffles, games, and auctions. RMEF is a Montana-based habitat conservation organization whose mission is “to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat, and our hunting heritage.” RMEF has completed more than 14,800 conservation projects, benefitting over 9 million acr...
Twenty-seven paddlers floated down the Jefferson River in nine canoes and seven kayaks to visit the newest public campsite on the river on Saturday, May 3rd. Members of the Jefferson River Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance conducted a two-month fundraising campaign over the winter and purchased the 4.43-acre parcel sight-unseen in January. This was the first opportunity for group members to see the new campsite. "Saving open lands is a sacred mission, said chapter member Michael Enk...
Public lands are one of our country’s great equalizers. It doesn’t matter how much money you have—a billionaire and a bus driver both get the same access to our parks, deserts, rivers and forests. Each one of us owns these lands together. They are literally America’s common ground. Like so many Americans, I’ve built a life around public lands—exploring them, defending them and working to ensure they remain open to all. From my early days in Montana to leading the Bureau of Land Management and now as president of The Wilderness Society, I...
Mark your calendars this week for a day of Japanese adventure. Nao and Nanako will be here on Thursday, May 8th, at 2 PM and 5:30 PM. They will teach everyone to play a Japanese instrument called a Koto and learn about Japan. The 2 PM session is designed for children, and the 5:30 PM session is for older students and adults. Noa is returning to Japan in July, so this is the last time we can enjoy her presentations. We had so much fun with her last summer when she taught the summer reading childr...
In two years, the next Montana Legislature will reconvene in Helena. But before then, the 2025 legislature asked for studies on everything from farmers’ markets to changing the date of primary elections. In total, lawmakers have proposed 80 different study bills in 2025. That’s 42% more than the 10-session average of about 56. In the waning days of the session, both the House and Senate agendas have been jam-packed with study bills. Sen. Dennis Lenz, R-Billings, said that could be because these bills serve as tools to help pass future ver...
Two major property tax relief bills passed April 30, ultimately putting an end to the 69th Montana Legislature — but not without fiery pushback from hard-line Republicans and charged debates in the Senate. Property tax reform was one of the biggest issues facing lawmakers this session. In the last three days of the session, just two bills addressing property tax remained: Senate Bill 542 and House Bill 231. As they rounded the final corner, Rep. Bill Mercer, R-Billings, called for one final adjournment in the House. But the Senate held on, v...
It’s now up to Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte to pick between two conservation-focused models for distributing state marijuana revenue — an account that drew in nearly $60 million in 2024. Billings Republican Sen. Daniel Zolnikov’s Senate Bill 537 allocates 31% of that fund to law enforcement grants and 14% to a state behavioral health and disabilities program. Twin Bridges Republican Rep. Ken Walsh’s House Bill 932 sends the money to the state’s general fund. The original ballot measure that Montana voters approved in 2020 included setting a...
