Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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Town Pump Convenience Stores has scheduled a new, larger Town Pump Convenience Store and Lucky Lil’s Casino at 426 North Whitehall Road on April 17, 2024. The store will be open 24/7. The new location reflects Town Pump’s ongoing commitment to the Whitehall community, where they have operated for almost six decades. “We are pleased to offer our customers a wider range of products and services at this expanded store,” said Dan Sampson, Town Pump’s Director of Development and Construct...
The Rise of Biometric Security Imagine a world where your eyes, fingerprints, or voice become the keys to unlocking your digital life and securing essential places. That’s the promise of biometric security systems, and it’s quickly becoming a reality. These systems use unique body parts - like your fingerprints, eye patterns, or voice - to confirm who you are. Unlike passwords or keys, which can be lost or stolen, your biological traits are nearly impossible for someone else to replicate. It...
Burnout is a severe problem these days. With technology allowing us to be accessible around the clock, some employees feel like they’re never getting a break. As a chamber pro, it’s not just tech that keeps you accessible. Every minute you’re in your town you run the risk of people coming up to you and making you feel like “you’re on the clock.” No wonder you may feel stressed and burned out. But being available or “always on” doesn’t make people feel the most burnout. In this article, we’ll cover two different types of burnout, isolate th...
Safeguarding your wireless network In an era where connectivity is paramount, securing your Wi-Fi network is not just a matter of convenience but a necessity. With the proliferation of smart devices and the increasing dependency on online services, ensuring the integrity of your network has never been more critical. The threat of intruders accessing your network can lead to data breaches, compromised personal information, and even financial loss. To mitigate these risks, implementing robust...
Understanding Ransomware and How to Prevent It In recent years, ransomware attacks have surged, posing significant threats to individuals, businesses, and organizations worldwide. With cybercriminals constantly evolving their tactics, understanding ransomware and implementing preventive measures have become paramount in safeguarding digital assets and sensitive information. Ransomware is malicious software designed to encrypt files or lock users out of their systems, demanding payment, usually...
It's that time of year when businesses start thinking about summer help. Could you use an intern this summer? You need to consider several things before bringing on your first intern. Times have changed. If you were an intern before 2000, you may remember interning as something akin to being a pledge in a fraternity. You did the grunt work for little recognition and no pay. Times have changed. Interns want valuable experience these days, not a summer of making copies. They also expect to be...
Headwaters RC&D has an upcoming 5-week low-cost website-building course training for anyone in the Headwaters region. Students will work on website setup using the Wix platform. Websites can be set up for e-commerce, client scheduling, or simply to have a web presence. This course is designed for beginners and those with existing websites who want instruction on advanced website features. April 2: 4 PM - 6 PM; Introduction & Planning Your Website April 9: 4 PM - 6 PM; Navigation, Page Setup, Content Planning April 16: 4 PM - 6 PM; SEO and...
The Evolution of Home Audio In the realm of entertainment technology, perhaps nothing has undergone as dramatic a transformation as home audio systems. From humble beginnings rooted in analog technology to the cutting-edge digital soundscapes of today, the evolution of home audio has been a testament to human ingenuity and our unyielding pursuit of immersive auditory experiences. The journey of home audio began in the late 19th century with the invention of the phonograph by Thomas Edison. This...
Many small and medium-sized business owners think that workforce development isn’t in their “lane.” They leave it to the big guys to work with the chamber and community leaders to ensure the large businesses have the skilled employees they need for the future. But unless you are a business of one and plan on remaining that way, workforce development should be a concern of all sizes of businesses. Here’s why you should want to get involved: While workforce development may seem like a daunting task for small companies, there are several compell...
The board of trustees at Vigilante Electric Cooperative (VEC) is proud to announce the hiring of Trevor Parke as its new chief executive officer. Parke brings more than two decades of experience in utilities to VEC. "We are delighted to welcome Trevor as the next CEO of Vigilante Electric Cooperative," said Andy Johnson, board president. "His extensive background in the electric utility space and his appreciation for the cooperative business model makes him an ideal fit to lead us into the future." Mr. Parke is a seasoned professional with an...
How Firewalls Keep You Safe Online In today's digital world, where computers are used for everything from shopping to banking, staying safe online is a top priority. One of the most important tools in our cybersecurity toolkit is a firewall. But what exactly is a firewall, and how does it protect your computer? Think of a firewall as a security guard for your computer. Its job is to watch all the incoming and outgoing traffic, like a gatekeeper, and ensure that only the good stuff gets through...
First, you’re probably thinking if everyone in the chamber (and beyond) reads this article and follows the advice here, no one will be unforgettable because we’ll all be following the same instructions. But in the words of the famous Dr. Seuss, “There is no one alive more you-er than you,” so being the same isn’t possible if you’re true to who you are. With that in mind, let’s discuss how you can begin to stand out and make worthwhile connections, even if you hate networking. Why Should You Attend a Networking Event? You either love networki...
Rocky Mountain Bank has decided to sell its Whitehall branch to Valley Bank of Helena, a division of Glacier Bank. We believe we have found a partner who shares our commitment to customers and is deeply entrenched in Montana. Subject to regulatory approval and satisfaction of other closing conditions, we expect the transaction to close late in the third quarter or early fourth quarter of 2024. Be assured that additional information will be shared with you in the months ahead. The leadership teams of both banks will work together to preserve an...
The Future of Home Entertainment: Emerging Technologies In a world constantly evolving with technological advancements, the landscape of home entertainment is undergoing a revolutionary transformation. The fusion of cutting-edge technologies promises to redefine how we experience entertainment within the confines of our homes. From immersive virtual reality to mind-bending augmented reality, the future of home entertainment is poised to be an exhilarating journey for consumers. One of the most...
Creating Big Impact in Small Spaces: Home Theater Design Tips In the era of compact living and urban dwellings, homeowners often navigate the challenge of transforming limited spaces into multifunctional havens. Amidst this quest for optimization, the desire for a home theater experience remains undiminished. Fear not, as with thoughtful design and strategic choices, even the coziest of spaces can boast a cinematic retreat. Here are some expert tips for crafting an immersive home theater in...
At first glance, especially for people who have trouble writing or have difficulty starting out and collecting their thoughts at a keyboard, AI can feel like the smartest kid in the class offering to do your homework for free, forever. It seems like a huge win and I'm not saying it isn't. But there are a few things you should be aware of as well as some tasks it does tremendously well that could save you a lot of time and energy. Google's new Bard (AI) issued this statement to all users, "Bard will not always get it right. Bard may give...
The Sonic Battle: Wireless vs. Wired Home Audio Systems In the ever-evolving landscape of home entertainment, the choice between wireless and wired audio systems has become a hot topic for music enthusiasts and audiophiles alike. As technology continues to advance, consumers are faced with the dilemma of choosing between the convenience of wireless setups and the perceived superior audio quality of their wired counterparts. Wireless home audio systems have gained significant popularity in...
Common Computer Security Myths Debunked In an era dominated by digital advancements, the importance of computer security cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, misinformation often circulates, leading individuals and businesses to adopt practices that might not be as effective as believed. Let's debunk some common computer security myths and shed light on the reality behind these misconceptions. Myth #1: "I Have Antivirus Software, So I'm Fully Protected." Reality: While antivirus software is a...
Teddy Roosevelt is credited for having said, “If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month." And so it is that we are often our biggest impediment to success, especially as business owners. We spend hours helping customers and often don’t show ourselves the same assistance (Oh, doctor, heal thyself.) If you’re wondering what this advice has to do with your “top employee,” you need this article more than you realized. In a time of rising costs and increased concerns over mental he...
The Importance of Software Updates In the ever-evolving landscape of digital technology, the importance of regular software updates cannot be overstated. Whether you are an individual user or a business owner, keeping your computer's software up-to-date is a fundamental practice that can protect your digital assets, enhance performance, and safeguard against cyber threats. One of the primary reasons for regular software updates is security. As technology advances, so do the tactics of...
Have you ever attended a chamber event? If you're not a member, you're missing out. Before you think you don't have the time to attend events, it's important you know chamber life is not just mixers and ribbon cuttings. Chamber membership is one of the best-kept secrets for free or nearly free business resources like webinars, lunch & learns and written collateral. Plus, a whole lot more. Chamber membership is one of the best business investments you can make for the money and return. Is...
Common Types of Computer Viruses In an era dominated by technology, the omnipresence of computers exposes users to a myriad of cyber threats, with computer viruses standing out as a formidable adversary. These malicious programs come in various forms, each presenting unique challenges to users' digital security. Trojan Horses: Aptly named after the ancient Greek tale, Trojan horses disguise themselves as harmless programs but carry destructive payloads. Users unwittingly download and execute...
This week, I had one of those rare moments where my teenage son talked to me in more than mono-syllabic answers. We were talking about AI and school projects. While AI is a boon for anyone tasked with repetitive time sucks, it's a nightmare for school administrators and educators. Kids everywhere (other than New York, where it's illegal) are using chatbots to do their homework, write school scripts and projects, etc. And because of AI's generative language use, plagiarism trackers are ineffectual. But this article isn't about "cheating." As...
Our friends at Duracell generously donated $100,000 nationwide to sponsor the “Power Up the Miracles” contest, where stores competed head-to-head to see who could get the highest percentage of Round-Up transactions from November 24 - December 31. We would like to thank our local communities for making us the #1 and #4 nationwide earners in the Round-Up for Children's Miracle Network. Whitehall ACE Hardware finished at the head of the class with an incredible 74.48% of our transactions with Rou...
While the MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index reached its highest level of confidence since COVID-19 in Q3 of 2023, there are still many businesses that are battling rising costs and trying to make every dollar count. According to the report, 33% of small businesses are saying the U.S. economy is in good health (up 9% points from Q2). The report read, “Small businesses also feel better about their own business health and cash flow: Two in three (66%) report that their business is in good health and roughly seven in ten (72...
