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  • Five sworn in at special Council meeting

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Jan 3, 2018

    There is a new Mayor and four new Council members on the Town of Whitehall governing body. At a special meeting Jan. 3, Council members Barbara Gagnon, Katy James, Jason Good and Montina Rawson, and Mayor Mary Janacaro-Hensleigh were sworn into their positions. At the start of the meeting, Janacaro-Hensleigh addressed what she said were a lot of questions and concerns about the position of James on the Council. Janacaro-Hensleigh said Jefferson County Election Administrator Bonnie Ramey certified James for the position. The new Mayor told...

  • Taking a look back at 2017

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Dec 27, 2017

    With 2018 just a few days away, there is plenty of local news to look back on that took place during 2017 in Whitehall and the surrounding areas. In a special election November 7, local voters approved the formation of the Jefferson Valley Rural Ambulance District in the Whitehall area. According to Jefferson County Election Administrator Bonnie Ramey, the rural ambulance district was approved by a vote of 372 to 188. The district does not include the Town limits of Whitehall. Voters also...

  • JLDC Co-Manager takes new position

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Dec 27, 2017

    The Jefferson Local Development Corporation will be looking for a new Co-Manager in 2018. At a meeting earlier this month, Tom Harrington said that fellow JLDC Co-Manager Micky Zurcher had taken a new job in Helena and her last day with the organization was December 8. According to the JLDC, two Montana State University Extension Agents serve as Co-Managers focusing on community and economic development. Zurcher started with the JLDC in January of 2016. She replaced longtime Co-Manager Tara Mastel. Zurcher was hired following a lengthy process...

  • Jefferson County Sheriff's Report

    Dec 27, 2017

    Monday, Dec. 18 1:48 a.m. - alarms burglary false/error, 211 East Legion Avenue, Whitehall 7:47 a.m. - care for sick/injured, 33 Point Of Rocks Road, Whitehall 10:36 a.m. - mental crisis, 460 Hwy 2 West, Whitehall 4:03 p.m. - traffic accident/ 1 vehicle/non injury, I-90 eastbound, MM 242, Whitehall 6:53 p.m. – warrants, 105 West Legion Avenue, Whitehall 6:54 p.m. – warrants, 105 West Legion Avenue, Whitehall 8:46 p.m.- stranded motorist, Hwy 69, MM 8, Cardwell 9:34 p.m. - theft/parts from vehicle, 105 West Legion Avenue, Whitehall Tuesday, Dec...

  • Safety paramount at Golden Sunlight

    Dec 20, 2017

    At the Community Transition Advisory Committee Meeting last Thursday, Whitehall resident Ed Handl lauded Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine officials for their commitment to safety. Following the monthly safety report from Mine General Manager Dan Banghart, Handl said Barrick has done an excellent job with safety and their record is very admirable. Handl said the State of Montana could use the local mine as an example for safety. In his report, Banghart said there were no reportable incidents in November at the mine and they are around 140 days...

  • Council lifts suspension

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Dec 13, 2017

    The Whitehall Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to reinstate suspended member Francine Giono-Janik. Prior to the 5-0 vote, Town Attorney Ed Guza stated it is his opinion Janik is ready get back to the position and recommended she be placed back on the Council. Alderman Joe Adams made the motion that was quickly seconded and passed with no further discussion. Giono-Janik had been under suspension since November of 2016. The Council also voted to approve bids for the purchase of four town ambulances. The bid for the 2015 Chevrolet...

  • District board meets

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Dec 13, 2017

    The Jefferson Valley Rural Ambulance District Board of Directors met for the first time since the new district was approved by local voters in November. At a meeting Monday night at the Borden’s Building in Downtown Whitehall, the board members selected Sue Pullman as chair. Names were also drawn for the length of the terms for the five members. Pullman, Rico Patacini, and Amy DuBois will all serve four-year terms on the board. Dana Brunet and Tara Tebay will each serve two-year terms. The new board also allowed a public comment where s...

  • Vandalism, theft, reported at school

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Dec 13, 2017

    Whitehall School officials are looking into recent reports of vandalism in the weight room. At the School Board of Trustees meeting last week, High School/Middle School Principal Hannah Nieskens reported there has been recent vandalism, thefts, and other mysterious happenings taking place in the weight room area. She said someone stole a medicine ball from the cheerleaders room, holes have been punched in the bathroom, people are getting out weight belts that have been locked up and someone scattered papers around. Nieskens said while they...

  • Students select access site name

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Dec 6, 2017

    Whitehall seventh graders worked together last Friday to help come up with a permanent name for a new fishing access and paddler's campsite on the Jefferson River near Waterloo. The students spent time reading through the journals of Lewis and Clark written in August of 1805, when they explored near the area of the site that had beene using the temporary name of "Waterloo Grove". The 25 students individually came up with ideas after reading the journals, and the class as a whole selected the...

  • Bidding opens for town ambulances

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 29, 2017

    The Whitehall Council approved unanimously to open public bidding on four ambulances owned by the town. The governing body passed four resolutions at a special meeting last week that opened the bidding process. The town is selling a 2015 Chevrolet Ambulance with a Stryker Cot and Spot Chains. The minimum bid for the ambulance is $65,000. The minimum bid for the 2011 Ford F450 with a Stryker Cot is $25,000. The minimum bid for a 1998 For Ambulance with Stryker Cot is $6,000. The minimum bid for a 1997 Ford E350 Ambulance without a Stryker Cot...

  • Jefferson County Sheriff's Report

    Nov 29, 2017

    Monday, Nov. 20 1:30 a.m. – abandoned auto, Hwy 2 East, Cardwell 3:29 a.m. - abandoned auto, I-90 westbound, MM 239, Whitehall 9:05 a.m. - care for sick/injured, 90 Boe Lane, Whitehall 10:07 a.m. – civil assist, 2 North Whitehall Street, Whitehall 10:34 a.m. - family disturbance, 26 Sugar Beet Row, Whitehall 2:27 p.m. - PODD-marijuana, 1173 Hwy 55, Whitehall 6:26 p.m. - traffic accident/1 vehicle/injury, Hwy 2 West, Whitehall 8:03 p.m. - keeping the peace, 88 Hwy 2 West, Whitehall 9:08 p.m. - traffic/ reckless, I-90 westbound, MM 254, Whi...

  • Council votes to sell building

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 22, 2017

    At a special meeting Monday night, the Whitehall Town Council approved a resolution to sell the ‘Ambulance Barn’ located at 207 E. Legion. The 4-1 vote came after an hour long public hearing to discuss the sale of the property to Dr. Cory Tebay of Western Veterinary Services. Alderman Gary Housman cast the dissenting vote. The purchase price of the building is $288,000, and the Resolution (2017-8) includes a 30-day clause to resolve issues about the siding on the building that was most recently home to the Beacon of Hope Inc. Ambulance Ser...

  • Speech team ready for 'fun' 17-18 season

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 22, 2017

    Just days before their first meet of the season last Saturday at Missoula Loyola, members of the Whitehall High School speech team were not only looking forward to competition, they had their sights set on a lot of fun during the 2017-18 campaign. The team will return Bradley Morrison, Rebecca Meyer, Alicia Konold and Issie Brookins, and welcome newcomer Austin Schwab. The coach of the Whitehall team is Cathy Kopf. Morrison and Schwab will both be competing in Humorous Oral interpretation....

  • Jefferson County Sheriff's Report

    Nov 22, 2017

    Monday, Nov. 13 4:57 a.m. – mental crisis, 460 Hwy 2 West, Whitehall 2:22 p.m. - keeping the peace, 2 North Whitehall Street, Whitehall 11:53 p.m. - traffic accident/1 vehicle/injury, I-90 eastbound, MM 237, Whitehall 7:53 p.m. – traffic/ reckless, Legion Avenue, Whitehall Tuesday, Nov. 14 10:02 a.m. - traffic & roads-moving, 75 Yellowstone Trail, Whitehall 2:08 p.m. - lost property, 104 South McKay Street, Whitehall 2:31 p.m. – traffic stop, Hwy 69, MM 22, Cardwell Mt 59721 2:58 p.m. - traffic & roads—signs, Hwy 69, MM 20, Cardwell 3:34 p....

  • 'Pinktober' raises $8,000

    Nov 22, 2017

    During the month of October, Barrick mine sites and offices in the US participated in the company's Pinktober Breast Cancer Awareness initiative benefitting community healthcare providers. Barrick donated $5 for each employee dressed in pink on the designated Pinktober days of October 10 and October 26. Funds raised at Barrick's Golden Sunlight mine were also matched by development partner, RedPath Mining. "It was another successful Pinktober at Barrick," Maria Anderson, Community Relations...

  • Council upholds suspension

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 22, 2017

    At their regular monthly meeting last week, the Whitehall Town Council voted unanimously to uphold the suspension of member Francine Giono Janik. Janik was put on suspension by the governing body in November of 2016. At last week’s meeting, Mayor Dale Davis said Janik was put on suspension as a result of leaving during a November 14, 2016 meeting. Davis said there has not been any communication between the Town and Janik’s lawyer since December 13, 2016. Davis added state law reads you cannot leave a meeting. Town Attorney Ed Guza said it is hi...

  • Council votes to retain Keogh

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    Although she was elected by acclamation to a Ward Seat on the Whitehall Town Council in October, it appears Katy James may not serve on the governing body when new members are sworn in the first Monday in January. At a meeting Monday night, the Whitehall Town Council voted 4-1 to have current Ward 1 Council member Gerry Keogh remain in the position. Keogh was selected by the Council to fill the term of Michelle LaFountaine, who resigned from her position in December of 2015. Council member Tom Jenkin was the dissenting vote. The discussion Mond...

  • Attendance on the rise

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    For the second straight month, Whitehall Middle and High School Principal Hannah Nieskens has reported an increase in attendance at the schools. At the board of trustees meeting last week, Nieskens said the number at the high school has increased to 140, adding they are expecting one more next week. She reported the number at the middle school has also increased, with a current enrollment of 86. Nieskens said that because the number has increased in the high school they have had to order more textbooks for ninth graders, where the enrollment ha...

  • Jefferson County Sheriff's Report

    Staff Report|Nov 15, 2017

    Monday, Nov. 6 2:42 a.m. - suspicious/ person/vehicle/circumstance, 1 Commercial Way, Whitehall 6:38 a.m. - traffic accident, I-90 westbound, MM 250, Whitehall 7:46 a.m. - traffic accident, I-90 westbound, MM 250, Whitehall 7:58 a.m. - traffic accident/ 1 vehicle /injury, Hwy 55, Whitehall 8:40 a.m. - fish & game violations, Hwy 69, Cardwell 8:45 a.m. - traffic accident, Hwy 69, Cardwell 9:32 a.m. - traffic accident, Hwy 55, Whitehall 10:34 a.m. - traffic accident, Hwy 55, Whitehall 1:35 p.m. - traffic/ reckless, I-90 westbound, MM 245,...

  • Council tables ambulance barn vote

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    The Whitehall Town Council voted Monday night to table a resolution that would approve the sale of the Ambulance Barn located at 207 E. Legion. Council member Mac Smith made a motion to table Resolution 2017-08, and asked the governing body to host a special meeting to allow residents the opportunity to speak on the issue and ask any questions they might have about the proposed sale. A special town meeting to discuss the potential sale will take place Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. At an Oct. 17 special meeting, the Council approved 4-1 to give Dr. Cory...

  • Governing body hires firm to complete PER

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    After a lengthy discussion about the ongoing uranium issues the town water supply, the Whitehall Council voted Monday night to hire Jason Crawford of Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson to complete a Preliminary Engineering Report due next year. The Council also voted for Crawford and the Helena-based firm to complete a grant funding application. Crawford told the governing body that the PER will be fairly comprehensive, and should be started sooner than later. He said he could probably complete both the PER and application for $30,000. Fess Foster, a...

  • Production on target at gold mine

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 15, 2017

    Production was on target during October at the Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine. At the Community Transition Advisory Committee meeting last Thursday, Mine General Manager Dan Banghart said the production for the month was 4,000 ounces, on par with their budget and forecast. Banghart did however state they ran into some problems in the mill because of a different type of ore than they have seen recently, but they will make adjustments for the mill run this week. There are currently 51 Barrick and around 80 contract employees reporting to the site....

  • Local voters approve ambulance district

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 8, 2017

    There will be a new ambulance district in Jefferson County. In a special election Tuesday, local voters approved the formation of the Jefferson Valley Rural Ambulance District in the Whitehall area. According to Jefferson County Election Administrator Bonnie Ramey, the rural ambulance district was approved by a vote of 372 to 188. The district does not include the Town limits of Whitehall. Voters also approved a board of five directors for the new district. The board members elected are Dana Brunet, Amy DuBois, Rico Patacini, Susan Pullman and...

  • Chamber members discuss upcoming Christmas stroll

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 8, 2017

    With the Christmas Stroll a month away, members of the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce have been hard at work in preparation for the popular annual event. At the regular chamber meeting last week, treasurer Jill Dove said they currently have about one-third of the number of vendors they have space for who have submitted applications. Chamber members suggested using social media to boost interest for not only vendors, but for overall attendance at the event. Member Kristi Wilson said the creating an “event” on Facebook would be a good way to sha...

  • 18 to 20 inches reported in Whitehall

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Nov 8, 2017

    It was a winter wonderland last week in Whitehall and the surrounding areas. A fierce winter storm made its way into the Lower Jefferson Valley late last Thursday evening and the snow did not let up until early Saturday morning. The storm made things difficult at Whitehall High School, who was playing host to Saturday's MHSA Class B quarterfinal football matchup between the Trojans and Shelby. School officials reported they removed between 18 and 20 inches from the football field. On both...

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