Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 1407 - 1431 of 1522
After two decades of marriage, Bruce and Christina Binkowski decided it was time to move out of Southern California and on to a new adventure. While they were searching for new homes in places like Arizona and Washington, they heard the John Denver song "Wild Montana Skies" play on the radio and this pointed the compass for their search in a new direction. They would soon find a spot of land in Jefferson County, and in 2005 they built on the property. The couple spent a great deal of time at...
The last month of the year netted some of the best results of 2016 at the Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine. At the Community Transition Advisory Committee meeting last Thursday, Mine General Manager Dan Banghart reported the production at the mine was 4,123 ounces, just short of the target for the month. Banghart said it was one of the better months of 2016, and he was pleased with how the year ended. He added the tonnages in the mill and underground both exceeded their targets in December. Also at the meeting, Banghart told committee members they...
Monday, Jan. 9 8:09 a.m. - public safety-fire/smoke, Paul Gulch Road, Whitehall 10:23 a.m. - suspicious/person/vehicle/circumstance, 420 Hwy 2 West, Whitehall 2:01 p.m. - traffic accident, I-90 eastbound, MM 240, Whitehall 3:27 p.m. - stranded motorist, I-90 eastbound, MM 260, Cardwell 4:13 p.m. - citizen assist, 2 North Whitehall Street, Whitehall 4:16 p.m. – traffic offense, I-90 eastbound, MM 234, Whitehall 4:42 p.m. - stranded motorist, I-90 westbound, MM 237, Whitehall Tuesday, Jan. 10 2:29 a.m. - public safety-fire/smoke, 973 Hwy 2, W...
Section 10 of Montana’s Constitution states that “the right of individual privacy is essential to the well-being of a free society and shall not be infringed without the showing of a compelling state interest.” But as technology rapidly advances, finding the line between individual privacy and “a compelling state interest” is more complex than ever before. In response, the 2017 Montana Legislature will begin to make distinctions, wrestling with bills that deal with issues like cell phone data, GPS-enabled heart monitors and even revenge porn. T...
Montana's 2017 Legislature has begun to tackle a wide swath of issues, from public safety to infrastructure, from education to agriculture. But as the first of many bills were read in committee rooms around the Capitol last week, it became clear that everything this time around would focus on the budget. During a Republican caucus Tuesday, House Speaker Austin Knudsen, R-Culbertson, told fellow party members the challenges the entire Legislature faces in the coming months would be daunting. "The...
The Whitehall School Board of Trustees voted Tuesday night to renew the second year of a three-year contract for Superintendent John Sullivan. Prior to voting, Board President Michelle LaFountaine said Sullivan always works hard to improve both himself and the district, and he is also great to work with. Sullivan said that the district and board have been doing good things and hopes they continue to do so. The renewal of the contract at the monthly board meeting passed 4-0 with Trustees Gina Ossello, Angie Davis, Paul Shaw and LaFountaine all...
The Whitehall Town Council tabled the discussion on a resolution at their monthly meeting Monday that increases the fees for solid waste services. The discussion on resolution 2015-6 has been tabled until the governing bodies March meeting. The resolution increasing solid waste services was passed by council in 2015. Town Clerk/Treasurer Summer Fellows said the current commercial rate is $24.50 per month for a 300-gallon commercial trashcan picked up once a week. Public Works Director Kory Klapan said some people are paying too much, some not e...
The Jefferson County Commissioners have changed the date they will discuss a Resolution of Intent to Create the Jefferson Valley Rural Ambulance District. The Commissioners moved discussing the issue from their January 10 to their meeting January 17 at the Clerk and Recorders Meeting Room in Boulder. The Resolution will be discussed during the afternoon session of the meeting that is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. In the morning session, the Commissioners will go over claims, and meet with the I.T. Department and County Extension Agent. In the...
Tuesday, Jan. 3 1:57 a.m. - traffic stop, North Whitehall Street, Whitehall 11:02 a.m. - care for sick/injured, 409 East Legion Avenue, Whitehall 1:59 p.m. - suspicious/person/vehicle/circumstance, 13 West Legion Avenue, Whitehall 3:34 p.m. - care for sick/injured, 205 West Legion Avenue, Whitehall 3:36 p.m. - public safety-fire/smoke, 178 Rolu Road, Whitehall 4:51 p.m. - traffic stop, West Legion Avenue, Whitehall 7:27 p.m. - citizen assist, 201 West Legion Avenue, Whitehall 9:59 p.m. - stranded motorist, Makowski Lane, Whitehall Wednesday, Ja...
Hi Folks, At our regular meeting last week, we gave Final Plat approval for the Elkhorn Crossing Minor Subdivision near Montana City. We chose Cory Kirsch to be the new Presiding Officer (Chair) for 2017. Resolution 02-2017 was approved to keep all the office hours for the Courthouse the same as they have been. We also approved Resolution 03-2017 which sets the Per Diem and Mileage rates. A Special Committee of the Rocky Mountain Development Council, based in Helena decided to shut down the Head Start Program in Whitehall. When Commissioner Bob...
With the recent temperatures dropping well be-low zero, local residents may have been letting their vehicles warm up unattended for a few minutes before leaving home. Jefferson County Sheriff Craig Doolittle said Tuesday that while this might have been something local residents could have done in the past, they should not do it anymore. Doolittle said there have been two recent auto thefts in the Town of Whitehall, and stressed the importance of locking vehicles. He said during this time of year they will sometimes leave Sheriff's Department...
Monday, Dec. 26 8:01 a.m. - animal problem, Hwy 55, MM 10.5, Whitehall 10:37 a.m. - traffic accident/1 vehicle/non injury, I-90 MM 262, Cardwell 10:59 a.m. - traffic accident/1 vehicle/injury, I-90 eastbound, MM 261, Cardwell 12:16 p.m. - MHP assist, I-90 eastbound, MM 267, Cardwell 1:44 p.m. - traffic accident/1 vehicle/non injury, I-90 westbound, MM 234, Whitehall 4:03 p.m. - mental crisis, I-90 westbound, MM 248, Whitehall 5:26 p.m. - traffic accident/1 vehicle/non injury, I-90 eastbound, MM 236.5, Whitehall 6:11 p.m. - stranded motorist, Pa...
Hi Folks, At our regular meeting last week we reviewed claims and met with Road Supervisor, Rory Parsons in the morning. Snow plowing has been pretty steady this year and as is par for the course, we have had some issues with snow plows. Over all things are going fairly well in the Road Department. In the afternoon we approved a subdivision amendment for the Cox Creek Minor and Clearwater Estates Subdivisions. These are southwest of Whitehall and the amendment basically consists of a boundary adjustment. We approved Resolution 40-2016 which...
There were plenty of important stories that took place in Whitehall and the surrounding areas in 2016. Probably the biggest news story of the year started in late May, when shock waves were sent through the community when local resident Lynn Nemeth began circulating recall petitions for Mayor Dale Davis and Town Council members Gary Housman, Vincent Keogh, Joe Adams, and Tom Jenkin. Nemeth stated in her petition that misconduct had happened at April Council meeting. A recall election had tentatively been scheduled for August 16 after Nemeth...
At a meeting last week, the Jefferson County Commissioners opened the public comment period for a proposed Jefferson Valley Rural Ambulance District. According to Commissioner Leonard Wortman, the comment period will be open the next two to three weeks. He said they have not set a date to consider a Resolution of Intent for the district proposed by members of the Jefferson Valley EMS and Rescue, but he thinks it will be in three weeks. “If we approve that, then we would order the referendum this spring,” he said. The Commissioners voted 3-0...
The Judicial Nomination Commission has submitted three names to the Governor for consideration for appointment to the upcoming vacant judicial seat in the 5th Judicial District (Beaverhead, Jefferson, and Madison Counties). The candidates are Lori Ann Harshbarger, Luke Michael Berger, and Jed Clayton Fitch. The Commission’s action follows the close of a 30-day public comment period. Before recommending the nominees to the Governor, Commission members interviewed the applicants. The Governor must fill the position within 30 days of receipt of th...
Hi Folks, At our regular meeting last week, we started by reviewing claims for the week at 9:30. At 10:00, Road Supervisor Rory Parsons gave us his report for the preceding week. The crew has been doing general winter maintenance and thawing out culverts. County Treasurer, Terri Kunz, gave her report. Tax collections are going good. At our afternoon portion of the meeting, we heard another presentation about AirMed Care that would cover the residents of Jefferson County for transport by their air craft if they are in Jefferson, Silver Bow, or...
As part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown, law enforcement agencies across Montana will deploy extra patrols for the specific purpose of deterring and detecting impaired drivers during the Holiday season. Saturation patrols for DUI enforcement are set through Jan. 1, 2017. “We hope that knowing we have extra officers on the roads will be an added incentive for folks to plan a sober ride home,” stated Captain Gary Becker with the Montana Highway Patrol. DUI arrests are part of an ongoing effort to reduce deadly drinkin...
Monday, Dec. 19 5:26 p.m. - trees/debris on roadway, I-90 eastbound, MM 247, Whitehall 8:41 p.m. – traffic stop, 200 West Legion Avenue, Whitehall 10:02 p.m. - care for sick/injured, I-90 eastbound, MM 236.5, Whitehall 10:30 p.m. - mental crisis, 460 Hwy 2 West, Whitehall Tuesday, Dec. 20 2:53 a.m. - traffic accident, Waterloo Road, Whitehall 11:25 a.m. - traffic accident, I-90 westbound, MM 237, Whitehall 4:17 p.m. - stranded motorist, 501 West Legion Avenue, Whitehall 5:42 p.m. – traffic stop, Stanley Street, Whitehall 5:53 p.m. - animal pro...
A fierce Arctic storm descended into Whitehall last week and its effects were still being felt days later. According to the National Weather Service, the temperature in Whitehall dropped to -24 on the morning of December 17. AccuWeather.com reported the low on December 17 in Whitehall at -37. The storm that brought with it large amounts of snow and gusty winds caused road closures across the state and the cancellation of numerous high school sporting events. The Whitehall High School boys and gi...
Several local residents have reported a recent help wanted ad in the Whitehall Ledger turned out to be too good to be true. The ad in question had run in the two previous editions of the Whitehall Ledger Classified Section, and was seeking a caregiver for five hours a day, Monday through Friday. The wage for the position was $18. Local residents Earleen Lloyd and Michelle Lewis both approached the Ledger with concerns about the ad. Lloyd said she responded to the ad via email, and spoke with a man who said he would soon need a caregiver for...
Monday, Dec. 12 12:01 a.m. - theft-postal, 20 Briggs Lane, Whitehall 12:17 p.m. - alarms burglary, 303 South Division Street, Whitehall 1:32 p.m. - citizen assist, 9 Sugar Beet Row, Whitehall 9:27 p.m. - discharge firearm – residence, 460 Hwy 2 West, Whitehall 10:45 p.m. - mental crisis, 460 Hwy 2 West, Whitehall 11:56 p.m. - care for sick/injured, 610 Spring Creek Road, Whitehall Tuesday, Dec. 13 7:05 a.m. - traffic accident/ 1 vehicle /non-injury, I-90 westbound, MM 268, Cardwell 8:33 a.m. - fraudulent activities, 415 North Whitehall S...
Hi Folks, I hope everyone has a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We have some projects that are going to be moving forward early in the year. The bids for the installation of the Sugar Beet Row sewer system will be going out in early January, with construction in early spring. The bid to repair the “Blowout” on Pipestone Creek should also be going out in January. This is the area where the Jefferson Canal drops into Pipestone Creek on the Capp Ranch. Also the bid to reconstruct and do other work on the Jefferson Slough should be out fai...
A recall election for five Town of Whitehall officials will not move forward. Last Friday, Seventh Judicial District Judge Katherine M. Bidegaray ruled in favor of an order granting second amended application for injunctive relief filed by Mayor Dale Davis, and Council Members Vincent Keogh, Gary Housman, Tom Jenkin and Joe Adams. The ruling by Bidegaray states the respondents (The Jefferson County Elections Office, Jefferson County Election Administrator Bonnie Ramey, and Recall Petitioner Lynn Nemeth) are permanently restrained and enjoined f...
The Whitehall Town Council approved a resolution Monday night to increase cemetery fees. The measure passed 5-0 to increase the fees to $125 for weekday cremation burials, and $150 for weekend and holidays. The fee for casket burials will now be $250 for weekdays, and $350 for weekend and holidays. Tabled from last months meeting, the Council discussed modifying charges for solid waste services. Town Attorney Elizabeth Musick said when she sat down to draft Resolution 2016-3, she reviewed the resolution that was approved at the December 14,...
