Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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Dear Editor, Many thanks to our signature gatherers and Montanans statewide for our effort to collect signatures for I-194, the Montana ballot initiative to end corporate and dark money in Montana elections. We collected over 50,000 signatures that came from all of Montana's 56 counties. This immense effort was powered by all volunteer signature gatherers, some 500 in total! To qualify I-194 for November's ballot, we need 31,121 verified signatures statewide out of our collected 50,000, and we...
Dear Editor, Concerning The Montana Plan, I-194, when deciding whether or not to sign the plan's petition, I asked myself one simple question. Should corporations control the people of Montana, or should Montanans control corporations? I chose the latter because I'm fed up with all the twisted, disparaging misinformation paid for with tens of millions of dollars of corporate money in each election. I have a question for the Montana Chamber of Commerce, which is opposing I-194 and supporting...
The person keeping everyone updated is usually the last one people check on. This is the first time in the United Kingdom's history that they are looking for a new Prime Minister, James Bond, and Dr Who at the same time. Father’s Day should be nine months before Mother’s Day. As AI deepfakes get more realistic, physical camera film might become the ultimate luxury. It will be the only proof of reality. For every time you unexpectedly run into someone you know in a random place, there are probably just as many near-misses you’ll never know...
Dear Editor, A Helena resident recently reported an unusual encounter while fishing along the Missouri River near Beaver Creek. The witness stated that he had arrived before sunrise and was enjoying the quiet morning when at first light, as the sun hit the hills, he noticed a large dark figure standing on the opposite bank. At first he assumed it was a bear. But as it moved, he could see it was not a bear. The figure was enormous. The figure remained upright. Completely upright. The witness...
My family operates a working cow ranch in central Montana halfway between Roundup and Winnett. We’ve been ranching here since 1956 and in Musselshell County since 1978. We love what we do and are grateful for our neighbors, partners, and community, without whom we likely would not be here. Everything we do is the result of a complex, inescapable interdependence with everything and everyone around us. How communities (businesses, government, public institutions, churches, and non-profits) respond, interact, and adapt to their changing climate r...
I grew up in Anaconda, in the shadow of the smelter stack. As a proud union Democrat, I was 12 years old before I realized “Damnrepublicans” was actually two words. I ran for the Montana Legislature as a Democrat, later served as Superintendent of Public Instruction, and spent my career fighting for working families. When I ran for Congress in 2000, I carried my father’s lunch bucket with me across the state as a reminder of where I came from and who I was serving. I have supported Democrats my entire life, and I will continue to do so. That...
GEORGIA, I have a question. If you aren’t invited to the actual wedding, are you still required to send a gift? I’m in a pickle - let me give you some context. I’m 19F; my half-sister is 27. Same dad, different moms. We were never super close since she lived with her mom full-time, but we see each other at holidays and text sometimes. She’s getting married in a few months. I knew about the wedding; I just never got an actual invite. I figured she was keeping it small. I didn’t make a big deal about it. Last week my phone buzzed, and it was he...
Perhaps it is the country directness of the parishioners of Southwest Montana, but people tell me they feel welcome at our church. Perhaps it is the honesty and caring nature of our team. I appreciate how Pastor Ben Mandrell, author of the Together series, emphasizes Biblical principles to address loneliness within churches. Mandrell says, “We’re not strong when we walk alone.” The Christian life is healthier when we walk alongside other believers in family-like relationships. The honest truth is the choices we sometimes make bring on our o...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, physical activity can boost your mood and clear your mind for some big decisions that are ahead this week. Tackle some larger projects. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Indulge in simple pleasures this week, Taurus. They will lead you to the happiness you deserve. You may discover a new favorite recipe or a cozy nook to hang out in. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Networking may feel less like a chore and more like a party this week, Gemini. A chance encounter could open a door to an excellent opportunity. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Cance...
In Montana, we pride ourselves on independence, fairness, and looking out for one another—especially when distances are long and resources are few. For Montanans with disabilities, one of the most important tools that makes those values real is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Often overlooked, Section 504 is not a bureaucratic technicality. It is a civil rights promise—one that is now at risk. Passed in 1973, Section 504 was the first federal law to prohibit disability discrimination. Its principle is simple: any program or service tha...
I grew up in Anaconda, in the shadow of the smelter stack. As a proud union Democrat, I was 12 years old before I realized “Damnrepublicans” was actually two words. I ran for the Montana Legislature as a Democrat, later served as Superintendent of Public Instruction, and spent my career fighting for working families. When I ran for Congress in 2000, I carried my father’s lunch bucket with me across the state as a reminder of where I came from and who I was serving. I have supported Democrats my entire life, and I will continue to do so. That...
Vera Millegan, our beautiful mother, passed away peacefully on May 4th, 2026. Vera Marie Butt Millegan was born August 29, 1930, to Alfred and Della (Garbe) Butt in Polson, Montana. She was raised with six sisters and two brothers. She attended grade school in Pablo, MT, and graduated from Polson High School in 1948. Work took her to Spokane, WA, for a few years, then back home to Polson, where she worked in the Polson Drug Store and met Roy E. Millegan. They were married at the Lutheran Church...
To the Editor: As Montanans are asked whether to sign petitions related to The Montana Plan, I find myself thinking less about the initiative itself and more about what the debate surrounding it reveals about us as citizens. Millions of dollars may be spent attempting to persuade Montanans what to think. Some will argue that this spending proves the need for additional laws and regulations. Others will argue the opposite. But perhaps the more important question is this: When did we begin believi...
Dear Editor, I wanted to write this letter to thank Ken Walsh for his six years of service to our district and our state. I had the opportunity to interact briefly with Ken several years ago when I had a concern I wished to voice. I received a prompt and thoughtful response, and a sense that my concern was being taken to heart and brought to the legislature with him. I was disappointed to learn that Ken lost the primary, but I found his letter to the editor last week to be incredibly...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Management opportunities are coming your way, Aries. It is time to step up and take the lead. Your confidence has long been a strong character trait, so push forward. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, patience will pay off big time when a long-awaited piece of news finally arrives. The weekend is a perfect time for walking in nature or tending to the garden. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Your curiosity is leading you down a fascinating path right now, Gemini. This could spark a new interest. Stay flexible, as a last-minute change...
Jesus Christ’s bold love for people warms our hearts and thoughts, making us a better church. Prayer, forgiveness, fellowship, teaching, and their relationship have been the focus of my meditation for today’s article. Author and Pastor Ben Mandrell, in his Together series, emphasizes these pillars, comparing them to a four-legged stool, each complementing one another. The first leg is Teaching. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” teaches Romans in chapter 12. “Then you will be able t...
Dear Editor, We are writing to correct the inaccuracies in Tom Millett's recent op-ed claiming I-194 could cost Montana taxpayers millions without fixing campaign finance. In his piece, Millett mischaracterizes the mechanism, legal grounding, and scope of Initiative 194, also known as The Montana Plan. A reading of the actual initiative text reveals a robust, tightly drafted measure designed to fix the fundamental structure of our broken campaign finance system and wrestle campaign spending...
Dear Editor, Please note that this election evening's national TV advertising is depriving down-ballot candidates and offices of their due airtime and respect. In one fell swoop, buying our democracy and elections in full view! Signatures are currently being gathered for Initiative-194 (The Montana Plan), a great opportunity to restore some Montana campaign finance regulation. Yes, this is the one that will make the federal Citizens United case irrelevant. But it needs to get on the November...
Dear Editor, I'm proud to have lived a life committed to public service, but serving as your Representative for the past six years has been the honor of a lifetime. While I am disappointed to not be returning to Helena for one more term to work on your behalf, I will leave office deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve you. We live in an increasingly divisive time. I believe SW Montana can be a leader in showing not just the rest of the state, but the entire country, how neighbors can come...
Which name came first? The fruit orange, or the color orange? Who came up with the expression “it’s raining cats and dogs”? How is it relevant to the weather? Despite all the colors depicted on screens, there are only three coloured pixels. If air and water are both clear, why can we see water and not air? If a tomato is a fruit, is ketchup a smoothie? Does a straw have one hole or two? Did dinosaurs have hair? Hair doesn’t preserve, so we would never know if dinosaurs had hair. Can you daydream at night? Did the plant or seed come first?...
GEORGIA, I have a question. There is a guy at my gym who has been consistently staring at me for months and constantly matching my proximity. We don’t use the same machines and go at 5 AM when it’s empty, so there’s no reason to be close. Yet if I switch to a different side of the room, he will move to my new spot within a minute or two to stretch or exercise right next to me (sometimes literally a foot away). I am naturally shy, and admittedly have a resting B!%&# face, but when we lock eyes, he holds it, though he avoids eye contact when he a...
Invented in 1842, a cyanotype was a photographic process that produced an early blueprint for builders, architects, and engineers. In our time, the proliferation of powerful computers has enabled CAD systems that make the process available to multiple workers and teams almost effortlessly. Digital versions on tablets are the norm on the jobsite. Despite these changes, the concept of “blueprints” still exists. From the concrete footings all the way to the roof top, measurements need to align correctly. Can you imagine purchasing a brand-new hom...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Collaboration is your secret weapon this week, Aries. Putting two heads together will be better than one. Take a walk or exercise to get away and gain perspective. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you may find yourself getting a small bonus or increase in pay, proving your financial luck is looking up this week. Enjoy the surprise and treat yourself. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, this is a great week for writing or presentations, as creativity will be flowing through you. A fun text message can be a catalyst for a great...
Dear Editor, Listen up... The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing dangerous rollbacks to coal ash protections that would endanger the health of communities across the country. Coal ash, the toxic waste produced from burning coal, contains arsenic, mercury, lead, and other hazardous pollutants that are linked to cancer and serious illness. For decades, utilities dumped this waste into unlined ponds and landfills, allowing it to leak into drinking water. Strong federal safeguards put in...
Dear Editor, As I get ready to depart for Alaska, where I guide, I felt the need to write this letter to the editor or to whom it may concern as a reminder of what could be happening this summer in Montana. As another hot Montana summer approaches, many of us in the Jefferson River Valley are watching the river levels with growing concern. The Jefferson is more than just water moving through a channel - it supports agriculture, recreation, wildlife, and the livelihoods of countless local...
