Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 19 - 43 of 2108
Dear Editor, I will be voting to maintain the Jefferson County Weed District levy this June and encourage you to do the same. It's not an easy decision to make in the face of rising costs, but it's the right one and a sound, ongoing investment in public and private lands. Like you, I fight the annual war on weeds. I couldn't do it without the support of the Weed District staff and services. Stewardship of the land is serious business, ensuring that native grasses and plants support wildlife...
Dear Editor, The Southwest Montana Conservation Coalition would like to extend our support and endorsement for Trevor Walter for House District 69. Our grassroots organization was formed out of a desire to conserve our way of life in Southwestern Montana, with a strong agricultural base, to maintain and strengthen protections for private property rights, and to encourage a cross-section of other multiple-use interests in timber, mining, hunting, fishing, recreation, etc. As a board member...
Dear Editor and Jefferson County Residents, The three mills we currently pay in our property taxes for the Weed District are coming up for renewal this year. The Jefferson County Weed District is very beneficial to all county residents, and it would be a devastating loss for our county if we lost the funding needed to operate this program. The Jefferson County Weed District provides herbicides to residents at reduced costs, facilitates educational programs for county residents, provides...
Dear Editor and Jefferson County Residents, Last week, Jefferson County Weed District and Montana State Extension presented an information session about invasive annual grasses. We now have a new annual invasive grass, Ventenata. Ventenata seems worse than cheatgrass, so if you are a rancher or someone who cares about our native and agricultural lands, you’d best get up to speed on this new problem plant. Last week’s session is one of many examples of how the Jefferson County Weed District serves the residents of Jefferson County and the agr...
Dear Editor, Recent flyers and political ads circulating in our community are making entirely false claims about my funding decisions and my priorities, particularly regarding House Bill 9 in both the 2023 and 2025 legislative sessions. Montanans deserve the truth. House Bill 9 (HB9) is a standard recurring bill introduced every biennium. Its official title is the Cultural and Aesthetic Grants bill, and it has existed for decades under both Republican and Democratic administrations. HB9...
One reason the Internet loves cats is that having too many baby memes would be creepy. If a person from 20 years ago heard an AI-generated audio clip, they would probably find it uncanny but wouldn’t be able to explain why. If you put frosting on a muffin, does that make it a cupcake? Rationality only exists on a microscopic scale. Zoom out enough, and you realize that either your goal or the start of your chain of logic was irrational. The number of people who use 6767 as their bank PIN is likely rising exponentially. Mountain roads are p...
“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people,” Paul says to Philemon in his shortest letter of all. He was under house arrest, and somehow, he and Onesimus crossed paths. We gain three lessons. Onesimus, whom Paul had learned had escaped as a slave of Philemon’s, whom Paul knew well and trusted. Paul knew him from Colossae, well enough to call him a friend. “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, (Philemon) because I hear about your love for all his h...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Slow down to smell the roses, Aries. You’ve been running at full speed, and your body is asking for a break. A low-key evening at home will recharge your batteries for a big weekend. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Creativity hits you in an unexpected place, Taurus. It might even come while you’re doing chores. Explore a new idea thoroughly, as it might be the creative spark you’ve been looking for. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 A misunderstanding is cleared up by a simple phone call, Gemini. Don’t let a text message stew in your mind. D...
Dear Editor, Whether you're a rancher, fishing guide, mechanic, or someone selling groceries to a logger, land and water are the foundation of our economy in House District 69. Therefore, we need representatives in Helena who understand resource management, want to preserve our way of life, and have a record of supporting these businesses. As a farmer and rancher, Ken Walsh has the real-world experience and the legislative record to improve our resource-based economy. Ken helped create the...
Dear Editor, My earliest memories of Trevor are of him invading one's most sacred territory, the coveted sandbox. My, how time flies. Getting reconnected with Trevor, I see a man who has committed himself to God, family, and the Montana way of life that I hold dear. Our families have poured sweat, blood, and tears into these valleys and have been blessed immensely because of it. Trevor's bleeding heart has guided him into a listening mentality and a leader who leads by example, from giving...
Dear Editor, Teachers are heroes. Full stop! I have recently been a substitute teacher at Whitehall High School and Elementary School, and I hope the parents in the community understand just how much the staff cares about your children. Every day the classroom teachers are planning for and mentoring your precious kids with professionalism and love. It's not only remarkable, but effective. If students are willing to participate, there is a quality education and some outstanding educators willing...
Dear Editor, Think twice before choosing your primary ballot this year - we have some bad news. Based on a recent analysis, 88% of Montana's legislature will be decided in the June 2 primary. Let that sink in: nearly 9 in 10 seats in the 2027 legislative session will be decided in less than a month, in an election where fewer than half of Montanans participate. The Montana Legislature affects Montanans' lives deeply. Legislators set our state budget, decide how much we are taxed (or not), fund...
Dear Editor, In just a few weeks, the electors of the Montana House District 69 will be voting for a representative. It is a most important position. They need to take this responsibility seriously. This person needs to be well established in the district, exemplify business knowledge, be conservative, be trustworthy, have integrity, and have been involved in local community boards and organizations. Trevor Walter exhibits all these qualifying attributes. Trevor's family came to the Ruby Valley...
Dear Editor, If there were ever a reason to sign the Transparency In Elections petition (aka The Montana Plan) to keep Dark Money out of Montana's elections, the slanderous mail campaign that is being waged against Ken Walsh is a perfect example. The latest postcard came from the School Freedom Fund – a dark money PAC with millions to spend to support extremist positions in education. Trevor Walter's "supported by the Montana Republican Party" postcards are also paid for by the School Freedom F...
Dear Editor and to the Voters of Jefferson County, I am writing to ask for your support in maintaining the Jefferson County Weed District Mill Levy. This levy benefits all of us, whether we live in town or in rural areas. The Jefferson County Weed District is recognized as one of the leading districts in the state-thanks in large part to the continued support of residents through this levy. Not many years ago, the mountainsides and recreational areas were covered in toadflax, leafy spurge, and...
GEORGIA, I have a question, Am I wrong in believing that babies do not belong at wineries, breweries, festivals, and other adult spaces? I know this is going to make people angry, but I finally snapped this weekend. My husband and I went to a local winery for a relaxing afternoon. This place literally advertises itself as a quiet adults' getaway. Wine tastings, acoustic music, people sitting around talking. It is not Pizza Ranch. About twenty minutes after we sat down, a couple showed up with a baby that looked maybe 8 months old. The second...
Dear Editor and to the Voters of Jefferson County, I am writing to express my support and encourage you to do the same for maintaining the three mills for the Jefferson County Weed District in the upcoming June 2026 election. This is NOT a new mill; a vote is needed to continue the mills currently in place. As a ranch owner in Jefferson County, the Weed District is very important to us. We are all impacted by the negative effects of noxious weeds and their spread throughout our county. Without...
NASA could probably panic the entire planet with a single fake announcement that Voyager picked up an alien signal. If reincarnation is real, immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii) must be what you come back as when the universe has finally had enough of your BS. If we get phasers, someone will work out how to set them to ‘tickle ‘. HBO really missed a trick by not casting Kristofer Hivju as Hagrid and Gwendolyn Christie as Madame Maxime. If a small candy company made edible Tide Pods, it would make a lot of money. If humanity goes on for...
GEORGIA, I have a question, Am I wrong in believing that babies do not belong at wineries, breweries, festivals, and other adult spaces? I know this is going to make people angry, but I finally snapped this weekend. My husband and I went to a local winery for a relaxing afternoon. This place literally advertises itself as a quiet adults’ getaway. Wine tastings, acoustic music, people sitting around talking. It is not Pizza Ranch. About twenty minutes after we sat down, a couple showed up with a baby that looked maybe 8 months old. The second t...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, a professional door you thought was locked is actually just heavy. Push a little harder. Your honesty is exactly what a stalled project needs to move forward. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Financial clarity is coming your way, Taurus. You might discover a subscription you don’t need or a better way to save for that big-ticket item. Your future self will thank you. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Your words have extra weight this week, Gemini. Use them to bridge a gap between friends or to draft that important email. A sibling or c...
The Christian tradition in which my heart and mind find solace is the beauty of the Scriptures we have been studying. You know this if you read this column often. Respect for life, healthy relationships, love of family, together with civil order, law, and justice run deep in American society. Partnership in the context of the local church is vital. The Greek term in the New Testament is koinonia, often translated as partnership, fellowship, or sharing; it occurs at least 19 times. In the church, unity, shared labor, and mutual support are the...
Do birds feel the same about flying as we feel about walking, or do they understand how amazing it is? If a friend or family member starts a question with “don’t you want to” or “don’t you think,” they’re actually more interested in validating their own thoughts and/or wants, not yours. The memory of an embarrassing moment is often more embarrassing than the moment itself. Because of degrading batteries, after enough time, every laptop turns into a desktop computer. It feels higher status in society to be unemployed than to work a menial job. I...
Dear Editor, To say that Montana's children and women are in grave danger as a direct result of government corruption and incompetence is not an exaggeration. Luckily for Montana, we have an opportunity to select a U.S. senator with experience addressing those issues, from citizens organizing at the local level to identifying threats from within at the highest levels of government. Alani Bankhead isn't a "no-name" because she has been spending her life getting the work done, not seeking...
Dear Editor, We are writing in support of the continuation of the existing Noxious Weed Control Mill Levy that will be considered by voters. The Jefferson County Weed District is one of the leading weed districts in the state. This levy is beneficial whether we live in an urban or rural setting. It is very important to control the infestation of noxious weeds in our public lands, range lands, pastures, and recreational parks. In addition, noxious weeds have a detrimental effect on big game...
Dear Editor, I was born, raised, and worked on the family ranch established in 1916 in the Ruby Valley by my grandfather, John H. Anderson. Growing up in the ranching community with Ken Walsh, I want to share with voters why I wholeheartedly support him for re-election to represent House District 69. When Ken taught Ag education at Twin Bridges High School, he taught his students not only agricultural and mechanical skills but also leadership through the Future Farmers of America program. Ken...
