Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 459 - 483 of 1910
Dear Editor, Do you own a home and wonder what it's worth? You can easily look up your address on Zillow and see the estimated value is rapidly rising, translating to more property taxes. Too many Montana families cannot keep up with an annual $249-million property tax increase imposed by Republican Governor Gianforte and his party in the Legislature. Yet, after months of analysis by the Governor's property tax task force, they recommended a complicated process that will raise our taxes again!...
Dear Editor, In the Montana Senate race, Sheehy is running as the successful businessman versus the professional politician, parallelling Trump’s presidential campaigns. However, some people are questioning how successful Sheehy is. The first claim is that Sheehy had an unfair advantage in his start-up from his wealthy family. It is reported that he received around $400K in seed money. Tester inherited 1,800 acres of farmland from his grandparents’ estate. Assuming a modest value of $500 per acr...
When a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in Montana feels funding a campaign in our state is meaningless, it disenfranchises voters and undermines the democratic process. On August 14, I officially filed a write-in campaign for Reilly Neill as a candidate in Montana’s Second Congressional District. Voters deserve a choice on the ballot, someone fighting for them. They deserve a Democrat on the ballot elevating important issues and supporting a robust democracy. The concerns of the f...
Dear Editor, We are writing as former office holders and candidates. Though we are less politically active than we used to be, we step up when motivated. Mark O’Keefe served as Montana State Auditor for 8 years, from 1992-2000, after having served 4 years as a state representative from Helena where he still resides. Dorothy Bradley served as a state representative from Bozeman for 16 years, and resides in Clyde Park. Both were Democratic nominees for governor. The 2024 race for Montana State A...
Georgia, I have a question, I took in a project horse about 1.5 years ago to keep her from going to a kill pen or killing someone. It had extreme behavioral issues (still has some quirks to work out but is no longer trying to kill people). I took her home and began rehabbing it. It was coming along nicely and I became pregnant. I still worked it in hand and was happy with it’s progress; it really came out of her shell and was becoming quite impressive. I spent my entire pregnancy having body work, acupuncture, and other corrective work done t...
It’s nice that water has such a low viscosity. It would not be very pleasant if it was thick, like syrup or honey. As the years go by, owning a car with a manual transmission lowers the chance of theft since fewer new-generation thieves know how to drive it. Crunchy foods soften as they become stale, while soft foods become crunchy as they go stale. A whole generation of people have only ever experienced simulated television static. Typically, “evil” people are referred to by their last/second name. Some bars have a traffic light sign lit g...
Dear Editor, Recently, two representatives (male and female) from the Jefferson County Republican Central Committee went to the Republican National Convention. Upon their return, they presented the Platform of the Montana Republican Party, a 16-page summary of our position on Montana and national issues. America needs determined Republican leadership at every level of government to address the core threats to our very survival: our disastrously open border, our weakened economy, crippling...
Dear Editor, I don't mean to be a Negative Nelly or even too much of an alarmist; however, the proverbial $h!t is hitting the fan in many ways! A predicted stock market crash... the attempted assassination of what some see as the best hope for a floundering nation ... the cost of living skyrocketing across the board ... preppers all over preparing, maybe even hoping, for the worst. With all the military action around the world, not JUST in the Middle East, it seems World War III is looming on...
Tim Sheehy, the Republican seeking to unseat Montana Democratic Senator Jon Tester, is a business executive born and raised out of state. That same description applies to Troy Downing, a Republican running for one of Montana’s two Congressional seats. Same for Montana’s Republican Governor Greg Gianforte and his challenger, Democrat Ryan Busse. I have nothing against out-of-staters moving to Montana or working at a business. I fit both categories myself years ago. But I think this change in politicians’ backgrounds reflects a change in how M...
I had a reunion last week with a friend I will have known for 60 years at the end of this month. We were freshmen in the Montana School of Mines dormitory in 1964. Although we kept in touch, primarily via email, we had not seen each other for nearly thirty years. Over a few days, we relived our early time together, much of it wasted, and shook our heads in amazement at the things we did without thinking. It’s an established fact that young men’s brains don’t fully develop their reasoning and sel...
Tim Sheehy, the Republican seeking to unseat Montana Democratic Senator Jon Tester, is a business executive born and raised out of state. That same description applies to Troy Downing, a Republican running for one of Montana’s two Congressional seats. Same for Montana’s Republican Governor Greg Gianforte and his challenger, Democrat Ryan Busse. I have nothing against out-of-staters moving to Montana or working at a business. I fit both categories myself years ago. But I think this change in politicians’ backgrounds reflects a change in how M...
You may have noticed the 2024 Summer Olympic Games are underway. This tradition dates back approximately 3,000 years to the Peloponnese in Ancient Greece. This year, there are 45 sporting events with more than 200 representatives from various nations. Go, Team USA! Writers in the New Testament often used illustrations or themes associated with Olympic events, and they understood the relevance closely associated with Christian life. Over the past few weeks, I’ve dedicated this column to examining Hebrews 12 in-depth, “Therefore, since we are...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you hold the key to success right now, so everyone wants to be in your corner. Take things in stride and maintain your focus while accepting all the support. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, it is important that you streamline your workflow this week; otherwise, you may not meet the deadlines imposed upon you. Start implementing a new strategy. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 This is the week to take the road less traveled, Gemini. Blaze your own trail, get out into the wilderness and possibly expand your horizons. A...
Dear Editor, To my dismay, as it should be for all Montanans, a new gold mine using cyanide washing near Norris, Montana. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) okayed the Bear Claw mine. The cyanide ban law was passed in 1998. According to the DEQ, the permit was issued without public notification before the banned law! This is a new mining company; therefore, the ban law should be in place. The new mine is 1.75 miles from Hot Springs Creek and the Headwaters of the Madison River...
There is probably a tiny percentage of identical twins who received their names a short time after birth, were mistakenly switched when they got home, and no one realized. When you’re poor, no one wants to give you a credit card or loan, but when you’re rich, you are pre-approved for credit cards you don’t want. The magic school bus could be in your bloodstream right now, and you wouldn’t even know it. It is impossible to see the exact current version of yourself. It seems that cereal companies no longer think their products should be eaten a...
Dear Editor, Any uninformed or misinformed extremists who are spoon-fed their political views can save time and stop reading this short op-ed. Go ahead and turn to the comics section of this publication. My intent is to reach out to individuals who are open-minded, exercise a little forethought, and, most of all, are able to think for themselves. This week I have several comments based on the 2024 Social Security Trustees Report which can be read at SSA.gov. Thanks to a stronger economy based on wage and job growth, more money than expected is...
Who among us hasn’t thrown out a cliché or two? Merriam-Webster defines cliché as “a trite phrase or expression.” Some clichés are untimely, and others can be inappropriate for a situation. In Christian circles, clichés are common and, at times, can be misguided. Some include “Let go and let God,” “When God closes a door, He opens a window,” and one that I particularly refrain from using: “God will not give you more than you can handle.” In my opinion, the last phrase is far from the truth; life is filled with challenges or hardships. The Bib...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, keep moving forward when you find yourself in a challenging situation. It’s best not to linger but to find a path forward. Wait for the dust to settle before getting involved. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you tend to go overboard at times. When a task falls in your lap this week, perhaps take a more middle-of-the-road strategy. Give it time before acting. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you have a lot going on in your life right now to keep you busy. With so much happening, try not to worry about what is h...
We call Montana “The Last Best Place” for good reason. Millions of visitors come to share in our state’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant communities each year, supporting nearly 50,000 Montana jobs and bringing at least $5 billion to our state annually, according to a study by the University of Montana. This revenue fueled our post-pandemic recovery, providing a lifeline to our hotels, local restaurants, and countless small businesses. I know how crucial these visitors are to our state’s economic health. Many tourists can afford trips t...
Dear Editor, Two weeks ago, a former president and leading political candidate was nearly assassinated. For a brief moment, political pundits, television hosts, and celebrities retracted their baseless claims that President Trump was a modern-day Hitler and wished him well, ultimately confessing their accusations were manufactured, designed only to instill fear to get votes. Unfortunately, they have since returned to their aggressive and unfounded rhetoric in their desire to win this historic race. Montanans usually remain uninfluenced by...
It’s impossible to always experience higher than normal call volumes. Removing episodes of TV shows deemed “inappropriate” or “offensive” will result in a new version of the Mandela effect. People have gotten crueler, not kinder, since the pandemic. Cashiers at liquor stores could more accurately diagnose alcoholism in a person than their doctor could. Most Americans who work in India make more than most Indians ever will, and most Indians who work in America make more than most Americans ever will. The unofficial accepted minimum speed for...
The Bible portrays Christian life as a long-distance race, and sprinting is a poor example due to its short time span. It seems to me that in the 80s, many of my proteges looked to sprinters as the “jocks,” but I recall that notion changing as long-distance runners started breaking the four-minute mile. Any long or short-distance, dedicated runner who trains hard is an amazing athlete. Soon, the Olympics will have our attention as records are shattered and the competition is formidable. Because God intends the Christian’s journey to be a life...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Your feelings this week may not be entirely trustworthy, Aries. You could worry for nothing and be pulled into difficult situations for the wrong reasons. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, if you are feeling a little lost these days, it could be that you need a change in perspective and location to help you get inspired. Plan a short trip to recharge. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 You cannot mediate or help friends establish harmony if you are all over the emotional map, Gemini. Work your way through your emotions before offering...
Dear Editor, As a parent, grandparent, and advocate for public education, I urge you to support Shannon O'Brien for Superintendent of Schools. Shannon is the only candidate who can bring the change we desperately need to support our teachers, parents, and students. Under Elsie Arntzen's leadership, Montana's education system has suffered. Our state ranks last in teacher pay, contributing to a severe teacher shortage. Susie Hedalen, Shannon's opponent, served as Elsie's deputy and is complicit...
Dear Editor, Congratulations to the people who brought the PRCA Rodeo to Whitehall last weekend. It was great to hear some noise from the rodeo grounds again and even better to be a part of it. I took my sister-in-law and her grandchildren, who live in Singapore - and they loved it. It was a huge thrill for Harvey and Louisa to see cowboys and cowgirls in action - and beyond fun to have Jack Dawson there to explain what was going on and Halle Downey to keep track of the kids when they weren't...
