Ledger: Looking Back at 2021

It’s always fun to get a quick recap of the year as it ends. Here is the Whitehall Ledger’s 2021 year at a glance!

JANUARY:

• (1/13) The Whitehall Ledger was purchased by Elizabeth Pullman.

• (1/13) Whitehall Medical Clinic employees receive the first round of COVID-19 vaccines available locally.

• (1/20) Whitehall Trojan wrestlers host duals competition and win big. Whitehall Lady Trojan Basketball wins 57-35 over Townsend.

• (1/20) Whitehall wind storm damages homes, school trees, and more.

• (1/27) An accident at Whitehall Drug takes out the building’s front door and damages the structure.

FEBRUARY:

• (2/3) Whitehall’s Cottage Floral celebrates first anniversary in new location amid pandemic.

• (2/3) Sincerely, Paul distributes dozens of kitchen staples and homemade spaghetti sauce to those in need.

• (2/10) Whitehall Town Council approves matching TIF funds for the master plan project.

• (2/17) Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department deals with a hectic week of structure fires and vehicular accidents.

• (2/24) WHS Lady Trojan wrestlers Alley Antonsen and MacKenzy Best bring home top honors at state competition.

• (2/24) Jefferson County Health Department issues mask mandate on February 19th, effective immediately, to fight COVID-19.

MARCH:

• (3/3) Lady Trojans take second at Districts with a nail-biting double-overtime game. Trojan wrestlers place second at divisionals, move on to state.

• (3/3) Reed’s Animal Rescue announces closure.

• (3/10) Hoover takes 3rd, Powers 5th, at state wrestling.

• (3/10) Misappropriation of funds leads to change in procedures for Town of Whitehall.

• (3/17) Meadowlark Manor reopens its doors to visitors after long COVID-19 closure.

• (3/17) Missoula Children’s Theatre production of Beauty Lou and the Country Beast was a success for Whitehall students.

• (3/24) Whitehall area residents give reasons why they are, or are not, getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

• (3/31) Jefferson County Community Integrated Health office opens in previous Whitehall Drug building, next to Corner Store.

• (3/31) JLDC creates Zoom compatible conference room inside Borden’s.

APRIL:

• (4/7) The Importance of Being Earnest, by Whitehall High School, offers a streaming option to view.

• (4/7) Whitehall Chamber of Commerce’s Easter Egg Hunt awards Remi Jorgensen with a Nintendo Switch after drawing his name from hundreds of participants.

• (4/7) Treasure State Truck & Auto Repair opens in Whitehall.

• (4/14) An accident at Whitehall DLisanne Fear and Hannah Catallino begin their 5000 Miles, 5000 Mustangs route planning.

• (4/14) Whitehall Town Council enacts a budget resolution to start corrections on misappropriation of funds. Funds were never “gone”, but placed into wrong accounts by mistake; no funds were stolen.

• (4/21) NW Farm credit Services awards grant to Jefferson Valley EMS & Rescue.

• (4/28) Whitehall Garden Club prepares for the first annual Arbor Day Celebration on April 30th.

MAY:

• (5/5) Whitehall Middle School track team succeeds with 35 athletes.

• (5/5) Whitehall Ledger begins petition and fundraising for radar road signs on Whitehall Street and Legion Avenue.

• (5/12) Star Theatre reopens after COVID-19 closure in 2020.

• (5/12) After 26 years at Whitehall Chiropractic, Dr. Kathy Meyer moves her practice to Ruby Valley Medical Center in Twin Bridges and Sheridan.

• (5/19) Black Tie & Blue Jeans Fundraiser brings in $39K for grants, Jefferson Valley Community Foundation, and Whitehall Chamber of Commerce.

• (5/26) WHS graduates 40 seniors with over $100K in scholarships awarded.

JUNE:

• (6/2) Jefferson County Commissioners hold first American Rescue Plan Act meeting and commentary in Whitehall.

• (6/9) Whitehall Chamber of Commerce working to save Whitehall murals.

• (6/9) Steve Wagner and Jim Buterbaugh explain Tactical Civics.

• (6/16) Town of Whitehall will include ambulance district and public safety mill levy on next ballot.

• (6/16) Jefferson Valley Sportsman’s Association teams up with BLM to control weeds.

• (6/23) Burglaries plague area, sheriff asks residents to be vigilant.

• (6/23) Local fundraising begins to replace boys stolen bike.

• (6/30) Whitehall Community Pool’s Ride, Dash, and Splash Triathlon brought in athletes of all ages.

• (6/30) DEQ holds public comment for proposed tailings reprocessing project at Golden Sunlight Mine.

JULY:

• (7/7) Jacob Scheffel begins rehab after dirt bike accident.

• (7/7) Gold Junction Presents...kicks off Summer of Adventure and Made in Montana film series.

• (7/14) 406 Roots Whitehall’s newest salon.

• (7/14) Town approves payment of delinquent bill after discussion with contractor.

• (7/14) Kristi’s Kiddie Korner receives Best Beginnings 5-star rating.

• (7/21) Gerry Keogh announced 2021 Frontier Days Grand Marshall and Veteran of the Year.

• (7/21) Copper K Fiber Fest brings in fiber artists from around the country.

• (7/28) Whitehall Chamber of Commerce’s annual Frontier Days celebration brings in thousands to Whitehall over two-day event.

AUGUST:

• (8/4) Wrong-way driver crash claims four lives at Pipestone ramp, leads to questions of whether signage should be reexamined.

• (8/11) Town approves resolution for subdivision fees, approves sheriff’s contract.

• (8/18) BLM outfitter permit open for public comment.

• (8/18) Fatal traffic incident reported on Second Street.

• (8/25) Whitehall eighth-grader Zane Downey sweeps MontanaFair in Billings.

• (8/25) Man tracking course at Indiana U brings in participants from all over.

SEPTEMBER:

• (9/1) Town of Whitehall Community Master Plan introduced.

• (9/1) Whitehall and Cardwell teachers introduce themselves for the 2021-22 school year.

• (9/8) WHS Homecoming events announced.

• (9/15) Town of Whitehall cannot join Jefferson Valley Rural Ambulance District without county action first.

• (9/15) WHS Seniors Brendan Wagner and Hailey Briggs crowned Homecoming King and Queen.

• (9/22) Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department purchases new extrication equipment thanks to monetary donations.

• (9/22) Montana History Live participants and Whitehall residents bring history back to life at Bannack Living History Days.

• (9/29) Kathleen Fike announces write-in candidacy for Whitehall Mayor.

• (9/29) Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department responds to gas leak on Kountz Road.

OCTOBER:

• (10/6) Fire destroys Montana legend Lahood Park Steakhouse.

• (10/6) Whitehall announced as the future home of Montana Western Legacy Center and Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame.

• (10/13) Whitehall Master Plan meeting begins brainstorming process after first public meeting.

• (10/13) Whitehall Little Trojan flag football teams play on the field before WHS Senior night game.

• (10/20) Western Legacy Center plans for Memorial Day soft opening.

• (10/20) Whitehall’s Screams Come True Haunted House and Hay Maze opens.

• (10/27) Whitehall Chamber of Commerce’s annual Fall Festival was a huge success, with the most attendance many could remember.

• (10/27) Importance of JVRAD question on ballot detailed.

NOVEMBER:

• (11/3) Trojans off to round two of football playoffs.

• (11/3) Screams Come True brings in over 1200 people to area in two weekends.

• (11/10) Jefferson County Health Department begins vaccinations for ages 5-11.

• (11/10) Jefferson Valley Community Foundation awards grants at Short & Sweet event.

• (11/17) Cardwell General Store & Campground hold a grand opening with new owners.

• (11/17) MORP 2021 photos released.

• (11/24) Greater Whitehall Area Love INC ceases operation.

DECEMBER:

• (12/1) Collision with Whitehall school bus leaves one dead, one injured.

• (12/1) First annual Turkey Crawl exceeds expectations with hundreds of participants.

• (12/8) Whitehall Chamber of Commerce announces annual Christmas Stroll events.

• (12/15) Whitehall Saddle Club’s annual wreath auction brings in over $5K for local causes.

• (12/15) New Whitehall Food Pantry building open and ready to serve.

• (12/22) Whitehall Rotary Club spreads holiday cheer to Whitehall Food pantry with a donation.

• (12/22) Whitehall and Cardwell Christmas Program photos show that Santa and his crew visited the area!