Two candidates filed prior to the deadline for a seat on the Whitehall School Board. According to District Clerk Patti Drake, Chad Hoover was the lone candidate to file for the high school seat currently held by Paul Shaw, and Laura McDonald is the lone candidate in the elementary/high school seat held by Jeff Briggs. Because there are no additional candidates, the May 5 election will be canceled, and the two candidates will be elected by acclamation....
Statewide COVID-19 cases over 200, 2 in Jefferson County
Staff Report|Apr 1, 2020
As of Wednesday morning, there were a total of 208 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Montana, with two of the positive tests in Jefferson County. Gallatin County currently has 76 positive tests and there are six in Madison County. There have currently been 4,918 tests completed statewide, 17 hospitalizations, and five deaths related to COVID-19. Jefferson County Public Health Supervisor Karen Wandel announced the second confirmed case in Jefferson County on March 27. "The person has been notified...
Governor issues shelter in place order
Staff Report|Apr 1, 2020
Governor Steve Bullock issued a Directive last Thursday requiring Montanans to stay home and temporarily closes all nonessential businesses and operations to curtail the spread of COVID-19. The order, will buy time for health care workers on the frontlines and seeks to limit long term impacts to the state's economy. "In consultation with public health experts, health care providers, and emergency management professionals, I have determined that to protect public health and human safety, it is...
Statewide COVID-19 total at 53
Staff Report|Mar 25, 2020
There were 12 new cases of COVID-19 reported Monday, five Tuesday, and three Wednesday in Montana bringing the statewide total to 53. The first reported case in Jefferson County was announced Tuesday afternoon. There are two reported cases in Madison County and 19 in Gallatin County. Governor Steve Bullock announced Tuesday that school closures, as well as dine-in and bar restrictions would remain in effect till April 10. Local businesses and organizations are continuing to be impacted by the...
COVID-19 leads to school closures, numerous local events postponed
Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Mar 18, 2020
On Thursday of last week, Governor Steve Bullock declared a state of emergency to exist within the state of Montana related to the communicable disease COVID-19 novel coronavirus. In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, later Bullock announced Sunday a two-week closure of public schools in the state from March 16 to March 27. The directives announced by Bullock also included limited visitation at nursing homes, and public guidance regarding social distancing. Jefferson County Public Health...
Barrick Gold official expresses optimism
Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Mar 18, 2020
A high-level Barrick Gold official is optimistic about the planned TSF 1 Tailings Reprocessing project at the Golden Sunlight Mine near Whitehall. Patrick Malone, Vice President of Closure and Governance for Barrick North America, told Community Transition Advisory Committee members last week the company is very excited about the project. He added the TSF 1 project would keep the site open for another ten years with the potential for much longer with the proposed TSF 2 project. "I'm extremely...
Streamflow forecast improves
Mar 11, 2020
Following on the heels of January's abundant snowfall, February also delivered above normal to record-setting snowfall in mountain ranges supplying water to regional rivers and streams. New records were set for February snowfall at seven mountain SNOTEL (SNOwpack TELemetry) sites in southern and central Montana that were favored by the unstable north-northwest flow coming from Canada during the first three weeks of the month. The recovery in snowpack was well timed. "January and February snowfal...
Wolf shot near Boulder
Mar 11, 2020
A gray wolf was shot March 1 on private property north of Boulder. According to Montana FWP Game Warden Bill Dawson, the wolf was shot by an employee of the landowner/ranch. Dawson conducted a field investigation and determined the take was lawful. "Landowners (or a 'landowner's agent') may take a wolf on their private property if it poses a potential threat to livestock, human safety, or dogs, and it must be reported to FWP within 24 hours. In this case, it was in a calving pasture next to...
Debris burning season arrives locally
Mar 4, 2020
As part of the Western Montana Zone, Jefferson County is, as of March 1st, transitioning from the winter burning season into the open burn period that runs annually from March through the end of November. While the air quality restrictions are relaxed during this open burn period, burn permits are still required for fires over 48" in size. Those who need a permit can log onto the system at https://app.mt.gov/burnpermit/ to purchase and activate their permits. Remember that your permit must be...
Deadline nears for county positions
Staff Report|Feb 26, 2020
The deadline to file declarations for Jefferson County offices in the upcoming election is March 9 at 5 p.m. The county offices open for the June 2 primary are County Commissioner (District 2), the Clerk of Court, Justice of the Peace, Superintendent of Schools and the Jefferson Valley Conservation Supervisor. The filing fee for the six-year commission seat that includes the communities of Boulder, Basin, Elk Park, Bernice, Jefferson City, and Clancy is $319.67. The seat is currently held by...
2020 phone books now available
Feb 26, 2020
The 2020 Whitehall Area Phone books have been printed and are now available at various local businesses. The popular annual book can currently be found at the Corner Store, Jefferson Fresh Foods, A&W/KFC, Whitehall Chamber, Cardwell Store, Whitehall Community Library, Pepper Tree and Ledger Office. Ledger Publisher Jack Smith said the books are a great way to not only find the phone number you are looking for but to see the many local business options. "There are a lot of great businesses...
Positive news for possible local co-op
Jack H. Smith, Whitehall|Feb 19, 2020
There was some recent positive news for the feasibility study for a possible meat co-op processing facility in the Whitehall area. JLDC Manager Alison Richardson said in-conjunction with the Headwaters RC&D, they have received a $30,000 Big Sky Trust Fund grant for the study. At a meet in late December, Tom Harrington with the Jefferson Local Development Corporation and MSU Extension detailed how the co-op could be a benefit for local producers, tying the project in with a pet food processor,...
Missoula Children's Theatre Performance February 22
Feb 19, 2020
Join Johnny Appleseed and his pioneer friends as they plant apple orchards across the West this Saturday, February 22 when the Missoula Children's Theatre and more than 40 Whitehall students present an original musical adaptation of the classic tale, “Johnny Appleseed”. The performance is scheduled for Saturday, February 22 at 2 p.m. at the Tia Kober Gym. Tickets are free but they will be accepting donations. Playing the title character of Johnny are local students Cooper Montgomery and Alannah Leonti. Other featured performers include Mik...
January boosts snowpack numbers
Feb 12, 2020
Abundant moisture spilled into the Treasure State from the Pacific during January, boosting snowpack in all river basins to near or above normal for February 1. In some locations, the amount of water added to the snowpack was record setting. Between December 30 and February 1, SNOTEL (SNOwpack TELemetry) sites west of the Continental Divide received up to 18 inches of snow water equivalent, roughly proportionate to 100 to 150+ inches of snowfall. Five SNOTEL sites would go on to set new records...
Council to continue marijuana discussion
Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Feb 5, 2020
After tabling the issue last month, the Whitehall Council will once again be discussing a possible medicinal marijuana dispensary in town limits. The topic will be on the agenda at their February 10 meeting. The Council voted unanimously January 13 to table the vote on a business license for Peace of Mind Dispensary. The proposed business would be owned by Chris Nelson and Martina Iwen and located at 401 E. Legion. The grower for the business would be David Nelson of Livingston. The business...
After slow start to season, flu hits county
Staff Report|Feb 5, 2020
After a quiet start to the flu season last October, 2020 has brought a fair amount of influenza B and recently influenza A to Jefferson County. According to Public Health Supervisor Karen Wandel, their public service announcements on the county radio station have encouraged vaccination, staying home while ill, and seeking medical care as necessary. "We are now beginning to see some influenza A which can be more severe than flu B. Although we've had over thirty flu cases reported in the past...
Headwaters Country Jam announces 2020 headliners
Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Jan 29, 2020
The lineup has been announced for the 2020 Headwaters Country Jam scheduled for Thursday, June 18 to Saturday, June 20 at the "Bridge" near Cardwell. The headlining acts for the festival are Midland, Clay Walker, and Dustin Lynch and tickets will go on sale Friday, January 24. Other acts scheduled are Ashley McBryde, Tanya Tucker, Rayne Johnson, Mitchell Tenpenny, the Cadillac Three, Meghan Patrick, Ryan Griffin, Craig Morgan, Blanco Brown, Madison Kozak, and Tim Montana. Prior to last year's...
Tanya Tucker headed to Country Jam
Alan Sculley|Jan 29, 2020
To make her new album, "While I'm Livin'," it could be said Tanya Tucker went on the musical equivalent of a blind date. When Tucker arrived at in Los Angeles to get into the studio, she had not discussed the type of album she was going to make with Shooter Jennings, the co-producer for the project. Before arriving for the recording session, Tucker had also not met Brandi Carlile, heard her music and knew very little about Carlile, who teamed up with her long-time musical partners, Phil and Tim...
2 School board seats open in May election
Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Jan 22, 2020
There will be two open seats on the Whitehall School Board in the upcoming May 5 election. According to District Clerk Patti Drake, the three-year seat currently held by Jeff Briggs in Whitehall School District 4 and 47, as well as the three-year seat currently held by Paul Shaw in Whitehall School District 2 (Cardwell) are both open this year. The district is asking anyone interested in seeking election to submit a Declaration of Intent and Oath of Candidacy prior to Thursday, March 26, at 4 p.m. The forms are available at the District...
Council tables marijuana business license
Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Jan 15, 2020
Members of the Whitehall Town Council will need more time to decide if they will approve a business license for a medical marijuana dispensary. At their monthly meeting Monday, the Council voted unanimously to table the approval of a business license for Peace of Mind Dispensary. The proposed business would be owned by Chris Nelson and Martina Iwen and located at 401 E. Legion. The grower for the business would be David Nelson of Livingston. The business would be open Tuesday to Saturday from...
Upper Jefferson River study presentation Jan. 27
Jan 15, 2020
The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG) Groundwater Investigation Program (GWIP) conducted a groundwater study in the Upper Jefferson Valley. This study was partly funded by Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine, and Madison and Jefferson Counties. On January 27, The MBMG will present an overview of the findings and recommendations from this study and will take questions. The presentations will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Borden Conference Room, 103 West Legion, in Whitehall. The purpose...
MDT proposes resurfacing project
Staff Report|Jan 8, 2020
Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) would like to announce and invite the public to comment on a proposal to resurface approximately 8.4 miles of State Highway 29. The project begins approximately 4 miles north of Silver Star at the Junction of MT-41 and MT-55 and extends north 8.4 miles ending at the Junction of MT-41 and MT-2 (Locally known as Cactus Jct.). Proposed work includes seal and cover (chip seal), upgraded pavement markings, signage and guardrail. The purpose of the project...
Looking Back at 2019: Busy Year at Whitehall Schools
Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Jan 2, 2020
It was a busy year in 2019 for the Whitehall Schools. In April, the school board voted 6-0 in favor of hiring current high school principal Hannah Nieskens as the new Superintendent. She took over for John Sullivan who resigned at the end of the summer. Nieskens had served as principal of the high school since the 2015-16 school year and has been named Montana High School Principal of the Year and was one of three finalists for the National High School Principal of the Year. In May, the...
Officials discuss meat processing facility
Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Dec 26, 2019
Over the past few months, the idea of a Co-operative Meat Processing Facility in Jefferson County has sparked an interest from local producers, government officials, and local organizations. The idea was once again discussed last week at a joint meeting between the Jefferson and Madison County Commissions. In a presentation at the meeting, Tom Harrington with the Jefferson Local Development Corporation and MSU Extension detailed how the co-op could be a benefit for local producers, tying the...
Music festival announces bands
Jack H. Smith, Whitehall Ledger|Dec 26, 2019
In August of 2020 the Rockin' The Rivers Musical Festival will be celebrating their 20th year at the event held at the "Bridge" near Three Forks. To celebrate the festival scheduled for August 13 to 15 organizers have recently been making lineup announcements each Friday and will continue to do so until this Friday, December 27. So far acts announced have included Skillet, Georgia Satellites, .38 Special, Steven Adler of Gun N' Roses and LIT. Earlier this year, co-owner Dave Hamilton discussed...
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