An increase in water and possibly sewer rates may be imminent for residents in Whitehall. At the Monday Town Council meeting, Mayor Dale Davis said the State of Montana Board of Investments would not let the town apply for the bonds or loans until the town has paid off a previous loan from a $59,000 bond issued in 1997 for a water project. The last payment is $6,400. Currently the town has $5,800 in the reserve account for that payment and will be looking at the budget to make up the $600 needed. Requirements made by a bond counsel for rate...
'Gigabit' Work Moves Forward
Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Apr 12, 2017
Work continued last week on a project that will give local residents and businesses access to Gigabit Internet. According to Lee Good of TeleSystem Services (TSS), Dustin Laughrey, Jason Good, Shane Good, as well as a several helpful residents along 1st Street in Whitehall pitched in Friday to help install a 3,000 foot 12 fiber cable from near the Flower Shop, all the way to the head end located in the Old Cheese Factory. Good said three other fiber cables were installed Saturday before it...
Whitehall Districts Receive Clean Audit
Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Apr 12, 2017
At a special meeting last week, the Whitehall School Board of Trustees received an audit report for the 2016-17 school year from Debbie Ouellette of Newland and Company. Ouellette reported the Whitehall School Districts not only had a clean audit, but had the highest possible ranking they could receive. Whitehall Superintendent John Sullivan said there were a few little findings they would be taking care of, but it was the best audit the districts have had in years. In the regular board meeting, the Board of Trustees approved a proposal from...
Michael Siebert, UM Community News Service|Apr 12, 2017
HELENA -- When it comes to balancing the state budget, there are two schools of thought - raise taxes and generate revenue, or cut spending and save money. With the state facing a budget shortfall, that ideological difference has become all the more prominent throughout Montana's 65th Legislative session. Often, it defines party lines. In Gov. Steve Bullock's original budget proposal, he suggested a wide variety of tax increases on everything from cigarettes to medical marijuana. Perhaps most...
Epidemic of obesity still exists nationally
Karen Wandel, RN for Jefferson County Health Department|Apr 12, 2017
If a person wanted to improve her overall health, what would have the most impact? Many factors can influence an individual’s health including genetics, obesity, physical activity and diet. Genetics gives us the structure within which we get to operate, but the other factors are under our control. Americans spend billions each year on dietary supplements, exercise equipment and memberships to seek health improvements or weight loss. But how many of us have paid the gym membership, bought the treadmill, bought the supplement and the only c...
Bill would regulate telemedicine practices
Michael Siebert, UM Community News Service|Apr 5, 2017
With long distances between cities and frequent weather-related travel difficulties, it can often be hard to access medical services in Montana. Because of this, more patients are meeting with doctors remotely, through the practice of telemedicine. House Bill 389, introduced by Rep. Kirk Wagoner, R-Montana City, places regulations on telemedicine, a practice in which doctors communicate with patients remotely through video or audio chat. "The main purpose behind this bill is to put some...
Utility blues: Water line breaks, power pole fire leads to outage
Melissa Jenkins, Staff Writer|Apr 5, 2017
Fire and water emergencies affected customer utilities last week in Whitehall. The two instances had workers from NorthWestern Energy and the Town of Whitehall diligently working several hours to get utilities working for residents, schools and businesses. Butch Larcombe, a spokesman for NorthWestern Energy, reported a call was received at 6:15 a.m. on Friday morning reporting a power pole on fire. NorthWestern Energy quickly sent out crews having some of the 178 customers affected power back...
Workers who care for Montanans with disabilities may see first major wage increase in nearly 20 years
Michael Siebert, UM Community News Service|Apr 5, 2017
HELENA -- With so much talk of money during Montana’s 65th Legislative Session, it can be difficult to comprehend how all that money affects everyday Montanans. This session, one group has become the de facto human face of the budget — direct care workers. According to the Montana Disability & Health Program, nearly 13 percent of Montanans reported having some sort of disability in 2012. Among those, many have developmental disabilities, like down syndrome and autism, and often require significant assistance to meet their basic needs. Mon...
County Commission Update
Leonard Wortman, Jefferson County Commissioner|Apr 5, 2017
HI Folks, At our last couple of meetings, we gave final plat approval for the Phillips Minor Subdivision near Jefferson City and approved an amended plat for Lot 4-A Cox Creek and Lot 4 of the Clearwater Estates Subdivisions near Whitehall. We approved Resolution 10-2017 Calling for a Special Federal Election to replace Ryan Zinke. By having to hold a Poll Election instead of a mail-in election we will spend nearly $20,000 more. We approved a $3,200 expenditure for Event Coordinator Bruce...
County elections experts outline timelines for May 25
Apr 5, 2017
As efforts to revive Senate Bill 305 failed Friday, Montana’s elections administrators turned their attention to the forthcoming special election on May 25. SB 305, introduced by Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick (R-Great Falls) would have given Montana counties the option to hold a mail-only election to replace Rep Ryan Zinke. Despite the support of nearly all of Montana’s 56 counties and successful passage through the Montana Senate, SB 305 was tabled in the House Judiciary committee Wednesday. An effort to “blast” the bill out of committee and on to th...
MUSEUM ANNUAL MEETING THURSDAY
STAFF REPORT|Apr 5, 2017
The annual meeting of the Jefferson Valley Museum will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2017 in the Fellowship Hall at the Trinity United Methodist Church on 102 North Brooke Street. A short board meeting will review the Museum’s key business items and an election will be held for the expiring board member positions currently held by Kermit Hoyenga and John Joy. The annual historic program will follow. This year, museum volunteer Arlene Weber will provide a review of Piedmont, Pleasant Valley, Renova, and some of the events and people wh...
New restaurant opening next month
Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 29, 2017
In 1996, Ken and Tina Bates opened Stageline Pizza restaurants in Dillon and Anaconda. They would later decide to sell both businesses to spend more time with their children and pursue other opportunities. Now over two decades since they opened the two Montana stores, they have decided to get back into the pizza business and will be opening a Stageline next month in Whitehall. Along with the popular pizza and breadsticks featured in Stageline franchises across Montana, Ken said they would also b...
Three file for trustee spots
Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 29, 2017
Barring any last minute write in candidates, the scheduled May 2 mail in election for three open school board trustee positions in the Whitehall and Cardwell districts will not take place. Jeff Briggs was the lone candidate to file by the March 23 deadline for the three-year position that will be vacated by Angie Davis in Whitehall School Districts 4 and 47. Incumbent Paul Shaw was the lone candidate to declare for the Whitehall District 2 (Cardwell) position. This is also a three-year term. If there are no write in candidates filed by March...
Jefferson County Sheriff's Report
Mar 29, 2017
Monday, Mar. 20 9:56 a.m. - prisoner transport, 108 West First Street, Whitehall 12:11 p.m. - citizen assist, 413 Yellowstone Trail, Whitehall 12:56 p.m. - care for sick/injured, 104 McKay Street, Whitehall 5:59 p.m. – traffic stop, Whitetail Road, Whitehall 7:47 p.m. - 911 hang-up, 8 West Legion Avenue, Whitehall 8:17 p.m. - civil assist, 90 Kountz Road, Whitehall 9:00 p.m. - stranded motorist, I-90 eastbound, MM 269, Cardwell Tuesday, Mar. 21 11:42 a.m. - dog at large, 1061 Hwy 2 West, Whitehall 11:55 a.m. - care for sick/injured, 208 West 1...
No easy solutions to Montana's drug epidemic
Michael Siebert, UM Community News Service|Mar 29, 2017
Liz Schwartz's brother overdosed in their parents' garage after sucking prescription opioids out of a used fentanyl patch. His mother found him on the floor and immediately called an ambulance. He made it to the hospital in time and survived. But within a year, Schwartz's father overdosed the same way. He, too, survived. "You think the addict is getting clean, or they're on the right track to getting there, and there's setbacks like that," Schwartz said. "It's terrifying." While Montana's drug...
Water break on Whitehall Street
Melissa Jenkins, Staff Writer|Mar 29, 2017
Town Clerk/Treasurer Summer Fellows reported a water break on Whitehall Street Wednesday evening. Fellows said the Town of Whitehall is unsure how long the break will take to fix, but city workers are working on the break diligently. Fellows said Town Hall employees tried to call everyone they knew would be affected, but there were some they were unaware were connected to the line. The Town hopes to have the problem resolved quickly as the break has some residents without water....
MUSEUM ANNUAL MEETING THURSDAY
Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 29, 2017
The annual meeting of the Jefferson Valley Museum will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2017 in the Fellowship Hall at the Trinity United Methodist Church on 102 North Brooke Street. A short board meeting will review the Museum’s key business items and an election will be held for the expiring board member positions currently held by Kermit Hoyenga and John Joy. The annual historic program will follow. This year, museum volunteer Arlene Weber will provide a review of Piedmont, Pleasant Valley, Renova, and some of the events and people wh...
Budget dominates 2017 Legislative Session
Michael Siebert, UM Community News Service|Mar 22, 2017
The Montana Legislature is responsible for accomplishing a great deal during the 90 days it meets every two years. But lawmakers are actually only constitutionally required to do one thing - create and pass a state budget. Last week, the House of Representatives got one step closer to that goal. Fifty-six days into the session, legislators passed House Bill 2, the bill that lays out funding for every major state agency. Lawmakers allocated $10 billion in general fund money to be spent over two...
Production above target at Golden Sunlight Mine
Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Mar 22, 2017
There were plenty of positives during February at the Golden Sunlight Mine in Whitehall. At the Community Transition Advisory Committee earlier this month, Mine General Manager Dan Banghart reported the production during the month was 5,076 ounces, well above the 4,484 target. Banghart added the underground tonnage exceeded plans, and there will be two mill runs this month. The mine had no reportable injuries in February and has gone 421 days without an injury. There were also no reportable spills during the month. Banghart stated there are...
Stageline Pizza opening soon
Staff Report|Mar 22, 2017
Stageline Pizza is coming to Whitehall. The restaurant will be located in the former home of the Chinese Garden at 605 W. Legion. According to officials at Town Hall, a business license for the restaurant was obtained March 8. The business is owned by Ken and Tina Bates. A new sign was placed at the location late Monday afternoon. Ken Bates confirmed with the Ledger Tuesday that the restaurant will open in April. Look for a complete story about the new business on the front page of the March...
Leonard Wortman, Jefferson County Commissioner|Mar 22, 2017
Hi Folks, At last week’s meeting we reviewed claims and then met with Road Supervisor, Rory Parsons. The Road crews are cleaning up things from the winter. The crew is going back to working four tens for the remainder of the spring, summer, and fall. They will be working from 6:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday. We also met with Candice Bell, our Solid Waste Manager. We are still discussing what options might be available for Solid Waste moving forward. We would like to come up with two or three different options and then present them to...
Lawmakers debate bills on infrastructure, abortion
Michael Siebert, UM Community News Service|Mar 22, 2017
HELENA -- As Republicans and Democrats grapple with how to fund statewide infrastructure projects at the Montana Legislature, one bill in the House aims to put that decision in the hands of local voters. House Bill 577, introduced by Rep. Dave Fern, D-Whitefish, would allow cities and towns to adopt an infrastructure tax on luxury goods and services at a maximum rate of 4 percent. However, the tax would have to be approved by local voters. “House Bill 577 empowers our cities, towns and counties to solve their infrastructure problems,” Fern said...
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