By DIANA MCFARLAND Read Article
HELENA — The state of Montana has exonerated 15 people wrongfully sent to prison since 1997, according to the National Registry of Exonerations. Some of them have sued the state for millions of dollars. Read Article
With two historically large events scheduled for August, the Jefferson County Health Board discussed eliminating the cap on event attendance that had been put in place due to the pandemic at its April 13 meeting. Read Article
The Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) has paused the use of the Johnson & Johnson’s single-does COVID-19 vaccine based on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation. The two federal agencies recommended the pause af… Read Article
In late 2020, the first COVID-19 vaccines were approved for use in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 23, 2020, Jefferson County Health Department received its first allotment on Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. We were overjoyed. There was cheering and singing and a few tears of relief… Read Article
An application to annex and amend the zoning map for about 29 acres in Boulder was tabled by the city’s Planning Board April 5 after a neighboring ranching family raised an issue about water rights. Read Article
A retention pond designed to alleviate stormwater runoff will likely not be part of the Town Pump expansion, according to Boulder Mayor Rusty Giulio. Read Article
A Clancy woman tells the story of going from denial to acceptance of her mother’s dementia and offers hope for others in a similar situation Read Article
Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed off on an executive order allowing the transfer of the former Montana Development Center from the Department of Public Health and Human Services to the Department of Justice. Read Article
HELENA — A bill that would restrict a specific kind of funding local governments can use for streets, parking and other infrastructure projects is drawing criticism from opponents who say it could irreparably change a process cities heavily rely on. Read Article
Recall petitions have been filed against four members of the Basin Water and Sewer District Board. Read Article
Insulation and drywall are the next improvements scheduled for the Boulder River Carousel at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Read Article
HELENA — The House passed three comprehensive recreational marijuana implementation bills this week. These bills take different approaches to the regulation of recreational marijuana but they all respect the will of voters and ensure proper safeguards are in place. Read Article
A Jefferson County advisory board has decided to resurrect a subcommittee focused on creating a central economic development district near Boulder. Read Article
More than 70 million Americans have a criminal record in the United States. This means that almost every time nearly one in three Americans applies for a job or to college, signs up for public assistance programs, or tries to find housing, their history of arrests — even those that didn’t le… Read Article
Remnants of the western mining industry make up the newest exhibit at the Jefferson County Museum. This exhibit features images of an historical remnant critical to the nineteenth century mining industry in the Western states — the stone or brick kiln. These large ovens allowed materials to… Read Article
BOZEMAN — Just when it seemed like the snowpack was on the right track to rebound from the dry December and January, March yielded substantially different weather patterns than the cold and wet conditions experienced during February. Read Article
A records request for ballot envelopes in Missoula County has generated allegations about the 2020 election results, and given legislators fodder for debates about changing statewide election laws. Read Article
HELENA — Former Governor Steve Bullock signed an executive order last year to allow restaurants to deliver beer and wine with meals. A bill moving through the legislature seeks to make that permanent. Read Article
HELENA — Quinn Leighton was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 3. Read Article
While the Clancy Water and Sewer District Board continues to consider the possibility of a centralized water system, the pastor of the Clancy United Methodist Church has voiced concerns that the financial burden of the project could cause the church to close. Read Article
The effort to address the lack of licensed daycare in Boulder — and Jefferson County — moved a step closer toward a solution last week. Read Article
A bill enabling the Montana Highway Patrol to move its headquarters to Boulder is making its way through the legislative process, but Sgt. Jay Nelson is still watching and waiting, as he won’t consider it a done deal until all the pieces are signed off by the governor. Read Article
The following students were named to the Clancy Elementary School third quarter honor roll: Read Article
Wayne Berkas of Montana City offers to pay for his two boxes of Thin Mints Saturday as members of Daisy/Brownie Troop 3270 look on at their booth in front of the Sweet Spot in Boulder. In addition to the classic Thin Mints and Trefoils, the Girl Scouts this year is offering Lemon Do-si-dos, … Read Article
Children on the hunt for Easter eggs in Clancy on Sunday also enjoyed spring-like temperatures that soared to nearly 70 degrees — allowing for a show of Easter finery. The hunt was also the first in two years, as COVID-19 restrictions are slowly being lifted. The hunt was sponsored by the C… Read Article
Mocha looked a bit anxious as Dr. Cory Tebay of Western Veterinary Service in Whitehall vaccinated the dog Saturday while owner G.W. Alexander lent a steadying hand. The vaccination clinic, held at Volunteer Hall at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, was sponsored by the Animal Shelter and C… Read Article
Lacking a statewide vaccine distribution plan, Montana’s overstretched counties and tribal governments have developed a mishmash of policies and plans that require ingenuity and mutual support to work. A reporting project by KHN, Montana Free Press and the University of Montana School of Jou… Read Article
Jefferson County Health Officer Sandy Sacry on April 2 lifted the directive requiring that masks be worn in public spaces. Read Article
HELENA — Dr. John Torgerson died in an avalanche in February of 2018. Cadaver dogs brought in from out-of-state found his body buried in the snow. Mary Lehman, a search and rescue dog trainer and handler, read a report on his death to a panel of lawmakers Wednesday. Read Article
HELENA — Supporters of a bill in the legislature say it would help bring justice to the families of drug overdose victims. Read Article
Now firmly into the second half of the Legislative session, Jefferson County’s two elected representatives at the state capitol met with constituents at the third legislator forum, hosted by The Boulder Monitor and the Boulder Transition Advisory Committee, via Zoom on Sunday evening. Read Article
After a heated discussion that devolved into pointed jabs between Board members, the Clancy Water and Sewer District (CWSD) agreed to have a town hall meeting with the Jefferson County Health Board, County Commissioners, and the public at a date and place to be determined. Read Article
The Boulder Zoning Commission is scheduled to hear an annexation and zoning map request by Chad Bullock, who has plans to develop residential building lots in the city. Read Article
Original artwork, dog and cat goodie baskets, jewelry and more are just some of the offerings available for purchase through the Animal Shelter and Care Committee’s first online auction. Read Article
The month of March has nearly ended and a number student activities and competitions have taken place. Winter sports have concluded and a couple of Panthers gained All-Conference and All-State recognition for basketball. Rachel Van Blaricom was named 1st Team All-Conference and All-State, a… Read Article
The Town of Whitehall received $20,000 as part of the Montana Main Street Program to develop a preliminary architectural report for the Star Theatre. Read Article
HELENA — A bill that would allow adults to be housed with youth at a correctional facility in eastern Montana drew criticism Friday from opponents who said it could open up that option at other facilities. Read Article
Beginning Thursday, April 1, all Jefferson County residents age 18 and older will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Read Article
HELENA — As lawmakers implement a 2020 ballot initiative that legalized recreational marijuana, supporters of a bill that would change the ballot initiative process say it would increase transparency and protect Montanans from out-of-state interests. Critics say it would threaten the public’… Read Article
The following Jefferson High School students made academic All-State. The student athletes need to have lettered in his or her sport and had a 3.500 or more GPA during the time they were competing. Read Article
The future of the Intensive Behavioral Center has raised questions as legislation concerning the anticipated relocation of the Montana Highway Patrol to Boulder begins to take shape. Read Article
=HELENA — In June of last year, Missoula County voters narrowly agreed on a 2 cent per gallon gas tax to help pay for infrastructure projects. Now, lawmakers are advancing a bill that would overturn that decision and remove the option for other local governments to tax gas sales with voter … Read Article
The Boulder City Council passed a resolution at its March 15 meeting “enthusiastically” supporting the Montana Highway Patrol moving its operations to the former Montana Development Center campus. Read Article
An investigation looking for leaks in the Basin water system found only one, according to a recent series of tests by American Leak Detection out of Idaho. Read Article
A year ago, events were reluctantly being canceled one after another as the pandemic spread its way across Montana. Read Article
Jefferson High School students who excel at academic, drama, student leadership and more will soon be able to earn letters like their student athlete peers. Read Article
The Jefferson High School Business Professionals of America Presentation Management Team, composed of Josh Smerker, Jamie Rimestad, Ellen McLean and Hayden Smerker, took first place in the state competition, beating out 10 other teams from across Montana. The Video Production Team of Luke Ec… Read Article
The question of who is responsible for emptying the receptacles at the dog waste stations in Boulder is raising a bit of a stink. Read Article
A Helena man plead guilty to assault, a charge that involved a Boulder police officer during a 2019 welfare check in the city. Read Article