One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to clean and disinfect surfaces around you. Read Article
A recap of what’s happened in Jefferson County since the March 25 issue of The Monitor. Read Article
The Monitor Interview
Montana has not had a Republican governor since 2005. In the June 2 primaries, three candidates will vie for the chance to change that — among them Attorney General and Clancy resident Tim Fox. Read Article
Your local Jefferson County Radio DES (Disaster and Emergency Services) station will provide COVID-19 news and updates at the top and bottom of each hour for the duration of this emergency. Read Article
When the Jefferson County commissioners voted March 19 to restrict public access to county offices and buildings to minimize the risk of exposure to and the spread of COVID-19, they acted with urgency — and, as a result, with no public notice. Read Article
People can cut up to 12 cords of firewood for personal use cost- and permit-free April 1 to June 1 on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Read Article
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Jefferson County -- a man in his 50s -- was announced Tuesday afternoon. Read Article
Reported cases of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, the disease it causes, came later to Montana than most of the rest of the country. But soon after the last edition of The Monitor was printed, local urgency heightened quickly: Jefferson County declared a state of emergency and limited ac… Read Article
2020 Election
Montana voters in state and overseas are scheduled to fill out their ballots between April 17 and June 2 to decide on Democratic and Republican candidates for Montana and national offices. A lot is at stake — the Governorship, Attorney General and Secretary of State, U.S. Senate and House se… Read Article
Within hours of declaring a countywide state of emergency Thursday, Jefferson County’s commissioners approved a resolution restricting public access to county offices and buildings to minimize the risk of exposure to and the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Read Article
Jefferson County Health Department
Instances of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) had been reported in a few dozen states as of March 8, but not in Montana. Meanwhile, worldwide more than 100,000 infected people and over 3,600 deaths had been reported in 101 countries, according to the World Health Organization Situation Report, a… Read Article
After Monday’s 5 p.m. filing deadline, Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Bonnie Ramey and the Office of Montana Secretary of State announced the candidates that filed for county and state offices, respectively. Read Article
With the start of March, Jefferson County’s winter burning season gave way to the annual open burn season that lasts until the end of November, according to the county’s Disaster and Emergency Services department. Read Article
In February of 2019, Jefferson County launched discoverjeffersonmt.org, an interactive website to promote all things Jefferson County with an emphasis on recreation and tourism. The goal was simple – assist in creating an economic impact for the county. Jefferson County is perhaps the best k… Read Article
A new special program has been added to the schedule of Jefferson County radio. Read Article
The Jefferson County Commission on Feb. 4 agreed to consider increasing the annual solid waste fee by $20 to $149.69. A public hearing on the matter is expected to be held later this month. Read Article
Beginning Monday, Feb. 10, Jefferson County will survey residents about the availability of health and other services following a similar survey of service providers completed last fall. Read Article
The Jefferson County Library Board hopes voters in June will support an additional 9 mills — currently $141,534 — in annual funding for the Boulder and Whitehall libraries, a 43.4% increase over current funding. The Jefferson County Commission first must approve putting the funding question … Read Article
Jefferson County is updating its Growth Policy, and asking residents to participate in the process. Read Article
Jefferson County Radio is presenting some special locally produced programming for the holiday season. Read Article
The Animal Shelter and Care Committee (AS&CC) of Boulder will start meeting twice monthly as part of its efforts to build a countywide animal shelter. Read Article
The Jefferson County Commission on Nov. 26 approved a resolution establishing a Capital Improvement Fund for the Jefferson County Solid Waste District. Read Article
A south Jefferson County bridge will be closed Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 for the first step toward its replacement early next fall. Read Article
A regional federal advisory committee that reviews and recommends projects for funding to the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Supervisor is accepting proposals for the first time in about two years. Read Article
Despite sparse attendance, three meetings held recently to inform parents about the challenges young people face reached key people, said Barb Reiter, Jefferson County’s prevention specialist and DUI task force coordinator and the meetings’ organizer. Read Article
Photo
Last winter, Energy Share helped a family facing hardship — a vehicle needing repair, sewer issues, high heating bills and a failed water heater — to keep their heat on, according to a news release from the nonprofit. Read Article
HELENA — Growing old may not be for the faint of heart but, as anyone over 40 will tell you, it sure beats the alternative. Read Article
On Nov. 5, Gyle D. Nix was voted in as Boulder’s Ward 1 councilman, while in Whitehall Katy James and Maxine Samuelson were elected as Ward 2 and Ward 3 aldermen, respectively, while the Ward 1 vote resulted in a tie between Pat Peterson and Logan Reiff, according to unofficial election resu… Read Article
Could there be a meat processing plant in Whitehall? Definitely. Should there be? That’s another question. Read Article
Boulder and Whitehall this past weekend both kicked off four nights of pre-Halloween fun for kids and families: “Big Rock Fright Nights” at the Jefferson County fairgrounds in Boulder, and “Screams Come True” at the Whitehall Community Center. There is still one more weekend to attend both e… Read Article
The planned relocation of a wind turbine manufacturer to Whitehall that has been years in the making has community leaders hopeful for economic benefits to the area beyond jobs with the manufacturer. Read Article
Jefferson County Election Administrator Bonnie Ramey reminds residents that this year’s election of Councilmen in the City of Boulder and Aldermen in the Town of Whitehall will be conducted by mail ballot only; the polls will not be open Election Day, Nov. 5. Read Article
Exploratory talks of establishing a meat processing plant in Whitehall have started in earnest, with a second community discussion set for Monday, Nov. 4. Read Article
The Jefferson Local Development Corporation recently recognized three Jefferson County businesses with various awards that were presented at an annual JLDC dinner on Aug. 22. Read Article
“The Merry Wives of Windsor,” a comedy set in the 15th century and written by William Shakespeare, will be performed in Jefferson County twice in August. Read Article
The Volunteer Gap
Boulder’s Fourth of July celebration lacked some of its usual sparkle this year. The parade and fireworks were held, but not the usual egg-on-a-spoon races, dunk tank and other post-parade activities in Veterans Park. Read Article
Comeback Act
Joe Rebal was a radio guy. He earned an associate degree in radio broadcasting from Great Falls College and was the audio guy for the Answer Auction Show with Group W Cable while still in school. After graduating, he hosted a morning show in Helena for KMTX, an afternoon show on KHKR and a m… Read Article
This year’s Frontier Days celebration in Whitehall will include a new quilting event. Read Article
Jefferson County is seeking residents’ suggestions as it develops a capital improvement plan that will identify and prioritize improvement projects throughout the county. Read Article
The Culpepper and Merriweather circus is coming to Boulder June 27— the first big top circus to visit in several years, according to Jefferson County Event Coordinator Bruce Binkowski — and will stop in Whitehall the day after. Read Article
Montana Mule Days — Montana’s only mule and donkey show — takes place at the rodeo grounds in Whitehall from June 7 to June 9. Read Article
The volunteer-run Jefferson Valley Museum at 303 S. Division in Whitehall opened for the season on Memorial Day weekend. Read Article
Twenty people gathered around a table in Whitehall’s historic Borden’s Hotel on Thursday, April 25 for the first of what promises to be many talks on how the community might adapt to the end of gold mining at Golden Sunlight mine. Read Article
No one was injured in an early morning fire that consumed three mobile homes, an RV and a couple vehicles at a Whitehall junkyard Saturday. Read Article
A man whose Whitehall house was mistakenly labeled as up for foreclosure was awarded $20,000 last week in a trial against Wells Fargo Bank. Read Article
A Whitehall man convicted for five sexual offenses and tampering with witnesses will not be eligible for parole for at least 20 years, District Judge Luke Berger ordered earlier this month. Read Article