I love this time of year – and not just because there’s the promise that the seemingly endless run of winter might finally ease up, or because I get to spend nearly three solid weeks watching college basketball. Read Article Annual subscriber survey: plaudits, brickbats, and the way forward
If the Boulder City Council requires a maximum of six chickens per household within city limits, what is to become of our other 14 chickens? Read Article Much ado about chickens
I do not live in Boulder but would like to address the article about the city writing codes regarding limiting chickens in Boulder. The timing of such coding comes while we are experiencing economic instability and record inflation. Food costs are high, the soaring cost of eggs being the sub… Read Article City should reevaluate limiting chickens
Not wanting to ruffle any feathers, I would like to comment on the proposed ruling in Boulder, limiting chickens to six per household. Read Article Taking egg-ception to chicken restriction
Republican legislators just passed the biggest tax cut for the wealthy in Montana’s history, a whopping one billion dollars. That’s billion, not million. Meanwhile, the needs of regular Montanans, like affordable housing, care for the elderly, and child care for workers, are pushed aside und… Read Article Legislators should prioritize public schools
It was an honor to serve as manager of the Elkhorn Bistro Cafe for the community and to become a part of so many of your lives. I gave this role everything I had. Whether I was cooking, cashier, waitress or dishwasher, I always gave 100%. Many hours and long days were given to sprucing it up… Read Article Elkhorn manager grateful for experience
Regarding the Boulder City Council’s proposal to limit residents to a maximum of six chickens (Boulder Monitor, Mar. 1): My husband Dean and I have been raising chickens off and on for many years, including when our youngest was in grade school. He cared for ducks, geese, rabbits and quail. … Read Article Local chicken owner wants more info from City
Friday, March 3 marked the halfway point of the 68th Legislative session. We heard hundreds of bills in committee and on the House floor. The last week was filled with long hours and high emotion as legislators fought for their legislative priorities. Here are a few takeaways from our sessi… Read Article Good news for Montana taxpayers
The Republican majority has just flexed its muscle to pass Senate Bill 93, thereby limiting the ability of Montana’s citizens to pass laws through the ballot issue process. SB 93 is unbelievably restrictive in scope, including imposition of a $3,700 filing fee for ballot issues and affording… Read Article Passing of SB 93 concerns Montana attorney
With the legalization of recreational marijuana and the ensuing tax, the State of Montana has exceeded tax revenue expectations. Since then, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks has received 20% of the marijuana tax income for the purpose of funding wildlife habitats. The Habit… Read Article Speaker Regier offers support for Bertoglio's bill
In Montana, we care about protecting our children and ending bullying in schools. Instead of seeking to prevent hate speech and bullying in our public schools, Montana House Bill 361 would protect the bullies. The text of this bill would make it impossible to discipline students who use a tr… Read Article Don't protect the bullies
Last week’s trial and subsequent conviction of John Russell Howald on federal hate crimes and firearms charges is a reminder of how bigoted ideas and hateful talk can eventually escalate into tragedy and violence. Three years ago, on a Sunday morning in March, Howald, armed with four guns, i… Read Article Will the Basin shooting be our wake-up call?
As the Legislature moves into the two weeks prior to the transmittal deadline, around 200 bills have been added to our schedules. It will be quite busy. Read Article Bertoglio in support of marijuana tax reallocation
Hello from the state capital. The 68th legislative session is moving fast. It’s hard to believe that we’re just a few weeks from transmittal, but I’ve been working hard for Montana’s schools, my constituents and all Montanans. Read Article McClafferty addresses school safety, child needs
Excellent articles on Wicks and surrounding areas by Eliza McLaughlin in last weeks Monitor. Thanks for putting out a great little paper. Read Article Writer appreciates recent ‘Paper Trail’
The construction project continues to move forward with a tentative groundbreaking date in April. Dick Anderson Construction put the project out to bid, and those bids are due to them on Feb. 22, 2023. The bids will be opened for Dick Anderson to evaluate. After this evaluation, they will br… Read Article Jefferson High construction slated for April
Thank you for reaching out to me regarding my thoughts on Montana House Bill No. 328. House Bill 328, as it reads, states: “An act providing for increased transparency and accountability in government by requiring certain government entities to record their public meetings in audio and video… Read Article Here’s to greater government transparency
I live a block away from a trailer being torn down. Mike and John are doing a great job. The area looks better now than before. It’s a dirty job, but these two guys make the Boulder trailer court look better than before. Read Article A job well done
It has been over 15 years since the Animal Shelter and Care of Jefferson County formed a partnership with Dr. Cory Tebay and Western Veterinary Service. This partnership was formed for the welfare of county animals and to educate their owners on the importance of vaccinating and to spay and… Read Article Animal shelter grateful for partnership
This letter is in response to Jan Anderson's letter last week questioning the sources used by Jane Hamman in her recent guest editorial. Read Article Clancy resident defends The Daily Signal
It is hard to believe is has been one month since I was sworn in as the House District 75 Representative. I continue to feel honored to serve my constituents. Read Article Report from Helena: a record-setting session
Jane Hamman's submission published in the Jan. 25 Boulder Monitor cites three sources in support of her contention that Montana needs election reform. Those sources: Read Article A closer look at sources used in guest editorial
Montana’s 68th legislature is in session and is considering over 1300 bills to date. Most of us will only take note of a few high-profile bills that will have a direct and immediate impact on our lives. For example, tax relief bills, a couple of which will pass with little opposition. How… Read Article Be wary of SJ 2
There is more to the abortion bans being promoted by Republicans in Montana’s Legislature than simply a difference on moral or cultural grounds. Republicans have pieced together an entire suite of policies aimed at one goal. That goal is to control and disempower workers by a broad assault o… Read Article Low wages, underfunded public services and abortion bans
In Girdwood, Alaska, we’ll long remember the snowstorm of Dec. 6, just three months ago. But it won’t be for the school cancellations. We’ll remember it as the night dozens of residents traveled a snow-packed highway to testify at a public meeting — about housing. Read Article The housing crisis is harming my town
Whether you are for or against the Convention of States, please take a moment to read this and consider heavily what I have to say. I was at the Helena Capital building to absorb the words of others and testify against the COS. As I listened to those in support, I could feel the strength of … Read Article COS: Ignorance is bliss
In the Jan. 25, 2023 Boulder Monitor, Jane Lee Hamman wrote an Op Ed piece on Election Integrity. In it she references several headlines that are not factual and outrageously misleading. Read Article Column writer should be more critical of sources
The current and former Jefferson High School Board of Trustees and Administration have failed our school’s mission statement. Jefferson High School’s mission is to provide the best possible education for our youth for whatever path of life they choose; to be the school of choice for student… Read Article JHS Board slow to consider weighted GPA
Nearly every citizen in the state has a personal experience, rumor or disconcerting fact about the integrity of our elections. Most have seen dozens of recent headlines challenging the integrity of registered electors, ballots, and elections: Read Article ‘Freedom, Knowledge & Justice’ Election Integrity: Division, dialogue and progress
Wow, winter came early this year! Thanks to the many areas of ice outside (causing me trepidation) as well as projects and learning my new job, I have been indoors much more this winter. Usually I don’t let winter slow me down much and I still enjoy the outdoors and going for walks, but this… Read Article Be mindful of seasonal depressive disorder
This New Year many will make goals for 2023. However, we are at a critical juncture today and each one needs to take the information below into account. Read Article A New Year is here, but many concerns persist
HELENA- Week two of the legislative session has concluded and there are eighty working days left before the 2023 legislative session ends. The Montana House of Representatives has been off to a productive start. Read Article Report from Helena: A productive start
Those who value Montana’s Constitution are concerned—terrified, actually—of what the Legislature’s supermajority (and its new Freedom Caucus) are going to try to do to it this session. Read Article On the chopping block: constitutional rights?
The 68th Montana Legislature is officially in session. As Senate leadership, we’re excited to see Senate Republicans getting to work on enacting conservative policy for our state. Read Article Senate Republicans agenda for this legislative session
What a wonderful "Lives" issue! I shed a few tears remembering friends and neighbors, and enjoyed your great annual report to the citizens of Jefferson County. I hope more residents will read and share your outstanding Dec. 28 issue, and then become paying customers so that they, too, may be… Read Article Clancy resident comforted by 'Lives' issue
Jefferson High School is almost done with the first half of the school year and things are moving forward at a fast pace. I’ve truly enjoyed my time at JHS so far. Every district is very distinct, but all are filled with incredible students, a caring faculty and staff, and great school board… Read Article JHS 'moving forward' into New Year
Thank you for the tremendous issue of the Monitor featuring loving profiles of community members who departed from us in the past year. The tribute to Candace [Hecker] was terrific and captured her gentle spirit perfectly, as did other entries. At a time when many newspapers charge an arm a… Read Article Former publisher touched by 'Lives' issue
Our soul is the essence of who we are. Our spirit, our individual life force, is developed through the relationships, knowledge and experiences of our life journey. We learn and we teach the children through the season of the year that extends from the gratitude of Thanksgiving to the hope, … Read Article Thanksgiving and Christmas prepared us for the New Year
Last June, at the Montana Newspaper Association’s annual convention in Glendive, The Boulder Monitor received the Thomas Dimsdale Award, given each year to the state’s best weekly newspaper. Read Article The Monitor’s annual report: Bling…and the long haul
In the early 1970s, frustrated with the corporate boot that dominated and bullied Montanans, the state's people rose up. Led by ordinary citizens like Pastor George Harper of Helena, local historian and mother of six Louise Cross of Glendive, and League of Women Voters leader Dorothy Eck of … Read Article Attack on Montana Consumer Counsel is Revenge by Utility Lobby
Thank you to the many people who contributed to make the annual Boulder Community Christmas Dinner a success! We especially appreciate Vicki Peterson, George Teeling, the Boulder Grade School kitchen staff and custodians, representatives of the JHS BPA group and the Helena Kiwanis members. T… Read Article Kiwanian grateful to community for successful holiday event
With the holiday season it is a time to be thankful, and as important, to express that thanks. This year I was fortunate to draw a moose permit in the Elkhorn Mountains, which included the Boulder Valley. Given the drawing odds, this has become a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Read Article Hunter appreciates kind community
Lawyers and judges understand and, hopefully, respect the rule of law. This is a very simple principle which informed the writing and adoption of the federal constitution. This principle was carried through into states’ constitutions. The rule of law is fundamental to our democracy. It is … Read Article The rule of law or the rule of lie?
Government has an obligation to make our lives better. Will congress enact more corporate tax cuts now that Republicans have taken control of the House of Representatives? Will they extend current corporate tax cuts? How about tax cuts for the rest of us? That's right, the 95% of us who do n… Read Article Tax burden takes a toll
For the past several years, my wife, Kari, and I have come to Jefferson County to soak at Boulder Hot Springs Inn, Spa and Retreat Center. We’ve celebrated birthdays and anniversaries here. The water and the intimate nature of the place – which emphasizes healing and recovery – attracted us … Read Article Former tourists grateful to be locals
I am encouraged by the outcome of the midterm elections. Not because all the candidates and ballot issues I voted for succeeded, but because winners and losers alike were for the most part, gracious and accepted the will of the people. Civility may be making a comeback in politics. In my opi… Read Article Time to move on
As Thanksgiving fast approaches individuals prepare themselves for debate on all political matters. However, this year I ask each of us that we set aside our political differences and look at each other not as opponents, but as family and friends. Our nation is fractured, and every day new b… Read Article This Thanksgiving, remember civility
It’s been a good fall here at Jefferson High School, and I’m happy to report there are many positive developments ahead, especially with our highly anticipated expansion project. Read Article JHS superintendent excited for new developments, proud of fall success