As evidenced in the responses to my prior letter, the Covid mask issue is an emotional one for many people. However, concern and patriotism do not address my two main points: Read Article

The government is not trying to control you by requiring masks any more than by asking you to wear a seat belt or obey speed limits. It is about safety and health for all. Read Article

Randy Newberg doesn’t carry a sidearm. Clocking some 100 days every year exploring the unbound—and often bear-laden—pockets of the American landscape, Newberg says when it comes to a bear attack, he’d leave his trust in an aerosol rather than a piece of lead.  Read Article

In a recent rally, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem stated that her supporters were “happy because they are free.” Free from what - COVID-19? Is the new definition of freedom the all out resistance against wearing a protective mask or garment - especially if it can save lives? Using that lo… Read Article

Public health should be a matter of science, not opinion. It should be based on fact, not politics. Yesterday, Montana recorded over a thousand cases of Covid19. This is why I was so disappointed in Stu Goodner’s uninformed and inflammatory letter to the editor last week. Those of us who wea… Read Article

However Republicans choose to spend their mandate… doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a mandate to do what you want to do.   Read Article

I’m an Army veteran who, as my dad and father-in-law who fought in WWII found out, relied totally on our fellow soldiers to have our backs and we had theirs. Patriotism. Selflessness. As kids, we saved dimes for war bonds. We had no car and walked everywhere or rode our bikes. My grandparent… Read Article

I am so deeply appreciative of the opportunity to have run for House District 75. Although I lost my race, it was an honor to be the Democratic candidate for Jefferson County.   Read Article

Over the past two decades we have traded in logical thought for feelings. This is true in the epic failure of the “flatten the curve” policies. Read Article

As CO2 levels hit 40% above a hundred years ago, 415 parts per million, Montana’s summers are longer, hotter and drier. The record breaking fires in California are a preview of what’s coming to Montana. Farming is threatened as well. Yet some of our leaders insist on attempting to fool us ab… Read Article

Many of you know we have a daughter-in-law in the Boulder community know we have a daughter-in-law from China and that her mother is suffering from bone cancer. Lily lives in Saudi Arabia. She wants very badly to go to China to see her mother. There is no longer a direct flight to her parent… Read Article

After attending the Basin Water and Sewer District meeting Oct. 6, I was stunned, as was everyone else that attended.  Read Article

Most are so weary of politics that we fill post office trash cans with political ads and mute them on TV. Why are politics consuming and often destroying our families, friendships and communities? Primarily, I believe, because over the last 50 years our society negated teaching our children … Read Article

Here is why I am not voting for Tom Woods for Public Service Commissioner. Electing Tom Woods would result in higher power bills for me and my family. How do I know this? Because after spending eight years on the public dole as a state legislator, Tom Woods has a clear record of supporting b… Read Article

Marijuana legalization in Colorado has cost them not only in dollars, but in lives, increased crime and mental health issues.  Here are the facts:   Read Article

Our youth are the future of Montana and they are in jeopardy. There are already many opportunities for young people to be led astray, not the least of these being availability of illegal and unhealthy substances. The passage of I-190 and CI-118 in this November’s election would make it legal… Read Article

Some nice changes in Jefferson County recently; cool weather has replaced grasshoppers with fall colors, a little rain has cleared the smoke from the skies, and the Panthers hard work finally paid off with a win. The one thing that doesn’t change is Democrat candidates telling us not to trus… Read Article

After 733 new Montana COVID-19 infections and a huge jump in hospitalizations, I was dismayed at Gov. Steve Bullock’s response to the news.  Read Article

Herak gets her vote Read Article

Steve Bullock’s ads could leave one wondering if he is really running for the Senate, or another term as governor.  Such a list of self promoting brags.  I take particular note of his claim of “conservative budgeting.”  I was still a member of the Montana Senate during Bullock’s first two ye… Read Article

We are so grateful for the support of the 24th annual Boulder CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, Sept. 20.  We have already received $1,500 in contributions from our generous neighbors and friends to support the hunger-fighting efforts of Church World Service, both here at home and around the world.   Read Article

I want you to know why I am voting for Bryce Bennett for Secretary of State and why you should vote for Bryce as well. I am a volunteer who works to register voters. Through my work, it became very evident the voter registration form was discouraging Montanans from registering to vote by its… Read Article

Voters, I urge you to oppose legalization of recreational marijuana, I-190 and CI-118. Read Article

Do you know how the upcoming ballot measure, which calls for legalizing recreational and commercialized marijuana in Montana, if passed, will negatively affect our youth?  Read Article

Edie McClafferty is a committed and hardworking public servant for Jefferson County. Not only has she served our District 38 well, she has also been a teacher for the Butte Public Schools for many years. She cares about public schools and opposes sending our hard-earned tax money to private … Read Article

Please join me in fighting for our way of life. Read Article

Listening to classic country on the local radio, I heard a political ad that left me shaking my head. Read Article

I have to chuckle when I see all the ridiculous ads trying to make Kathleen Williams out as an extremist. Kathleen has a legislative record that shows she has worked with both parties to get common sense things done for Montana. She’s a strong defender of public lands, will fight for our hea… Read Article

Once again, I want to thank the people of Boulder for helping me during this difficult time in my life. I want to first thank Roy Tomich for offering to mow my yard and when his lawn mower broke down he finished the whole property with his weed eater. What a great friend and neighbor! He cla… Read Article

Boulder Mayor Rusty Giulio has issued a proclamation declaring Sunday, Sept. 20 as CROP Walk day in Boulder and urges residents to participate. The CROP Walk got its start at the end of World War II when people wanted to share the country’s abundance with European war victims. Today, the loc… Read Article

Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23, commemorates 233 years of America’s most important document — words we live by. Our 1787 Constitution preamble set the nation on its course:  “We the People…in Order to form a more perfect Union…secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” … Read Article

At our regular Commission meeting on Sept. 1, we gave preliminary plat approval to the Malyevac Minor Subdivision near Whitehall and did a boundary relocation for lots 42 and 47 in the Meadowlark Ridge Subdivision at Jefferson City.  We did our public hearings for the permissive levy for hea… Read Article

As someone who grew up in the foster care system I am particularly interested in how our state government oversees the care of youth.  Whether it is kids who live in foster care or teens residing in religiously-based youth ranches: it is the state government’s job to make sure our children g… Read Article

Trump gets Read Article

Thank you Read Article

I’m excited to vote for Melissa Romano for Superintendent of Public Instruction this fall. Montanans are justifiably proud of our quality schools. We need a superintendent who shares that pride and will work to make our schools even better. Melissa Romano is the strong, articulate leader Mon… Read Article

The Jefferson County Rodeo Association says thank you to our generous sponsors, members and volunteers for putting on a great community event. Thank you to all of the spectators and parade participants. Congrats to our silver bullet winner, Sally Buckles, along with our parade winners; 1st p… Read Article

I was saddened and concerned when I heard that Joan Van Duynhoven will no longer be the Jefferson County Health Officer as of Aug. 31.  Read Article

Edie McClafferty will get my vote for another term in the Montana Senate. She has served Senate District 38 well. Read Article

Well, here we are, 2020, with a President messing with our mail, a trusted service dating back to the founding of our country.  I’m not surprised, given his hiring criteria.   Read Article

It’s not too early to make sure your voice will be heard in the November election. Whatever your positions on the issues of the day, the best way to influence the direction of your county, state and nation comes down to one thing. Vote. Read Article

Research from Stanford University shows that teenagers and young adults who vape face a higher risk of COVID-19. And while the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services works to control the coronavirus spread and proposes a flavored vape ban rule, a group of 20 legislators launc… Read Article

COVID-19 continues to cause problems across Montana.  We have seen a pretty substantial increase in cases in Jefferson County over the past few weeks.  One of the casualties was the NRA Rodeo in Boulder.  The Health Officer wouldn’t approve it, the Health Board doesn’t have an appeal process… Read Article

The words, “I have the right to/not to (fill in the blank),” are being heard around the United States a lot these days.  It’s true.  We Americans have a multitude of rights as compared to billions around the world. Read Article

Sometimes when I am trying to get to sleep, I think of a really great idea.  When I get up in the morning the “great” idea I had the previous night turns out to be a really dumb idea.  I think this applies to the “Local Journalism Sustainability Act” you are trying to sell.  Early in your ar… Read Article

We would like to publicly thank all the generous people that made a contribution to our grave marker/flag holder project this spring.  Read Article

We need representatives who work for us and Senator Steve Daines clearly doesn’t.  All you have to do is look at his campaign donations to see why. Daines has taken more than $2 million from corporate special interest groups during his time in Congress (https://search.maplight.org/contributi… Read Article

I heard that the two new “Welcome to Boulder” signs cost $24,000. Some one please tell me that is not true. I know a local, really good, fabrication company that could have made 10 for that cost.  Read Article

Thanks to Drew Dawson for penning the insightful opinion, published on July 29. I agree; we must each do our part to recognize our own biases and work to overcome them. I particularly liked Drew’s closing sentence: “I am, it seems, still learning – and, hopefully, growing.” It’s a never-endi… Read Article

This letter is to commend Jefferson County Public Health Officer Joan Van Duynhoven and the public health staff. They are doing a thankless job and doing it very well. The job of the Health Department is to oversee the general well being of the community and every decision they have made so … Read Article