Senator Sue Malek - D, Senate District 46 Missoula, Mont|Mar 2, 2017
HELENA - The legislature's transmittal break is upon us. Non-revenue bills either pass the Senate by March 1 or die. Five of my bills passed! Senate Bill 22 provides rape victims a civil procedure to end parental rights of their rapists. My 2013 bill, allowing an enhanced penalty terminating parental rights when rapists are convicted, became law. But in some cases criminal prosecution is not possible because of sex trafficking or fear of further violence. The civil remedy in Senate Bill 22...
Hopkins' Legislative Update
Mike Hopkins - R, House District 92|Mar 2, 2017
HELENA - Things have been moving pretty quickly here in the Legislature as we move towards transmittal. Since the beginning of the session, I have been working on a set of veteran legislation focusing on ways to help that part of the veterans community which is experiencing a surge in suicide. Last week, my primary bill HB538 had its hearing and was tabled in House Human Services. Unfortunately, a significant lobbying effort which was brought about not because of problems with the bill, but...
Why are My Douglas-fir Trees Dying?
John Ingebretson, Forester, Swan Valley Connections|Mar 2, 2017
The Douglas-fir bark beetle is the most destructive beetle attacking Douglas-fir trees in the Seeley/Swan Valley. The potential loss of trees can be considerable and can affect both residential homeowners as well as commercial interests. Outbreaks develop in host trees following stand disturbances such as windthrow, drought, severe defoliation or wildfire, such as the Condon Mountain Fire in 2012. During outbreaks, groups of dead trees may total 100 or more. Yearly mortality in the northern...
Seeley Lake Vintage – Outlet for Creative Endeavors
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Mar 2, 2017
SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake residents Kathy Stevens and her daughter-in-law Tessa are hosting their grand opening for Seeley Lake Vintage March 4 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Heritage Building on the north end of Seeley Lake. They look forward to bringing a store offering vintage, rustic and re-loved home décor, furniture and gifts to Seeley Lake. Both Kathy and Tessa share a love of purposeful re-purposing. They also enjoy creating decorative items and painting. "I've always been kind of a craf...
Jack Gladstone to Perform with Swan Valley Students
Carol Evans, 2 Valleys Stage Director|Mar 2, 2017
SWAN VALLEY - Alpine Artisans' 2 Valleys Stage (2VS) presents one of Native America's premier lyric storysmiths Jack Gladstone, "Montana's Troubadour." Gladstone will perform in concert, with Swan Valley School (SVS) students, at the Swan Valley Community Hall March 12 at 3 p.m. Along with the concert, a slide show produced by Patti Bartlett will play as backdrop for Gladstone and his music. In a career spanning more than three decades, Gladstone is regarded as a cultural bridge builder. In...
Seeley Lake musher Roy Etnire and his team leaving the starting line of the Flathead Classic Sled Dog Race Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Dog Creek Trailhead west of Olney, Mont. Mushers traveled from Olney to Polebridge and then returned Sunday in the 82-mile race. Etnire placed second in the eight-dog class, finishing 32 seconds behind first place finisher Maeva Waterman of Bozeman, Mont....
Antler Thefts Continue, Citations Written for Firewood Cutting
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Mar 2, 2017
SEELEY LAKE – Missoula County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Sunderland said antler thefts around Seeley Lake are again on the rise. Another issue is people cutting firewood out of season on state and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) land and are blocking the road. Sunderland said antlers that are outside and visible are being stolen at night. “People need to understand that antlers are worth money, actually good money. If they leave them outside where people can see them, the odds are somebody is going to come along and steal them,” said Sunderland. Anyone...
Making Tracks Around Potomac
Sigrid Olson, Pathfinder|Mar 2, 2017
POTOMAC - Throughout the Blackfoot Watershed, Potomac residents are out and about making tracks in the late winter snow. Winter recreationists are walking, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling despite cold temperatures, rain, slush and ice. Debbie Dudley walks every day, year 'round with her dogs, siblings Bridger and Maddie. "We walk for exercise and enjoyment for all of us," said Dudley. "The dogs love it!" The trio typically walks in the morning during the week and her husband Bob wal...
Community Briefs
Mar 2, 2017
Special District Elections – Candidates Not Accepted by Acclamation until After Write-in Deadline April 3 SEELEY LAKE – In the Feb. 16 article “Most Board Positions Filled by Acclamation” it states that there will not be an election. This did not account for the write-in deadline of Monday, April 3 at 5:00 p.m. Missoula County Elections Administrator Rebecca Connors said if a write-in files, and the number of candidates that have filed exceeds the number of available seats, there will be an election even though the write-in candida...
Improving Traffic Safety During Snow Joke
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 23, 2017
SEELEY LAKE – Organizers for the Snow Joke Half Marathon are implementing improved safety precautions and closing one lane of Highway 83 during the Feb. 25 event to better manage the traffic on race day. With 893 finishers last year and even larger crowds expected in years to come, race organizer Matt Gibson said safety is paramount. Gibson said the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) received a citizen complaint about the traffic management for the event. MDT informed Big Sky Orogenic Racing and Events’ (BSORE), the race organizers sin...
Sue Cushman Named AAI 2017 Arts Benefactor
Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Feb 23, 2017
SEELEY LAKE – Alpine Artisans Incorporated (AAI) has a long-standing policy of each year honoring an AAI member or members who have exhibited exceptional support of the arts in the Clearwater Valley. Most often, the person chosen is a practicing artist in either the visual, performing or literary arts. However, the 2017 award recipient claims no outstanding ability in any of those realms. Nevertheless, AAI award presenter Russ Abolt called recipient Sue Cushman of Condon an artist in the largest...
Condon House Fire Total Loss
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 23, 2017
SWAN VALLEY – Swan Valley Emergency Services (SVES) responded to a house fire on Saskatoon Lane in Condon Saturday, Feb. 11 just after midnight. While the owner and her dog escaped the blaze uninjured, the house was a total loss and the owner's cat has not been found. According to SVES Fire Chief Randy Williams the call came in at 12:05 a.m. Volunteer firefighter Jonathan Matthew was on scene in minutes because it was his neighbor's home. Williams said Matthew told him, "the flames were over t...
Funding on Hold Pending Rural Development's Decision
Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 23, 2017
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Sewer Board was updated on the status of their grants and their appeal to the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (RD) at their Feb. 16 board meeting. District Manager Greg Robertson said that the approximately $2.5 million in grants the district currently has from multiple sources would remain intact pending a decision from RD. Robertson said if RD pulls its funding, the other grants have lined up to pull their funding as well. RD’s funding package consisted of $5.7 million in grants and $4....
Seeley Lake Trails Project Launches Public Input Session Feb. 25
Trails Advisory Council|Feb 23, 2017
SEELEY LAKE - Following two years of preparation, the Seeley Lake Trails Project will launch its public input process on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 1-4 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Community Hall in Seeley Lake. The meeting will bring local and regional residents up-to-date on the work of this consortium of more than two dozen organizations and individuals whose goal is to develop a comprehensive trails plan across ownerships for the Clearwater Valley. Most importantly, the meeting will seek detailed feedback and opinions on trail needs and...
Center Horse Project, Gravel Pit, Air Quality and Speed Limit Signs Dominate Discussion
Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 23, 2017
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Community Council (SLCC) had a packed agenda for the Feb. 13 meeting. Presentations on the Center Horse Landscape Restoration Project, a proposed gravel pit near Elbow Lake and air quality were accompanied by discussions on new speed limit signs and the council’s trails committee. Seeley Lake District Ranger Rachel Feigley presented on the Center Horse project. The project is on 61,300 acres, 14 miles north of Ovando in the Cottonwood and Monture watersheds. Center Horse aims to improve forest composition, water q...
Making Seeley Lake a More Vibrant Community
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 23, 2017
SEELEY LAKE – As a result of the Resource Team Assessment conducted last fall by Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA), the Seeley Lake Vibrancy Committee has formed and is working towards addressing the community priorities identified in the assessment. More than a dozen community members have split the work between six initiatives to explore ideas on how to improve the community: Healthy Community; Website; Chamber Reboot; Montana Main Street; Tourism Business Improvement District and Voting Rights. Committee organizer Lee Boman s...
FWP Seeks Comment on Rules Aimed at Invasive Mussels
Feb 23, 2017
HELENA - Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is seeking comment on proposed amendments to rules that outline new regulations needed in the battle to contain, detect and prevent the risk of spreading invasive mussels and other aquatic invasive species to other state waters. Invasive mussel larvae were detected for the first time in Montana in October 2016 in Tiber Reservoir – and “suspect” detections turned up in Canyon Ferry Reservoir, the Missouri River below Toston Dam and the Milk River. The discovery triggered a natural resource emerg...
Get the Facts About Mono
Lynne Rogers FNP-C, Seeley-Swan Medical Center Partnership Health Center|Feb 23, 2017
I can remember as a teenager when mononucleosis or mono was going around in my high school and about half the class was out sick. I was included in the "out sick" population. Mono also known as the "kissing disease" but unfortunately I'm pretty sure that's not how I acquired mono. Mono can be spread through saliva. It can be passed from person to person when they share cups, bottles, eating utensils and through kissing, coughing and sneezing. It's more common in the teenage and young adult popul...
Dupree Steps Down – Hopeful Local will Run for Her Seat
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 23, 2017
SEELEY LAKE –Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) board trustee and Seeley Lake resident Debbie Dupree is stepping down this May after serving 15 years on the board. She feels it is time for new energy on the board and hopes that someone from the Seeley area will apply for the position to continue to give Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) a voice. There are eleven trustees on the MCPS board, four of which are only high school trustees. Dupree’s high school trustee seat is the only trustee position available for Seeley Lake, Clinton, Potomac, Gre...
Committee Finishes Edits to Actions in Draft Plan
Colleen Kesterson, Pathfinder|Feb 23, 2017
SWAN VALLEY - The Swan Valley Regional Planning Committee (SVRPC) agreed on edits to the remaining six of the original seven actions of the draft plan’s Economic Development Element at their Feb. 15 meeting. The first action, which required community consensus to designate acceptable sites for appropriate business and industry, was deleted at their January meeting. Committee member Pat Sinz said that she wanted the second action to make clear that the residents of the Swan Valley have a voice and open discussions with Missoula County about guid...
Snow – More than Meets the Eye
Pathfinder|Feb 23, 2017
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) second-graders have been studying the science of meteorology, specifically the processes and phenomena of the atmosphere as a means of forecasting the weather. With snow being an abundant resource in Seeley Lake over the winter months, they studied snow on a macroscopic level. The eleven second-graders were so excited about their discoveries they decided to take action and share their new knowledge about the formation of snow crystals with the...
Legislative Roundup - Week 7
Michael Siebert and Freddy Monares, UM Community News Service University of Montana School of Journalism|Feb 23, 2017
HELENA - The Montana Legislature heard emotional testimony a bill last week that would include gender identity and sexual orientation in the state’s non-discrimination laws. Introduced by Rep. Kelly McCarthy, D-Billings, House Bill 417 would add LGBTQ-identifying individuals to a list of classes protected by the Montana Human Rights Act, meaning it would prevent them from being discriminated against when seeking housing, employment, and when using public accommodations. “I don’t know that discrimination is a privilege that’s worth defendi...
Community Briefs
Feb 23, 2017
Seeley Lake Library News SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Library will discuss Mark Spragg’s “Where Rivers Change Direction” on Wednesday, March 15 at 11 a.m. In this memoir, Spragg describes growing up on the oldest dude ranch in Wyoming “with a family struggling against the elements and against themselves...” Winner of the 2000 Mountains and Plains Booksellers Award, this book has been described as a moving, lyrical, sensuous elegy to Wyoming childhood and manhood. Books are available at the checkout desk. All are invited to join in the discu...
Cottonwood Lakes Gravel Pit Approved with Conditions
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 16, 2017
SEELEY LAKE – The Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the proposed gravel pit on Cottonwood Lakes Road received zoning approval with conditions at the Feb. 9 Powell County Planning Board meeting. According to Powell County Planner Carl Hamming, the approval was unanimous and the conditions are still being finalized. The Birdhead Company, LLC purchased the quarter section four miles east of Highway 83 and south of Cottonwood Lakes Road this past October. The intent was to develop the property for sand and gravel operation. Frank Tabish of LHC Inc....
Culinary Club Learns Cupcake Decorating Techniques
Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Feb 16, 2017
SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Elementary Culinary Club, one of the afterschool programs available through the Twenty-First Century Grant, cooked a Mexican meal in October, baked Thanksgiving pies in November and Christmas cookies in December. The January session was skipped due to weather issues but interested fifth through eighth grade students regrouped in February for "Cupcake Decorating 101" with professional cake artist Laura Devins. Devins said she started working in a Seattle, Wash. b...
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