SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Fire Board approved increasing the hours for the facilities manager at their April 16 meeting. Fire Chief Dave Lane also promoted training officer Michael Richards to captain. Lane asked the board to increase facility manager Kody Kelley's hours from 25 to 32 hours. This would allow larger projects to be completed and maintain the part-time status, eliminating the need for the Fire District to pay benefits. "I think with a few extra hours I can get him into a better...
Potomac students participate in county and statewide bees
Sigrid Olson, Pathfinder|Apr 25, 2019
Potomac School eighth grader Connor Bush and seventh grader Lauren Nordberg recently competed in the Missoula County Orthography Bee and state Geography Bee. Both received a certificate of participation....
Shaylee Ragar and Tim Pierce, UM Legislative News Service University of Montana School of Journalism|Apr 25, 2019
HELENA -- Gov. Steve Bullock has signed into law the Firefighter Protection Act, which requires workers’ compensation insurance to cover presumptive occupational diseases, like cancer, for the state’s firefighters. Senate Bill 160 was carried by Sen. Nate McConnell, D-Missoula, who said at the bill signing that his brother is a firefighter, so the issue is personal. The bill has been a goal for the governor for several sessions. “Every firefighter should know Montana has their back. And it’s about damn time,” Bullock said at a bill signing cere...
Local students introduced to gamelan
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Apr 25, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – Students in the Seeley-Swan valleys were immersed in Balinese music and culture during the final 2 Valleys Stage informances April 15 and 16. Dorothy Morrison, musical director of Gamelan Manik Harum and music teacher at Lewis and Clark Elementary School, introduced students to the culture of Bali and taught the students the various instruments in the gamelan, a traditional percussion orchestra from the Indonesian islands Java and Bali. Gamelan was first developed between 1...
Lions Egg Hunt a success
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Apr 25, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – In less than 15 minutes all 3,000 eggs that covered the Seeley Lake Elementary fields were collected. Families sat huddled under umbrellas and in the dugouts sorting their candy and looking for one of the 21 numbered tickets for a toy prize. Despite the intermittent rain, the Seeley Lake Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt and Treasure Hunt were a huge success Saturday, April 20. The Seeley-Swan High School Leos Club helped with the set up and the Easter bunny greeted everyone. Thirty y...
SEELEY LAKE - Nine seniors participated in the Easter Bonnet contest at the Seeley Lake Senior Center April 19. Each participant received a basket of goodies....
Community Briefs
Apr 25, 2019
State Golf volunteers needed SEELEY LAKE – Seeley-Swan High School will be hosting the State Golf meet at the Double Arrow Golf course May 14-15. Athletic Director Shawn Holmes is looking for individuals to help score one or both days. To volunteer, call the Double Arrow Lodge at 677-2777 and leave a message for the Club House with your name and number. Summer fun with Essential Oils, May 1 SEELEY LAKE – Join DoTerra Consultants Mari Bergeson and Marjorie Pelletier May 1 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Seeley Lake Elementary Multi-purpose Room to lea...
Sheriff's Office reopens 1991 cold case
Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Apr 18, 2019
MISSOULA –A Washington couple's trip to Glacier National Park came to a violent end almost three decades ago near Lake Alva. The unsolved homicides of Iva LaRue and Kenneth Cheetham are being revisited by the Missoula County Sheriff's Office in hopes that new technology and a fresh set of eyes can bring closure. At a press conference April 11, Sheriff T.J. McDermott introduced retired federal agents Diana Parker and Susan Lane. The pair has volunteered to investigate unsolved cases under the s...Full story
Big Larch to open for Firewood Days – Campground opens Memorial Day
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Apr 18, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – With around 20 projects scheduled across the Seeley Lake Ranger District this summer, Acting District Ranger Quinn Carver said he understands everyone wants their forest back after three years of exclusion for fires, timber sales and roadwork. While some of the projects will impact access, the District is working hard to inform the public so they can plan ahead for the disruptions. Big Larch Campground will open for firewood cutting May 3-12. District sawyers will put dead tress on...
50's Diner - SSHS Prom 2019
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Apr 18, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – After the last couple walked across the stage for Grand March April 13, the DJ started off the 1950's Diner themed 2019 Seeley-Swan High School prom with the soundtrack from "Grease." Bow ties, suspenders and suit coats were common for the gentleman as they smiled escorting their dates in stunning gowns and lit corsages. The 50's Diner would not have been complete without cheeseburger sliders, mini corn dogs, French fries, popcorn and a sundae bar....
Lawmakers advance legislation on sexual assault, wolf hunting, sports betting and elder abuse, Medicaid Expansion continuation stalls
Shaylee Ragar and Tim Pierce, UM Legislative News Service University of Montana School of Journalism|Apr 18, 2019
HELENA -- After a lengthy debate, the bill to continue Medicaid Expansion in Montana failed to pass the Senate on a 25-25 vote last week and several attempts to revive it Friday and Saturday also failed, leaving it stalled. House Bill 658 would have continued the program passed in 2015 that provides healthcare coverage to about 96,000 Montanans. The new bill, which would add work requirements forcing eligible enrollees to record 80 hours per month, is carried in the Senate by Republican Sen. Jason Small from Busby. “There’s never a one...
Montana Legislature weighs bills to encourage hemp industry
Kevin Trevellyan, UM Legislative News Service University of Montana School of Journalism|Apr 18, 2019
Colby Johnson was celebrating his 30th birthday in Las Vegas when he noticed the neon advertisem*nts for cannabidiol (CBD). The letters were everywhere. The hemp-derived tincture cannabidiol is said to relieve pain, anxiety and other health issues, though science hasn’t yet corroborated such claims. Regardless. “When I see those signs, I think to myself, the best CBD can be grown here in Montana,” said Johnson, who farms north of Conrad. He isn’t alone. A wealth of Treasure State growers believe hemp can supplement thinning profit margins on tr...
Bartlett receives Teresa Veltkamp Advocacy Award for Excellence
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Apr 18, 2019
HELENA – This past March, Seeley Lake Elementary junior high math and science teacher Patti Bartlett was among four other Montana educators that received the 2019 Teresa Veltkamp Advocacy Award for Excellence in Indian Education for All. She was recognized for her leadership, enthusiasm and scope of influence for the Indian Education for All program. While Barlett was honored by the award, she quickly pointed to others who help her incorporate native American education in her classroom. There ar...
Alternative sign design presented, facilities maintenance discussed
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Apr 18, 2019
SWAN VALLEY – The Swan Valley Elementary School Board continued their discussion regarding the new school sign. They also reviewed a list of facility maintenance projects and discussed how they could move forward. Trustee Jimmy Boyd presented the board with a different sign design than the four by eight foot sign on a four-foot pedestal that was discussed at the March meeting. He found a design for a 66-inch by 16-inch wooden sign with a three-foot wide stone base on an 18-inch concrete footer that would utilize the LED display. The LED p...
Missouri Headwaters are central to Montana history - Part 1 of 2
Rick and Susie Graetz, University of Montana|Apr 18, 2019
A labyrinth of channels, willow bottoms, islands and a general mix of wetlands interact to piece together the headwaters of the Missouri River. The point where the three forks – the Jefferson, Gallatin and Madison rivers – join as one, the great Missouri River begins an odyssey, heading out as having had the starring role in the creation of a state. As a route of western expansion, the Missouri River had few equals. Missouri Headwaters State Park, at the three forks, documents the river's ill...
SSHS senior recognized for computing achievements
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Apr 18, 2019
HELENA – As part of an effort to encourage more young women to choose careers in technology, the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), NorthWestern Energy and Carroll College recognized 20 Montana high school women from 12 high schools for their accomplishments and aspirations in computing and technology April 6 at Carroll College. Seeley-Swan High School senior Nicole Williams was among those recognized for the second year in a row. The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in C...
Bunny trail has many side paths
Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Apr 18, 2019
How did the Easter bunny hop his way into a religious holiday? And why does a bunny lay eggs? Well, there's the spring proliferation theory, the ground-nesting bird explanation, the pagan goddess version and the adult joke-on-the-kids story. The spring proliferation theory points to the rebirth of plants and animals in the springtime. Christian religions connect that rebirth to the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. The springing up of grasses and flowers, buds bursting on trees, birds layi...
Community Briefs
Apr 18, 2019
Condon Easter Egg Hunt, April 20 SWAN VALLEY – Everyone is invited to attend the first Easter Egg Hunt in Condon Saturday, April 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the Condon Baseball Field on the north end of the airstrip along Highway 83. Age groups include 0-5, 6-9, 10-14, 15-20 and adults only. Prizes include baskets and brownies for the youth and beer, wine, massage and drink tickets for the adults. Grand prize is $50. Bring your baskets and come find one of the golden tickets! First Friday, Stories of Wildfire in Swan Valley, May 3 SWAN VALLEY - Hear and...
Multiple thefts reported in Ovando, Connection unknown
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Apr 11, 2019
OVANDO – Three thefts in the Ovando area were reported this last week. All thefts are still under investigation. Powell County Sheriff Gavin Roselles said currently there is no indication that the thefts are connected. On Tuesday, April 2 a stolen snowmobile was recovered in the Ovando area. A Lewis and Clark County resident reported the late 1990's blue Skidoo stolen earlier this year. The owner resumed possession of it April 3. Roselles said this is an ongoing case. Anyone with information a...
SSHS musicians headed to State
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Apr 11, 2019
MISSOULA – Despite having only five choir members and four members in the band, Seeley-Swan High School musicians performed the most solos, duets and ensembles in the past several years at the District Music Festival April 5 and April 6. The band, five soloists, the brass duet and the brass/woodwind ensemble received a Superior rating. All the individuals and groups except the band will perform at the State Music Festival May 3 and May 4 in Helena. The District Music Festival is an o...
Hackett plants seed of gardening fervor
Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Apr 11, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – For a second year, Clearwater Resource Council's Clearwater Partners Workshop hosted author, newspaper columnist and Master Gardener Molly Hackett. As she had the previous year, Hackett drew a large crowd to the Seeley Lake Community Hall April 6. She talked for 20 minutes about planting season extenders and then answered questions for another hour and a half on a whole range of gardening questions. Rightly, assuming audience members would be interested in ways to get plants s...
Loon and Fish Festival returns Memorial Day weekend
Alpine Artisans Inc.|Apr 11, 2019
SEELEY LAKE - After a six-year hiatus, Alpine Artisans is reviving one of our most popular events – the unique Loon and Fish Festival. Held once again on Memorial Day weekend May 25 and May 26, the focus of this two-day festival is a group art display featuring the artwork of over 25 local artists of the Seeley, Swan and Blackfoot Valleys. These valleys are home to dozens of exceptional artists and the Loon and Fish Festival is an opportunity to view and buy their work in this fabulous group show. The artwork includes pottery, watercolors, w...
Seeley Lake Community Foundation sponsors fourth annual Change Your Pace Challenge
Seeley Lake Community Foundation|Apr 11, 2019
SEELEY LAKE - Applications for local organizations to participate in the 2019 Change Your Pace Challenge are due April 30. The Change Your Pace Challenge is a campaign for community-wide giving, celebrating the people and organizations that make our community great. During this four-week giving period, June 28 - July 26, community members give to their favorite participating local nonprofits, while the Seeley Lake Community Foundation solicits contributions to the Match Fund from generous businesses and individuals, to grow the impact of the...
MCPS Board approves Operations Levy for May ballot
Missoula County Public Schools|Apr 11, 2019
MISSOULA – Missoula County Public Schools Trustees approved a secondary school levy to appear on the May 7 ballot to support the high school operations budget. This will be a mail-in election with ballots being mailed out April 17. The operations levy is for $118,986 and will cost taxpayers $1.55 on a $200,000 home. Due to the restoration of state funding that was reduced in the 2017 special session, this is a$1.02 increase on a $200,000 home. Schools are required to raise a portion of their budgets through a voter-approved levy. When the n...
No election for local school boards
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Apr 11, 2019
Following the March 28 deadline to file for open school trustee positions, the local boards either had the same number of applicants for positions up for reelection or seats went unfilled. Incumbent Cliff Vann was the only applicant for the two, three-year positions on the Potomac School Board. Kendra Fredricks filled the one, two-year term and Laura Russell-Nygard filled the one, three-year term open on the Sunset School board Incumbent Todd Mcnu*tt will remain on the Swan Valley School board since he ran unopposed. Finally incumbent Gary...
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