SEELEY LAKE - Please join us to listen to John Fraley, historian and storyteller of infamous characters who shaped the history of wild country in the forks of the Flathead River. He will be sharing some of these colorful and true tales at Alpine Artisan's Open Book Club Saturday, March 2, at 7 p.m. at The Grizzly Claw Trading Company. Seeley-Swan High School sophom*ore Cory Wilkey will be reading her poetry before the speaker. The event is free and everyone is welcome. Fraley has done exhaustive...
The new Seeley Lake Community Foundation building: Where collaboration happens
Claire Muller, Executive Director, Seeley Lake Community Foundation|Feb 28, 2019
The snow is flying and the Seeley Lake Community Foundation is hard at work on our biggest new project, creating a community space in the former Deer Country Quilts building, along Highway 83. We're working to make this beautiful log building, in the heart of downtown Seeley Lake, into a hub for community activities and a centralized location for residents and visitors to access important services. SLCF exists to support local nonprofit organizations, and connect and grow resources for the...
New plan for infrastructure introduced
Representative Mike Hopkins - R, House District 92|Feb 28, 2019
We are coming up on transmittal week. Any general bill that has not had a hearing, passed through a committee and whichever chamber it originated in by the end of this week will be dead. Committees will be in overdrive and every House Floor Session will have 20 or so bills on it. Things will be moving fast and we should see some interesting bills being put in at the last minute. We also announced our new plan for infrastructure this week and the first bill of the new plan had its hearing in House Appropriations. The new program places a strict...
Lawmakers debate local gun ordinances, teacher recruitment program and affordable housing
Shaylee Ragar and Tim Pierce, UM Legislative News Service University of Montana School of Journalism|Feb 28, 2019
House Endorses Legislation To Prohibit Local Gun Ordinances The Montana House of Representatives last week passed a bill that would prohibit local governments from implementing gun ordinances. About 50 volunteers for the Moms Demand Action group gathered in the Montana Capitol Monday to lobby against the bill, House Bill 325. The national Moms Demand Action group aims to fight for stricter gun laws and was formed after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Head of the Montana chapter Kiely Lammers of Billings said the bill is a...
Forest Service seeks scoping comments on Van Lake project
Flathead National Forest|Feb 28, 2019
SWAN VALLEY - The Swan Lake Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest is requesting public scoping comments on the Van Lake Project in the Swan Valley. Comments received by March 15 are the most helpful in project development. The proposed project seeks to improve the existing dispersed camping and recreation area adjacent to Van Lake. The popularity of dispersed recreation around Van Lake has increased, leading to increased effects to the surrounding area including soil compaction, vegetation damage, riparian degradation and associated...
Insects with impact: Helping manage bark beetles for healthy forests
Rob Rich, Swan Valley Connections|Feb 28, 2019
SWAN VALLEY – Winter is typically a quiet time of year, but come February, the phone at Swan Valley Connections (SVC) starts ringing. "Yes, the date is still April 15," I hear Leanna Grubaugh say down the hall. Leanna may be our longtime Office Manager but everyone in earshot knows she's not talking about tax day. She's talking about another kind of deadline, determined by the time when Douglas-fir beetles take flight. Douglas-fir beetles, along with the mountain pine beetles, are creatures w...
Community Briefs
Feb 28, 2019
Help set the stage for the 2019-2020 2 Valleys Stage season SEELEY LAKE - It’s already time to start making plans for next season’s 2 Valleys Stage performances! Everyone in the community is invited to participate and provide input on which performers will be invited for the 2019-2020 season. Join 2VS Friday, March 1, 4 p.m. at The Hub in the Bison & Bear Mall in downtown Seeley Lake. They will listen to CDs and/or watch videos of prospective guest artists and discuss their suitability as performers for the community and for area schools. First...
Driver sustained minor injuries in semi rollover
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 21, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – Just before 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 a semi truck loaded with milled lumber lost control and took out 350 feet of guardrail along the north end of Salmon Lake. The vehicle rolled, scattering lumber down the hill. No other vehicles were involved and the driver was transported to Missoula with minor injuries. According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Billy Muñoz, the truck driver from Utah was traveling south from Columbia Falls, Mont. headed to Idaho. Around mile marker 8 on Hi...
Answering the call
Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Feb 21, 2019
Part I of "Answering the call" discussed how Parcell's early career in the Marine Corps was interwoven with his law enforcement career with the Missoula County Sheriff's Office. After two years in Hawaii, Parcell was again deactivated and in 2003 he moved his family back to Condon while he resumed his civilian law enforcement career as Deputy Sheriff in the Seeley Lake and Swan Valleys. However, in just under a year he was once again activated, this time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom....
Plungers freezin' for a reason
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 21, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – Despite several plungers unable to take a dip due to illness, 17 hardy folks made a splash in Seeley Lake at Tamaracks Resort for the second annual Chamber Chill Plunge Feb. 16. Proceeds from the event benefited the Veterans & Families of Seeley Lake and Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. This year the event added a stage for plungers, decorated the plunge area and tents with an American theme and used propane heaters to heat the warm-up tents. "This allowed for a warmer, m...
Snow Joke Half Marathon turns 40
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 21, 2019
SEELEY LAKE - The Snow Joke Half Marathon celebrates its 40th anniversary this year under new ownership. Run Wild Missoula and the Missoulian are teaming up to produce the event where hundreds of runners take a lap around Seeley Lake Feb. 23. “It’s an iconic event, in Montana and certainly in western Montana,” said Tony Banovich, executive director of Run Wild Missoula. “We wanted to make sure it continues … as a successful event, so we’re happy to come and provide our operational know-how.” Formed in 2006, Run Wild Missoula has received wide...
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Community Council hosted presentations on a local wildfire smoke study, wildfire preparedness and the Seeley Lake Water District at their Feb. 11 meeting. In other business, Acting Seeley Lake District Ranger Quinn Carver introduced himself to those in attendance. The Council is still waiting for a reply from the Montana Department of Transportation about their request for lit speed signs. University of Montana researcher Chris Migliaccio presented data from the wildfire smoke study that looked into the impacts on...
Cox shares tales of the West Side
Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Feb 21, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – Twenty-five people, most on snowshoes, showed up at the River Point Campground to learn about Seeley Lake's "West Side Story." The Feb. 16 excursion was sponsored by the Seeley Lake Historical Society and led by long-time resident Ron Cox. Cox's first story referred to the snowmobile races that used to take place on Seeley Lake. Cox said one year Bruce Copenhaver drove a bulldozer onto the ice to scrape a course for the race. According to Cox, "[the bulldozer] went into the d...
Insurance and covenants restricting RV Park discussed
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 21, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Hospital District approved purchasing Directors and Officer insurance and discussed the children’s area in the lobby at their Feb. 12 meeting. During public comment, they discussed the resolution they passed at their January meeting that denied the request to change the covenants that would allow the proposed RV Park development in the Deer Creek Subdivision. District Clerk Marty Kux presented the board with information regarding Directors and Officers insurance. D&O insurance is designed to protect the board membe...
Fun with snow, ice and color
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 21, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – The annual snow sculpture tradition in Seeley Lake was kept alive by two entries from ReMarkable Floral and Stageline Pizza. Both entries secured a first place with ReMarkable Floral winning the business category and $100 and Stageline Pizza winning the snowman category and $25. The Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and Alpine Artisans, Inc. sponsored this year's contest. Due to the lack of snow in January, the Chamber postponed the event until Feb. 17. Even though the snow e...
Community Briefs
Feb 21, 2019
Public invited to meet SSHS Principal candidates, join MCPS superintendent search SEELEY LAKE – The community is invited to meet the three Seeley-Swan High School principal candidates and offer their feedback Thursday, Feb. 21 from 8:15 – 9 a.m. at SSHS. Dr. Kathleen Pecora, SSHS principal, will be retiring in June. The three candidates include Wendy Hansmann from Missoula County Public Schools, Kellen Palmer from Douglas, Wyo. and current SSHS Science teacher Tonya Smith. Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent Mark Thane is also retirin...
Lawmakers Weigh Bills on DUI, Child and Family Services, Abortion and Student Overtime Pay
Shaylee Ragar and Tim Pierce, UM Legislative News Service University of Montana School of Journalism|Feb 21, 2019
As Montana lawmakers consider overhauling the state’s DUI laws, the Montana Highway Patrol wants to dispel myths about blood alcohol levels. Last week, the Highway Patrol hosted a demonstration for lawmakers to show just how much alcohol it actually takes to be beyond legal limits. The event included four volunteers from Highway Patrol who drank a substantial amount within two hours, and then were given a field sobriety test, including a walk-and-turn test. It proved to be tricky for some. Participant Terie Moseman says she volunteered b...
Race to the Sky continues to build mushing community
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 14, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – With temperatures below zero and wind chills estimated at -47 degrees, it was a frigid start to the 34th annual Race to the Sky in Lincoln, Mont. where the 300-mile and the 100-mile races started Saturday, Feb. 9. However, the cold did not seem to bother the dogs and there was a warmth in the community of mushers, volunteers and veterinarians who came together not only to see whose team was the best on the course but also to honor and remember one of the original race organizers J...
Answering the call
Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Feb 14, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – Though residents in the Seeley Lake and Swan Valley area know Robert "Bob" Parcell as the local Deputy Sheriff, woven through his award-filled law enforcement career is an equally distinguished and impressive military career. Backed by a Forestry Degree from Northern Arizona University, smokejumper certification and several summers of firefighting, in 1974 Parcell enrolled in U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. He said he had brothers in each of the other services and t...
Board hires Jean Curtiss as manager
Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 14, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – Former Missoula County Commissioner Jean Curtiss was hired at a Feb. 6 special meeting by the Seeley Lake Sewer District Board to be an interim district manager. The county had been providing Missoula County Public Works Director Greg Robertson as district manager through an interlocal agreement since 2011. Robertson left the county for a new job in January and the commissioners didn’t believe that anyone else on staff could fill in behind Robertson. At the last board meeting, the District received a letter from Missoula County st...
Frigid fun at the rink
Ashly Alexander, Pathfinder|Feb 14, 2019
SWAN VALLEY - This past week hosted viciously cold temperatures which hovered at zero or below but that didn't stop the Swan Valley School Parent Teacher Association from hosting an ice skating party at the recently established ice rink in the Condon arena. On Feb. 10, local skaters of all ages enjoyed chili and hot cocoa and were able to participate in a game of hockey. Most skaters were students from the Swan Valley Elementary School, but experienced skaters such as school board member Jimmy...
"West Side Story" Historical Walk
Seeley Lake Historical Society|Feb 14, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Historical Society will be presenting a “West Side Story” walk in the snow Saturday, Feb. 16. The trek will begin at the River Point Campground beach, 3600 Boy Scout Road, about 2.6 miles from Highway 83, at 1 p.m. Friendly dogs are welcome on the two mile walk. Everyone is welcome to the free event. The walk n’ talk will include discussion about the historic development and notable people of the west side of Seeley Lake. A packed snow trail will traverse from River Point beach, to Camp Paxson, to Seeley Lake Ca...
Men of Worth meshes humor and music for afternoon of fun
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 14, 2019
SEELEY LAKE – As luck would have it, the audience was in for a treat Sunday afternoon, Feb. 10 as Donnie MacDonald and James Keigher of Men of Worth took the stage as part of this year's 2 Valleys Stage concert series. Their Scottish and Irish wit and musical talent kept feet tapping, hands clapping and laughter abundant throughout the afternoon. MacDonald and Keigher chose their name "Men of Worth" after a song written by singer/song writer Archie Fisher. Fisher has been at the forefront of S...
Funding supplies for budding artists in the Swan Valley
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 14, 2019
SWAN VALLEY – Alpine Artisans, Inc Board Members Sue Cushman and Gene Schade presented a $300 check to Swan Valley Elementary School to allow teachers to purchase art supplies. The money was donated as part of the Giving Tree started by local artist Kris Gullikson this past December. Gullikson hopes to make the Giving Tree an annual event. "I know some of the teachers buy supplies out of their own pockets," said Gullikson. "I feel it's very important to put supplies in the hands of the kids f...
Legislative roundup - Week 5
Shaylee Ragar, UM Legislative News Service University of Montana School of Journalism|Feb 14, 2019
Bill Would Use Coal Money for Affordable Housing Projects The Montana House of Representatives has passed a bill that would use money from the coal severance tax trust fund to pay for low- and moderate-income housing projects. House Bill 16, carried by Rep. Dave Fern, D-Whitefish, passed the House on a 71-29 vote and will now move on to the Senate. The bill would allow a loan to be taken from the coal trust fund’s investment pool to fund the development of housing originally financed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development a...
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