Articles from the February 23, 2017 edition


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  • 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...

  • Lady Blackhawks Two-Step to Divisionals

    Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 23, 2017

    FRENCHTOWN - The Seeley-Swan Lady Blackhawks danced past Victor and Clark Fork to earn the title District 13-C Champions for the fifth year in a row. The victories advance the Lady Blackhawks' season record to 19-1 and earned them a trip to Butte this week for the Western C Divisional Tournament. The Lady Blackhawks are set to face Ennis in the opening round. Clark Fork will join the Lady Blackhawks in Butte after defeating Victor 58-46 in a challenge game for second place. Versus Victor The...

  • Thank You for Making the 2017 Seeley Lake ROCKS Peter Hale Race a Huge Success

    Seeley Lake ROCKS Race Committee, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Feb 23, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE - We would like to sincerely thank our hosts, partners, volunteers and racers that made the 2017 Seeley Lake ROCKS Peter Hale Race a huge success. The hosts, partners and many volunteers involved again exemplifies what Seeley Lake always demonstrates….working together creates a big success. Our Olympic partner John Morton was impressed with the viability of such a small town and its welcoming personality. Fifty-One skiers completed the race on Feb. 4 at the Rich Ranch. Our youngest racer was Macy Williams, Ovando. The oldest r...

  • Response to Trimble - Give Our President a Chance

    Roxie Sterling, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Feb 23, 2017

    In regards to Mr. Tod Trimble’s letter titled “Sad Day for Montana’s Representation” in the Pathfinder Feb. 16. Mr. Trimble has the right to his opinion and so do I. I praise Senator Steve Daines for voting for Betsy De Vos. Mr. President Donald Trump doesn’t even have all his people in place yet. Shame on you Democrats. Senator Elizabeth Warren needed to be silenced. She broke a rule and was out of bounds. You didn’t mention that she broke a rule. As for likening Senator Steve Daines to the Kremlin and Reichstag. I again say shame on you Mr....

  • Do Not Create the Elbow Gravel Pit

    Libby Langston, Greenough, Mont.|Feb 23, 2017

    GREENOUGH - In response to the Jan. 30, 2017 letter from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation about the proposed Elbow Gravel Pit, I have several points to make and questions to ask. First of all, the location of this five-acre gravel pit is an offense to the wildness of the area. The extremely noisy and disruptive operation is proposed to be located in a major wildlife corridor between the Blackfoot-Clearwater Game Range and the Clearwater River and of course, on a larger scale, between the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Rattl...

  • Make Your Opinion About Wilderness Known

    Curtis Friede, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Feb 23, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE - Senator Jon Tester is launching his new wilderness bill this week. I encourage anyone who is not in favor of more wilderness designated on the Seeley Lake Ranger District to email or call our Montana Senators Steve Daines and Tester. They need to understand that there are people in our community that do oppose wilderness. Tell him we don’t need more wilderness in our valley and why. Send an email on Senator Daines’ website www.daines.senate.gov or call and leave a voice message for him in Helena 406-443-3189. Senator Tester can...

  • A Story Worth Tellin'

    Heather Layman|Feb 23, 2017

    The following post is dedicated to and written for the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. “The idea is not to live forever. It is to create something that will.” ~Andy Worhol As I was driving home yesterday, we passed our neighbor’s teams of black percherons standing together in the corral. It was said to me, “that is something I could never get into or find the fun in.” And I thought about that, and it hit me hard how much the world has changed into a fast and so-called improved pace of life. And I slowed down and I smiled to myself thinking,...

  • 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...

  • Waiting Until the Fourth Watch

    Karen Johnson, Seeley Lake Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints|Feb 23, 2017

    During New Testament times the day was divided into 12 hours beginning at six o’clock in the morning. The sixth hour would be noon, the eleventh hour would be five o’clock in the evening, although we think of the “eleventh hour” as before midnight. Beginning with six o’clock in the evening, the night was divided into four “watches” each three hours long. The second watch was nine until midnight, the third watch midnight to three and the fourth watch from three in the morning until six, about sunrise. When the storm came upon the disciples who...

  • 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...

  • Pioneer Girls Start Out Strong

    Sigrid Olson, Pathfinder|Feb 23, 2017

    POTOMAC - The Potomac Pioneers Girls basketball season began Feb. 9 with home games against the Lolo Loggers. Potomac won one game with a final score of 44 - 16 and lost the other game 20-24. The next game brought the DeSmet Padres to Potomac Feb. 15. The game was close, going basket for basket and tied at 35-35 until the last 20 seconds. Potomac scored for the win making it 37-35 at the buzzer. The Feb. 16 game brought the Hellgate Hawks to Potomac. The first game was a loss for Potomac. “The fifth, sixth and seventh graders played really g...

  • 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...

  • SSHS Recognizes Blackhawk Seniors

    Feb 23, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE - Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) recognized their senior basketball athletes and senior musicians along with their families at the last Blackhawk's home game of the season Saturday, Feb. 11 against Darby. Gavin Mercado (Gavin was recognized at Senior Night but was not in attendance). He participated in football for four years lettering his second year. He played basketball for three years lettering in his third year. Gavin participated in Blackhawk athletics throughout his entire...

  • Blackhawks Settle for Fourth

    Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 23, 2017

    FRENCHTOWN - The Seeley-Swan Blackhawks season came to an end with a fourth place finish at the District 13-C Tournament in Frenchtown last weekend. The Blackhawks headed into the tournament seeded second earning a bye in the first round. They fell to Darby but were able to send Clark Fork home before facing Lincoln. The Blackhawks settled for fourth after falling to Lincoln in the consolation game. Their season ended with an overall record of 13-8. Lincoln earned a chance to challenge Darby for...

  • 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...

  • UPDATED BRACKETS - Lady Blackhawks Defeat Ennis 36-23 in Opening Round of Western C Tournament

    Feb 23, 2017

    The Seeley-Swan Lady Blackhawks advanced to semifinal on a 36-23 victory over Ennis Thursday night. The Lady Blackhawks will take on Arlee for a shot at the championship looking for a trip to state.... Full story