Articles from the July 20, 2017 edition


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  • Windstorm Downs Trees, Crushes Camper

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jul 20, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake emergency personnel responded to a report that downed trees in Lake Alva campground trapped campers around 8 p.m. Friday, July 14. Two trees fell lengthwise on a camper trailer, totaling the trailer but sparing an infant in a bassinet. While another camper was also damaged, no one was injured. Seeley Lake resident Alisia Sunderland witnessed the storm first hand. She was huckleberry picking in the campground when the storm hit. She heard the wind hit the treetops and d...

  • Committee Works Through Third Element - Completion Deadline Set

    Colleen Kesterson, Pathfinder|Jul 20, 2017

    SWAN VALLEY - The Swan Valley Regional Planning Committee continued to work through the Land Use element of the draft growth plan. They also agreed to have the document ready to submit to the Missoula County Commissioners by Nov. 1 at their meeting July 12. The SVRPC agreed to review the numbers and charts included in the first two paragraphs of the Land Use Element’s section entitled Vacant, Unencumbered Parcels by Acreage at a later date. The chart refers to the number of vacant lots that vary from less than one acre to more than 80 acres. T...

  • Despite Heat, Festival Rocks

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jul 20, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE – Live music was easy to come by in Seeley Lake this past weekend as bands from all over the country came to play at the second annual Bob Marshall Music Festival. While the official attendance numbers were not available at press time, event coordinator Chris Stout said the count started at 200 people-just counting band members and volunteers. "Overall I think it went well," said Stout. "Maybe do what we did this year and perfect that for a couple years before adding anything a...

  • Once-in-a-Lifetime Grant Only for Phase 1 - Leaves Other Phases on the Hook

    Frank Dufresne, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Jul 20, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE - Recent information misstated that a “once-in-a-lifetime” grant will pay two-thirds of sewer costs. It won’t. It is only for Phase 1. Later phases 2, 3, and 4 each need to re-apply for any grant money. This should especially concern anyone in Phases 2, 3, and 4. There is no guarantee grant money will be available in amounts large enough to allow construction and reasonable rates. Worse, there are indications to the contrary and a growing chance later phases may be without a sewer but forever ‘on the hook’ paying for Phase 1,...

  • Thank You Seeley Fire and Ambulance Crew!

    Angelo Pecora, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Jul 20, 2017

    I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the Seeley Fire and Ambulance crews for their prompt, courteous and professional response in regard to my emergency call Saturday evening. They were a blessing. In fact, after the incident and I was calm, I was sorry to depart to Missoula to get put back together. I would have preferred to have had them in for dinner and drinks. They helped turn a serious injury into a light-hearted laugh session. Again, thank you to: Shelly, Bob and the other two fellas whose names I never got. I...

  • Must Consider Long-term Health for the Entire Valley

    E. L. Taylor, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Jul 20, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE - The letters last week on what to do about the proposed sewer project have stirred renewed interest from the community. This is wonderful. The more input from residents the better. Senator Tester just gave the Seeley Lake Sewer District $600,000 which is barely significant considering the overall cost. This will basically finance the political push for the Seeley Lake system and further negate the wishes of most residents. That money could be better spent cleaning up the lakes. One writer stated that the proposed sewer system...

  • Procrastination or Caution?

    Ken Silvestro PhD.|Jul 20, 2017

    Many people experience frequent excessive delays in life or the inability to make a decision, as well as to complete or begin projects. There can be many different psychological reasons for these delays and inabilities but procrastination is high on the list. The following can be considered examples of procrastination: a person prolongs making a decision by considering the many different possibilities, by simply ignoring the decision or by failing to follow schedules. Procrastination can be...

  • Montana State Parks Seeks Public Comment On Snowmobile Trail Grooming Grant Applications

    Jul 20, 2017

    HELENA – Montana State Parks is seeking public comment on 25 grant applications for snowmobile trail grooming funds for the 2017/2018 winter season. This includes $17,343 for the Seeley Lake Driftriders. Montana’s Snowmobile Program, as administered by Montana State Parks, was established in the early 1970’s and is an essential component of both motorized and non-motorized winter recreational activities in the state. Montana’s groomed trails provide important access and recreation opportunities for snowmobilers and other winter recreat...

  • Monahan Fire Starts North of Ovando

    Pathfinder|Jul 20, 2017

    OVANDO - The Monahan Fire was reported at approximately 5:30 p.m. Sunday, July 16 on Monahan Mountain. Trails #402 and #27 near Limestone Pass were closed Monday for public and firefighter safety. The fire is approximately 17 miles north of Ovando and is visible from Highway 200. This backcountry fire is located up the East Fork of Monture Creek between Limestone Pass and Monahan Mountain near the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The area is moderately timbered/rocky steep slopes with mostly south/southeast aspect. The fire is burning in primarily suba...

  • Kimber Rose Richards

    Jul 20, 2017

    BREMERTON, WASH. – Kimber Rose Richards was born July 3 to parents Ryan and Lita Richards, formerly of Seeley Lake, now of Bremerton, Wash. She weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce and was 21 inches long. Kimber was also welcomed by her extended family in Seeley Lake: Grandparents Mike and Lynn Richards and Dave and Roxie Sterling and great grandparents Ron Richards and Glenna Casper. Welcome to the family, little one!...

  • Seeley Lake Home Sales Down Due to Lack of Inventory

    Kevin Wetherell, Clearwater Montana Properties, Inc.|Jul 20, 2017

    REAL ESTATE TODAY What a difference a few years and even a few months make in real estate. In January, we talked about the fact that land sales would increase in 2017 due to lack of home inventory. That is certainly occurring, and land sales in Seeley Lake are brisk, especially on Double Arrow Ranch parcels priced under $50,000 as well as creekfront parcels. As land sales have increased, available home inventory has risen from 40 homes in January to 62 today. There is strong buyer demand for...

  • Potomac Hoppers - Spray or Harvest?

    Sigrid Olson, Pathfinder|Jul 20, 2017

    POTOMAC - Multiple species of grasshoppers are throughout Potomac Valley this summer in hayfields, gardens, roadways and lawns. Some residents were concerned enough about crop and other plant damage to request more information and reached out to Missoula County Extension office. In response, a Potomac hopper survey was completed in June. Richard (Joe) Merenz, Gary Adams and Shayne Galford from the USDA presented a grasshopper management workshop July 11 at the Blackfoot Church of Potomac where...

  • Seeley Unable to Match "Gold Standard" in AIS Inspection

    Micah Drew, Pathfinder|Jul 20, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE – A silver Toyota Tacoma towing a blue and white striped motor boat pulled up to the check station at Clearwater Junction. Two inspectors circled the watercraft, checking for the presence of zebra mussel of other aquatic invasive species (AIS) that could infest local waters. After a thorough visual check, inspector Denise Richardson asked the boat owner a few questions. Where did you last launch this boat? Where do you plan to launch next? And most importantly, have you taken this c...

  • Public Reminded, "If You Fly, We Can't"

    Jul 20, 2017

    BOISE, IDAHO – Federal, state and local wildland fire management agencies and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urge members of the public not to fly “Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)” or drones over or near wildfires. Unauthorized drone flights pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and hinder wildfire suppression operations. This season there have been 17 documented instances of unauthorized drone flights over or near wildfires in nine states (Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and W...

  • Yellowstone Area Grizzlies Delisted as Endangered Species

    Micah Drew, Pathfinder|Jul 20, 2017

    The Montana Grizzlies will soon be under new management. We’re not talking about the UM football team, but rather the grizzly bear population in the state. Specifically, those living in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced that the agency plans on removing grizzlies living in the Yellowstone area from Endangered Species Act protection and turning management to the states and tribes. The announcement was made June 22. The rule takes effect 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register. “This ach...

  • Choices

    Branch President Todd Fife, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints|Jul 20, 2017

    In the book of Matthew, Jesus taught, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Here we learn a powerful lesson—that it is impossible to orient ourselves towards Christ without having an unselfish attitude toward others. How can we develop this attitude of unselfishness? It has to start with the simple choices that we make every day. It has been said that the gate of history turns on small hinges and so do people’s lives. The choices we make determine our destiny. Joshua of old declare...

  • Races Abound During Festival

    Micah Drew, Pathfinder|Jul 20, 2017

    Change Your Pace Challenge SEELEY LAKE - Seventy-two runners braved the late morning heat to run in the Change Your Pace Challenge 10K, 5K and 2K races. Micah Drew from Seeley Lake finished first in the 10K with a time of 33:40.96. Forty-year-old Daisy Zell of Bozeman led the women in the 10K with a time of 51:38.03. In the 5K, Seeley Lake eighth-grader Hannah Ayers finished first for the women, and third overall, with a time of 21:53.33. Chris Boland of Cascade, Mont. won the race with a time o...

  • Faces of the Fifty

    Micah Drew, Pathfinder|Jul 20, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE - Six miles up Rice Ridge Road, a line of vehicles slowed to a stop. Dirt roads spread out to the left and right until they disappeared in to the trees along the ridge. Race Coordinator Chris Stout emerged from the lead vehicle and began giving instructions. Behind him, several people opened car doors and carried out coolers, water jugs and milk crates filled with various foods. In the crisp not-yet-above-60-degree air, volunteers set up an aid station-the first of four along the...

  • Dogtown: One Band's Tie to Seeley Lake

    Micah Drew, Pathfinder|Jul 20, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE - Hours before his first performance at the Bob Marshall Music Festival, Matt Strachan was lounging at his cabin in Dogtown. Scattered around the back deck overlooking the Clearwater River sat members of his band, the Hoot Owls, along with his wife and friends, sipping on White Claws and huckleberry-colored mixed drinks. The band members all showed signs of being in the sun-they'd spend part of the day out on the boat-which was a precursor to the hot, summer sets ahead. "Do you want...

  • Community Briefs

    Jul 20, 2017

    Asphalt Millings Pile Continues to Grow – No Current Legal Issues SEELEY LAKE - The millings pile south of Seeley Lake has grown considerably over the course of the Highway 83 construction. There are currently no violations with the site. The contractor is required to find a place for millings. Frank Tabish, project manager for the construction, said that LHC contracted with John Richards Construction to dump the millings on the site. The site is located on private property. The property is located near Morrell Creek which raised some c...

  • Firefighter Killed Near Seeley

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jul 20, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE – Trenton M. Johnson,19-year-old firefighter from Missoula, sustained injuries from a falling tree while fighting the Florence Fire on the Seeley Lake Ranger District the afternoon of July 19. Johnson was flown to Missoula but was later pronounced deceased at a local hospital. The call came in just after 5 p.m., Wednesday. Seeley Lake volunteer medical personnel transferred the patient from a helicopter transporting him off the fire to Life Flight at the Seeley Lake Airport. J...