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  • Seeley Lake Girl Scouts need you to volunteer

    Keely Larson, Editor|Apr 25, 2024

    Samantha Arroyo remembered Girl Scouts fondly when she was growing up in Seeley Lake in the eighties. As she recalled it, the troop meetings happened after school and the troop leaders were also elementary school teachers. There was a really active parent group at that time, Arroyo said, which also supported Boy Scouts and the Seeley Lake Lions Club. "But they've grown, their kids have grown, and a lot of them moved," Arroyo said. Arroyo and other parents are trying to get the next generation...

  • Swan Valley Elementary moves to a four-day school week

    Keely Larson, Editor|Apr 25, 2024

    The Swan Valley Elementary School Board voted unanimously to switch to a four-day school week on April 9. A survey sent out to parents and community members before the vote showed strong support for the switch. Principal Angie Mock said the four-day school week seems to be the better model for Class C schools and it puts Swan Valley School in alignment with both the high school and elementary school in Seeley Lake where students in both districts share extracurricular activities. Swan Valley’s graduates also attend Seeley-Swan High School. T...

  • SLE board decides on new superintendent

    Keely Larson, Editor|Apr 25, 2024

    Editor's note: After press, the Pathfinder learned Stetson Spooner decided to not take the superintendent position offered to him by the Seeley Lake Elementary School Board. An update will be provided next week regarding the candidate who took the position — Christina Hartmann from Townsend Public Schools — according to the school's attorney. The Seeley Lake Elementary School Board voted unanimously to hire Stetson Spooner as the new superintendent and principal of Seeley Lake Elementary School. The decision came after a review of four can...

  • Seeley Elementary, Clearwater Resource Council receive Missoula County Rural Impact Grants

    Keely Larson, Editor|Apr 25, 2024

    Two Seeley Lake organizations - Seeley Lake Elementary School and the Clearwater Resource Council - have received the full amount possible - $4,000 - from Missoula County through the Rural Impact Grant program. This program is intended for groups like community councils, nonprofits and schools to be used for projects that "enhance the quality of life" in rural Missoula County. Last year, the Seeley Lake Lions Club received funding from this grant to hire swimming instructors and the Potomac Scho...

  • Supporting rural schools

    Sara Lamar, Condon Montana|Apr 25, 2024

    This spring, voters in Swan Valley Elementary School District #33 will have the opportunity to vote on two levies: one for general operations and one for technology. Swan Valley Elementary School has not asked for an operational levy for 14 years and currently does not have specific funds designated for technology. We all know the cost of everything has increased in the last 14 years. These funds will help Swan Valley School keep up with rising transportation costs, support staff salaries and retention, and ensure students and educators have ap...

  • Support for Representative John Fitzpatrick in HD 76

    Roger Hagan, Great Falls Montana|Apr 25, 2024

    I am writing this letter in support of Representative John Fitzpatrick and his candidacy for reelection to House District 76. I’ve known John for several years and during the 68th Legislative Session in 2023, he proved to be a solid and thoughtful legislator. I found him to be a very respectful representative of his constituency and wanted to do what was best for Montana. Additionally, Rep. Fitzpatrick is an extremely accomplished legislator who possesses the leadership skills and legislative experience to successfully move legislation through...

  • St. Mark, the Evangelist

    Rev. Kapp L. Johnson, Seeley Lake|Apr 25, 2024

    Today, April 25, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of St. Mark, Apostle, and Evangelist. He is the second of the four writers of the Gospels (Matthew, Luke and John) and associated with the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew and Luke). Most of what we know about St. Mark we learn from Scripture generally and his Gospel in particular. There is general agreement that the Mark of the second Gospel is the John Mark of Acts 12:12. He was part of the early missionary efforts of Apostles. He left his home in Jerusalem to accompany Barnabas and Paul as a...

  • Innovation in action: The Mobile Support Team

    Dr. James Quirk, Chief Medical Officer at Partnership Health Center|Apr 25, 2024

    The need for compassionate and effective approaches to mental health crisis intervention has never been more pressing. In Missoula, an innovative response to this need, The Mobile Support Team (MST), has emerged as a benchmark for mental health crisis interventions in our region. When someone in Missoula calls 911 with a concern about a behavioral health issue, the Missoula Mobile Support Team (MST) springs into action. Comprised of a licensed mental health clinician, an emergency medical technician (EMT) and a case facilitator, the MST...

  • It's not just a philosophy - catch, revive and release

    Chuck Stranahan|Apr 25, 2024

    What I see on too many YouTube videos makes me wince. Some of the trout, I'm sure, don't survive. Most of them probably make it, despite the rough handling they're subjected to. Wild trout are hearty creatures, but still, they're deserving of our respect. They deserve - and require, if they're to remain viable when subjected to natural stresses and unnatural fishing pressure - informed and responsible handling that will give them an optimal chance of survival. I've written comments in response...

  • Protecting social habitat for bears

    Kayla Heinze, The Vital Ground Foundation|Apr 25, 2024

    Layered onto the diverse landscapes that grizzly bears call home is another, equally variable ecosystem: the human one. As bears exit their winter dens in search of food and mates this year, be it in sprawling sagebrush steppes, high-elevation whitebark pine stands, or willow-lined waterways, their success will be determined by the availability of social habitat - the tolerance and attitudes that enable coexistence - as much as physical habitat. As a collective, we humans wield immense...

  • Updated hours at Seeley dump approved

    Jean Pocha, Reporter|Apr 25, 2024

    The Missoula County Commissioners approved the proposal to adjust operating hours for the Seeley Lake garbage container site at their meeting April 18. The new hours will be Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., effective May 1. These hours will remain the same year-round. “I did outreach at (the) Seeley Community Council and through the Pathfinder,” Kim Myer, Seeley Lake projects and operations coordinator with Missoula County Public Works, said. “There was only one negative comment and I received many emails in favor...

  • Blackhawks battle at the Seeley-Swan High School Invitational

    Keely Larson, Editor|Apr 25, 2024

    The Seeley-Swan track and field athletes took on 27 teams across classes last weekend at the Seeley-Swan High School Invitational. This is the first hosted meet for the Blackhawks, and the second will be the first weekend in May, which is a memorial event for Coach Mike Haines' father, the Kim Haines Memorial Track Meet. The Blackhawks got 16 personal records last weekend in a fairly challenging field including Cannon Hawkinson's 11.99 seconds in the 100-meter dash and Neveah Wilson in the...

  • Archives

    Pathfinder staff|Apr 25, 2024

    Thirty-five years ago... Thursday April 27th, 1989 Kids enjoy a day at the Capitol Seeley Lake 7th and 8th grade students put their classroom government studies to direct use on April 18 as they toured state government in a "Day at the Capitol." Using the theme that "government is people," they met throughout the day with officials in all three branches of government. At the Legislature, local Rep. Janet Moore took the students onto the House floor and discussed current issues before the House...

  • Change Your Pace Challenge community fundraiser begins May 1

    Claire Muller, Seeley Lake Community Foundation|Apr 25, 2024

    The Seeley Lake Community Foundation’s Change Your Pace Challenge (CYP) is a month-long campaign for community-wide giving, motivating community members to donate to their favorite participating local non-profits, knowing the impact of their gift will multiply thanks to the CYP Match Fund. The Seeley Lake Community Foundation invites everyone to the Change Your Pace Challenge Kickoff Party on Wednesday May 1. Join us for an opportunity to mingle with local non-profits and enjoy lunch, sponsored by Republic Services. The event runs from 11 a...

  • Seasonal roads opening on Seeley Lake Ranger District

    Lolo National Forest Public Affairs Officer|Apr 25, 2024

    The seasonal roads designated to open May 1 on the Seeley Lake Ranger District on the Lolo National Forest are now open. “With the unusual winter, roads have dried out earlier than normal and staff are out swinging gates open today,” said Quinn Carver, District Ranger, Seeley Lake Ranger District on the Lolo National Forest. “Staff will be starting at the lower elevations to open gates this afternoon. There may be a few at higher elevations that aren’t opened until the weekend.” The roads that are opening are typically closed seasonall...

  • Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Club receives funding for grooming building from FWP

    Laurie Shammel, Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Club Treasurer|Apr 25, 2024

    The Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Club (SLNSC) has been selected for full funding from the 2024 Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks Trail Stewardship Program. This funding was requested by SLNSC for the second phase of our Seeley Creek Trailhead project. The second phase consists of constructing a sufficient grooming building at the trailhead to be used in conjunction with our grooming efforts. The first phase was completed late 2023, resulting in electrical service being installed to the Seeley Creek Trailhead. A new 1,300 square-foot secure...

  • Public Services & Hours

    Public Services • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Mon, 7pm, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, www.aa-montana.org • Missoula County Treasurer: 2nd & 4th Thurs, 9:30am – 3:30pm, closed for lunch 11:30 – 12:30, Satellite Office, 3360 Highway 83N • Montana Veterans Affairs Division: 3rd Wed, 10am-2pm, Citizens Alliance Bank. 406-721-1288 for apt. • Potomac Food Bank: Second to last Sunday each month, 5-7pm, Potomac Greenough Comm. Center • Seeley Lake Caregiver Support Group: Third Tues, 1-2pm, via ZOOM. For log in info call Missoula Aging Service the Wednesd... Full story

  • Public Meetings

    Local Government • Missoula County Commissioners Public Mtg, 2nd & 4th Thursdays, Courthouse Annex, Room 151, Missoula, 2pm. http://www.missoulacounty.us/government/administration/commissioners-office • Seeley Lake Community Council, 2nd Mon, 6pm, Seeley Lake Historical Museum & Visitors Center, 2920 Highway 83. For the agenda and virtual access visit the Facebook Page for Zoom link. http://www.missoulacounty.us/community/community-councils/seeley-lake-community-council • Swan Valley Community Council, 3rd Tues, 6pm, Swan Valley Commu... Full story

  • Area Lunch Menus

    Senior Menu For any area senior unable to afford the lunches, assistance may be available. Frozen meals are also available. Please call Ria Overholt with Missoula Aging Services at 406-728-7682 for information. The Mission Mountains Mercantile serves senior meals Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Please call 406-754-2387 by 6 p.m. the night before the meal to order. Visit the Mission Mountains Mercantile Facebook page for the menu. The Seeley Lake Senior Center (Sela Senci) provides congregate meals and delivers ‘meals on wheels’. Congregate mea... Full story

  • Community Events Calendar

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  • Paths forward for Pyramid, interested buyers and wood industry cooperatives

    Keely Larson, Editor|Apr 18, 2024

    At an April 5 meeting in Missoula, various parties interested in purchasing Pyramid Mountain Lumber — Seeley Lake’s largest employer, which announced its closure on March 14 — gathered to learn about potential funding mechanisms available for buying the mill and modernizing its operations. A couple of options emerged as paths forward: the mill could be purchased and modernized — costing somewhere upwards of $40 million, the low-end of the current estimate — or employees, loggers and various land owners could form a cooperative. Like many, whe...

  • Condon voters to decide on school levies

    Keely Larson, Editor|Apr 18, 2024

    For the first time in 12 years, Swan Valley School in Condon is presenting voters with two levies to vote on. A combination of factors like rising costs, increased need for technology to support education, a drop in enrollment and the loss of ESSER funds — money provided during the covid-19 pandemic to support schools — led to a general fund and technology levy to be presented to voters in a special election on May 7. “​​Our school has navigated the difficulties of staffing needs, the rising costs associated with maintaining a high standard...

  • Seeley second grader takes first place in statewide art contest

    Julia Berkey, Executive Director Keep Montana Green Association|Apr 18, 2024

    MISSOULA, Mont. - Hale Devins, a second grader at Seeley Lake Elementary School, took first place in this year's 63rd Keep Montana Green statewide art contest with his striking depiction of this year's theme: "Go the Extra Mile Each Time You Burn a Pile." Second and third place were awarded to Madysen Lines of Browning High School and Logan Kellom of Hobson, respectively. The top three winners were selected from over 800 entries submitted by participating educators on behalf of their art...

  • Garden dreams sprout with springtime

    Jean Pocha, Reporter|Apr 18, 2024

    Springtime in the garden often starts with big dreams and memories of the beauty and abundance from the past season. Here in Montana we get a break from gardening as our season is short and hopefully sweet. Often our spring thoughts turn to questions like: Is the fence high enough to keep the deer out? Will cardboard really work to quench the quackgrass? Do I have enough row cover for that mid-season frost that nailed the garden last July? Deer that aren't used to fence jumping can usually be...

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