Articles from the January 5, 2023 edition


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  • Drew charged with vehicular homicide, drug possession following Potomac crash

    Gwyneth Hyndman, interim Editor|Jan 5, 2023

    By Gwyneth Hyndman A local woman who was struck and killed by a vehicle after stopping to help stranded motorists on Hwy 200 on Dec. 21 has been named by Missoula County Sheriff and Coroner TJ McDermott. Victoria E. Richardson, 61, of Potomac, had pulled over near mile marker 18 to assist in the recovery of a vehicle that had slid off the road, just before 7 p.m. that night. Court documents state that a Toyota 4Runner driven by Kerry Glenn Drew, 68, of Seeley Lake, drove off the road and hit Richardson, who died at the scene. “Our heartfelt c...

  • Arctic blast swoops through Montana

    Jean Pocha, Pathfinder Staff|Jan 5, 2023

    What was going on last week with that crazy cold weather? Was it an Alberta Clipper, Bomb Cyclone, Winter Storm Elliot? A record low temperature on December 22 of -48 degrees in Potomac and the third coldest day since 1959 recorded at Lindbergh Lake had people scrambling for extra layers, more firewood and wondering how the outside animals could handle it. Satellite reports from the National Weather Service (NWS) showed -53 over the ponds along Hwy 200 east of Ovando. "December 22 was -35 at the...

  • European classical trio featured this Sunday

    Jenny Rohrer, 2 Valleys Stage Program Director|Jan 5, 2023

    For the Seeley Swan Pathfinder 2 Valleys Stage is presenting a "once-in-a-lifetime" concert of classical and unusual music from a European ensemble - The Valencia Baryton Project - on Sunday, Jan. 8. The Valencia Baryton Project is a string trio formed by colleagues from the opera orchestras of Valencia, Spain and Montpellier, France. Their vision is to perform not only the nearly 160 works written by Franz Joseph Haydn for the baryton but also to rekindle the repertoire for this forgotten...

  • Kindness helps reindeer take flight

    Pathfinder Staff|Jan 5, 2023

    SWAN VALLEY - While all the reindeer cadets attending the School of Reindeer in the North Pole thought flying would be a piece of cake, they quickly realized it was not as easy as it looked and Reindeer Cadet Angel (Jade Arnold) was disappointed there was no cake. Despite sub-zero temperatures the evening of Dec. 21, the gymnasium was packed for the Swan Valley School's performance of "How to Train Your Reindeer (to Fly)." Professor Atticus Antler (Kalli Braulik) and Schoolmaster Joe Buck (Stets...

  • Blackhawks strike again

    Hattie Batchelder, SSHS Student Journalist|Jan 5, 2023

    VICTOR - The Lady Blackhawks took the win over the Victor Pirates at their third away game on Dec.17. The girls took the lead right away, only giving Victor 10 points to their 49 in the first half, and leaving them with zero points in the second half, finishing the game with a score of 65 to 10. Senior Emily Maughan made the most points in the game, totaling out 22, with Dani Sexton hitting double digits as well with 12 points. “The girls had a solid weekend. Much better on our assist turnover ratio from our younger players and excellent feedba...

  • Christmas event carries on despite weather

    Colleen Kesterson, Pathfinder Staff|Jan 5, 2023

    SALMON PRAIRIE - The Salmon Prairie School Christmas program - a student-written play entitled "Santa" - was held Dec. 20 at the school with friends and neighbors braving the elements in attendance. Lake County Superintendent Carolyn Hall even drove from Polson in the snowstorm to attend the festivities. Holl Hubbard - the one-room schoolhouse teacher of more than 10 years - welcomed the audience to the program which is given every year for the community. The 100-year-old schoolhouse on the...

  • On the Twelfth Day of Christmas …. Epiphany!

    Michelle Jenkins, Director, The Sycamore Tree Catholic Retreat Center, Swan Lake, MT|Jan 5, 2023

    Each year on January 6 – twelve days after Christmas - Christians around the world celebrate the feast of Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day. [ In the United States, in modern times, the Catholic Church celebrates Epiphany on the Sunday following Christmas.] For many, this day ends the Christmas season and Christmas decoration are taken down and put away for next year. Epiphany is a holy day that celebrates the revelation of Jesus to the three Wise Men (or Kings/Magi), when they arrived at His place of birth after following the unusual s...

  • Grizzly study wraps

    Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks|Jan 5, 2023

    Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife staff completed its final assessment of grizzly bear activity in occupied grizzly bear habitat. Effective Saturday, Dec. 24, wolf trapping season is open in all areas of occupied grizzly bear habitat across the state, including deer and elk hunting district (HD) 130 in northwest Montana. Hunters and trappers should note that wolf harvest quotas exist in each FWP trapping district and wolf management unit 313. Those harvest quotas can be viewed and followed on the FWP Wolf Dashboard. In August, the...

  • Bears and Berries: Why Shifting Seasons Require Innovative Safety Measures

    Kayla Heinze, Vital Ground Foundation|Jan 5, 2023

    With the calendar turning to a new year, bears across the Northern Rockies are snug in their winter dens. The months leading up to this hibernation season were especially difficult for many of them, however, due in part to a poor summer crop for multiple berry species. Berries are a staple of the Northern Rockies, with long-standing cultural importance for the Indigenous tribes of the region. From mammals like deer and grizzlies to native birds and pollinators, the fruits sustain biodiversity across many landscapes. And with huckleberry pies,...

  • 20/35 Look Back

    Jan 5, 2023

    25 Fire Damages Resort Cabin An early morning fire last week damaged a cabin at Tamaracks Resort north of Seeley Lake. The occupants of the cabin, James Williamson, his wife and four children, were treated for smoke inhalation as a result of the fire, but were otherwise okay. About ten volunteers from the Seeley Lake Fire Company responded to the call at 8 a.m. last Tuesday. According to Fire Chief Burmeister, a log floor joist had been smoldering beneath the cement which housed the cabin’s fireplace. Memorial Flag to be Raised A memorial f...

  • Spotted Bear project aims to improve diversity

    Flathead National Forest|Jan 5, 2023

    KALISPELL - Flathead National Forest, Spotted Bear Ranger District signed the final decision notice for the Spotted Bear Mountain Project last week. This project is located just south of the Spotted Bear Ranger Station. One goal of the project is to improve the diversity and resilience of forest vegetation, which largely includes increasing the presence of ponderosa pine on the landscape. Other goals include improving forest health, reducing the negative impacts of wildfire, and contributing forest products to the local community. The signed...

  • Dept. of Agriculture Rural Dev. announces $1M investment

    Jan 5, 2023

    U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Montana State Director Kathleen Williams announced today that USDA is investing almost $1 million to expand access to economic opportunities and improve housing and educational infrastructure for rural and tribal areas across Montana. “USDA Rural Development is working hard to effectively target our community investments to those who need it the most,” said Williams. “This funding will allow several Montana communities to focus on the critical economic development, infrastructure, and socia...

  • No matter where we go, there we are

    Rev. Jon Bergen, Pastor, Seeley Lake Baptist Church|Jan 5, 2023

    Rev. Jon Bergen has moved from Scotland to be the new minister at Seeley Lake Baptist Church beginning Jan. 1. Ahead of starting his new position, he shared some thoughts on celebrating “Hogmany” and his anticipation of building new relationships in Seeley Lake in 2023. Christmas is past and the New Year is about to begin. Happy Hogmany (Scottish for New Years Eve), it may be a wee while before I say that and people understand what I mean. As the new year starts, I’ll be starting my new adventure in Seeley Lake, Montana. A new year, a new l...

  • Ringing in Christmas

    Jean Pocha, Pathfinder Staff|Jan 5, 2023

    HELMVILLE - Everyone participated as Helmville School performed many musical numbers and two plays, "The Littlest Christmas Tree" and "A Dickens of a Christmas" December 14 at the Helmville Community Hall. Music opened the evening by K-2 students playing "Jingle Bells" on xylophone keys. "Jingle Bells" was also performed on guitars by the 5-6th graders. "Carol of the Bells" was played 5th grader Nate Spatig on his guitar. Lucas Spatig 8th grade, played "Angels We Have Heard on High" on the...

  • Seeley Lake Book Club reading 'Wayfaring Stranger'

    Jan 5, 2023

    This month the Seeley Lake Book Club is reading "Wayfaring Stranger" by James Lee Burke. The Denver Post calls it “A sprawling thriller drenched with atmosphere and intrigue that takes a young boy from a chance encounter with Bonnie and Clyde to the trenches of World War II and the oil fields along the Texas-Louisiana coast.” Poets & Writers says “that it reads like an ode to the American Dream.” Swing by the Seeley Lake Library (456 Airport Road) to pick up your copy of this amazing book. We meet the first Thursday of every month at 10 a.m....

  • Seeley Lake Community Council to meet

    Seeley Lake Community Council|Jan 5, 2023

    The January 2023 meeting of the Seeley Lake Community Council will be held at the Barn (2920 Highway 83) on Monday, Jan. 9. Pizza will be served starting at 5:30 p.m., and the meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Featured speakers/topics are as follows: • Clearwater RV dump site update • Update on Holland Lake Project 8 Sewer Update • USFS Update - Quinn Carver • Winter Camping for Snowmobilers • Seeley Lake community trail system map Everybody is invited to participate in the Council’s discussions on agenda items during the meeting. As always, tow...

  • Community Briefs

    Jan 5, 2023

    Missoula County Sheriff’s Log December 21-28 12/21, 12:01 p.m., Highway 83, Seeley Lake, Accident No Injury 12/23, 1:45 p.m., Locust Lane, Seeley Lake, Accident No Injury 12/23, 5:01 p.m., 3x MM Highway 83, Condon, Slide-In No Property Damage 12/23, 8:13 p.m., 1xx S.O.S. Road, Seeley Lake, Disturbance 12/26, 8:23 a.m., 6xx Tamarack Drive, Seeley Lake, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Call Log December 22-29 12/22, Riverview Drive, Medical 12/22, School Lane, Alarm...