Sorted by date Results 1 - 18 of 18
The Missoula County Health Department now requires tighter standards for septic systems in the Seeley Lake Special Management Area (SMA) as officials said the best available data from the area shows any new permit would violate federal drinking standards. While the regulations are different, and no public process was held over the matter, the Health Department argued it has not technically changed the rules. The new guidelines require future buildings to keep nitrate discharge at a lower than...
The Ice Skating rink is now open to the public for the winter season. Garry Swan, President of Seeley Lake ROCKS, said the rink has developed great ice with the recent chilly temperatures. Rules for the rink are posted on the shed near the rink, but Swain reminded folks to hang up skates and helmets when not in use, shovel snow off the surface when needed and of course, to have fun. Swain and Seeley Swan High School senior Connor Chadwick do most of the maintenance. He also thanked Andi Bourne...
Two snowmobilers got stuck off trail above Marshall Lake on the evening of Jan. 13, prompting Seeley Swan Search and Rescue and Two Bear Air to extract them amid extremely cold temperatures. Seeley Swan Search and Rescue Chief Ken Brochu said the team got a call at around 5 p.m. that the snowmobilers were stranded. The temperature stood at negative 20 degrees, with wind chill of negative 35. That did not stop responders, as four members of search and rescue, Karl Zurmuehlan and an employee from Kra-Z Sports Rentals ascended the mountains with...
Highway 200 just after the Helmville turnoff stood closed for several hours Jan 21. after a massive pileup of cars halted any access to the road. Luckily, law enforcement reported no injuries with the incident. The Montana Highway Patrol reported early on Sunday that freezing rain created extremely dangerous conditions at mile marker 57 on Highway 200, about 1.5 miles east of the Montana Highway 141 junction. Traffic was diverted eastbound onto Highway 141, while westbound traffic rerouted through Highway 279 through Helena. The closure...
Human trafficking is not just a big city problem – it’s happening right here in Montana. Which is why, during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, I’m encouraging Montanans to learn the signs of human trafficking and report it if they see it. If folks don’t know what it is and how to report it, they can’t help us stop it. Let’s call human trafficking what it is: modern-day slavery. Traffickers—often organized criminal enterprises—are profiting at the expense of adults and children who are forced to perform labor or engage in comme...
As retired Montana judges, we join to endorse Judge Dan Wilson of Flathead County in his bid for election to the Montana Supreme Court. This year, Montanans will elect two new Justices to our state’s highest court. Chief Justice Mike McGrath and Associate Justice Dirk Sandefer have announced their retirements at the end of 2024. Judge Wilson is running for the Associate Justice position. We have the unique perspective as retired members of Montana’s judiciary to have observed Judge Wilson’s years of work as a District Court Judge. We find that...
As you learn about all the candidates for various offices this year, the most important ones are the ones that most Montanans know the least about. The politicians you need to do the most research on are not the would-be congressmen, governors, or even legislators. It’s the judges. Although they claim to be above the political fray, judges in Montana are in fact politicians. From the district courts to the state Supreme Court, they’re elected. They have to run campaigns, raise money, and their fate is ultimately decided by voters. Increasingly,...
The meetings are probably coming to order – in some sort or another, all over western Montana. For about 16 years on Tuesday afternoons we held a meeting that would qualify for the hot stove fly tying league in my shop. A typical session might go like this: The guys would start rolling in about two in the afternoon and we'd exchanged greetings. They'd get settled into their customary places around the fly tying table, plug in their lamps, set up their vises and fuss with their other tools. "...
As an intrepid member of the Fourth Estate, I ventured out into the frigid night, determined to shine light on the Swan branch of the Deep State. Parenthetically, the Fourth Estate refers to the press. I’d never actually known what the first three are, so I looked it up (as older people say rather than Googling). The monarchy, barony (people with titles), and the Commons are the first three, with the fourth apparently keeping an eye on the first three. There is now a Fifth Estate, that being social media and other online sewage systems. When a...
Ted Eugene Lockwood – age 71, died peacefully at home on Jan. 6, 2024, surrounded by his family and loving and devoted wife. Born the youngest of three on Jan. 28, 1952, to Marvin and Florence (McCollum) Lockwood, Ted grew up in Pablo, Montana. In 1970, Ted graduated from Ronan High School, marking the beginning of a journey dedicated to service. On Sept. 29, 1972, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he exhibited dedication and valor. He was stationed in Hawaii and South Korea. Ted's c...
Joel Robert Roesner, of Seeley Lake, Montana, joined eternity with our Lord on Jan. 12, 2024, after an admirable four-year struggle with colon cancer. He died at home, with his wife constantly by his side and immediate family surrounding him. He was 44. Joel was born in Whitefish, Montana, on Nov. 23, 1979, to Quentin and Kristi Roesner, joining his sister, Shani. He spent his youth in Missoula and Seeley Lake. A cute, fat, round-eyed baby, and a busy little boy, Joel kept his parents on their...
I read a story recently about a woman who looked out her window and noticed something beautiful: sunlight glistening on moist leaves. Immediately prior to this, the day was very gloomy, as was her mood. But that brief moment of light reminded her of beauty and she recognized it as a sacred gift. I need this kind of reminder again and again. The reminder to lift my gaze and pay attention to all the wondrous beauty and goodness, to those moments of light breaking through, moments of kindness unexpectedly shown, moments of joy and laughter...
The January community Council Meeting provided updates for the Seeley Lake bridge projects. Shane Stack, the Missoula County Public works director, said he feels confidence in various grant applications, letters of support from local people and organizations are still being welcomed to build a better application for grant money to construct the bridges in need. All letters are needed back by Feb. 9, in order to submit an application for a grant from RAIN (Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) which is due on F...
The Seeley Swan High School Boys Basketball Team could not make enough shots on the road against Lincoln on Jan. 19, but rallied back against Valley Christian for a win at home on Jan. 20. Head Coach Mike Haines said the team started strong against Lincoln, leading in the first quarter. He said the team simply couldn't make shots. "If we were making baskets like we were in the first quarter, we would have been in it," Haines said. Lincoln beat the Blackhawks 51-37. Haines said he was proud of...
The Seeley Swan High School Girls Basketball Team was dealt a narrow road loss against Lincoln High School on Jan. 19 and then took a commanding victory over Valley Christian on Jan. 20. The Lady Blackhawks went back and forth with Lincoln early, taking a tight 22-21 lead going into halftime. The teams were tied 31-31 after the third, but the Lady Blackhawks couldn't finish out the game, and lost 41-35. A different story happened for Seeley Swan the next day, starting slow against Valley...
1/12/24 Fire Grandview Dr 1/14/24 Medical Hwy 83 1/15/24 Medical standy Hwy 83 1/15/24 Accident Injury Hwy 83 1/15/24 Accident Injury Hwy 200 1/15/24 Accident Injury Hwy 200 1/19/24 Accident Injury Hwy 83...
Thursday Jan. 26, 1989 Race to the Lake MUSHERS WAIT FOR THE OPENING GUN as they line the lake's edge at Holland Lake Saturday in the first leg of the 100-mile "Race to the Lake," run in two 50-mile legs on Saturday and Sunday. Here Ron Ogden, Seeley Lake WindWalker Kennels, gives instructions to Shawn Helvic in the driver's seat. Prior to the start, Ogden said, "I'm letting the kid run this year." Shawn, who lives with the Ogdens in Seeley Lake, did all right. He finished fourth in a field of...
An effort is under way in Western Montana to remove common barriers preventing older adults, people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations from getting vaccinated for COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, pneumonia and shingles. “People with disabilities experience significant barriers when attempting to access healthcare, information and services if those services are not designed to consider their preferences, needs and disability,” said Tannis Hargrove of the Aging & Disability Vaccination Collaborative at the Univers...
