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SEELEY LAKE - Former Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) student Owen Mercado and his mother Deidre Lechowski-Mercado are suing the school and the Missoula County Public School District (MCPS) alleging that the school and its staff members were made aware of discriminatory behavior and were negligent in the handling of multiple harassment reports. MCPS largely denied that reports were made on the family’s part addressing discrimination that took place on school grounds. The lawsuit was filed in Federal Court Jan. 21. Three students, a deputy county...
MISSOULA - Homeschooled Junior Grace Wilson of Seeley Lake has culminated her passion for musical theater as she takes the stage as Shrek in Missoula Children's Theatre's (MCT) adaptation of Shrek The Musical JR. The production will air virtually Feb. 20-21. This is the first time she is performing without a live audience. "I think it'll be good because we can still put on a play and ... we can still have people see our performance," Wilson said. "I'm willing to bet that a lot more people will...
SEELEY LAKE – In 1965 Jeff Wisehart moved from New Mexico to San Jose, California, where he lived with his sister while attending West Valley College. He said California at that time was beautiful, though he was a bit disappointed to discover there were not 10 girls for every guy, as his buddies had assured him. But it didn't matter whether he was happy with the move or not, the Vietnam draft caught up with him. At the induction center in Oakland, California, Wisehart was asked "Army or N...
MISSOULA COUNTY - The Missoula City-County Board of Health announced a series of recommended changes to be made to Missoula County’s current COVID-19 mitigation requirements during a virtual meeting Friday, Feb. 12. These revisions will be up for consideration at an upcoming meeting at 12:15 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 18. In October, MCCHD set a goal for the County that if the daily incidence rate went below 25 for two consecutive weeks, then the Department would consider relaxing certain restrictions. This is based on the seven day average in d... Full story
SEELEY LAKE - We would like to commend the people involved on the COVID vaccination shots that were given at the high school on Feb. 8 in Seeley Lake. Everyone involved did a wonderful job organizing, putting together and initiating the process. We thought it went flawlessly. They had people ready to assist us through the complete process. They stood outside in subzero weather most of the day to administer the shots to people that were notified through phone and text message of the date and time to be there. Once again, the people in Seeley...
We are just over one third into the 67th Montana State Legislative Session. Daily, I find myself thinking, "Jobs and the economy, jobs and the economy, jobs and the economy." I find it helpful to imagine people (you and yours, dear reader) in comfortable homes, sitting down after a hard day's work with plenty of food on the table, sharing stories about their day with family members. This image keeps me motivated to work hard myself and do my part to get good bills passed-bills that will be...
We have just crossed the 30-day threshold here in the legislature and are approaching our "General Transmittal" deadline. This will be the deadline by which all general policy bills that do not include an appropriation or deal with raising revenue will have to have been passed by their committee and across the floor to the other chamber, otherwise they will effectively be dead. Now it's the legislature, so technically nothing is really "dead" until we leave Helena but for the most part, all...
SEELEY LAKE - J&E Contracting Owner-Operator Ed Jungers received Montana Tree Farm Program's (MTFP) 2020 Logger of the Year. Jungers started the logging company with his father John over 20 years ago. Part of the reason he was nominated was for his early adoption of Cut-to-Length (CTL) logging equipment in the state of Montana. According to the MTFP Facebook post recognizing Jungers, CTL is an "innovative approach to forest management [and] is particularly adept at utilizing small diameter...
POTOMAC - At their Feb. 8 meeting, the Potomac School Board voted four to one to approve the Potomac Education Association (PEA) contract for 2021-2023. This new contract would result in a $4,024.25 salary raise for all teachers regardless of experience. In other business, the board approved the permissive levy, continued working through policy updates and the eighth grade class provided an update on their class trip. Principal John Rouse said that Gov. Greg Gianforte intends to increase starting teacher pay through House Bill 143 which adds...
In the first snow of October 2018, along Basin Creek outside of Butte, Montana, I volunteered to be a beaver. Or, lacking all the right anatomy, I at least tried to think and act how nature's best woodworkers might. In this restoration project – using simple cutting and digging tools, plus a dose of aquatic ingenuity – I worked with colleagues to mimic the masters and build a series of beaver dam analogues (BDAs). Such low-tech earth-shaping seemed shallow next to the chasm at the nearby Ber...
SEELEY LAKE - In response to public feedback, the Lolo National Forest is extending the public comment period for the North Fork Blackfoot River Native Fish Restoration Project for an additional 30 days or through March 12. Located in the Scapegoat Wilderness on the Seeley Lake and Lincoln Ranger Districts in Powell and Lewis and Clark counties, the project would authorize Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) to implement fish management and stocking actions within the wilderness to establish a secure population of native trout. “Thank you t...
HELENA – Montana families are closer to accessing the information they need about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout thanks to a newly launched online resource center from AARP Montana. The site offers up-to-date information as well as answers to frequently asked questions about how to navigate the vaccination process in Montana. The resource guide is available by visiting aarp.org/mtvaccine. “We have received many calls, emails and texts from people trying to figure out how to receive a vaccine,” said AARP Montana State Director Tim Summers. “We l... Full story
Finally, it seems winter has graced the valleys with its presence, drawing recreationalists from Montana and throughout surrounding states. Locals who have patiently waited for snow to fall have begun trapping, ice fishing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Here are few things to remember when engaging in these outdoor activities, especially with these bone chilling temperatures and windy days. If you're headed out for a walk through the snow-blanketed woods, especially if bringing along a...
Many, many moons ago winter always had some time to hunt the big cats. There were always some guys who would show up at the old place on the Summit to give chase. My dear wife, who in 53 years never shirked her responsibilities, was up at 4:30. Known as "the queen of hospitality" she was gett'n ready to feed the crew pancakes and eggs. And for a perfect morning she had some soothing Christian music on the stereo. One of the Mennonite men came down the stairs say'n "even pleasant music to get up...
SEELEY LAKE – At their Feb. 9 meeting, the Seeley-Swan Hospital District Board received updates regarding vaccinations, Karen Ayers’ resignation at the Seeley-Swan Medical Center, Lazy Acres RV Park Subdivision and the sewer bond election. Partnership Health Center representative Abby Berow reported that 204 PHC patients were vaccinated Feb. 8 at the drive-thru Vaccination Clinic at Seeley-Swan High School. Everyone who received their first dose will return Feb. 28 to receive their second dose. Berow said PHC was responsible for scheduling the...
It used to be said Eskimos had 100 different words for snow. Now the word "Eskimo" is largely considered a pejorative term and has been replaced by Alaskan Native. With that change comes the understanding that there is no one "Eskimo" language, so the claim of 100 different words in it is a non-issue. But there is no need to look to foreign languages to find multiple names for snow. According to the Farmers' Almanac, English itself has at least 40 different terms for that cold, white,...
The community members and families of Seeley Lake and Swan Valley have stepped up to support Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) this school year. Usually, the members of the Club are showcased on signs in gymnasium for all to see. However, this year, games are not open to everyone who wishes to come and cheer. A list of Club members is below. The Club was able to provide Blackhawk logo masks for the entire student body and to the sports teams. As usual, the Boosters will support the athletic teams...
The Seeley-Swan turned into a winter wonderland over the weekend. The Seeley Lake Ranger District officially reported 31 inches of snow from 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5 – Monday morning around 10 a.m. By the end of the weekend, the North Fork Jocko Snotel Site added 33 inches of snow to the 62 inches on the ground. This week a few readers continued to share their fun in the snow....
SEELEY LAKE - Last November, we unexpectedly lost our beloved community member Douglas E. Waldron, 75. As many of you know, Doug came to the Seeley Lake area in about the year 2000 after retiring from his 37-year career in law enforcement. He was extremely proud of his position as Chief of Police of Stanhope, New Jersey but was eager to create a new life in Montana which he did successfully. He loved everything about his new home in Montana, the scenery, the wildlife, the hiking trails and... Full story
SEELEY LAKE - Sandra (Sandy) Jude Thompson Berry went to be with her Father in Heaven at 5:20 p.m., Feb. 5 in the presence of her husband and oldest son. Before Alzheimer's stole her ability to read, our cherished mom Sandy began each day with an Our Daily Bread devotional and prayer. Our family takes comfort that the Feb. 5, 2021 devotional was Isaiah 41:13, "I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." She was 73. Sandy was born... Full story
SEELEY LAKE - The Lady Blackhawks and Blackhawks finished out their regular season with victories over the Victor Pirates Feb. 11. The Ladies defended their home court while the Boys took the fight to Victor. The victories elevated the Blackhawks to 5-8 for the season while the Lady Blackhawks remain undefeated with a 12-0 record. The Lady Blackhawks wasted little time sealing the fate of the Pirates. They piled up 18 points in the first quarter to the Pirates' 4, two of those from a technical...
Seeley Lake Community Council vacancy filled SEELEY LAKE – At their Feb. 4 meeting, the Missoula County Commissioners appointed Seeley Lake resident Sharon Teague to the Seeley Lake Community Council. Teague and Seeley Lake resident John Richards applied for the vacancy. Teague will fill the remainder of Kris Martin’s vacant term through May 31, 2023 at which point she will have to apply for reelection to remain on the Council. Teague was welcomed to the Council at their Feb. 9 meeting. To view the recording of the meeting visit htt...
In 1883 Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt attended a fancy-dress ball that outshone any ball New York had seen, wearing her electric light dress. Railroad tycoons like Cornelius Vanderbilt hosted such opulent affairs with profits from their monopoly corporations. The starvation wages they paid their workers led to the Great Uprising of 1877 and the Pullman Strike of 1894. In the late 1800s, when collective bargaining arose, 10% of the U.S. population owned more than 70% of the nation’s assets. This structural inequality contributed to the upheaval t...
HELENA- This was “tax reform week” at the Montana Legislature. Many of Governor Gianforte’s Montana Comeback tax proposals had committee hearings this week with tremendous support. The House Taxation Committee heard two of these bills and the Senate Taxation Committee took up another three. House Bill 303 is the Business Investment Grows Jobs or BIG Jobs Act. This bill’s main economic benefit is to increase the business equipment tax exemption from $100,000 to $200,000. It will allow small businesses to expand their operations and hire more wo...
Since winning the Legislature in 2011, Republicans have introduced multiple pieces of legislation undermining Montana’s great hunting and fishing. Fortunately, successive Democratic governors vetoed them. The veto pen now belongs to Greg Gianforte. The 2021 Legislature is considering a bevy of legislation changing Montana’s hunting and fishing. Montanans who voted for these legislators and who love to hunt and fish, should contact legislators and let them know you do not support these bills. Senate Bill 143 sets aside big game licenses for non-...
