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MISSOULA –A Washington couple's trip to Glacier National Park came to a violent end almost three decades ago near Lake Alva. The unsolved homicides of Iva LaRue and Kenneth Cheetham are being revisited by the Missoula County Sheriff's Office in hopes that new technology and a fresh set of eyes can bring closure. At a press conference April 11, Sheriff T.J. McDermott introduced retired federal agents Diana Parker and Susan Lane. The pair has volunteered to investigate unsolved cases under the s...
SEELEY LAKE – With around 20 projects scheduled across the Seeley Lake Ranger District this summer, Acting District Ranger Quinn Carver said he understands everyone wants their forest back after three years of exclusion for fires, timber sales and roadwork. While some of the projects will impact access, the District is working hard to inform the public so they can plan ahead for the disruptions. Big Larch Campground will open for firewood cutting May 3-12. District sawyers will put dead tress on...
SEELEY LAKE – After the last couple walked across the stage for Grand March April 13, the DJ started off the 1950's Diner themed 2019 Seeley-Swan High School prom with the soundtrack from "Grease." Bow ties, suspenders and suit coats were common for the gentleman as they smiled escorting their dates in stunning gowns and lit corsages. The 50's Diner would not have been complete without cheeseburger sliders, mini corn dogs, French fries, popcorn and a sundae bar....
Several years ago I was involved in a severe single-car auto accident when a left front tire blew out on a country road. I was intentionally placed in a coma for a few months as my body worked to recover from multiple spinal fractures and other broken bones. My doctors treated me with opioids. Upon release from the hospital, I continued to control serious pain with Oxycodone daily for a few years. I never developed a high from the drug and no addiction. When I no longer needed it, I simply stopped taking it. Fast forward to today. Because a...
Representatives and Senators, HELENA - Senate Bill 260 was signed into law on April 3, 2019, establishing the Trenton Johnson Memorial Highway, for the sake of honoring the risks wildland firefighters accept in order to save the lives and property of others, and especially those who pay the ultimate price for their service, like Trenton did at only 19 years of age. Senate Bill 260 passed with a vote of 47-3 in the Senate, and 90-9 in the House. I can’t imagine the reasoning behind the “Nay” votes, but that is far from what bothers me the most....
When asked that question, my reply is, “what do you want the gun for?” Let’s talk about only concealed carry for now. I will address other purposes later. There are so many choices it can be confusing. There are more handguns made today by more manufacturers for concealed carry than ever before. Let’s talk about revolvers first. Next time I will talk about autos. Revolvers are extremely simple and easy to operate. Anyone wanting to master a handgun, the revolver is by far the easiest. Push a...
HELENA -- After a lengthy debate, the bill to continue Medicaid Expansion in Montana failed to pass the Senate on a 25-25 vote last week and several attempts to revive it Friday and Saturday also failed, leaving it stalled. House Bill 658 would have continued the program passed in 2015 that provides healthcare coverage to about 96,000 Montanans. The new bill, which would add work requirements forcing eligible enrollees to record 80 hours per month, is carried in the Senate by Republican Sen. Jason Small from Busby. “There’s never a one...
The Legislative Session is coming to an end. I have heard rumors that Republican and Democratic leadership are thinking we might be done by Easter but we hear that leadership wants us to be done early every session and it usually doesn’t work out. The State Budget is now back in the House and should come up for a vote on the Senate’s amendments to the budget at the end of this week. Our next update on the revenue estimate will come on April 20th. Once we see the update, it will be our final look at the estimate before the end of the ses...
Colby Johnson was celebrating his 30th birthday in Las Vegas when he noticed the neon advertisements for cannabidiol (CBD). The letters were everywhere. The hemp-derived tincture cannabidiol is said to relieve pain, anxiety and other health issues, though science hasn’t yet corroborated such claims. Regardless. “When I see those signs, I think to myself, the best CBD can be grown here in Montana,” said Johnson, who farms north of Conrad. He isn’t alone. A wealth of Treasure State growers believe hemp can supplement thinning profit margins on tr...
HELENA – This past March, Seeley Lake Elementary junior high math and science teacher Patti Bartlett was among four other Montana educators that received the 2019 Teresa Veltkamp Advocacy Award for Excellence in Indian Education for All. She was recognized for her leadership, enthusiasm and scope of influence for the Indian Education for All program. While Barlett was honored by the award, she quickly pointed to others who help her incorporate native American education in her classroom. There ar...
In recent years, agencies and homeowners alike have raised the question "How can a fire adapted community benefit me?" It's not until we start asking around to other communities in the northwest do we actually have our eyes opened to the possibilities and the benefits we may reap if we could strive for a common goal. When dealing with the impacts of a wildfire, the best way to get through a wildfire event is to stick together as a community and support each other. What if we prepared earlier...
SWAN VALLEY – The Swan Valley Elementary School Board continued their discussion regarding the new school sign. They also reviewed a list of facility maintenance projects and discussed how they could move forward. Trustee Jimmy Boyd presented the board with a different sign design than the four by eight foot sign on a four-foot pedestal that was discussed at the March meeting. He found a design for a 66-inch by 16-inch wooden sign with a three-foot wide stone base on an 18-inch concrete footer that would utilize the LED display. The LED p...
A labyrinth of channels, willow bottoms, islands and a general mix of wetlands interact to piece together the headwaters of the Missouri River. The point where the three forks – the Jefferson, Gallatin and Madison rivers – join as one, the great Missouri River begins an odyssey, heading out as having had the starring role in the creation of a state. As a route of western expansion, the Missouri River had few equals. Missouri Headwaters State Park, at the three forks, documents the river's ill...
HELENA – As part of an effort to encourage more young women to choose careers in technology, the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), NorthWestern Energy and Carroll College recognized 20 Montana high school women from 12 high schools for their accomplishments and aspirations in computing and technology April 6 at Carroll College. Seeley-Swan High School senior Nicole Williams was among those recognized for the second year in a row. The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in C...
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – Seeley Lake's Logan Maughan, 2018 graduate of Seeley-Swan High School, graduated Marine Corps Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego, Calif. April 12. Maughan was given the honor to carry the company guidon. This is an honor given to the most physically fit marine as he marches in front of his company and behind the commanding officers. After a brief visit home, Maughan will return to Camp Pendleton for Marine Combat training. He then travels to Pensacola, Fla. for Air Crew T...
How did the Easter bunny hop his way into a religious holiday? And why does a bunny lay eggs? Well, there's the spring proliferation theory, the ground-nesting bird explanation, the pagan goddess version and the adult joke-on-the-kids story. The spring proliferation theory points to the rebirth of plants and animals in the springtime. Christian religions connect that rebirth to the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. The springing up of grasses and flowers, buds bursting on trees, birds layi...
SEELEY LAKE - Nicholas Beery, 73, passed away Wednesday, April 10 at St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula, Mont. He was born Jan. 31, 1946 to Margaret and Newell Beery. As a boy he lived on the family ranch and was educated in the Richey and Circle Public Schools. In 1965 he was drafted into the Army, serving his country for two years. On Aug. 24, 1973, he married Barbara (Piersak) Plouffe in Circle, Mont. becoming a stepfather to Danette and Monique. They lived in Vida and Wolf Point before moving...
"Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?" Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judaea, was faced with a dilemma. Finding Jesus not guilty of any crimes, he nonetheless faced a crowd agitating for that very thing. Due to an already extant state of potential rebellion, Caesar had already warned him that any further unrest in the area would have severe consequences for him personally. As the shouts for Jesus' death grow louder, he...
POLSON - The Boys and Girls of Seeley-Swan took second place at the Dave Tripp Memorial track meet April 12. The meet attracted three Class B schools and 12 Class C schools. The Boys were just 3.5 points short of Powell County's 105 points while the Girls were 12.5 points behind Charlo's 105.5 points. On the track the Boys shined in the 100, 200, 400-meter and both relays. Logan Robinson won both the 100 and 200-meter races with times of 11.62 and 23.44 seconds. Dakota Wood hot on his heels...
Condon Easter Egg Hunt, April 20 SWAN VALLEY – Everyone is invited to attend the first Easter Egg Hunt in Condon Saturday, April 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the Condon Baseball Field on the north end of the airstrip along Highway 83. Age groups include 0-5, 6-9, 10-14, 15-20 and adults only. Prizes include baskets and brownies for the youth and beer, wine, massage and drink tickets for the adults. Grand prize is $50. Bring your baskets and come find one of the golden tickets! First Friday, Stories of Wildfire in Swan Valley, May 3 SWAN VALLEY - Hear and...
An Open Letter to Montana State Legislators and Governor Bullock: As former and current Montana Public Service Commissioners, we represented Montanans across this great state in balancing the needs of utilities with the needs of consumers. We took our oath of office seriously and worked tirelessly to faithfully perform the job to which our constituents entrusted us. We often disagreed as Commissioners, and still rarely agree on many issues. Yet we are writing this letter because we share grave concerns about Senate Bill 331. While we may...
