Articles from the September 26, 2024 edition


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  • Potomac's burgeoning secession movement reflects a perceived lack of rural representation

    Katie O'Reilly, for the Pathfinder|Sep 26, 2024

    Last Thursday evening, upwards of 30 people piled into the Potomac Bar and Grill's compact upper level to talk secession. While meeting leaders themselves admitted to uncertainty about what jumping ship from Missoula County would look like, how exactly one goes about seceding and how possible, or even effective, such a measure would be, citizens present were aligned on the raison d'etre behind what some are referring to as Potomac's "Secession Movement:" rising property taxes; specifically, a...

  • Seeley Lake Fire District adds three firefighters, one paramedic

    Keely Larson, Editor|Sep 26, 2024

    The Seeley Lake Rural Fire District added three new firefighters and a new paramedic to its team. Now, the department has 28 volunteer firefighters on the roster, four paramedics and one advanced emergency medical technician. Jon Espenscheid, Seppa Francis and Brandon Johnson were acknowledged at a badge pinning ceremony during the September fire department board meeting. These three completed their task books, which include a variety of safety trainings like ambulance driving and entry level...

  • Condon work center, incorporation, questionnaire: Highlights of Swan Valley Community Council meeting

    Keely Larson, Editor|Sep 26, 2024

    The Swan Valley Community Council met last Tuesday evening and received updates on the Condon Work Center, heightened bear activity, incorporation and a community questionnaire. Sara Lamar, managing director of education with Swan Valley Connections, gave an update on the Condon Work Center, which the Northern Region of the Forest Service — based in Missoula — decided to put up for conveyance, or transfer of ownership, at the end of June. Swan Valley Connections, who uses the space for its operations, was given a move-out date of the end of...

  • Farris-Olsen for Clerk of the Supreme Court

    Jan Lombardi, Seeley Lake|Sep 26, 2024

    Erin Farris-Olsen is a doer. Erin respects the law, and her approach as a candidate to be the next Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court will be to use her legal expertise to support all Montanans. As your elected official, Erin won’t play politics. That’s why I’m not goin’ with Bowen (Greenwood), who uses the office to promote his personal political agenda. We can do better! Not only does Erin know how to get things done, she also believes in a better Montana. On election day, remember to cast your vote for integrity and honor, and check the box...

  • Silence on racial remarks deafening

    Anna Whiting Sorrell, Ronan|Sep 26, 2024

    When someone tells you who they are, believe them. Tim Sheehy joked about one of his experiences as, “a great way to bond with all the Indians while they’re drunk at 8 a.m.” or throwing beer cans at cultural events. He then repeated his racist remarks to other audiences for their entertainment. He tells us who he is. There is no doubt his racist statements reflect his values. Mr. Sheehy’s racist belief, declared and repeated, inflicts devastation on Indigenous people. His hurtful words are felt by us all. They are particularly damaging as they...

  • Resignations, treatment site locations, funding: Seeley Lake Sewer District Board meets for Sept.

    Keely Larson, Editor|Sep 26, 2024

    The Seeley Lake Sewer District Board met last Thursday to discuss the process of selecting a wastewater treatment plant site, heard about funding updates and announced the resignation of the board’s secretary and manager. Bill Decker, the sewer district’s manager since the end of 2022, announced his resignation at the meeting on Sept. 19. Decker told the Pathfinder he started to feel like he was going in a different direction than the board, and that it was his time to step down. As a part-time Seeley Lake resident and one that doesn’t live...

  • Local rancher participates in trade trip to Japan

    Jean Pocha, Reporter|Sep 26, 2024

    Recently Justin Iverson, a Potomac rancher, was invited to go on an international agricultural trade trip to Japan. The purpose was to build relationships, study the Japanese market and explore opportunities for U.S. red meat. As a member of the Montana Beef Council, a beef marketing group, Iverson was part of the 21 member team of beef, pork, soybean and corn representatives, hosted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, which markets U.S. meat worldwide. The Tokyo office hosted the group of indus...

  • Seeley Lake Community Council invites residents to participate in an important survey and community meeting

    Tom Browder, Seeley Lake Community Council|Sep 26, 2024

    Seeley Lake is facing challenging times — ones that will leave a lasting impact on our community — but ones that we can work through together one step at a time. It is not the first time we have encountered such challenges, and it certainly won’t be the last. The Seeley Lake Community Council is committed to ensuring that our town remains a place where everyone can thrive, and we need your help to succeed. We invite all residents of Seeley Lake to participate in a community survey designed to gather your thoughts, ideas and concerns. “This...

  • Thanks for all you've done for us, Dave Inks

    Chuck Stranahan|Sep 26, 2024

    My first meeting with Dave Inks was inconsequential. It was somewhere in the mid-seventies and my young family was attending a sportsman's show in California's Bay Area. A number of fly fishing greats would be there and I was eager to meet some of them. My young son Jay and I visited Randall Kauffman's booth, where Randall graciously signed a copy of his new book for Jay. A few minutes later we were in the Creative Sports booth, the first mega-fly shop, manufacturing and wholesale conglomerate i...

  • Rush Skeletonweed, a new invader threatening our area

    Karen Laitala, Powell County Invasive Plants Coordinator|Sep 26, 2024

    Rush skeletonweed is rapidly advancing from the Idaho border where it has long been established along the I-90 corridor towards the Blackfoot watershed and points beyond. Rush skeletonweed is native to Asia, the Mediterranean and North Africa, and was first reported in the United States near Spokane, Washington in 1938. A small infestation was found in Sanders County, Montana in 1991 and has subsequently been reported in Lincoln, Flathead, Ravalli, Lewis and Clark, Beaverhead, Missoula and...

  • Blackhawk football and volleyball remain undefeated a month into the season

    Keely Larson, Editor|Sep 26, 2024

    Blackhawk football and volleyball teams are rolling past a month of games and remain undefeated. Football Coach Jacob Haley said this is the first time in 20 years the Blackhawk football team has been four-and-zero to start the season. "So far this season, in terms of the games, we've gotten off to fast starts, and we did again this game as well," Haley said. In Friday's match against Arlee, Haley said he knew that team had some pretty good runners and the Blackhawks had to lock in their... Full story

  • Fifth annual Mike Haley Memorial raises thousands for area sports

    Keely Larson, Editor|Sep 26, 2024

    The fifth annual Mike Haley Memorial golf tournament took place in Seeley Lake on Sept. 15 and raised over $6,000 for youth sports in the Seeley-Swan valley. The money goes directly to the principal of Seeley-Swan High School and in the past has been used for a shot clock and scoring table in the basketball gym. Jacob Haley, son of the late Mike Haley, said he's not sure what the school will use the money for this year. "I like to do it to keep my dad's name around," Haley said. "It means a lot...

  • Archives

    Pathfinder staff|Sep 26, 2024

    Thirty five years ago ... Thursday Sept. 21, 1989 School bustles with activity at Swan Valley Elementary The Montana Energy Education Council conducted an art contest last May to get art to be included in the 1990 Montana Energy Calendar. Swan Valley Elementary School student Boomer Alexander submitted artwork and his art was one of 13 chosen for the calendar. Congratulations to Boomer Alexander. The seventh and eighth grades have elected their class officers for this school year. They are President Boomer Jenson, Vice-president Justin Shoup,...