Articles from the December 7, 2023 edition


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  • Governor downs Capitol Christmas Tree in Greenough

    Griffen Smith, of the Pathfinder|Dec 7, 2023

    Gov. Greg Gianforte joked he would cut down the Capitol Christmas Tree himself with a chainsaw, but a feller buncher beat him to the punch and slashed a massive Douglas fir on Lubrecht Experimental Forest last Monday, Nov. 27. Gianforte and his wife Susan met with state conservation officials and local loggers to cut down the tree on state trust lands within Lubrecht. Gianforte said active forest management seen in Greenough will better the state's forests while keeping the timber economy...

  • New cell tower proposed in Condon

    Griffen Smith, of the Pathfinder|Dec 7, 2023

    A new communications tower could come to the center of Condon in the future, but little has been shared on what purpose the tower has, when it could be built or what cell services will be carried on it. The Pathfinder originally published the public notice of a new cell tower on Nov. 30. It is unclear why the notice was published. The tower would be owned by Harmoni Towers, one of the largest tower companies in America. Since the land is unzoned, there is no requirement from the state of... Full story

  • Swan Valley Council names planning board

    Griffen Smith, of the Pathfinder|Dec 7, 2023

    The Swan Valley Community Council approved its members for a planning committee that could solidify some regulations and zoning for the Condon area at its Nov. 21 meeting. The Community Council is working to update the area’s community plan for the first time since 1996, and this time it could include more powerful rules like zoning limits for the first time ever. Council member Grace Siloti asked the board to approve the list of nine people and a three person advisory committee. The planning members will be Luke Lamar, Johnny Simons, C...

  • Angel Tree here to help

    Hattie Batchelder, of the Pathfinder|Dec 7, 2023

    The Seeley Lake Fire Department foundation is following tradition this year, as members put up their annual Holiday Angel tree. The Angel Tree, located at the Seeley Lake Fire Department, was started five years ago as a way to make Christmas magical for members of the community who need help with buying presents. . Parents who want to add an angel to the tree can go to the Fire Department and submit a form for their children to get a gift. They can submit information about their child to make th...

  • Rumbling Owl tour highlights potential reverse in forest health

    Griffen Smith, of the Pathfinder|Dec 7, 2023

    More than a dozen residents stood by the confluence of Holland Creek and the Swan River to hear from Forest Service officials and their plan to log and restore roughly 6,000 acres of land from Rumble Creek to Owl Creek. The field trip was part of the plan's public meeting, which featured experts in fire, forest health and wildlife. The Forest Service argued that the area needs alteration after previous managers suppressed fire for one hundred years, leaving thick stands at risk for wildfire and...

  • Legislature's work on criminal justice and public safety

    Dec 7, 2023

    Public safety has been a significant and growing concern in our communities for the past several years. The 2023 Legislature heard these concerns loud and clear and acted to make our state a safer place to work, play, and raise a family. We took on human traffickers with House Bill 112 from Rep. Jodee Etchart. It increased penalties for human trafficking and gave law enforcement more tools to prosecute these heinous crimes. HB 112 has already been credited for a major prostitution bust in Bozeman. Senate Bill 265, sponsored by Sen. Mark...

  • Re: School Equalization Mills

    Ross Butcher. MACo President, Fergus County Commissioner|Dec 7, 2023

    Governor Gianforte: The Montana Supreme Court clarified the state’s ability to accrue ‘banked mills’ when the calculation required under MCA § 15-10-420 results in mills above the cumulative cap of 95. While that opinion was directly in contrast to the position of many counties, and the Montana Association of Counties in our defense of our membership, we recognize the Supreme Court’s determination and appreciate the clarity. As you know, 49 of 56 Montana counties levied the current State mill levy authority, calculated by the Departme...

  • Are you happy about your new property tax bill?

    Jan Lombardi, Seeley Lake|Dec 7, 2023

    I’m definitely not. Everywhere I go, people are grumbling about how much their property taxes increased. But if you think nobody is happy, you’re wrong. Governor Gianforte and the Republican legislative supermajority raised our property taxes. Yep, it’s true, and it was intentional. Sure, taxes are complicated, and we pay them because we have to. So, you might be asking an obvious question, like I did: Why in the heck would Republican leadership want homeowners to pay more in their property tax bill? The answer is simple math -- the gover...

  • December Seeley Lake Library news

    Carrie Benton, Seeley Lake Librarian|Dec 7, 2023

    With colder temperatures upon us, perhaps it’s time to swing by your local library and find a cozy book to enlighten the mind or warm the heart. Your local Seeley Lake Public Library has many brand new popular titles in both non-fiction and fiction for adults. Here is a current sampling of what is available (all quotes from the books’ jacket covers). This month’s nonfiction highlight is Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture by Virginia Sole-Smith. The author “exposes the daily onslaug...

  • Missoula County Sheriff's Log for Dec. 7

    2/24 1:00 p.m. Recovered Stolen Vehicle 9XX Pine Drive, Seeley Lake 11/24 4:53 p.m. Suspicious Activity 90XX Highway 200 E., Bonner 11/25 2:54 a.m. Suspicious Activity 1XX B Street, Seeley Lake 11/27 5:44 p.m. Accident-Injury 230XX Highway 200 E., McNamara 11/27 11:16 p.m. Suspicious Activity 79XX Highway 200 E., Blackfoot 11/28 10:52 p.m. Accident-No injury 293XX Highway 200 E., Potomac...

  • Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Call Log for Dec. 7

    2/25/2023 Fire Rescue Ice/Water Highway 83 11/26/2023 Medical Highway 200 East 11/29/2023 Medical Highway 83...

  • Grants available for projects helping Seeley Lake

    Claire Muller, Executive Director of Seeley Lake Community Foundation|Dec 7, 2023

    Non-profit organizations are invited to submit grant proposals to the Seeley Lake Community Foundation for 2024 projects. The SLCF awards grants of up to $3,000 for projects to benefit the area of Seeley Lake, MT. Applications are due Jan. 31 each year, and grant award decisions are made by early March. The Seeley Lake Community Foundation helps local groups fund important community projects in the areas of: art & culture, community & economic development, basic human needs, education, and natural resources & conservation. In this capacity,...

  • Growing to love the Advent Season

    Pastor Jon Bergen, Seeley Lake Baptist Church|Dec 7, 2023

    Thanksgiving has come and gone; it is time to start reflecting on the Advent Season. After 21 years in Scotland, the Lectionary became a part of my Advent season build up to Christmas. I wish I could do the whole of the Advent writing to build the beauty of the incarnation. Ultimately Christmas is about the incarnation and God coming in the flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ, on our behalf. I have not always been a big fan of Christmas. The commercialism and ‘sell, sell, sell’ being the mantra does my head in. Och aye, this is why year aft...

  • Teddy Roosevelt was right - about a lot of things

    Chuck Stranahan, The Fly Fishing Journal|Dec 7, 2023

    I have a sign on the bulletin space above my desk that says, ‘Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” For me especially, and those who know me well would agree, that’s a good admonition. The quote is from Teddy Roosevelt. It’s one of many Teddy Roosevelt quotes worth remembering. From the time I was a young man or more likely an old boy, Teddy Roosevelt has been one of my heroes. Still is, for reasons added to those I found inspirational as a 12-year-old, looking at the rough-riding figure on horseback, riding into the Dakotas...

  • Archives for Dec. 7

    Dec 7, 2023

    Thirty-five years ago... Thursday Dec. 8, 1988 Seeley Lake Ranger District gets third award for effort This past summer the Canyon Creek fire on the Lolo National Forest came close to consuming an award winning bridge inside the Scapegoat wilderness. In the summer of 1987, Forest Service employees on the Seeley Lake Ranger District constructed a new bridge over the North Fork of the Blackfoot River. Using materials native to the area and no motorized equipment, the bridge crew replaced three spans of the 90-foot bridge, bridge abutments and...

  • Seeley Lake Historical Society - Keeping the Past Alive

    Tom Browder, Seeley Lake Historical Society|Dec 7, 2023

    For more than 20 years, the Seeley Lake Historical Society has worked to expand our knowledge and understanding of the history of the Seeley Lake area. We do this by maintaining the Historical Museum at the Barn and presenting programs and events of interest to the community and our schools. Our museum is open Thursday - Saturday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. through Memorial Day, at which time we transition to seven days per week. You can also reach us via email at slhistory@blackfoot.net, Our website...