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County records show at least two facts used during the punishment of a Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Chief do not match Seeley Lake records from the 2022 incident, according to an independent review by the Pathfinder. Dave Lane, the Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Chief, was previously ordered to four hours of continuing education by a state board for his role in a March 2022 incident. The emergency ended with the department calling Life Flight to extract a patient after complications during... Full story
Alaina Barger won Senior Goat Showmanship at the Arizona National Livestock Show held in Phoenix, Arizona on Dec. 29-31. Competing against 78 exhibitors from 16 states, Barger was pleased to take home the championship prize. "Anyone can buy a fancy animal to compete with," Barger said. "But the attitude and motivation to compete in showmanship is available to anyone. Even a small-town girl like me can compete and win in Showmanship at the National level." The Arizona National attracted 1556 exhi...
Jack Frost went missing this December, and local Seeley Lake businesses said the lack of snow has hurt the town's winter sports economy, although there might be relief in sight. The Clearwater, Swan and Blackfoot Valleys are all experiencing record-low snowpacks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That could change this week, however, as several storms and arctic air will move into the region. Snowmobiling rentals and cross country skiing have been severely limited. And with fewer...
HELENA – January 2, 2024 – Starting this month, the Forest Service is accepting comments on reauthorization of existing outfitter and guide permits for the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. “We are working with a team of specialists from the Helena-Lewis and Clark, Lolo and Flathead national forests to evaluate and reauthorize permits that are set to expire in April 2025,” said Rocky Mountain District Ranger Mike Muñoz. “Outfitters and guides help connect people with their public lands and we are looking for comments from the public that voice...
Thirty-five years ago... Thursday Jan 12, 1989 Weatherman watches Jan. snows pile up, It might be a 'regular' Montana winter, says Kux SWAN VALLEY–More than 30 inches of snow fell at Lindbergh Lake during the month of December, but that's still less than the 30-year average (33.3 inches) for the month according to Swan Valley weather observer, Marty Kux. The record high snowfall at Lindbergh Lake during the past 30 years was 84.8 inches in 1977; the record low was 10 inches in 1965. On Dec. 3...
This article has been corrected after inaccurate quotes from Rob Henrekin were discovered The wolf trapping season for much of Montana started on Jan. 1 after a delay from a lawsuit concerned for the safety of grizzly bears. With the open season, several trappers in the Clearwater, Swan and Blackfoot Valleys have started laying snares and traps. This fall, a lawsuit by two environmental groups halted the early trapping season, arguing that the baited traps have been ensnaring federally-protected...
Seeley Lake and the rest of western Montana has continued to see drier and warmer than average conditions, as mountain snow levels continue to stay below 65% of normal, according to the National Water and Climate Center. "We're in a classic El Niño pattern this winter," said Meteorologist Luke Robinson of the Missoula National Weather office. "There are some indications that it might change in mid-January, bringing some snow and cooler temperatures." The El Niño weather pattern is caused by warm...
One person died and two people were injured in a head-on car crash in Powell County on Friday, Dec. 22, according to the Montana Highway Patrol. At around 9:30 a.m., a Subaru Outback, driven by a 34-year-old man from Missoula, was headed eastbound on Highway 200. Road conditions were reportedly icy. Around mile marker 55, the car negotiated a left turn and then slid into the westbound lane. The driver of the Subaru then hit a Toyota RAV4 head on. The passenger in the Toyota, a 72-year-old woman from Great Falls, died on the scene. The Montana...
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Twenty years ago... Thursday Jan. 8, 2004 Public meeting Jan. 14 on Pyramid issue with DEQ There will be a most important public meeting at Seeley Lake Elementary on Wednesday, January 14th at 7: p.m., following an earlier meeting at 6:00 p.m. Anyone interested in the economic and environmental health of Seeley Lake needs to be in attendance. At issue is whether or not the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) places Pyramid Mountain Lumber on the Comprehensive Environmental Cleanup...
Seeley Lake skiers will notice a new blanket of light this winter, as the Seeley Lake Nordic Club successfully routed electricity up Morrell Creek Road to power three overhead lights at the trailhead and warming yurt. Laurie Shammel, who wrote a grant application for the project, said the project is the farthest electricity has reached in that area of Seeley Lake. She said the process was not easy, as grant money, Forest Service approval and installation all took months to complete. "It's been d...
Saving Christmas from the Wicked Wazzu took center stage of the Paws Up Bull Barn last Wednesday, Dec. 20, as the Sunset School put on a play to emphasize uniqueness and holiday laughs. The 11-student cast put on Santa and Wicked Wazzu by Tim Kelley. Toni Hatten, Sunset School supervising teacher, said the students have been working on the play since the start of October. "We begin reading it out loud as a class, multiple times, trying to figure out which role would be the best student's...
New monitoring wells drilled around the Holland Lake Wastewater System showed the two sewage lagoons have not contaminated groundwater, according to both the Forest Service and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. Testing at the site started after DEQ engineers reported the wastewater system was leaking at more than 140 times the legal limit, or roughly 50,000 gallons of wastewater in one week. The state then issued a violation letter to Flathead National Forest, requiring monitoring wells, a new design and a rebuild of the...
A Ferndale man is facing one count of deliberate homicide after he allegedly shot and killed one person and injured two more earlier in December. Police took Matthew T. Vitek, 49, into custody on Dec. 10 after multiple callers reported gunshots near Cayuse Lane. When officers arrived, they found a person on the ground with a gunshot to the head. Tammi Jordan, 56, later died from the gunshot wounds, according to charging documents. Officers then heard gunshots from a nearby outbuilding. Officers entered the shop, followed by another gunshot by V...
The Seeley Lake Community Foundation is excited to announce two special, year-end grants. “As we move into the winter season, we are excited to be able to support two important projects that get people outside enjoying this special place we live, as well as bring people together to build community and celebrate Seeley Lake,” said SLCF Executive Director Claire Muller. The organizations receiving grants are: Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Club: $5,000 for maintenance of cross country skiing that is free to all. These funds will help with the exp...
Thirty-five years ago... Thursday, Dec. 29, 1988 Young inventor inspired by accident Kia Jette is probably the only 12 year-old in Seeley Lake that will be applying for a patent. She was selected as the 1988 state award winner for the "Invent America" competition with a design of an arrowhead protector. Kia's inspiration for her invention came when her brother, Jeff, had a serious accident with an arrow tip as he was assembling a razor-sharp tip into the shaft of an arrow. His accident required...
Students across the Swan Valley got an extra Christmas present this year, as the Swan Valley Library and Swan Valley School worked together to gift a book to each student. Swan Valley Librarian Jenny Kauffman said this is the second year the books were given out, but this year Kauffman and others handpicked each book from stores across western Montana. Each book was matched to a student by the teachers. Volunteers then wrapped each book and delivered the goods just in time for...
Longtime residents, visitors and those checking out the area for the first time descended on the Rich Ranch last Sunday, Dec. 17, to celebrate another year of appreciating Montana's scenic outdoors and acknowledge all the work area residents do for each other. The idea is that we opened up our home and our hearts to others to share our passion for Montana and its great outdoors, this is just an extension of that for the community," Jack Rich, owner of the Rich Ranch, said. "We are just part of...
One person died and two people were injured in a head-on car crash in Powell County on Friday, Dec. 22, according to the Montana Highway Patrol. At around 9:30 a.m., a Subaru Outback, driven by a 34-year-old man from Missoula, was headed eastbound on Highway 200. Road conditions were reportedly icy. Around Mile Marker 55, the car negotiated a left turn and then slid into the westbound lane. The driver of the Subaru then hit a Toyota RAV4 head on. The passenger in the Toyota, a 72-year-old woman from Great Falls, died on the scene. The Montana...
The Bureau of Land Management’s Missoula Field Office seeks public comment on a proposal to increase visitor fees at Garnet Ghost Town. The Field Office’s proposal includes raising the existing standard amenity fee and cabin rental fees at Garnet to levels consistent with similar amenities in the area. The current fee for visiting Garnet is $3 per person 16 and older; the field office proposes raising that to $10. Winter cabin rental fees for Dahl Cabin would go from $40 per night to $50 per night; rental fees for McDonald Cabin would go fro...
The students of Ovando's school transported out of Ovando, and even Kansas, to recite the Wizard of Oz story with a Christmas twist. The school play featured musical numbers, the classic cast of the hit 1939 movie - all meshed with Christmas characters. Dena Hooker of Ovando elementary said the event was a great success "It was an enchanting evening," Hooker said. "The students worked hard, as did the teachers and staff. Teacher and staff include Andrea Tougas, Patti Bartlett, Angela Williams...
Thirty-five years ago... Thursday Dec. 22, 1988 Endurance race from Helena to Holland Lake–and back! Governor's Cup 500 renamed for Centennial The Montana Centennial Sled Dog Race today announced the support of this event by the Montana Centennial Committee, Kessler Beer, Eagle Brand Pet Foods and Northern Energy, a Montana propane and appliance business. The race is scheduled to start on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 11, following the traditional Friday night banquet at Carroll College. This r...
Koozies, earrings, candles and more will take center stage in Seeley-Swan High School this Saturday, Dec. 16 as the high school business class opens up a market to sell their handmade products. The business class, led by teacher Michele Holmes, has been spending the semester researching and creating products that the students could grow into their own businesses, and in turn make some money from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 16. One of the biggest values Holmes looked at is passion. She said she...
Seeley Lake and much of western Montana have seen a decent amount of moisture, but temperatures have stayed well above average to limit snowpack and delay some winter activities. Winter road closures in the Seeley Lake Ranger District have been pushed back a week, the Lolo National Forest announced on Dec. 5. The transition to winterized roads will start on Dec. 11 and is expected to be finished by Dec. 15 - one week later than planned. "Winter has arrived on the Seeley Lake Ranger District,"...
Amid plenty of activity this weekend, the Seeley Lake Stocking party is hoping to give back to the community by providing free toys and time with Santa at the Seeley Lake Foundation building on Dec. 17. Seeley Lake stockings, now in its fifth year, was started to be a place for families to bring their children for good fun and a toy. Sheila Czifro, one of the founders, noticed there were plenty of events in Seeley during the winter, but not enough for children, especially those in need. “We don’t want to carry anything home at the end of thi...
