Sorted by date Results 151 - 175 of 216
A Missoula District Court Judge has stopped new work on a gravel pit three miles south of Salmon Lake after area residents filed multiple lawsuits over the validity of the project. Protect the Clearwater, a nonprofit group of residents near the Clearwater River, successfully petitioned Missoula District Court Judge John Larson on July 17 for a temporary injunction, or hold, on LHC construction’s permit to crush gravel and create asphalt for road projects. The temporary injunction means work o...
Jennifer Patchen has lived in Seeley Lake most of her life. She was shocked when she opened a letter from the Montana Department of Revenue earlier this month. “I was like ‘oh my god’” Patchen said. “I opened up that (letter) and seen (my taxes) and it was almost 100% more than last year’s.” Patchen lives behind the elementary school and is not the only one getting shocking tax assessments. Across the Seeley-Swan area — and the rest of Montana — residents are receiving new property values from the state, which coincide with their local share...
Dennis Bennett climbed into his canoe and took his daughters down the Clearwater River. The Bennetts, from the Detroit area, last visited Montana eight years ago, and they stayed in the same place — Paws Up. Last Wednesday, the privately-owned resort took the family to canoe the Clearwater in one of its white Mercedes Sprinter vans. It was their first time taking the trail, and luckily the other visitors at the site just planned to hike. “I shoulda brought a cowboy hat for this,” Bennett said....
Finding new ways to support residents in the Swan Valley took center stage last Tuesday, June 27. About 100 people met to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Swan Valley Community Foundation with a leadership award and small grants to local nonprofits. Residents ate dinner at the Hungry Bear Bar and Grill in Condon. Each had a slip of paper that SVCF President John Mercer asked the crowd to write two things: what issues the Swan Valley face, and what the community foundation can do to help. Th...
Dozens of people roamed from tent to tent outside of the Seeley Lake Community Foundation building to get their market fix while its leaders celebrated a major milestone. The Sunday Market at Seeley Lake turned 15 years old on July 2. During the peak times of the Fourth of July, the foundation credited locals for getting the event started, and its vendors who often travel to Seeley to sell their goods. “I really wanted to take some time during this bustle on this big beautiful day to thank t...
Griffen Smith of the Pathfinder Sam McKenzie looked over the various drums in the back of the Seeley-Swan High School Auditorium, ready to give out lessons for hungry minds. "You want to focus on getting the rhythm right more than any accents of the instrument," McKenzie said. Rather than high school students who would normally sit in the band pit, McKenzie's audience all teach music to students across the state or are just professionals looking to brush up on their skills. The workshop was one...
The Seeley Lake Fourth of July activities will have most — if not all of the activities in previous years. This year under the Seeley Historical Society, a flyover by the Montana Air National Guard will be one of the many treats for visitors and residents alike. “We’re thinking that everything here we have done at some point in the past, I was worried a couple months ago though,” said Tom Browder, the chair of the historical society and Fourth planner. “Nice thing about Seeley is you just go to people and they will help out.” With the Seeley...
A Seeley man facing five felonies and one misdemeanor after he killed a Potomac woman while allegedly under the influence last year might agree to a plea deal, according to his defense attorney during a hearing in Missoula County Court last week. Kerry Glen Drew, 68, killed one person and injured at least two Dec. 21 when he drove off the side of Highway 200 near mile marker 18, where Victoria E. Richardson, 61, was helping a stranded motorist in the snow. Drew has been charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence, negligent...
One of the most impactful things when I worked for the Pathfinder in 2020 was the sheer amount of public comment that I saw in the newspaper. Whether thanking a service member, or blasting a public official over Holland Lake Lodge, I know this community has deep-seeded opinions that often do not show up anywhere in print. That’s why I write to you, reader, to send your opinions in. Since I started two weeks ago, I have seen just one Seeley-based letter to the editor. In the past I recall almost 10 in a single issue. The opinions are i...
The Seeley Fire District Board approved a 3% raise for its chief, approved its budget for next year, while call numbers for the agency are expected to surpass 2022 in the coming months. For 2022, the rural fire department responded to 95 calls. For 2023, 91 calls have been placed so far, according to Fire Chief Dave Lane. “It’s been picking up a bit,” Lane said. The fire board unanimously approved Lane’s salary to $77,845. That is below the average fire chief pay in the state of Montana, according to board member Jon Kimble. The median pay for...
Griffen Smith of the Pathfinder Housing has become a national problem for the United States Forest Service, and both the Seeley Ranger District and the Swan Lake Ranger District are in talks of building new housing on USFS land. The Swan Valley Community Council dived into the need for housing with both Chris Dowling, the Swan Lake district ranger, and Quinn Carver, the Seeley Lake district ranger on June 20. Both rangers agreed that the lack of housing in the area is holding people off from living and working in the area. “We can’t hire tea...
The Seeley Swan Pathfinder took home four first place awards at the Montana Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest on June 17. All the wins came from the editorial staff of the previous owners, Andi and Nathan Bourne. The better newspaper awards highlights the top newspapers from 2022 in news, sports, photography, design, advertising and more. The Pathfinder won first in feature writing, sports writing, sports feature writing and best portrait photo. The Pathfinder competed in the smallest newspaper division with a circulation of less...
There is a new editor of the Pathfinder. I know that you have all heard that line before, but I am excited to be here to usher in a new era of reporting in the Seeley-Swan area. To those who do not know me, I am Griffen Smith, a young 22-year-old journalist. I grew up west of Austin, Texas, yet I know the western Montana area well. My mother's side of the family has lived in the area for generations - including the Turner family, one of the founders of the Tamaracks Resort. I met some of you when I worked as the Pathfinder intern in summer...
Seeley Lake’s Fourth Of July brass band is seeking more players to round out the sound of the volunteer group. The band performs on a moving parade float, and is currently short about two people, according to band manager Bruce Davidson. “If not enough people show up, I’ll have to drive the truck,” Davidson said. The band hopes to find more brass musicians, but is open to anyone interested in playing any instrument. “If two people from Seeley Lake joined up, it would be quite the affair,” Davidson said. The group will practice the set the mor...
Monkey bars, rock walls and double slides took the attention of most children walking around the Lions Club Park in Seeley Lake on Saturday, June 10. The club hosted its grand opening of a new playground, which should be a good alternative to the elementary school's now-dismantled structure. The project cemented a cornerstone into the Lions park, which has long maintained the ground for Missoula County. Rich Westin, a Seeley Lake Lions Club member, said the playground will make the area feel mor...
Darrin Divis held his uncle's burial flag tightly as each fold symbolized an honor placed on veterans for their service. Roughly 40 people looked on as the Seeley Lake community honored and celebrated its veterans at the Memorial garden last Monday. Divis, an Iraq war veteran, said each year's memorial is similar in principle, but this year the Veterans and Families of Seeley Lake (VFSL) hoped to educate the public while preserving the traits of sacrifice and courage that many veterans had when...
University of Montana professor of Journalism Lee Banville said the engagement of malicious or false information is just a part of how social media works. Much like how a sensational newspaper would write a controversial headline to entice more readers, the grabbing of reactions is built in to get people to click on links or engage with a post. "Everything is easy to share on social media apps. It's built around you easily sharing information that may provoke some kind of reaction, whether it's...
Missoula County Sheriff's Office Detective Garret Van Hoose's spends many of his work hours learning how to hack ethically and track down criminals all through an IP address. He is a member of the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children's Taskforce, an organization dedicated to the prevention and response to human trafficking. Van Hoose knows the depths of social media. He just doesn't know if the law can ever catch up with cybercriminals. "Social media is definitely a moving target. It is a...
Beginning note: In the age of online information and fast paced technology, understanding how today's people communicate seems daunting. The Pathfinder talked to professors, law enforcement, mental health professionals and community members to better understand what being a part of social media means and how one can be a better consumer of this media. This four part series is divided into the origins and basics of social media, crime and misinformation online, identity and connections through...
SEELEY LAKE - At 10 o'clock at night, one member of the Kesterke family mixes together fruits and vegetables to make a healthy "sugar glider salad." The nightly snack is for their small lovable pets, their sugar gliders. They often, like their human counterparts, prefer to eat the fruit over the veggies. When they aren't asleep during the day, these small mammals jump around their cage, take an occasional field trip to explore the house or even spend time with the family in a group tent. "They...
Governor Steve Bullock announced Aug. 6 that like the June primary, counties will be able to opt in to an all-mail voting system. He also directed early voting to be expanded based on recommendations from the Montana Association of Clerks, Recorders and Election Administrators. "The local election administrators stressed there is serious ethical concern about conducting an election under standard procedures," Bullock said in a press conference Aug. 6. "The risk of viral transmission and...
The Montana High School Association (MHSA) released a plan for returning to sports in light of the coronavirus. The 20-page document details restrictions for fans and athletes during games, but emphasized youth sports will return for the fall school year. “MHSA Executive Board believes the resumption of sports and other activities is crucial to the growth, development, and mental and emotional wellness of our Montana youth,” the release stated. “These requirements, both general and activity specific, attempt to reduce the possibility of trans...
SEELEY LAKE - Racers clad in wetsuits waited patiently under the starting arch of the Youth For Christ Seeley Lake Challenge Triathlon on Aug 1. The race, located on the River Point Campground and parts of Boy Scout Road, featured triathletes from all across Montana. "I'm just glad we were able to give people an opportunity to choose to race if they wanted," Race Organizer Cheri Thompson said. "A lot of people trained for races and they have not had any outlet." Thompson said the event was not g...
In a normal year politicians running for office are often speaking to potential voters, canvassing neighborhoods and holding fundraisers. But with COVID-19, local candidates have to try to connect with voters without seeing them in person or at least in large crowds. "You don't have the audience, you don't have the ability to meet one-on-one with a lot of people or address groups, and you cannot attend meetings," said Missoula County Commissioner candidate Alan Ault. Without face-to-face...
SEELEY LAKE - When she started her first coffee shop in 2005, Jackie Callison did not think her business would be where it is today. Now, she has three coffee kiosks in small towns in western Montana, the most recent addition located in the parking lot of the Bison and Bear Center. Her goal is to consistently be there for her customers, always offering great coffee and a place for employment to locals in the community. "It just happened to come up a couple of months ago and I jumped on it and I...
