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MISSOULA – At public hearing Sept. 5, the Missoula County Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 2019-106 due to insufficient protest. The resolution changed the boundaries of the Rural Special Improvement District 282 around Lindbergh Lake and levied the RSID 282 property owners $73,176.29 to maintain the Lindbergh Lake bridge. The RSID 282 was created Jan. 12, 1978 for the purpose of constructing a bridge across the Swan River at the outlet of Lindbergh Lake. There was no termination date set for RSID 282 and Missoula County owned t...
The Bureau of Land Management Missoula Field Office completed a 660 acre prescribed burn near Chamberlain Mountain in the Wales Creek Wilderness Study Area, nine miles southeast of Clearwater Junction Thursday, Sept. 5. This project has been planned since 2016. BLM Fire Management Specialist Steve Hancock said everything lined up perfectly to complete the stand-replacing burn. The project area was 1,000 acres within a wilderness study area. There were no roads in the area so natural barriers...
OVANDO – For 15 years, the Blackfoot Challenge and its partners have released fledgling trumpeter swans into the Blackfoot Watershed in a program aimed at restoring the swans to their native habitat. Next year could be the last year that happens. The goal was to get seven pairs of released trumpeter swans to return to the area, create a nest, produce eggs, raise their young and repeat the cycle for two consecutive years. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Montana State Coordinator G...
The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (S. 1765) represents the best of Montana politics: collaborative, consensus-based policy intended to benefit everyone who lives and recreates in the Blackfoot River watershed. Diverse stakeholder groups have spent years creating a comprehensive plan for one of the most productive and storied landscapes in all of Montana. I will note that the BCSA’s incredible broad base of support – ranchers, timber companies, hunters, anglers, conservation groups, off-road enthusiasts and die-hard wilderness adv...
SEELEY LAKE - The sewer debate is about justice and fairness. Here are a couple of parameters. We all perform the same daily bodily functions, whether we’re registered to vote, own property or not. Fairness suggests we ALL have a say in this sewer debate, because even though a majority of the citizens don’t vote or own property they will pay for this new proposed sewer. Business people, the principal landowners, will certainly pass the increased sewer costs through to their customers and take a tax deduction for the expense. So, as it stands no...
Summer time is slowly slipping away. The heat for a while almost got us. Not much smoke appeared because of the rains – what a blessing. We don't need another 2017. So we wait for the leaves to change. We try to spend some precious moments out on our little deck. The aspen trees I planted out front lets their leaves quiver and quake in the breeze. Sort a like the lives of some folks quivering and quaking through this pilgrims journey and the time allotted us here. That sap sucker has been t...
SEELEY LAKE – "I realized my daughter [Laurisa] was just like everyone else, a habitual offender of texting and driving," said Jenny Ross, trauma coordinator for Community Medical Center who has told her daughter the dangers of impaired driving and distracted driving ever since she was very young. "It took her experiencing this car to open her eyes and she has never done it since. She feels this will make an impact on young drivers and that every new driver in Drivers Ed should have to e...
It really goes without saying, but Missoula County is an amazing place. And in a county that is home to 119,000 souls, spanning terrain from rugged wilderness to the second largest city in Montana, county government plays an important role in our day-to-day lives, whether we realize it or not. Over the next year, to better communicate the many facets of county government (arguably one of the least understood levels of government), Missoula County elected officials will contribute monthly...
As the season tapers into fall this month, we wrap up another beautiful Montana summer. While our gardens may be getting ready for their winter's rest, a little planning ahead this time of year can charm you with plentiful blooms next spring. With a small investment and a little work, fall planted bulbs offer beginner and Master Gardeners alike an abundance of early color and fragrance to welcome spring. Since bulbs are large and easy to handle, they are great for kids to plant, making this a...
SEELEY LAKE – Several projects continue on the Seeley Lake Ranger District, two of which will impact public access. Cottonwood Lakes Road/Dunham Creek Update: A segment of Cottonwood Lakes Road National Forest Service Road (NFSR) 477 at mile marker 19 over Dunham Creek will be closed from Sept. 16 – Oct. 12. for a bridge replacement. Cottonwood Lakes Road will be closed to the southeast from the intersection with Dunham Creek Road NFSR 4388 for approximately a quarter of a mile. Access to Lod...
SWAN VALLEY – Though he is not an outfitter himself (he works for Tom Parker's Buck Creek Guide Service), Rod Boothby was invited to be one of the speakers at the Aug. 3 Upper Swan Valley Historical Society program heralding the Guides and Outfitters of the Swan Valley. Boothby said, "I've been packin' horses and mules for about 35 years. Really, the only reason we do this, we really do it for the fun. We don't do it for the money, that's for sure." Boothby told two stories about mules and, s...
SEELEY LAKE - William Oscar Keiper (Bill) passed away on Aug. 29. He was born Aug. 26,1922 in south St. Paul, Minn. to Henry Jacob and Celestia Jane Fletcher Keiper. He grew up on the family farm in eastern Montana and graduated from high school in Circle, Mont. He joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Liverpool, England. He flew 13 missions in a B-24 bomber as a radio operator over Germany and Russia during World War II. They had only 13 hours of fuel to complete their missions and get...
In Matthew 10:24-25 it is written, “A taught one is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the taught one to become like his teacher and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!” John 14:21 it is written, “He would possess My commands and guards them it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father and I shall love him and manifest Myself to him.” I love the Scriptures, the Word of Elohim. If anyone will spend mu...
POTOMAC - As summer’s dry heat wanes into cooler damp weather, fire season comes to an end. Some Potomac residents took time this year to openly reflect on past fire seasons and their firefighting experiences. They shared stories of fighting fires on their own; when they would leave the mill, their logging jobs and ranches to fight fires. They used their own equipment and worked through the night to put the fires out. Potomac has a history of the Anaconda and Champion logging companies, the Blackfoot Forest Protective Association (BFPA), f...
MISSOULA – Seeley Lake mask makers Herman and Susie Andersen are displaying their hand-carved masks at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Missoula through the end of the month. Both enjoy sharing stories about each mask and the cultural significance behind them. Susie moved to Alaska in 1978 and taught in Makotak, a remote Yupik village near Bristol Bay where she met her husband Herman. Herman is of the Aleut tribe in Alaska and his mother was Yupik. They started seeing all the different s...
PLAINS – Coming off their home victory over Darby, the Blackhawks took to the road last week looking for their second win of the season as they faced off against the Plains Horsemen Sept. 6. The Blackhawks buried the Horsemen in the first quarter. They pounded in three touchdowns and were successful on all three two-point conversion attempts for a 24-0 lead. By the half the Blackhawks were up 38-6 and they finished the Horsemen off 58-12 by the final buzzer. When the dust settled, they had s...
MISSOULA – The Seeley-Swan High School Cross County team took to the course at Big Sky for the Missoula Coaches Invite, Sept. 5 with 10 other teams. All the racers cut at least two minutes off their time from the Deer Lodge meet. Each field was organized by grade instead of split by boys and girls. Sophomores Hannah Ayers and Chase Haines ran together for the entire sophomore/junior race before Haines outkicked Ayers at the end. Haines finished 55 of 94 boys in 22:25.55 posting a 7:14 mile time....
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley-Swan Lady Blackhawks had a tough week dropping matches to two conference opponents, the Valley Christian Eagles and the Lincoln Lynx. The Ladies traveled to Missoula Sept. 5 to take on the Eagles then hosted the Lynx Sept. 7. In Missoula the Lady Blackhawks fell to the Eagles in the opening set 23-25 and then tied it up with a 25-16 victory in the second set. The third set was another close one but the Eagles edged out the Lady Blackhawks 24-26. The Ladies had a 25-17 vi...
Seeley Lake Community Park Work Day, Sept. 14 SEELEY LAKE – Weather permitting, the Seeley Lake Community Parks Committee will be hosting a workday Saturday, Sept. 14 starting at 10 a.m. to do maintenance on the park at Seeley Lake Elementary school. Projects will include painting, staining and sanding the playground equipment and bleachers. Please bring work gloves and wear clothes for painting and staining. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to Nathan at 677-2155 or email nathan@seeleylake.com. Please indicate the number of...
It seems that everyone in Montana except Cory Stapleton knows that he is unqualified to fill any elected position. Stapleton seems either incompetent, corrupt or possibly both. Cory has done damage during the short time he has been in this office. He openly violates the law requiring he live in Helena. He improperly uses a state-owned vehicle and fuel to go home frequently. He claimed less than 0.1 percent error in voting was proof of massive voter fraud. He awards contracts to friends. etc. What Montana needs is a person working to make...
Climate change and global warming are important issues for Montanans. Coming changes will broadly impact our economic sectors and put inevitable strain on state resources. Challenges need to be addressed, especially in agricultural, business and tourism sectors where impacts are already being felt. The unpredictable weather patterns of a changing climate continue to have drastic consequences and Montana needs to be prepared. Along with planning for the future, we need to address the causes of climate change and hold fossil fuel industries...
