Articles from the October 19, 2023 edition


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  • Holland Lake Lodge cancels expansion plans; for sale

    Griffen Smith, of the Pathfinder|Oct 19, 2023

    The owner of the Holland Lake Lodge announced he will not continue a partnership with a Utah company to expand the resort and plans to sell the site. Christian Wohlfeil told the Pathfinder on Oct. 14 he has revoked his request to the Forest Service to expand or transfer ownership to the Utah-based resort company POWDR. The lodge is now for sale, and Wohlfeil hopes to find a buyer before the next business season starts. Wohlfeil said the decision came from two reasons: the inability to complete...

  • Report: Holland Lake Wastewater System leaking 148 times above legal limit

    Griffen Smith, of the Pathfinder|Oct 19, 2023
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    A leakage study determined the Holland Lake Wastewater System has been spilling sewage at a very high rate into the surrounding ground, an issue that the Forest Service said will be fixed under state guidelines. The study showed that the wastewater system had leaked 19.5 inches of effluent over eight days. The state-approved leakage is six inches per year. That's roughly 148 times the legal limit. “This excessive leakage constitutes a discharge without a permit in violation of the Montana Water...

  • New teachers welcomed

    Hattie Batchelder, of the Pathfinder|Oct 19, 2023

    Seeley Lake, Condon and Ovando schools welcome several new educators for the 2023-2024 school year. Seeley Lake Elementary had two new teachers join its staff: third-grade teacher Ali Williams and first-grade teacher Janet Kiely. Swan Valley Elementary welcomed Angela Mock as its new principal. Seeley Swan High School has recruited two new teachers as well: Warren Bunde and Lori Skyrud. Former SLE science and math teacher Patti Bartlett joined the Ovando School staff. Angela Mock is a 17-year...

  • Seeley Community Council hears from Clearwater Resource Council, adds council member

    Griffen Smith, of the Pathfinder|Oct 19, 2023

    The Seeley Lake Community Council heard new plans for the Clearwater Resource Council, clarification on current Sewer Board actions and added a new council member at its Oct. 9 meeting. Dave Torrell, the new executive director from CRC, said the group has had some leadership changes over the last few years, and his goal is to get the organization more involved in local projects about the environment. “This valley is prime for issue-based programming for several reasons,” Torrell said. He said Seeley Lake’s want to stay rural while respe... Full story

  • Connecting over food in Seeley Lake

    Jean Pocha, of the Pathfinder|Oct 19, 2023

    There is a common thread of community care and support for Veterans, Seniors and the community between the Seeley Lake Senior Center, Food Pantry, Veterans and Families and others. After meeting Barb Knopp, President of Seeley Lake Veterans and Families, when she visited the Deer Lodge Southwest Montana Food Pantry to pick up 80 bags of meat for Seeley veterans, the Deer Lodge Pantry wanted to do a food distribution in Seeley Lake. "A 600 pound food donation on Sept. 23 by the Deer Lodge...

  • More details released on Arson case

    Griffen Smith, of the Pathfinder|Oct 19, 2023

    The woman accused of starting multiple fires near propane tanks in Seeley Lake had gotten into an argument at the Chicken Coop, bought fire starter from Roveros and tried to burn down multiple structures because “she was so upset with what happened with the people of Seeley Lake (that) she needed to do something to show them she was unhappy.” Makayla Dembowski, a resident of Idaho, had been waiting on a load of wood from Pyramid Mountain Lumber, and decided to do some drinking in her vehicle before walking across Highway 83 to the Chicken Coo...

  • Legislature cut red tape to increase housing availability

    Jason Ellsworth, Montana Senate President|Oct 19, 2023

    The Legislature’s major zoning reforms to increase the supply of affordable housing in Montana have made a lot of news, but there was also another significant pillar of our pro-housing work during the session: cutting red tape. Excessive government regulations have been one of the barriers to meeting demand for housing. Every regulation also increases costs, making what homes do get built more expensive than they otherwise would be. The Legislature’s regulatory reforms touched on every economic class, from families with existing property, to...

  • Dental health for a healthy life

    Heather Myre, Dental Hygienist|Oct 19, 2023

    October is National Dental Hygiene Month which gives us dental professionals an opportunity to share our enthusiasm about oral care with our communities. There are multiple roles a hygienist will take on in their career to assure we are treating our patients with the most comprehensive care possible. The role of educator is one of our biggest roles. If you go to your dental office regularly, you often see your hygienist and the trust you have in your hygienist is evident when you ask her questions about procedures and treatment she doesn’t c...

  • Two dogs attack goats, deer in Seeley Lake

    Griffen Smith, of the Pathfinder|Oct 19, 2023

    Two dogs around Seeley Lake drew concerns from residents after the animals attacked a goat and caused other problems for multiple-days. The two dogs, both huskies, were first reported by Missy Kesterke, who watched the pair attack her goat on Oct. 8. Kesterke said her goat Dixie is still alive and recovering. The dogs have been sighted several times after that, most notably eating a deer carcass, harassing horses and other livestock and chasing someone’s cat up a tree. The dogs were promptly reported to animal control. Missoula County Animal C...

  • Missoula County Sheriff's Log for Oct. 19

    1/6 6:07 a.m. Accident - No Injury 5XX Spruce Drive, Seeley Lake 10/7 6:12 a.m. Accident - No Injury 3XMM Hwy 200, Clearwater Junction 10/9 11:51 a.m. Civil 11XX Airport Road, Seeley Lake 10/10 2:53 p.m. Suspicious Activity 3XX Boy Scout Road, Seeley Lake 10/11 3:47 p.m. Assault 2XX School Lane, Seeley Lake...

  • Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Call Log for Oct. 19

    1/6/2023 Medical Highway 83 10/6/2023 Fire Wildland Double Arrow Ranch 10/6/2023 Medical Willow Drive 10/6/2023 Medical Standby Highway 83 10/6/2023 Medical Seeley Lane 10/13/2023 Medical Highway 83...

  • Delmar Houston Lemons

    Oct 19, 2023

    Delmar Houston Lemons, son of Houston and Genevieve (Miller) Lemons, was born July 25, 1935 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The family moved to the Missoula area where he attended school. He left Missoula County High School after two years and joined the United States Army, where he obtained his GED and was honorably discharged. Delmar moved to Potomac. One day he saw a young woman, Johanna, outside playing with some children at Bible study group. He said, "There's the girl I am going to marry!" Delmar... Full story

  • Sparrow's Vine holds banquet

    Ruth Bergen, Executive Director of Sparrows Vine|Oct 19, 2023

    Sparrow's Vine held its annual banquet on Friday, Oct. 6 at the Seeley Lake Community Hall. This marked their 13th year as a Parenting and Pregnancy Resource Center. A delicious BBQ meal with all the trimmings was enjoyed by the crowd. The "dessert dash" that followed had everyone scrambling for wonderful baked goods. Board Chair Debbie Anderson gave a short report of the year and a brief history of the reasons why the group have a parent resource center. Kayla Binder shared her experiences...

  • What a mess!

    Rev. Jon Bergen, Seeley Lake Baptist Church|Oct 19, 2023

    Two big events recently are the Afghan earthquake and the Israel/Hamas conflict. There is still the Ukraine situation ongoing but out of the spotlight for the moment. Sadly, the devastation in the earthquake has been overshadowed by the Israel/Hamas conflict. The death toll will probably never be known as the area is burying the dead almost as fast as they are found. Prayers for the Afghan people in that area are most appropriate. Honestly, I’m not sure where to start with a response. Perhaps best to start with the problem, it’s that crazy old...

  • Death notice

    Oct 19, 2023

    Allen Richard Miller, 97, of Missoula, Montana, passed away on October 7, 2023. Arrangements are under the care of Just Cremation Montana....

  • Tenacious Beasts: wildlife recoveries that change how we think about animals

    Tom Browder|Oct 19, 2023

    While the title alone should interest us in Christopher Preston’s latest book, I found it to be a remarkable and engrossing read. Once started, it is difficult to put down, and for those of us in our valley who live close to nature, it is optimistic as well as cautionary, and challenges us in surprising ways. Preston will be reading from his new book, “Tenacious Beasts” at Alpine Artisans’ Open Book Club 7 pm, Oct. 21 at the Seeley Lake Foundation Building. The event is free and everyone is welcome. Species which have rebounded against overwhel...

  • Hospital board meets with RV park owner, announces new doctor

    Griffen Smith, of the Pathfinder|Oct 19, 2023

    The Seeley Swan Hospital District Board met with the future neighboring RV Park executive director, announced a new doctor joining the clinic and agreed to continue to look into needed maintenance to the air conditioning and water damage. Lazy Acres RV Park Executive Director Brandon Grosvenor told the board during its Oct. 10 meeting that he intends to be a good neighbor and hopes the two agencies can have open communication about potential issues. The hospital board previously sent a letter expressing concern over the covenants of the...

  • Walking the river with a fly rod in autumn

    Chuck Stranahan, , The Fly Fishing Journal|Oct 19, 2023

    The leaves are just turning color along favorite stretches of my home river; they're likely doing the same along your river, too. Wherever you fish there's a certain feel to taking your fly rod for a walk along a river in autumn that doesn't come anywhere else at any other time. It's meditative and can fill your soul with what it needs. You don't get that same sense at other times, or if you do, it's likely something you brought to the river yourself; the things that surround your senses and...

  • Football loses heartbreaker to Flint Creek

    Griffen Smith, of the Pathfinder|Oct 19, 2023

    The Seeley Swan High School Football Team also made history on Friday, Oct. 13, going toe-to-toe versus Flint Creek Co-op, but lost in a last minute comeback 26-22. The Blackhawks have not beaten its rival since the Co-op formed in 2014. Head Coach Jacob Haley said the team did well being physical and played to win. The Blackhawks led at half 22-12 with strong performances from the team's three seniors. Flint Creek came back in the second half with 14 unanswered points to win. "Our team is...

  • Volleyball drops to Philipsburg in four sets

    Griffen Smith, of the Pathfinder|Oct 19, 2023

    The Seeley-Swan High School Volleyball Team lost to Philipsburg in a four set loss that featured heavy defense on Oct. 14. The team has dropped three games in a row, but still has a chance to make a run to state during the playoffs in the coming weeks. The team still has three games left before the divisional playoffs. The Blackhawks faced Alberton on Oct. 17, and will play Victor on Oct. 20 at home, followed by Charlo on the road Oct. 21. The team is currently 8-6, which is third place in the...

  • Archives for Oct. 19

    Oct 19, 2023

    Thirty-five years ago... Thursday, October 20, 1988 Swan Valley girl recognized for 'superior talent,' poem to be published in national book. Tracy Kearney, Swan Valley 15- year-old, recently received notice that one of her poems will be published next spring in a book titled "Days of Future Past" published by the National Library of Poetry. The publication is considered to be a major poetry anthology which showcases the most popular poets and songwriters in America today. More than 20,000...

  • Two prongs of grizzly conservation: habitat protection, conflict prevention

    Matt Hart, Vital Ground Foundation|Oct 19, 2023

    Fall is never a dull time in grizzly country, and this year the season seems to have brought a particularly steady stream of incidents between bears and people. From run-ins with hunters high in the backcountry to chicken coop raids in the valleys, too many encounters have ended badly for both four-legged and two-legged participants. It's never simple to pinpoint the cause of a conflict. From a poor summer of berry growth in a bear's home range to hotter and longer heat waves impacting foraging... Full story