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SEELEY LAKE – There is a new art gallery in town that looks to attract Montana artists to display a diversity of work. Located in the south end of the Lazy Pine Mall on Highway 83, Gallery 83 owner Chris Larabee looks forward to offering an affordable location for artists to share their artwork and where the community and visitors can appreciate the artists' creativity. Brian Larabee, father of Chris who is looking after the operations of the store, said he has been doing stained glass for 30 y...
"I remember the teachers telling us as we were walking out the door, "Happy spring break." "Have a good break." I didn't think that would be the last time I went to school...or seeing all my friends, laughing and smiling. I miss them, I miss them a lot. I wish I could see them again without having to worry about getting sick. I text or FaceTime a lot of my friends but it doesn't feel that same. It's like we're being social but not really. We can't actually talk face to face like we used to. With...
Local and statewide COVID-19 updates Governor Steve Bullock announced a gradual and phased reopening of the state beginning April 26 for individuals and extending to businesses April 27. Individual counties still had the authority to impose more restrictive local ordinances. “As these businesses open and more Montanans leave their homes, I’m asking all Montanans to continue to act like a loved one’s life may well depend on your actions, because they do,” said Bullock during the press conference April 22. Businesses where groups gather without...
MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today announced that families, small businesses, non-profits, health services centers and individuals across Montana hardest-hit by impacts of COVID-19 will be eligible to apply for grants through nine new programs created in response to the emergency. Guided by more than 1,400 public comments and his Coronavirus Relief Fund Advisory Council, Governor Bullock is making $123,550,000 available in the first round of emergency grants funded through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (...
OVANDO – The Blackfoot Angler owner Kathy Schoendoerfer was struggling to communicate - not a situation she often finds herself in being the self-proclaimed "Ovando organizer of frivolous affairs." With five fishermen from Mongolia in her shop, Schoendoerfer knew zero Russian or Mongolian and they knew limited English. She did the best she could using hand signals and drawings and helped them get everything they needed. When she checked them out, they kept showing her two fingers and saying "...
Living in rural Montana, people get used to seeing signs of wolves, lions and bears and if they get lucky, running into the animals themselves. However, the presence of predators for ranchers and other livestock owners poses unique challenges. In 2019, the Montana's Livestock Loss Board recorded 376 livestock killed by wolves, grizzly bears and lions. This is the highest number of livestock killed by predators since they started keeping statistics in 2008 and resulted in the highest payouts to...
SEELEY LAKE - "Health should come before homework, family should become before frustration and learning should come before letter grades," said Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent Rob Watson said in the Missoula County COVID-19 update April 15. "It's not about your letter grade at this point it is really about learning. If we can keep students engaged in learning activities through the closure, it will help when we get finished." Seeley Lake Elementary and Seeley-Swan High School teach...
With quarantines and self-distancing temporarily being a large part of Montanans’ lives, historians and archivists around the state and in Missoula County invite residents to share their personal experiences with future generations. “There are many gaps and blanks in our local history. One reason for our skimpy history is because people of the past thought their tribulations, or ordinary life, was not worthy of recording for future generations,” wrote the Seeley Lake Historical Society in a press release. “Generations later would dearly...
MISSOULA – Businesses impacted by COVID-19 now have a single point of entry to assistance and expertise, thanks to the University of Montana's new Business Emergency Assistance and Recovery (B.E.A.R.) Powered by UM initiative. In recent weeks, UM has actively supported businesses in Missoula and across the state in navigating the impacts of COVID-19 through its Accelerate Montana portfolio of economic development programs. Since its launch, the BEAR Program has assisted 27 businesses with Payche...
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) expanded mental health services to help Montanans who may be experiencing a range of emotions including loneliness, sadness and fear as a result of the current COVID-19 situation. The Missoula City-County Health Department has also compiled some helpful resources for anyone experiencing changes in their mental health, including a crisis line ready to take your call. “We continue to monitor and make adjustments as necessary to meet the needs of Montanans during this challenging time,” sa...
SEELEY LAKE – Sharing the love of reading and encouraging literacy are goals of Seeley Lake Elementary third grade teacher Kristy Pohlman, SLE Librarian Susan Bracha and local realtor Carey Kanavel. Through their collaborative efforts a new Book Box is available outside of SLE. Students now have access to library books and anyone can participate in the give-and-take books. They are hopeful the Book Box will be available through the summer and additional Book Boxes will be available at other loca...
Fairytale Farms Volunteer Day, April 25 GREENOUGH – Join Fairytale Farms for their monthly volunteer day Saturday, April 25 from 12-5 p.m. Volunteers will learn about Hugelkultur garden beds and work in the greenhouse. Please bring work gloves, water bottle and snacks, no lunch will be provided. There will be a portable toilet available for volunteers to use. Volunteers are asked to RSVP, 406-244-8811, since group size is limited to 50 people. Fairytale Farms is located at 11791 Waterfowl Lane, Greenough. For more information visit their F...
MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock announced a gradual and phased reopening of the state beginning Sunday for individuals and extending to businesses on Monday. Individual counties still have the authority to impose more restrictive local ordinances and encourages local officials to work regionally and make local adjustments as local needs demand. Missoula County Incident Commander Cindy Farr said Missoula County will release their guidelines by the end of the week. “There are very few states in the country that can say they have seen the number...
MISSOULA – Friday, April 24 Missoula Health Officer Ellen Leahy issued additional local orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 for Missoula County. These measures followed Governor Steve Bullock’s announcement on Wednesday, rescinding the “Stay at Home” directive for individuals on April 26 and allowed some businesses to reopen on April 27. “Given Missoula’s large population [second largest in the state], our need to protect our health care hub and particularly to avoid preventative transmission of disease and reduce the likelihood...
POTOMAC - The Potomac community continues to adjust to COVID-19. The school, businesses and other organizations keep moving forward amidst challenges and continual change. The Potomac School has been closed since the Governor closed schools statewide March 23. Although students can no longer meet in their classrooms, the Pioneers are all studying and doing homework from home. Principal John Rouse said the school appreciates the effort parents and family members of students are making to keep a...
SEELEY LAKE - Each year, Alpine Artisans, Inc. selects an individual or a business that has contributed outstanding merit to the local community. This year's Arts Benefactor award was given to Sara Wilcox, founder of AAI's Open Book Club and co-founder of the In the Footsteps of Norman Maclean Festival. Wilcox has been involved with AAI for 13 years. She is familiar to those in Seeley Lake who frequent the Grizzly Claw Trading Company where she works both as a barista and as the Grizzly Claw's b...
SWAN VALLEY – There is a new ranger who will be making the rounds in the Swan Valley this spring and summer visiting campgrounds and dispersed sites helping to educate the public about living responsibly with bears. While the Swan Valley Bear Ranger Kathy Koors is new to the position this summer, she has been the heartbeat behind the position's existence since it started more than 13 years ago. The reinstatement of the position has also gone full circle bringing the first two bear rangers in the...
With warmer, drier conditions expected later this week, interagency wildland fire officials with the Missoula County Fire Protection Association (MCFPA) are expecting an increase in outdoor burning by permit. The fire danger rating is currently LOW and a quick scan into the hills around Missoula reveals snow on the ground. Missoula County citizens are taking advantage of more time spent at home, protecting their neighbors by complying with the state’s shelter in place order. There’s another group of your neighbors that need to be in the for...
Following the extension of Montana Governor Steve Bullock’s directive that out-of-state travelers must quarantine for 14 days, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks director Martha Williams has suspended nonresident hunting seasons for spring turkey and black bear until at least April 24. On Tuesday, April 7 Bullock extended the mandatory quarantine directive related to COVID-19 through April 24 for travelers arriving in Montana from another state or country. The quarantine directive for out-of-state travelers applies to public outdoor recreation, gro...
Voter Information: There are five candidates for the two open SLE School Board trustee positions. The sixth candidate Jody "Doc" Welter will fill the two-year position since he ran unopposed. Candidates are listed below in the order the filed for election. Candidates' responses were based on the following questions: • Biography • Qualifying experience • Why do you want to be a trustee? • What challenges do you see in the near future? • Are there things you would like to see changed on the board...
Voter Information: There are five candidates for the two open director positions on the Seeley Lake - Missoula County Sewer District. Candidates are listed in the order they filed. Candidates' responses were based on the following questions: • Biography • Qualifying experience • Why do you want to be a director? • What challenges do you see facing the Sewer Board and District in the near future? • Are there things you would like to see changed or what issues would you address if elected? • What...
Governor Steve Bullock issued a directive allowing Montanans to renew their driver’s licenses online and by mail and extended the deadline to complete title and registration paperwork. This is an effort to provide essential services without furthering the spread of the coronavirus. In a press conference April 14, Attorney General Tim Fox and Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) Administrator Sarah Garcia provided more details regarding the Directive. Fox said these are temporary measures and will continue to be assessed per state and federal g...
If you are worried about how you are going to pay your home energy bill as a result of issues related to COVID-19, please contact Energy Share of Montana. Energy Share is a statewide nonprofit organization whose purpose is to help Montanans facing loss of heat or lights in their home and who have no resources to pay the bill themselves. Energy Share is fuel blind so helps people no matter what their heat source is. If you or someone you know needs help: • Contact the Human Resource Council in Missoula at 406-728-3710 or http://www.humanresource...
SEELEY LAKE - The stay at home order couldn't have come at a better time for local artist Kris Gullikson at her Uncorked and Creative Studio in Seeley Lake. Though the learning curve has been steep, she is now ready to help everyone's creativity come out and play. She has opened Pandora's Box in a good way and is now able to supply and teach art to kids, adults or families during these trying times. Gullikson has been painting for 30 years and has a Graphic Arts degree from Colorado Institute...
SEELEY LAKE – Amidst the uncertainty and challenges presented by statewide closures of schools and businesses, many residents are reaching out to others with encouragement and support. The ways to do that are endless and exemplify the words "Montanans taking care of Montanans." Depending where you live in Seeley Lake, the encouragement for our local health care workers and other essential workers can be heard with howls at 8 p.m. every night. The Facebook group "HOWL for Seeley Lake" has v...
