Sorted by date Results 5230 - 5254 of 6303
SEELEY LAKE - For years Pyramid Mountain Lumber Inc. (Pyramid) thought the availability of logs was going to be their limiting factor for profitability and capital improvements. This winter they are up six million board feet in their log yard compared to a year ago. The future is looking bright for Pyramid but they are facing a challenge they were not expecting: lack of qualified employees. In 2015 lumber markets went south. All Montana sawmills were operating on overpriced timber and losing...
HELENA – Montana State Parks is seeking public comment on Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and Off-Highway Vehicle Program (OHV) grant applications. The Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Club and Swan Valley Connections both submitted proposals. Public comment is accepted through Friday, March 17 at 5 p.m. The RTP is a federally funded program administered by Montana State Parks. RTP projects include development and rehabilitation work on urban, rural and backcountry trails; planning and construction of community trails; snowmobile and cross-country s...
Through the Cooperative Weather Observer (Coop) Program, the National Weather Service (NWS) utilizes citizen volunteers across the country to record daily temperatures and precipitation. This helps them better predict the weather and keeps a historical log generating the longest, continuous and consistent climate database for the area. The Coop Program is more than 200 years old. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were some of the first observers. "They had a passion early on for weather...
SEELEY LAKE - Quilters of the Tamaracks rent the Seeley Lake Community Hall for 12 days each year. Roughly once a month the quilters bring their sewing machines to the hall, spread out their material and proceed with their individual projects in fellowship with one another. Since the community hall is large, there is room to spare and the quilters are now inviting other crafters to join them. Knitting, scrap booking, needle point, wood working, crocheting, painting - any type of craft portable e...
SWAN VALLEY - Nearly 50 people packed into the Swan Valley Museum Friday night to hear local author of "Swan Valley Place Names" Steve Lamar tell how some landmarks around the valley received their names. Lamar explained that many of the landmarks were named by the 1922 survey crew members who explored and later mapped which in now the Mission Mountains Wilderness. Events in residents' lives also became the names of the places where they happened. Trapper and prospector Jim Condon's name is very...
HELENA – Attorney General Tim Fox encourages Montanans to read up on the most common tax identity theft scams and how to avoid them during this year’s Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, which is hosted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). “The IRS reported the average federal tax refund during the 2015 filing season was about $3,200. Montanans work very hard for their wages and it’s unconscionable that identity thieves are stealing Montanans’ well-deserved tax refunds,” said Attorney General Tim Fox. “Unfortunately, these scammers are determi...
Youth Invited to Family Movie Night at the Seeley Lake Fire Hall, March 10 SEELEY LAKE – The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and Seeley Lake Rural Fire District invite youth and families to the Seeley Lake Fire Hall March 10 at 7 p.m. for Movie Night. This month the featured movie is “Finding Dory.” Missoula County Deputy Mike Sunderland said they are hoping to make this a monthly event. “Kids need something to do in this town,” said Sunderland. “Outside of outdoor activities, there is no hangout for the kids.” While the event is geared towar...
SEELEY LAKE - U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (BCSA) at the Rich Ranch Feb. 22. While collaborators and supporters gathered to voice their support, not everyone believes the legislation goes far enough to protect motorized recreation opportunities. The BCSA designates more than 79,000 acres of additional wilderness to the Bob Marshall, Scapegoat and Mission Mountains Wildernesses and establishes the 3,835-acre Spread Mountain Recreation Area and the...
SEELEY LAKE – On March 1, the Seeley Lake Community Foundation (SLCF) is launching "I Ride Seeley Lake," a shuttle service to Missoula and in Seeley Lake for medical, physical therapy and chiropractor appointments and pharmacy pick-up. SLCF Executive Director Anne Beach acknowledges there are other stops that may be beneficial for riders but the program is starting small and may expand in the future depending on use. The need for public transportation was highlighted by a survey conducted by t...
SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake resident Rusty Loomis was found guilty of five charges with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) in Lewis and Clark County on Feb. 17. He was charged $1,635 in fines and his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges were suspended for two years. According to the court documents, Loomis was hunting from his vehicle on Dry Creek Road near the intersection of Montana Highway 21 on Sept. 6, 2016. He killed a mule deer doe and fawn out of season with a shotgun on the B...
SEELEY LAKE – Runners took to the roads around Seeley Lake for the 38th annual Snow Joke Half Marathon. While race participation was down nearly 200 participants this year, Big Sky Orogenic Racing and Events' (BSORE) Race Organizer Matt Gibson felt it was a safer event with the new traffic measures in place and everyone had a lot of fun. Gibson attributed the lower numbers to the cold, snowy weather in December and January making it difficult for Montanans to train. While the majority of the r...
SEELEY LAKE - Seeley Lake hosted their first biathlon in 2008 after local skier and OSCR Race Organizer Lynn Carey suggested the idea. The goal for the biathlon has always been to offer a fun, unique experience to a broad range of people by hosting a family-friendly, quality event. This year’s biathlon scheduled for March 4 was cancelled due to lack of insurance. The sport of biathlon combines the aerobic rigors of cross-country skiing in the winter or running in the summer with the steady hands and sharp eyes of marksmanship. While Seeley L...
SEELEY LAKE - Chris Dombrowski will be reading from and discussing his recent book, "Body of Water," Saturday, March 4, at 7 p.m. at the Grizzly Claw Trading Company. Alpine Artisans' Open Book Club sponsors the evening. There is no charge and all are welcome. Seeley-Swan High School poet Elizabeth Done will be reading her poem, "Rest On Fawn Peak," to open the evening. A published poet (most recently "Earth Again") and Montana-based fly fishing guide Dombrowski recounts his trip to the Bahamas...
As of 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24… Last Friday, Feb. 17 I learned that the Clearwater Junction boat check station was going to be moved north up Highway 83. On Monday the 20th, it was likely going to be eliminated altogether. As of Tuesday the 21st, it is going to remain at the Junction, but only check boats moving from west to east. Yes, that’s right: west to east. That’s because three new check stations will be on Highway 200 near Lincoln, US-12 west of Helena, and I-90 west of Butte to inspect boats moving from east to west. These new stati...
SEELEY LAKE - For the past two-and-a-half years Clearwater Resource Council (CRC) has been laying the foundation to allow the Seeley Lake community to plan a comprehensive trails system. To begin building on that foundation, CRC formally kicked off the public input phase of the Seeley Lake Trails Project Feb. 25. CRC Executive Director Cathy Kahnle said during those two-and-a-half years the organization gathered information from Missoula County, other counties, other trails-planning groups, surv...
SEELEY LAKE – This past week, Rich Ranch partnered with Driven, LLC for the second year in a row to offer a three-day snowmobile riding school. Driven Elite Snowmobile School contracts with professional riders to work with snowmobilers to be more prepared and better riders in the backcountry. Rich Ranch appreciates the school's willingness to work with riders of all skill sets and the educational components. Driven, LLC is a consulting service for non-profits, businesses and athletes looking t...
SEELEY LAKE – At their Feb. 21 meeting, the Seeley Lake Fire District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $4,000 increase in the amount available to the Seeley Lake Fire Chief for equipment purchases. While it was understood that current chief Bob Vanden Heuvel would inform the board about any upcoming equipment purchases and get board approval should time allow, he can spend up to $5,000 without prior board approval if needed. The discussion was put on the agenda after board members were concerned about Vanden Heuvel going over his $...
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) Board discussed a projected budget deficit and SLE Outside’s balance sheet at the Feb. 21 meeting. The board also received a board member’s resignation and has an upcoming election for two board positions. Next year’s budget is projected to be about $5,000 short of this year’s. Part of the problem is that this year’s budget was basically flat from the previous year while costs have climbed every year. District Clerk Sally Johnson cautioned that there might be some changes to funding due to the on...
HELENA - The legislature's transmittal break is upon us. Non-revenue bills either pass the Senate by March 1 or die. Five of my bills passed! Senate Bill 22 provides rape victims a civil procedure to end parental rights of their rapists. My 2013 bill, allowing an enhanced penalty terminating parental rights when rapists are convicted, became law. But in some cases criminal prosecution is not possible because of sex trafficking or fear of further violence. The civil remedy in Senate Bill 22...
HELENA - Things have been moving pretty quickly here in the Legislature as we move towards transmittal. Since the beginning of the session, I have been working on a set of veteran legislation focusing on ways to help that part of the veterans community which is experiencing a surge in suicide. Last week, my primary bill HB538 had its hearing and was tabled in House Human Services. Unfortunately, a significant lobbying effort which was brought about not because of problems with the bill, but...
The Douglas-fir bark beetle is the most destructive beetle attacking Douglas-fir trees in the Seeley/Swan Valley. The potential loss of trees can be considerable and can affect both residential homeowners as well as commercial interests. Outbreaks develop in host trees following stand disturbances such as windthrow, drought, severe defoliation or wildfire, such as the Condon Mountain Fire in 2012. During outbreaks, groups of dead trees may total 100 or more. Yearly mortality in the northern...
SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake residents Kathy Stevens and her daughter-in-law Tessa are hosting their grand opening for Seeley Lake Vintage March 4 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Heritage Building on the north end of Seeley Lake. They look forward to bringing a store offering vintage, rustic and re-loved home décor, furniture and gifts to Seeley Lake. Both Kathy and Tessa share a love of purposeful re-purposing. They also enjoy creating decorative items and painting. "I've always been kind of a craf...
SWAN VALLEY - Alpine Artisans' 2 Valleys Stage (2VS) presents one of Native America's premier lyric storysmiths Jack Gladstone, "Montana's Troubadour." Gladstone will perform in concert, with Swan Valley School (SVS) students, at the Swan Valley Community Hall March 12 at 3 p.m. Along with the concert, a slide show produced by Patti Bartlett will play as backdrop for Gladstone and his music. In a career spanning more than three decades, Gladstone is regarded as a cultural bridge builder. In...
Seeley Lake musher Roy Etnire and his team leaving the starting line of the Flathead Classic Sled Dog Race Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Dog Creek Trailhead west of Olney, Mont. Mushers traveled from Olney to Polebridge and then returned Sunday in the 82-mile race. Etnire placed second in the eight-dog class, finishing 32 seconds behind first place finisher Maeva Waterman of Bozeman, Mont....
SEELEY LAKE – Missoula County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Sunderland said antler thefts around Seeley Lake are again on the rise. Another issue is people cutting firewood out of season on state and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) land and are blocking the road. Sunderland said antlers that are outside and visible are being stolen at night. “People need to understand that antlers are worth money, actually good money. If they leave them outside where people can see them, the odds are somebody is going to come along and steal them,” said Sunderland. Anyone...
