Community Briefs

Build a Snowman or Snow Sculpture to Celebrate Winter

SEELEY LAKE – With no Winterfest this year, several downtown Seeley Lake businesses are building snowmen or snow sculptures to celebrate winter. They are encouraging businesses and residents in and around Seeley Lake to do the same.

While there are no prizes this year, there also are no rules and plenty of snow. Pinterest and Google offer great ideas for building snowmen.

Snowmen and/or snow sculpture sightings are encouraged to be reported. Please call the Pathfinder and leave a message at 677-2022, send an email to pathfinder@seeleylake.com or drop a message on Facebook to the Seeley Swan Pathfinder so the sculptures can be captured for all to see.

“I Ride Seeley Lake” In Need of Volunteer Drivers

SEELEY LAKE – On Feb. 1, the Seeley Lake Community Foundation (SLCF) is launching “I Ride Seeley Lake” shuttle service for medical appointments and pharmacy pick up in Seeley Lake and to Missoula. Volunteer drivers are needed for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and one day a week to Missoula. Driver training will be held at the SLCF office in the Bison and Bear Center Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. Everyone interested is invited to attend.

The SLCF partnered with Seeley-Swan Medical Center Foundation and Missoula Ravalli Transportation Management Association (MRTMA) to provide a shuttle service. There will be two vans, one that is wheelchair accessible. Insurance is provided through MRTMA.

Drivers are not required to have a commercial driver’s license but they are required to attend the driver’s training. If unable to attend the Jan. 20 training but still willing to volunteer, drivers can schedule another time for the training with MRTMA.

For more information call the SLCF, 677-3506.

Open House to Celebrate New Missoula Aging Services Seeley Lake Office

SEELEY LAKE - A grand opening of the new Missoula Aging Services (MAS) Seeley Lake branch office will be held Jan. 25, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Bison & Bear Center, 3166 MT Hwy 83 North in Seeley Lake. Older adults, their families and caregivers and the general public are invited to stop by to meet MAS staff, enjoy a Swedish smorgasbord and enter for hourly door prize drawings. There will be a presentation at 1 p.m. with comments from MAS CEO Susan Kohler, Carla Schade of the Seeley Lake Community Foundation, John Mercer with the Swan Valley Community Foundation and MAS Seeley Lake Resource Specialist Linda Howard.

Howard, who is certified by the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), offers information and assistance, referrals to services and consultation about Medicare and Medicaid. She is available at the office Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (winter hours) to serve seniors, their families and caregivers in person or by phone. To make an appointment, please call 406-541-7688.

The Seeley Lake branch office is provided by the Seeley Lake Community Foundation.

Avalanche Information Available for Local Recreationists

Avalanches kill more people on national forests than any other natural hazard. The best way to stay safe is to know the conditions, get the training, carry rescue gear and stay out of harm’s way.

Backcountry terrain is neither patrolled nor controlled by professionals, so if recreationists are planning on going ‘out back’ or ‘off the edge’, it’s important to be well trained in avalanche safety.

The Flathead and Missoula Avalanche Centers provide a variety of educational opportunities. The Flathead Center provides free one-hour awareness talks throughout the winter. Both give daily avalanche advisories.

For more information on courses and to view the daily avalanche advisory visit flatheadavalanche.org or missoulaavalanche.org

Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Call Activity 1/9/17 – 1/16/17

1/9, 4:56 p.m .: Holland Lake Road, Condon: Accident – No Injury.

1/10, 1:18 p.m .: 27XX Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Slide-in No Property Damage.

1/10, 1:43 p.m., 30XX Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Accident: Hit and Run.

1/10, 2:49 p.m .: Glen’s Automotive, downtown Seeley Lake: Accident – Injury.

1/12, 12:57 p.m .: 9XX Whitetail Drive, Seeley Lake: Civil.

1/13, 1:07 p.m .: 7XX Pine Drive, Seeley Lake: Intimidation.

1/13, 4:57 p.m .: Fawn Creek Road, Seeley Lake: Accident – No Injury.

1/13, 7:21 p.m .: 293XX Highway 200 E, Potomac: Disorderly Conduct.

1/14, 10:58 p.m .: 31XX Highway 83, downtown Seeley Lake: Vandalism.

1/15, 2:18 a.m .: Highway 83, Condon: Accident – Injury.