Community Briefs

Seeley Lake Triathlon Cancelled

SEELEY LAKE – Due to the recent fire activity and lake closures, the Seeley Lake Triathlon, scheduled for Aug. 12, has been cancelled. The organizers will contact those who have pre-registered about refund options.

The triathlon will not be rescheduled for this year. Everyone is encouraged to participate next year in the annual Youth for Christ fundraiser at River Point Campground.

Law Enforcement, County Government at Next Council Meeting, Aug. 14

SEELEY LAKE - Law enforcement and Missoula County government will dominate the agenda of the Seeley Lake Community Council’s agenda Monday, Aug. 14.

County Commissioner Jean Curtiss will give an update about what is happening in county government.

Sheriff T.J. McDermott will introduce the new Undersheriff, Rich Maricelli.

Deputy Mike Sunderland will also attend. He was recently promoted to detective and will be moving to Missoula. The community will have an opportunity to thank Sunderland for his service to our town and also to convey to Sheriff McDermott what qualities Seeley Lake is looking for in Sunderland’s replacement.

Like always, there will be an opportunity for public comments on non-agenda items.

Following the public comments, the council will elect a Treasurer and Secretary. Due to a recent resignation, the Council is one member short. The County Commissioners will appoint the replacement from the applicants.

Past practice has been for the Council to place an ad in the Pathfinder announcing the vacancy. The deadline to submit applications is 30 days after the notice appears in the paper.

The informal part of the meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. next Monday, Aug. 14, at the Community Hall, 3248 Highway 83, with pizza and sodas.

For further information please contact Klaus von Stutterheim, SLCC Press Contact, at 406-210-8576 or kvs@kvs.org.

Join Wilson for Mission Trip Report and Dessert, Aug. 17

SEELEY LAKE - Join Grace Wilson Thursday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. at Mission Bible Fellowship for a presentation about her missions trip to Malawi, Africa. Wilson will share photographs and stories about her trip with Teen Missions International.

Wilson and her family would like to thank the community for their prayers, support and encouragement. Dessert will be served! Everyone is welcome and invited to attend.

Bob Marshall Wilderness Volunteer Opportunity

Spend the week of Aug. 19-25 near the shadow of the Bob’s most iconic geologic phenomenon, the Chinese Wall. Volunteers with the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation will hike from the Benchmark trailhead along the Continental Divide Trail and camp near Indian Creek.

The group will be working to improve the trail tread and drainage on Trail #211 working toward White River Pass. Pulaskis and strong backs will be the tool of choice. Enjoy spectacular views of Red Butte Peak and Haystack Mountain. A day off will give you a chance to hike to the southern end of the 22 mile long Chinese Wall.

Two spots on this previously booked project just opened up. Get ‘em while you can! http://www.bmwf.org/2017bmwf-10-indian-creek

Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex Fire Managers Implement Stage I Fire Restrictions

MISSOULA - Stage I Fire Restrictions are in place within the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. The complex includes the Bob Marshall, Great Bear, and Scapegoat Wilderness Areas. The wilderness complex is managed by three national forests: Helena-Lewis & Clark, Flathead and the Lolo.

• Stage I Fire Restrictions prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire unless noted in the exemptions below.

EXEMPTIONS within the Bob Marshall Complex:

• There is one approved site for campfires within the confines of a metal or concrete fire ring or grill provided by the Forest Service for that purpose: Schafer Meadows Campground on the Flathead National Forest’s Spotted Bear Ranger District.

• Devices solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off are permitted anywhere on National Forest System lands. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable material within three feet of the device

• Completely contained wood stoves with a fire screen or spark arrester are allowed ONLY in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex

SMOKING: Smoking is only permitted in a building or a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

Call your local ranger district or visit https://firerestrictions.us/mt for up-to-date information.

Grants Available for Powell County Non-Profits

The Powell County Community Foundation is accepting grant applications from non-profits throughout Powell County. The PCF awards grants, usually ranging from $500 to $1,200, for charitable purposes in the following focus areas: basic human needs, arts and culture, recreation and economic development. The application deadline is Friday, Sept. 8.

The short application form is available by writing to the PCF at P.O. Box 834, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, or by contacting board members Kirk Sandquist, Steve Owens, Mary Ann Fraley, Claudia Dippold, Cheryl Sandquist or Gerald Bender in Deer Lodge, or leaving a message at 406-846-3413. Because of IRS regulations all applicants must be a 501(c)3 non-profit with an IRS letter or a public agency.

Since it was established in 1999 the Powell County Foundation has awarded more than $171,000 in 155 grants to over 50 different organizations serving Powell County residents. In 2016 the Foundation had more than $19,200 in requests and was able to provide $12,614 in 13 grants, helping projects ranging from $2,248 for the Powell County Senior Center for equipment and $3,000 for the Deer Lodge Food Pantry to help for the Powell County Ambulance, Deer Lodge Youth Board, Garrison School and Powell County Literacy Program. Many of these grants have been funded by money brought in from outside the county to supplement endowment earnings.

The foundation has built a permanent endowment of about $145,000, and uses the earnings from the endowment for grants, while the principal remains intact. The endowment grows with donations, memorials, bequests and other planned gifts.

The PCF is affiliated with the statewide Montana Community Foundation and the local board makes all the grant decisions. Many types of planned gifts for the permanent endowment can be eligible for Montana’s unique Endowment Tax Credit. Inquiries and donations to help build the endowment can also be sent to P.O. Box 834, Deer Lodge, MT 59722.