Community Briefs

Swan Valley Community Ice Skating Party, Feb. 10

Swan Valley – Join the Swan Valley Parent Teacher Association for a Community Skating Party Sunday, Feb. 10 from 1-3 p.m. at the Condon Arena skating rink. Chili, snacks and hot drinks will be provided by the 21st Century Community Learning Center.

All ages are welcome. A limited number of skates will be available to use.

FWP Seeking Tips on Vandalism at Beavertail Pond Access Site

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) is seeking information on a vandalism at Beavertail Pond Fishing Access Site, about 25 miles east of Missoula.

FWP Game Warden Brad Balis reported that a fire was set to the exterior of the outhouse and a window broken out. The incident likely occurred sometime between Jan. 31 – Feb. 3.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Balis at 406-210-9049 or 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668). Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to a conviction.

MCC Youth Programs open for summer

MONTANA – The Montana Conservation Corps Summer Youth Programs for high school and middle school youth are accepting applications starting Feb. 6. MCC recruiters will be at the Seeley-Swan High School home basketball game Friday, Feb. 8 to answer questions and provide applications.

The High School Expedition is a four-week volunteer service experience for Montana teens ages 14 to 17. High School Expedition Members will spend the majority of their time outdoors, camping, working and exploring. Members receive on-the-job training, including technical and outdoor skills, Leave No Trace principles and safety standards, all while serving and learning in some of Montana’s wildest places. Each teen receives marketable know-how and resume experience by completing 160 hours of community service. Participants receive a $270 Service Award upon completion of the program.

The Middle School Program is a one-week volunteer service experience for Montana youth ages 12 to 14. Participants will serve alongside five other students and MCC staff and AmeriCorps leaders as a crew on trails and habitat projects. Crew-based service provides the perfect vehicle for giving young people a tangible experience of addressing real-world challenges as well as developing and experiencing civic agency—the impact that they can have on their own life, their crew, their community and their world.

Both programs are based out of Bozeman, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula with several sessions throughout the summer to choose from. For more information visit http://www.mtcorps.org/join/youth-programs or contact MCC Youth Program Manager Nick Ehlers at 406-728-2720 or email nick@mtcorps.org.

Swan Valley Community Library Highlights

Swan Valley – The Swan Valley Library has books available to checkout for every age group. Books and videos can also be ordered from partner libraries online or at the library and delivered to the Swan Valley Library.

Storytime is held every Friday at 11 a.m. along with arts and crafts that is tailored for preschool age but any age is welcome to attend.

The book chat group which meets each month will be discussing “Empty Mansions” by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Bill Dedman on Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. It is the story of W.A. Clark, one of Montana’s Copper Kings, and his family. The family’s story spans most of American history in three generations beginning with George Washington’s time to Obama’s administration. Clark’s daughter Huguette, who passed away in 2011 at age 104, held a ticket 90 years earlier for the second voyage of the Titanic.

Dedman collaborated with Huguette Clark’s cousin Paul Clark Newell, Jr. who was one of the few relatives to have conversations with her. She was born into extreme wealth and in her life owned mansions and owned fabulous art but she wanted more than that. She quietly pursued her work as an artist and then craving privacy, which she valued above all else, spent her last 20 years in a hospital room while her relatives battled over a $300 million inheritance.

Author Pat Conroy stated that the book was an “enchanting journey into the mysteries of the mind, a true-to-life exploration of strangeness and delight.”

The Swan Valley Library is located on Highway 83 in Condon and is just north and adjacent to the Swan Valley Community Hall. The library is open Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For more information call 754-2521.

2020 Montana Teacher of the Year Nominations and Applications Now Open

HELENA—The Office of Public Instruction announced that nomination and application forms are available for the 2020 Montana Teacher of the Year Program. Members of the public can fill out a simple form to nominate a teacher. Teachers can self-nominate by filling out an application. All current and actively teaching Montanans who are making a positive difference in the lives of students are encouraged to apply. If nominated, the OPI will reach out to the nominated teacher and ask them to fill out an application.

Nomination forms are due back to the OPI by May 3 and completed applications are due by June 14. They can be emailed to MTTOY@mt.gov. Applications, nomination forms, and additional information can be found on the OPI’s website. 

“As a teacher blessed to have spent 23 years in Billings’ classrooms, I know how crucial it is to celebrate high-quality educators who promote student success,” State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen said Thursday. “I encourage all Montana communities to join me in elevating their exceptional teachers.”

The Montana Teacher of the Year is selected by a statewide committee of diverse education, business, government, tribal and community stakeholders. The winner will be announced during a celebration in October. Dylan Huisken from Bonner is currently representing Montana as the 2019 Montana Teacher of the Year.

Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Call Activity 1/28/19-2/4/19

• 1/31, 9:47 a.m., Twin Creek Road, Potomac: Suspicious Activity

• 1/28, 3:53 a.m., 7XX S. Canyon Drive: Suspicious Activity

• 1/28, 8:10 a.m., 9XX Gold View Drive, Seeley Lake; Theft

• 1/28, 12:50 p.m., 9XX Elm Drive, Seeley Lake: Offenses against family/children

• 1/29, 6:04 p.m., 31XX Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Accident – No Injury

• 1/31, 1:51 p.m., 34XX Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Harassment

• 1/31, 11:48 p.m., 6XX S. Canyon Drive, Seeley Lake: Disturbance

• 2/1, 4:26 p.m., 3X MM Highway 83, Summit: Suspicious Activity

• 2/2, 7:28 a.m., 3X MM Highway 200, Greenough: Accident – No Injury

• 2/2, 9:55 a.m., 7XX Stagecoach Drive, Seeley Lake: Accident - Hit & Run

• 2/3, 9:21 a.m., 1X MM Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Accident - Injury