Community Briefs

Condon Easter Egg Hunt, April 20

Swan Valley – Everyone is invited to attend the first Easter Egg Hunt in Condon Saturday, April 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the Condon Baseball Field on the north end of the airstrip along Highway 83. Age groups include 0-5, 6-9, 10-14, 15-20 and adults only. Prizes include baskets and brownies for the youth and beer, wine, massage and drink tickets for the adults. Grand prize is $50.

Bring your baskets and come find one of the golden tickets!

First Friday, Stories of Wildfire in Swan Valley, May 3

Swan Valley - Hear and share stories of wildfires, firefighting, evacuations, lookouts and more on the 100th anniversary of the 1919 fires that burned much of the Swan Valley starting at 6 p.m. Friday, May 3 at the Swan Valley Community Hall. Everyone is welcome.

The First Friday event is hosted by the Upper Swan Valley Historical Society.

Flathead National Forest roads spring breakup advisory

Swan Valley - Warm weather, snow melt and spring rains are creating soft road surfaces and spring “break-up” conditions on many Flathead National Forest roads. To provide for safe transportation and protect the condition of the road system, the Flathead annually implements temporary road closures and load limits across the Forest. For the next few months, forest road managers will check conditions and sign roads as “closed” or assign a load limit as appropriate, based on the local conditions.

Flathead National Forest Supervisor Chip Weber said, “Traveling on soft road beds can cause damage, which often results in longer-term closures to fix the problems. Temporary restrictions are an important tool we use to help protect the road surface and ensure that the road drainage works properly. We ask all forest users to respect these spring break-up restrictions.”

For updated information on temporary road restrictions, or to report road damage on the Swan Lake Ranger District please call 406-837-7500.

Blackfoot River Closed from Weigh Station to Clark Fork Confluence from April 15 through Mid-May

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) says the Blackfoot River, from Weigh Station Fishing Access Site downstream to the confluence with the Clark Fork River, will be closed from April 15 through mid-May for safety as construction on the Interstate 90 bridge piers near Bonner continues.  

FWP says that while demolition of one of the old piers is underway over the next month, construction crews cannot have anyone on or near the river due to safety concerns. The river will be closed to all usage, such as floating, swimming, wading and fishing.

In 2018, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission passed a biennial rule allowing FWP to close this short stretch of the Blackfoot as needed during the construction period for the bridge piers.  

FWP will reopen the river as soon as the project allows and expects that there will be several other closures over the summer as construction continues. 

For the current status, visit the Montana Department of Transportation website: http://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/bonner/status.shtml.  River users can also text BONNER to 41411 for current river closure information during active construction. River access sites immediately upstream of the closure area will be signed when the closure is in place.

Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Call Activity 4/7/19-4/15/19

• 4/7, 6:53am, Falls Creek Road, Swan Valley: Accident – No Injury

• 4/12, 3:45pm, 32XX Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Disturbance

• 4/14, 12:19pm, 23XX Snowmass Drive, Seeley Lake: Suspicious Activity

Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Response Log 3/31/19-4/6/19

• 4/7, Highway 83: Public Assist – SLFRD

• 4/10, Highway 200: Medical – SLFRD Mutual Aid

• 4/10, Highway 83: Public Assist – SLFRD

• 4/11, Morrell Creek Road, Seeley Lake: Smoke Report – SLFRD

• 4/11, Access Road, Seeley Lake: Medical – SLFRD

• 4/13, Moose Lane, Seeley Lake: Medical - SLFRD