Community Briefs

Forest Service vehicle parked at Liquor Store

SEELEY LAKE – A photo of a US Forest Service vehicle parked in front of the Seeley Lake Liquor Store caused quite the discussion Wednesday, June 19 on the Seeley Lake Neighborhood Watch Facebook page. While the post has since been taken down, the post posed the question, “Isn’t this misuse of government property?”

The Seeley Lake District Ranger Quinn Carver said that it is an inappropriate use of a vehicle for any Forest Service employee.

Carver wrote in an email to the Pathfinder, “The driver/car was from another unit and I addressed the issue promptly with the individual late [Wednesday] night.”

Swan Valley AARP meeting, July 2

Swan Valley - The Swan Valley AARP will meet Tuesday, July 2 at 12 p.m. at the picnic area behind Swan Valley Connections.  A no-host bring-your-own picnic lunch will start at 12:30 p.m. There will not be a presentation at the meeting.

Musicians wanted for Community Band in Fourth of July Parade

SEELEY LAKE – Musicians are invited to join the community band and play in the Seeley Lake Fourth of July Parade at 2 p.m. A single practice will be held July 3 at 4 p.m. at Seeley-Swan High School. The band will be playing “Stars and Stripes Forever” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

For more information or to get the music ahead of the Wednesday practice contact Sandy Abbott at 406-531-6587. The group hopes to see you July 3.

Help Young Wildlife by Giving them Space 

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) reminds residents to reduce stress to young wildlife by leaving them where you find them, giving them space, and keeping dogs and other pets away.

FWP wardens and biologists report that they have received many calls recently from people who see young wildlife that they believe are abandoned or injured, but what appears to be an orphaned animal usually is not.

“Those who contact us are wanting to help, but in most cases the best thing you can do is leave the animal where it is and give it space,” said FWP Region 2 Wildlife Captain Joe Jaquith. “It’s normal for adult deer and elk to leave their young alone for extended periods of time.  They usually return, and young animals do well on their own, even for a few days.”

FWP does not accept, hold or rehabilitate deer and elk because the animals rarely survive the stress of captivity and because of concerns with the spread of disease. Getting too close to wildlife causes them unnecessary stress and animals picked up by people have the potential to be abandoned if human scent is transferred to them.  

“Animals often thrive without human intervention and their odds of surviving in the wild are much greater if they are left alone,” Jaquith said.

FWP also reminds dog owners to keep their pets leashed or close to their side this spring and summer so they don’t chase, injure or stress young wildlife. 

For more information about encountering wildlife in Montana, visit fwp.mt.gov/recreation/safety/wildlife/. 

Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Call Activity June 18 – June 24

• 6/18, 3:28pm, 29XX Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Accident – Vehicle vs. Pedestrian or bike injury

• 6/18, 5:44pm, 21XX Boy Scout Road, Seeley Lake: Theft

• 6/19, 7:41pm, 457XX Highway 200, Greenough: Burglary

• 6/20, 12:10pm, Garnet Range Road, Potomac: Trespassing

• 6/20, 4:20pm, 11XX Airport Road, Seeley Lake: Fraud

• 6/20, 7:09pm, 56XX Boy Scout Road, Seeley Lake: Theft

• 6/21, 9:17am, 1XX Hickory Lane, Seeley Lake: Theft

• 6/21, 4:07pm, 1XX Grizzly Drive, Seeley Lake: Civil

• 6/21, 7:33pm, 31XX Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Harassment

• 6/21, 10:03pm, 16XX Riverview Drive, Seeley Lake: Disorderly Conduct

• 6/22, 8:57am, 127XX Camp Utmost Way, Greenough: Assault

• 6/22, 6:45pm, Big Larch Campground, Seeley Lake: Disorderly Conduct

• 6/22, 9:46pm, 1X MM Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Accident – No Injury

Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Response Log June 16 – June 22

May 2018 Calls 16 versus May 2019 Calls 24 / 2018 Total Calls 85; 2019 Total Calls 107

• 6/17, Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Medical – SLRFD

• 6/18, Pine Drive, Seeley Lake: Medical – SLRFD

• 6/18, Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Injury Accident – SLRFD

• 6/18, Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Medical – SLRFD

• 6/19, South Canyon Drive, Seeley Lake: Welfare Check – SLRFD

• 6/21, Rivers Edge Lane, Seeley Lake: Medical – SLRFD

• 6/21, Juniper Drive, Seeley Lake: Medical – SLRFD

• 6/22, Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Medical – SLRFD