Community Briefs

Seeking volunteer to help monitor AIS on Brown’s Lake

For the past few years, Blackfoot Challenge has partnered with the Clearwater Resource Council and Swan Valley Connections to monitor lakes for the presence of aquatic invasive species. CRC is taking the lead on monitoring this year, and they are looking for an individual with a boat who would be willing to take CRC’s Big Sky Watershed Corps member out to collect plankton tow net samples during the month of August. 

If you plan on boating Brown’s Lake next month and are interested in helping out, please contact Blackfoot Challenge Water Steward Jennifer Schoonen at jennifer@blackfootchallenge.org. 

FWP reminder: SUP users must have life jacket on board

Stand-up paddleboarders need to remember they are required to have a life jacket on board. The use of stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) has exploded in Montana over the past few years. And while the vessels are fun and easy to use, many people don’t realize that SUPs have equipment requirements, just like other vessels.

In 2008, the U.S. Coast Guard determined that SUPs are considered to be a vessel when used outside a marked swimming area, and that state law applies for safety equipment. In addition to having a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on the board, children under 12 years of age must wear a life jacket while on a SUP. Also, all people with watercraft, including SUPs, must stop at AIS inspections stations.

For more information, check out the Montana boating regulations at fwp.mt.gov or pick up a copy at your local FWP office.

Weekly COVID-19 update

As of Aug. 3, there are 4,233 cases of COVID-19 in Montana. There are 1,516 active cases, 236 total hospitalizations with 69 active, 2,653 recoveries and 64 deaths in Montana due to COVID-19 complications. Missoula County has had 280 cases, has 82 active cases, 197 recovered and one reported death.

For the most up-to-date and accurate information and best ways of protecting yourself and others, please refer to the Missoula County-City Health Department website http://missoula.co/cvirus or call 406-258-INFO (4636) Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Other resources include regularly updated information for Missoula City-County Joint Information Center, http://covid19.missoula.co/, state information at http://covid19.mt.gov and the CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Call Log July 27 – Aug. 3

• 7/27, 12:09pm, 31XX Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Liquor/Tobacco Violation

• 7/28, 7:05am, 2X mile marker Highway 200, Greenough: Suspicious Activity

• 7/28, 9:29am, 1XX Sky Port Way, Seeley Lake: Vandalism

• 7/28, 9:51am, 36XX Boy Scout Road, Seeley Lake: Theft

• 7/29, 2:27pm, 208XX Highway 200 E, Potomac: Vandalism

• 7/29, 10:22pm, 64XX Highway 83, Condon: Theft

• 7/30, 11:24am, 16XX S. Canyon Drive, Seeley Lake: Suspicious Activity

• 7/30, 7:07pm, Highway 83 & Lindbergh Lake Road: Harassment

• 7/31, 2:03pm, 3XX Cutthroat Drive, Seeley Lake: Fraud

• 7/31, 10:37pm, 42XX Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Accident – No Injury

• 7/31, 5:12pm, 10XX Willow Drive, Seeley Lake: Disturbance

• 8/1, 1:12pm, 2X mile marker Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Suspicious Activity

• 8/1, 1:36pm, 3XX Lodge Way, Seeley Lake: Suspicious Activity

• 8/1, 7:24pm, 72XX Highway 83, Condon: Disorderly Conduct

• 8/2, 11:11pm, Clearwater Junction, Greenough: Driving Under the Influence

Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Call Log July 26 – Aug. 1

• 7/26, Redwood Lane, Seeley Lake: Medical

• 7/28, Pine Drive, Seeley Lake: Medical

• 7/28, Fire House Drive, Seeley Lake: Medical

• 7/29, Highway 83: Wildland Fire

• 7/29, Highway 83: Medical

• 7/29, Monture Campground Road: Medical

• 7/30, Spruce Drive, Seeley Lake, Medical

• 7/31, Access Road, Medical