Community Briefs

Dec 09, 20210

Swan Valley School Christmas Store accepting donations

Swan Valley – The Swan Valley Parent Teacher Association will be hosting its annual Christmas shopping day for the students again this December. The school is accepting new and gently used items to support the program. Donations can be dropped off at the school by Dec. 15.

For more information contact the school at 407-754-2320.

Forest Service Road closure expected Dec. 12

SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Ranger District seasonal road closures for wheeled vehicles will take effect once the District receives measurable snow. This is anticipated to be after Dec. 12. The District encourages the public to harvest Christmas trees prior to large snow accumulation and seasonal road closures for wheeled vehicles. Please check-in with the Ranger Station on the status of roads by calling 406-677-2233.

Once measurable snow accumulation occurs, designated over-snow travel routes will become available for over-snow vehicles only, such as snowmobiles. Winter Over Snow Motor Vehicle Use maps (WMVU), which identify over-snow travel routes, are available at the District Office or online at the Lolo National Forest website https://www.fs.usda.gov/lolo.

Remember to use caution during winter recreation activities. Please check current snow conditions and avalanche forecasts at Missoula Avalanche https://missoulaavalanche.org/ or Flathead Avalanche https://flatheadavalanche.org/.

Swan Valley Library News

Swan Valley – The Swan Valley Library’s next book chat will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. The group will discuss Montana author Christine Carbo’s book “The Weight of Night.” There will also be a low-key retirement party for Librarian Colleen Kesterson from 1 - 3 p.m. Everyone is invited to stop in and show their appreciation to Kesterson for a job well done as the community librarian for the last five years.

“The Weight of Night” takes place in the magnificent and brutal terrain of Glacier National Park. “A devastating forest fire reveals a long-ago crime that may be connected to the recent disappearance of a young boy, from the award-winning author of ‘The Wild Inside and Mortal Fall’ – perfect for fans of Nevada Barr and C.J. Box. This gripping thriller is a tribute to the power of family, set against one of America’s most majestic and unforgiving landscapes.”

January’s book will be “On Earth We are Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong. They are available to check out. The date for the January book chat will be decided at the December book chat.

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 406-754-2521.

Weekly COVID-19 update

As of Dec. 6, there have been 192,590 cases of COVID-19 in Montana. There have been 1,248,268 doses of vaccines administered and 524,443 Montanans fully immunized. There are 3,271 active cases, 10,083 total hospitalizations with 198 active, 186,551 recoveries and 2,768 deaths in Montana due to COVID-19 complications. Missoula County has had 17,536 cases, 229 active cases, 17,121 recovered and 186 COVID-related deaths to date.

For the most up-to-date and accurate information please refer to the Missoula County-City Health Department website http://missoulainfo.com or call 406-258-INFO (4636) Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Call Log Nov. 28 – Dec. 4

• 11/28, Blanchard Creek Road, Seeley Lake: Fire

• 11/28, Double Arrow, Seeley Lake: Fire

• 11/29, Juniper Drive/Locust Lane: Fire

• 12/1, Stratford Lane, Seeley Lake: Medical

• 12/2, Airport Road, Seeley Lake: Fire

• 12/2, Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Medical

• 12/4, Whitetail Drive, Seeley Lake: Medical

Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Call Log Nov. 30 – Dec. 5

• 11/30, 10:49pm, 13XX Bear Creek Road, Potomac: Disorderly Conduct

• 12/1, 4:32am, 42XX Mcnamara Lane, Potomac: Trespassing

• 12/2, 2:37pm, 457XX Highway 200E, Greenough: Burglary