Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why one Missoula councilor is fighting the downtown street overhaul

Be sure to catch Broad Comedy on the Missoula Patch calendar

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Wednesday September 23rd Patch AM
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Good morning to you Missoula! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why one Missoula councilor is fighting the downtown street overhaul
  • How a new partnership keeps Missoula's outdoor homeless shelter running
  • Could Missoula lose Sunday library hours and a rural branch?

Also on today's calendar: Energy Healing Conference Missoula and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Is there anybody completely useless? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and delightful, with a high of 77 and low of 47 degrees.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 85, low: 51.
  • Friday: A brief shower or two, with a high of 82 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. City Councilor opposes downtown transportation project (missoulacurrent.com) — A Missoula City Council member is pushing back against paying a key invoice for the Downtown Safety, Access and Mobility project, a multi-million effort to rework streets and signals downtown. Despite rising costs and a funding gap of up to $5 million, the plan still aims to convert Front and Main to two-way traffic and slim Higgins Avenue while adding bike lanes and trail connections.
   

2. Missoula Co., Poverello Center to partner on temporary safe outdoor space (nbcmontana.com) — Missoula County is keeping the Temporary Safe Outdoor Space open under a new two-year partnership with the Poverello Center, ensuring 30 shelter units remain available for unhoused residents near Mullan Road and Broadway. Funded by an $800,000 agreement, the program will again start moving residents onsite Nov. 1 and aims to connect people experiencing homelessness with stable housing and case management.
   

3. Missoula library could close completely on Sundays as it seeks to address funding gap (easternprogress.com) — Missoula Public Library may close entirely on Sundays and shut its Frenchtown branch as it works to close a $200,000 funding gap, with changes possibly taking effect in January 2027. Library leaders told Missoula County commissioners they've had no core funding increase since 2006 and are eyeing a 2028 countywide mill levy to restore hours and services.
   

4. Montana advocate celebrated for decades of public service (buffalosfire.com) — Missoula has officially honored longtime Two Spirit advocate David Herrera by proclaiming August 15, 2026 as "David Herrera Day," recognizing his decades of service to Indigenous and Two Spirit communities. The city's proclamation and community tributes highlight his HIV health work, educational efforts, and the Montana Two Spirit Gathering that continues to bring people together each summer.
   

5. University of Montana reaches highest enrollment since 2017, driven by record freshman class (kpax.com) — University of Montana in Missoula has hit its highest enrollment since 2017, driven by a record-sized freshman class and improved student retention. Missoula College is also growing, especially through dual-enrolled local high school students, while most UM students remain Montana residents, many of them first-generation and Pell-eligible, underscoring the campus's role in expanding access to higher education.
   

📸 Around Missoula

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Missoula

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Thursday September 24
  • Broad Comedy →
    The Wilma, 131 S Higgins Ave Ste 2-1, Missoula
    7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Missoula Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hey Missoula, want cash for your old clothes?
    My name is Joey, I'm born and raised here in zootown, and am a college student here at UM. I buy, collect, restore, preserve, and occasionally resell… (Nextdoor Farviews / Pattee Canyon)
  • Amazing food!
    Their homemade garlic bread which they toss in the open kitchen is covered in fresh garlic, parm cheese, and butter. They roll out the dough thinly… (Nextdoor West Mullan)
  • Arby's posted a job opening for Team Member in Missoula. Apply here.
  • Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Shift Manager in Missoula. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Missoula here.

Ok Missoula! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: No because they can always be used as a bad example! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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