Montana News Roundup: What to do With Extra Missoula School Property

One of the largest school districts in the state has a "property problem" and is hoping to develop a plan for vacant schools, land, and other buildings.

      Missoula County Public Schools has wrestled with the issue off and on over the past decade, but now a task force is getting closer to coming up with solutions.

Superintendent Micah Hill says there are 13 properties in all, and with help from the WGM Group, the district has the framework to consider.

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A property plan for Missoula Schools

Hill says the WGM Group is helping to study the problem.

"Look at the facilities we have, and assess, like what would it take to bring those facilities to code, make them useable again as a school." -MCPS Superintendent Micah Hill 

The facilities planning committee has started listening sessions now with the community and launched a new website so Missoula residents can submit their ideas and input.

     Hill says the trick is trying to balance between future needs and extra expense.

Many of the properties are older schools or lands acquired in anticipation of future growth. But currently, enrollments are down.

"The harsh reality is that maintaining an empty building takes a lot of resources. Time, money that we're diverting away from buildings that currently have kids in the buildings."

      Listening sessions are underway, as well as a community survey

Learn more at this new website.

USDA declares disaster for Blackfoot drought

The ongoing drought in the Upper Blackfoot region shows no signs of easing, as we emerge into summer. And now, the USDA is designating Granite, Powell and Lewis and Clark counties as "primary disaster areas."

That will allow ranchers and other producers, who've been struggling with "extreme" to "exceptional" drought, to access emergency loans to help their operations. Applications will be accepted through January.

Also, the agency says several additional counties are being put on this list for help because of the ongoing dry conditions, including Missoula, Ravalli, Broadwater, Cascade, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Jefferson, Meagher, and Teton counties.

READ MORE: Extreme Drought on the Blackfoot

Alcohol & Speed lead to another Flathead fatality

Montana Highway Patrol says alcohol and drugs are believed to be factors in the Sunday afternoon crash that killed a Columbia Falls man.

Troopers say the 38-year-old victim was heading south on Highway 35 near Kalispell when his SUV crossed the centerline, slamming head-on with an oncoming Dodge pickup. He was pronounced dead as soon as emergency crews got to the scene.

     -The woman driving the truck and a man riding with her were taken to Logan Health for treatment.

Smokejumper Reunion

Hopefully, fire season holds off long enough for Missoula's famous "smokejumpers" to mark the program's 85th anniversary with a reunion being planned for June 20th.

Chris Wolfe has the details.

Montana Tuesday Trivia

      Can you name the four Pioneer League Teams playing baseball in Montana this year? Answer below. ⬇️

The end to an odd logo lawsuit

In sports, a different kind of victory, as the new leadership at the Department of Interior is dropping that suit against the Glacier Range Riders, which claimed Kalispell's pro baseball team had ripped off the design from the iconic National Park Service "arrowhead" logo.

Word came last week from Congressman Ryan Zinke that the suit has been quietly dropped.

Montana Tuesday Trivia Answer

     ⚾️ The Missoula Paddleheads, Billings Mustangs, Glacier Range Riders and Great Falls Voyagers will all field teams in 2025. All four teams will be in action for the first time Tuesday night, with Missoula @ Billings and Great Falls @ Kalispell.