The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘All News & Opinion’ Category

Leaf Collection Services Begin November 5–Weather Permitting

What should residents do to have their leaves ready for pickup?... more

Bergen Named to Payton Award Watch List

Griz football standout Junior Bergen has added to his pile of preseason accolades with a place on the 2024 Walter Payton Award Watch List as a wide receiver.... more

Tree Debris Drop Sites Opened; Caution Advised in Parks Due to Tree Hazards

To aid in cleanup efforts after Wednesday’s storm, the City has established six free drop sites for storm-damaged vegetation.... more

Hoot-Owl Restrictions Placed On Additional Rivers in Southwest Montana

A full angling closure and two new hoot-owl restrictions will go into effect on additional sections of the Madison River in southwest Montana.... more

Griz Picked to Repeat as Big Sky Champs

The Montana Grizzlies have been picked to win back-to-back Big Sky titles by the league’s coaches and media in 2024 slotting in at No. 1 in both preseason polls.... more

Boulevard Trees Need Help to Survive Extreme Summer Heat

If hot summer days are leaving you thirsty, chances are your street trees need some water too.... more

Local Law Enforcement Stepping up Seat Belt Enforcement

Montana Law Enforcement increasing patrols in Missoula, MT during Memorial Day Weekend and through the summer. Montanans are strongly encouraged to click it or ticket.... more

Griz Set to Once Again Pitch in and Help Save Lives

The Grizzly football team will once again do its part to help save lives by rallying the UM community to join the National Marrow Donor Program's (NMDP) "Get in the Game" registry,... more

Grizzly Football: GSA Spring Tour Returns in 2024

The Montana Grizzlies are back on the road and coming to a town near you!... more

FWP Reminder: Be Bear Aware When Recreating Outdoors

Remove or secure food attractants and keep a clean campsite As spring weather approaches, we’re all anxious to head outdoors, and bears are leaving their winter dens. This time of year, bears are waking up f... more

NFL Veteran Scott Linehan Joins Grizzly Coaching Staff

Former NFL head coach and 30-plus year coaching veteran Scott Linehan has joined the Montana football coaching staff as an offensive analyst.... more

Understanding Market Dynamics: Investing Wisely in Today’s Business World

This guide is designed to help you decode the complexities of the market, empowering you to make informed investment decisions with confidence.... more

Maxwell Football Club Names Hauck Winner of 2023 Get in the Game Impact Award

By: Montana Sports Information The Maxwell Football Club, one of the most prestigious football honors organizations in the nation, announced Tuesday that Montana head football coach Bobby Hauck ha... more

Get Your Taste Buds Ready, Missoula!

The Downtown Missoula Partnership is hosting the fourth annual Downtown Dine Local Week to shift attention toward supporting food and beverage businesses in Downtown Missoula.... more

Eight Grizzlies Named Academic All-District

Eight Griz players were honored for their excellence in the classroom and on the field named Academic All-District on Tuesday.... more

Personalized Health: Exploring the World of Private Label Supplements‍

Let's delve deeper into the world of private label supplements and the role they play in personalized health.... more

Griz Beat Furman in OT Thriller to Advance to Semis

Friday night's 35-28 overtime win over Furman in the FCS Quarterfinal is the latest addition to the Washington-Grizzly Stadium lore, and Junior Bergen the latest Grizzly hero.... more

Hauck Named the AFCA FCS Region 5 Coach of the Year

After winning his eighth Big Sky Conference championship and becoming the league's all-time winningest coach, Bobby Hauck has been voted Coach of the Year.... more

Winter Wildlife Closures on Mt. Jumbo, Mt. Dean Stone Begin Dec. 1st

Missoula Parks and Recreation reminds hikers and bikers that some City open space areas are closed in the winter months to protect wildlife.... more

September is Bear Aware Month

Being outdoors means being with wildlife. Here's some simple advice for staying safe while exploring the outdoors and in bear country.... more

Postgame Fireworks Show Announced For Sept. 16 Black Out

Griz Football is back in Missoula, and fans' next chance to catch Montana inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium is next Saturday, Sept. 16.... more

New Missoula Murals Highlight Local Artists and Downtown Partnerships

Two new art murals highlight local artists and partnerships and add life and vibrancy to the streets and alleys in Downtown Missoula.... more

Griz Picked Third, Sixth in Preseason Polls

Media members around the league picked Montana to finish third in this year’s title race while coaches picked the Griz to finish sixth, the Big Sky Conference announced in its annual preseason polls.... more

City’s Annual Chip Seal Program Begins July 17

City of Missoula Street Operations & Maintenance Division crews will be applying liquid asphalt and rock chips to city streets July 17 until around Aug. 7.... more

Keep AIS Prevention Protocols in Mind This Fourth of July

As boaters and other water recreationists gear up for the July 4th holiday, they need to follow the rules to prevent aquatic invasive species from affecting Montana’s waters.... more

City Asks Residents to Comply Witn Fireworks Laws

The City of Missoula, along with our partner agencies ask Missoula residents to refrain from the use of fireworks.... more

Montana’s Flint Rasmussen Bids Farewell at PBR Finale

Montana’s own Flint Rasmussen, billed as the greatest rodeo entertainer in history, graced the First Interstate Arena in Billings for the final time Sunday.... more

Welnel Passes No. 37 Tradition to Janacaro

Welnel announced Levi Janacaro, a Missoula native and fellow linebacker, is his choice to be the 17th player in program history to wear No. 37, ... more

GSA Tailgate Moves Inside “The Grizzly Den” For Spring Game

Fans set to attend the annual Grizzly Scholarship Association Spring Football Game on April 7, will now have the chance to experience Washington-Grizzly Stadium's new premium seating zone, The Grizzly Den,... more

City Leaf Collection Starts Again April 3

Since the weather is warming up and most of the snow on leaf piles has melted, crews expect to start picking up leaves on Monday, April 3, weather permitting.... more

Tim Hauck Returns to Montana as a Defensive Analyst

Grizzly Sports Hall of Famer, 13-year NFL vet, and Super Bowl-winning coach Tim Hauck has returned to the University of Montana as a defensive analyst.... more

Mount Jump South Zone Closure Extended

In consultation with state wildlife biologists, Parks and Recreation has extended the Mount Jumbo South Zone winter wildlife closure beyond the scheduled March 15 opening date.... more

6 Things You Should Know About the Missoula Chick-fil-A

Here’s a quick overview of the main points of interest relating to this already popular outlet.... more

Dahlberg Arena Floor to be Named Robin Selvig Court

The banner went up not long after Robin Selvig retired, recognition for 865 wins while coaching the Montana women’s basketball program from 1978-79 to 2015-16. It faces 23 banners on the other side of Dahl... more

Montana to Host SEMO Under the Lights in First Round Playoff Game

Montana will extend its FCS record playoff appearances to 26 this Saturday after earning an at-large bid to the 2022 tournament.... more

Griz Move up in National Rankings at No. 2 in both Polls

After a 3-0 start to the season, the Montana Grizzlies are now the consensus No. 2 team in the nation this week... more

Montana Nearing Record Season Ticket Sales as Kickoff Approaches

With Montana picked to win the Big Sky Conference title and receiving a top-two preseason national ranking, excitement for Griz football is high in Missoula.  ... more

Montana Finalizes 2022 Television Schedule

Television details for the remainder of Montana's 2022 football season have been finalized. Here they are:... more

Celebration of Mayor John Engen Set for Saturday, Aug. 20

The City of Missoula will hold a celebration of life for Mayor John Engen on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m. at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field... more

Missoula City Council Seeks Applicants for Mayor

The Missoula City Council is accepting applications to fill the vacancy for the office of Mayor following Mayor John Engen’s death.... more

Missoula Loses Mayor John Engen

Missoula Mayor John Engen died Monday morning, Aug. 15, of pancreatic cancer. He was 57.... more

Missoula Downtown Foundation Brings Shade Structure to Caras Park

Missoula’s recently-renovated Caras Park will get a little cooler, thanks to the Missoula Downtown Foundation and its partnership with Dick Anderson Construction and the City of Missoula Parks & Recreation.... more

Four Montana Legends Earn Place in Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame

Grizzly Athletics proudly announced the Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame incoming class of 2022, and the recipient of the Grizzly Lifetime Honors Award.... more

Several Rivers in Stillwater County Closed to Recreation Due to Multiple Hazzards

Following is a list of sites that are also closed due to flood damage, leaving the sites unsafe:... more

Sheep Return to City Open Space, Some Areas Temporarily Closed to Dogs

The City of Missoula’s wooliest employees are back this summer to help with noxious weed control on City Open Space.... more

Most Lucrative Online Industries for Remote Workers in Missoula

If you are looking to change your profession or are just starting out in your career, it helps to know where the most employment opportunities lie.... more

How Missoula Is Making The Shift Towards Renewable Energy

If the Missoula County Commissioners and City Council have their way, the whole urban area will run on 100% clean electricity by 2030.... more

Sundberg Promoted to Deputy Athletics Director

Longtime University of Montana athletic administrator Greg Sundberg has been promoted to deputy athletics director.... more

Parks and Recreation to Host Free Organic Lawn Care Webinar

Residents are invited to join Parks & Rec for a free Zoom virtual webinar on organic lawn care on Wednesday, April 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. ... more

The Great Resignation Is Making Missoula a Top Relocation Destination

Thanks to The Great Resignation, Missoula is experiencing a surge in popularity as a relocation destination. Here's why:... more