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

Targeted New Economic District Expected To Improve Infrastructure At Wye West of Missoula

Industrial development is the key to economic growth in any region. However, it involves many processes, including planning and development, procurement, designing, and construction. ... more

Things to think about when choosing a baby car seat

Here's a quick overview of what you should be keeping in mind when you make your decision about purchasing a baby car seat.... more

Leaf Collection Starts Monday, Nov. 2

The City of Missoula will begin fall leaf pickup on Monday, Nov. 2, starting in the neighborhoods north of the Clark Fork River during the first week (Area 1).... more

New Downtown Boulevard Banners Feature Things We Love About Downtown Missoula

For the first time in 22 years, new Downtown Missoula canvas banners will showcase what folks love about Missoula: Caras Park, music, food, shopping, biking, sunshine and Mount Sentinel.... more

How Businesses In Missoula Are Putting Customers First As They Reopen Post C-19

As businesses slowly reopen, they are taking multiple steps to implement strict safety and health policies and ensure the residents of Missoula remain healthy and safe in the post-C-19 period.... more

Griz Picked No. 7 in Preseason Media Poll

By ERIC TABER - The Montana Grizzlies were slotted in at No. 7 in the first, and only, STATS Perform FCS Top 25 media poll of the year, the organization announced Tuesday.... more

Make the Right Choice – Celebrate the End of Summer With a Sober Ride

Local Law Enforcement and the Montana Highway Patrol will be watching for impaired driving through the Labor Day Weekend.... more

FWP Reminder: SUP Users Must Have 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, SUPs have equipment requirements, just like other vessels.... more

Surplus Drawing Licenses and Permits Handled in New Way

Hunters interested in purchasing licenses or permits left over from the special license and permit drawing will find a different process this year.... more

Big Sky Kickoff Moved to July 23-24

The Big Sky Conference's annual Football Kickoff has been moved up to Thurs. July 23-24. All 13 league head coaches and one student-athlete from each football program will participate.... more

Healthcare Industry in Montana Shed Jobs Amid Covid-19

Hospitals across the country, including those in Montana, reduced operations to prepare for an increased load of coronavirus cases.... more

Men’s Basketball Garners Academic Honors From NABC

The Montana men's basketball team was recognized for its academic merit earning the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award for the third time in the past five seasons.... more

Missoula’s Annual Chip Seal Program at Work

Street maintenance crews will be applying oil and chips to city streets as part of the City’s annual Street Maintenance Chip Seal Program, which runs July 20-Aug. 6.... more

MDA to Forego Out to Lunch & Downtown Tonight for 2020

With a focus on community health and safety and compliance, the MDA will cancel the annual Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight Summer Series for 2020.  ... more

How to Keep Your Lawn Looking Healthy this Summer

As we look forward to spending more time outdoors with our family, it’s nice to have a great looking lawn to add to your outdoor experience. ... more

Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) Performing Arts Camps Cancelled Due to COVID-19

Because of health, safety and travel concerns around COVID-19, MCT has made the difficult decision to cancel all overnight camps for the summer of 2020.... more

28th Annual Garden City Brewfest Cancelled for 2020

With an eye towards community care and safety, the Missoula Downtown Association has made the decision to cancel the 28th annual Garden City BrewFest for now.... more

Orphaned Grizzly Cubs Going to Bearizona Wildlife Park

Working jointly, staff from Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found a home for three grizzly bear cubs that were orphaned last month. ... more

Man Injured in Grizzly Bear Attack on Sun River

A man was attacked by a female grizzly bear on Sunday morning near the Sun River. The attack left the man with non-life-threatening injuries.... more

Griz Adjust 2020 Summer Camp Slate

The Grizzlies will now host two camps for high school-age players in the month of July as well as a pair of youth camps in June... more

Missoula Dowtown Foundation Begins Disbursing Funds to Downtown Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

The Missoula Downtown Foundation (MDF) established a Downtown Missoula Business Support Fund to assist businesses and organizations negatively impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. ... more

FWP Announces Updates to COVID-19-Related Closures and Suspensions

People looking to get outside and enjoy spring will continue to have ample opportunities with Gov. Steve Bullock's phased approach to re-opening the state.... more

Olson Signs with Philadelphia Eagles

The greatest tackler in Montana and Big Sky Conference history received the chance to make a literal dream of a lifetime come true Saturday, signing with the Eagles.... more

Missoula Downtown Foundation Creates Business Support Fund

Missoula Downtown Foundation creates Downtown Missoula Business Support Fund and pivots spring fundraising campaign to build support for businesses impacted by Pandemic. ... more

Tom Stage Has Signed Off For the Last Time

The voice of the Lady Griz? That’s a designation, and now honorific, that belongs to Tom Stage, who retired over the weekend after calling Montana women’s basketball games for 25 seasons.... more

Garden City BrewFest Posponed to June 20

After considerable thought and deliberation, the Missoula Downtown Association has decided to postpone Garden City BrewFest due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns.... more

Street Sweeping to Start Monday, April 6

Spring is here, and the City of Missoula Street Maintenance Division will begin its street cleaning schedule on Monday, April 6.... more

MPD and The Shelter in Place Order

MPD is concerned about the well-being and safety of our commumity, and ask the community to voluntarily follow the orders for everyone's health and safety.... more

Griz Football Classics Set For Re-Air on ROOT Sports & SWX

Montana's 1995 National Championship win over Marshall is set to highlight a 31-game slate of Big Sky Conference classic football game re-broadcasts on ROOT Sports and SWX Montana.... more

COVID-19 Update in Downtown Missoula

By LINDA MCCARTHY-We encourage you to continue to care for yourselves and your families, and we ask you to support your business neighbors and friends.... more

Going Through A Bankruptcy – Here’s How To Survive

The harsh reality is that with or without a pandemic, bankruptcy can loom over anyone but you can survive it.... more

Griz Football Season Ticket Renewal Extended

Grizzly Athletics has made the decision to temporarily delay mailing season ticket renewals to current holders.... more

Don’t Flush That

Did you know that the only product designed to properly break-down when flushed is toliet paper?... more

COVID-19 Update in Downtown Missoula

As our country and our community quiets itself in an effort to “reduce the curve”, we are all concerned about how this worldwide pandemic will play out, both globally and locally. We are reminded to slow do... more

Carousel to Close for 10 Days Amid CoVid-19 Concerns

A Carousel for Missoula and Dragon Hollow will be closed for 10 days, from Monday, March 16, through Wednesday, March 25, as a precautionary measure for COVID-19.... more

Grizzly Athletics Announces Social Distancing Measures

The University of Montana Department of Athletics will suspend all practices and group team activities through March 29... more

Why Employees Leave

By MARK RIFFEY - Who would you hate to lose? Do something about it while you can.... more

Trying Times

BRUCE AUCHLY - This month may be the discontent of our winter, as we keen to hike, hear meadowlarks, smell the earth after a rain. But life does go on in February, even if we don’t notice it.... more

Vandals Continue to Spray Paint Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 4 Sites

Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking information on whomever is responsible for graffiti that continues to be spray painted on FWP sites and other public property near Great Falls.... more

Essential Winter Driving Skills To Learn To Survive Slippery Montana Roads

Citizens must remember these useful winter driving tips to avoid possible car accidents due to slippery roads.... more

Olson Wins Buck Buchanan Award

On its 25th anniversary, Olson became just the third Grizzly ever to be awarded the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award, presented annually to the FCS Defensive Player of the Year at the STATS FCS Awards Banquet.... more

Change Leadership

By MARK RIFFEY - The nature of change is changing - and so is the pace.... more

Olson, Toure, and O’Donoghue Tabbed First Team All-Americans

By ERIC TABER - The postseason honors continue to pile up for the Montana Grizzlies this week, with a Big Sky-best three standouts being named to the STATS FCS All-America First-Team.... more

Big Sky-Best Five Griz Named All-American by HERO Sports

A Big Sky Conference-best five Montana Grizzlies have earned All-America honors from HERO Sports, the online sports news outlet announced Monday.... more

Sustainable Pet-friendly Living

It’s possible to lead a sustainable life together with your furry friends if you know how to go about it.... more

How Preparing for the ACT Can Help Form Good Study Habits for College

Doing prep work for the ACT does not just help you get soaring results when you take the exam, it also helps you form solid study habits that you will carry with you into college.... more

Records Fall as Griz Advance to FCS Quarterfinal

By ERIC TABER - The Grizzlies scored a season-high 73 points against Southeaster Louisiana while punching its ticket to a quarterfinal rematch against No. 3 Weber State.... more

Ronan’s Sister Sallie’s Thrift Store Raises Funds for Victims of Domestic Abuse

People sharing what they can.  A box of clothing.  Some used furniture.  That old set of dishes.  Over the years, the door to the office would sometimes be blocked with these donations.  Community members ... more

Olson Again Honored for his Work Off the Field

Montana linebacker Dante Olson was twice recognized this week for his commitment to academics and service in the community.... more

Montana and Broadband: How Could the State Get Up to Speed on Connectivity?

While Montana undoubtedly thrives when it comes to sheer natural wonder and outdoor recreation, sadly it struggles when it comes to access to quality broadband services.... more