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Good morning. This week, discover how the Griz can surpass the Cats while supporting neighbors, along with upcoming Veterans Day events. Also included is a recap of Election Day activities.
But first, a weather preview ☀️
Missoula will experience temperatures rising to mid-to-upper 50s this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Friday features morning fog clearing to a sunny day with highs near 49 degrees. Saturday offers the warmest day with sun and highs near 58 degrees, while Sunday will cool to 53 degrees.
Election Day in Missoula
Election Day brings stress and excitement to newsrooms. With Montana Free Press reporters covering the late shift, much of Tuesday was spent visiting polling places, engaging with voters and election workers.
The Missoula Public Library served as a polling location for multiple precincts. Election worker Kathi Olson started her shift at 5:30 a.m. and planned to continue until 10 p.m., a schedule shared by many veteran workers.
Bradley Seaman, county election administrator, mentioned over 700 shifts were scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, with some working multiple shifts. “It takes a whole village,” Seaman said, emphasizing the county’s strong turnout.
Seaman himself expected to work until 2 or 3 a.m. Wednesday and returned later in the morning. Ballot counting concluded around 4:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Voters faced long waits Tuesday night, with lines over 100 people long. The last voter, Tina Nourmiev, cast her ballot just after 10:30 p.m., following nearly three hours in line.
Voters stressed the importance of participating, despite long waits. “Voting is one of the most important rights we have in the U.S.,” said Cameron Contreras, a University of Montana student. “It’s important that everyone does it.”
Seaman later reported more polling place voters than past elections, but final numbers await provisional ballot counts on Monday.
Missoula County’s voter turnout of 64.8% exceeded the state average of 60%, marking the highest among the state’s five largest counties. The turnout was slightly higher than in the 2022 midterm election.
Many voters were eager to vote on the three ballot initiatives. The county ballot included races for Montana’s Western District House, a U.S. Senate seat, state House and Senate, and Public Service Commission seats. More on the election results here.
Though many Missoula County officials were up for election, only the justice of the peace race was contested. Incumbent Landee Holloway secured 61% of the vote, with Kelli Sather receiving 39%.
Missoula County election workers will count provisional ballots Monday, conduct audits Thursday, and hold the election canvass on Nov. 17.
Meeting Minutes 📝
City Council
The Missoula City Council approved annexation and rezoning of 7 acres off England Boulevard for potential redevelopment of the Missoula KOA campground.
While much of the KOA and adjacent mobile home park are within city limits, the southwest portion was not annexed with the rest in 1980. The landowner requested annexation and aims to redevelop the RV park but not the adjacent El Mar Trailer Village.
The property is zoned limited urban mixed-use, allowing commercial, mixed-use, and residential development. Future developments may require a traffic study if they increase vehicle trips significantly.
Ron Wetzsteon, representing the landowner, indicated redevelopment could take years. Residents of nine mobile homes might need to relocate for street expansion. Efforts will be made to find vacant spaces for these residents.
Council Member Kristen Jordan urged, “I would really like to beg the developer to find a way to ensure that the folk who are long-term stays at that property will continue to have a place to stay.”
The council unanimously approved the annexation and rezoning with seven conditions, including a new fire hydrant and easements for future streets and utilities.
Public Notice 🧐
Downtown SAM project work to impact traffic, parking
ℹ️ Jackson Contractor Group will locate utilities for the Downtown Safety Access Mobility Project over the next two weeks, weather permitting. Expect temporary parking restrictions, sidewalk detours, traffic impacts, lane closures, and minor delays. Business access remains open.
🗓️ Monday – Friday, Nov. 9 – 20
⏰ 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
📍 Higgins Avenue and Front Street and Main Street corridors
🔗 More information about the project is available online.
Missoula County data center study hearing Thursday
ℹ️ County staff will present a study on data center impacts on public health and the environment at the regular Thursday meeting. Public comments are invited, but no vote will occur on extending the moratorium.
🗓️ Thursday, Nov. 12
⏰ 2 p.m.
📍 Missoula County Courthouse, Sophie Moiese Room or virtually
🔗 Read past coverage of the moratorium and the study. The full study is available online.
Applications open for septic system replacement program
ℹ️ Missoula County accepts applications for a program aiding low- and moderate-income homeowners with septic system replacements. Eligibility requires an income below 80% of the area median, $69,350 for two people.
🗓️ Funding is limited, apply promptly.
🔗 More information, eligibility criteria, and applications are on the county’s website.
On Campus 🐻
Montana’s major rivalry ignites this weekend with the “Can the Cats” food drive, a competition between the University of Montana and Montana State University. Donations benefit the UM Food Pantry and Missoula Food Bank.
UM President Jeremiah Shinn stated, “The Brawl of the Wild is one of the great rivalries in American sports. It’s about competing for something Montanans care deeply about. But our responsibility to one another goes beyond the game itself. If we can translate Montana’s passion and competitive drive into meals for families who need them, everyone wins.”
Community members can donate nonperishable items at food banks or contribute financially online at www.canthecats.com. Each dollar donated equals one pound of food.
A “Stuff the Bus” event on Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will gather donations at Missoula grocery stores. Other events include Western Cider’s Grateful Glass nights and Cambie’s Pint Night.
“One of the things we love most about Can the Cats is the incredible variety of food our community brings in,” said Amy Allison, executive director of Missoula Food Bank. “People donate foods they enjoy in their own homes, and that gives our customers more choices when they shop with us. The food collected during these two weeks helps nourish our community well into the following year.”
Last year, Missoula collected a record 209,847 pounds of food and $881,907 in monetary donations, totaling 1,091,755 pounds. Bozeman also surpassed one million, raising 1,018,613 with 335,189 pounds of food and $683,425 for the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.
Local Lineup 🚶
🎨 Zootown Arts Community Center’s “Indigenizing the ZACC” event occurs Friday, Nov. 6, celebrating Indigenous artists and culture with live music, an art market, and food. It starts with a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives awareness walk at 4:15 p.m.
🇺🇸 Veterans Day events include a free breakfast for veterans at the American Legion Post, a ceremony at the Doughboy Statue, a Veterans Art Show, and a free potluck at VFW Post 209. Donations support the breakfast, and potluck attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to share.
The post Missoula shows up, turns out for Election Day appeared first on Montana Free Press.
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