Stay informed with the Missoula This Week newsletter, offering updates on Missoula city government, public school meetings, business developments, and entertainment events.
6/6/2025
“Missoula This Week” is reported by Katie Fairbanks. Share your news and tips at kfairbanks@montanafreepress.org.
Missoula Hospice Center Opening
Missoula’s new hospice center, Hope Hospice Center, will welcome its first patients in July after comprehensive planning and fundraising efforts. Located at 3615 Union Pacific Street, across from Home Depot, the center is the first dedicated facility of its kind in the region. Partners Hope Foundation, supported by community donations, spearheaded this initiative.
The center will offer care to Montana’s aging population, according to Amanda Yeoman Melro, executive director. “We aim to serve those living alone or in rural areas with limited resources,” she stated. The facility features 12 private rooms, a kitchen, dining area, living room with a library, and a spa, all designed to cater to diverse end-of-life needs.
Betsy Bach of Partners Hope Foundation highlighted the community-driven origin of the center, which evolved from discussions about the need for inpatient hospice care in 2017. The foundation raised $15 million via private donations for the 15,200-square-foot center, built on land donated by the Payne family.
Partners in Home Care will manage the clinical services, hiring around 20 employees, including nurses, social workers, and chaplains. Patients can be admitted directly or referred by hospitals, offering an alternative setting that eases hospital congestion. A sliding scale will determine room costs, with a fund assisting those unable to pay.
Missoula Aging Services and Tamarack Grief Resource Center will collaborate with Hope Hospice Center to provide additional community resources and support.
St. Pats’ Maternity Center Closing
Providence St. Patrick Hospital will close its maternity center in October due to external challenges, including flat birth rates and staff shortages. Despite expectations for 300 births annually upon its 2015 opening, demand has declined. The transition of maternity care will involve partnerships with Western Montana Clinic and Community Medical Center.
Staff affected by the closure can apply for new roles within Providence, which will continue gynecological and urgent care services. The decision, deemed unilateral by some Western Montana Clinic doctors, has sparked criticism for the lack of staff consultation.
The closure reflects broader workforce issues and shifts in local healthcare needs, with Community Medical Center poised to address the increase in patient volume.
5 Things to Know in Missoula
The Missoula County Compensation Board approved a 3% pay raise for elected officials, increasing the base pay from $49.35 to $50.83 per hour. Justice of the peace salaries also increased to 85% of a district judge’s wage, enhancing law enforcement compensation and aligning with judicial standards.
The Missoula City Council will raise parking ticket fees starting January 2026 to deter repeat violations. The updated scale ranges from $0 to $40 for minor infractions and up to $100 for severe violations, resetting annually.
Lonnie Rash, experienced in fire service, will succeed Gordy Hughes as Missoula Fire Department chief. Rash’s initiatives include a new fire station and renovations, pending city council confirmation.
A $676,890 contract awards JAG Contracting for Clark Fork River restoration, funded by the 2018 Open Space Bond. The project aims to counteract erosion from increased recreational activity, with work scheduled at multiple river access points.
Review options from the Transform Brooks-Connect Midtown Study at an open house on June 12. The study explores rapid transit service improvements for Brooks Street, with proposals for new bus lanes and transit centers.
Verbatim
“I, too, have several students in my classroom this year who are either children of parents from [the LGBTQ+] community or who identify as a member of this community as well. They have seen my flag up in my classroom all year, and last Friday, they had to walk in and notice it was gone. I just can’t fathom what that felt like to them to walk into their class that’s supposed to be warm and accepting and notice that that symbol was now removed. And the message that sends to our students that we don’t support them. It’s very heartbreaking. Because of this, I think it’s really important that we do use this route to adopt the flag as an official city flag.”
—Petrea Torma, fourth-grade teacher, supporting a proposal to recognize the Pride flag as an official city flag in Missoula, despite a state law limiting its display on government property.
The Missoula City Council’s decision to officially recognize the Pride flag has sparked debate, with Governor Greg Gianforte criticizing the move on social media. City Council Member Mike Nugent clarified that the recognition does not mandate the flag’s display. More details can be found here.
Might be Fun
Nonprofit theater group MissCast Productions presents “Trio” at the Zootown Arts Community Center. This one-act drama explores sibling dynamics as estranged triplets confront past events. Performances run from June 11-15, with open captions for hearing-impaired attendees and audio descriptions for the visually impaired. Ticket information is available online.
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