This Week’s Missoula News Highlights – Week of March 11

By TOM DIDDEL

MCPS is Getting Ready to ask Voters to Increase Technology Levy

Missoula County Public Schools is planning to request voters approve a May 7th elections ballot to increase funding to technology within the district. Voters will be asked to approve increases for technology at both the elementary and high school levels. The money will pay for replacement computers, software and web-based service licenses, and other high-tech learning devices. (read more)

Griz and Lady Griz Land Home Court Advantage in Big Sky Tourneys

The University of Montana men’s and women’s basketball teams will play host to each of their respective conference basketball tournaments this week. The men’s team received the news of their tournament’s Missoula location before their tip-off against Northern Arizona Saturday night in front of their home crowd. (read more) more links: Missoula gets ready to host, lady griz forward Baker MVP, men’s Honors, advancing teams

Missoula City Council Advances Residency Requirements for Certain City Employees

A measure requiring some city employees to be residents of Missoula advanced after much debate. The measure was finally progressed during Monday’s council meeting. Although amendments were suggested by Councilman Dave Strohmaier, the original bill was passed as is. A public hearing on the bill is scheduled for April 1st. (read more) more links: residency debate

Downtown Missoula Fight Results in Arrest of Three Individuals

The arrest of a 24-year-old woman after she ran away from a detective questioning her about a fight she was involved in resulted in a confrontation between police and other people in the area. Two men, who were arguing with officers, were detained after one of them was tased by police. (read more)

Montana Lawmakers Clash Over Missoula College Funding Bill

The controversial expansion of Missoula College at the current University Golf Course site hit what could prove to be a funding roadblock in Helena.  The Governor’s JOBS bill currently includes funding for U of M’s Missoula College (formally the College of Technology). One lawmaker sees taking the funding for the project out of the bill as a way of forcing university officials into negotiating with Missoula residents. (read more) more links: previous MIM article, controversy over college’s location

Missoula’s New Parking Garage Looks to Harness Sun’s Power

Workers placed 72 solar panels on the north and south sides of Missoula’s newest downtown structure. Authorities estimate the panels will produce 80% of the building’s energy and last for the next 40 years. The cost for the clean energy is $245,000, money the city hopes will be saved by having to purchase only 20% of the parking garage’s power over the next 4 decades. (read more)

Each week, Tom Diddel recaps the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula. Visit the Make it Missoula News & Opinion section for more talk of the town.

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Tom Diddel has lived in Missoula on and off for nearly thirty-eight years. He enjoys skiing, hiking, and many other outdoor activities. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Montana and is currently working as a Freelance Writer and a Para-Educator.