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 Featured’ Category

Boaters Gearing Up For July 4th Weekend May Need Inspection

As boaters flock to rivers and lakes for the July 4th weekend, keep in mind the rules aimed at preventing aquatic invasive species from spreading.... more

Be Safe on Montana’s Waters This Summer

Montana’s many rivers, lakes and reservoirs offer fun recreational opportunities but it’s important to remember to be safe while enjoying the water.... more

Griz Picked No. 11 in Athlon Preseason Poll

In one of the year's first preseason polls, Montana is slotted in at No. 11 in the Athlon Sports Preseason FCS Top-25.... more

Missoula’s Beloved Out to Lunch & Downtown ToNight Summer Series are Back!

Downtown Missoula comes to life with the 35th season of Out to Lunch on Wednesday, June 2 and the 20th season of Downtown ToNight on Thursday, June 3. ... more

Missoula Children’s Theatre in-person Performances!

The MCT Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to announce a summer of Beanstalks, Frogs, Princes, Buzzards and so much more! ... more

Live Bait Fishing Regulations Vary Across the State

With fishing season in full swing across Montana, anglers need to keep in mind some important regulations pertaining to live bait.... more

DMP Staff & Volunteers Hang 110 Flower Baskets Through Downtown Missoula

This year staff and volunteers will hang 110 flower baskets on Tuesday, May 25 throughout Downtown Missoula.... more

River City Roots Festival Moving Forward

Music. Art. Food. Community. The Missoula Downtown Association’s River City Roots Festival returns to the streets of Downtown Friday and Saturday August 27-28.... more

Sullivan to Remain on Lady Griz Staff

Jordan Sullivan, who has both played and coached for the Lady Griz, with family ties to the program that go deeper than that, will remain as an assistant coach.... more

Ground Game, Defense, Lead Griz to Win Over Portland State

Montana closed its abbreviated spring season with a 48-7 win over Portland State.... more

Downtown Spring Ladies Night April 21 in Downtown Missoula

After a year hiatus, a springtime favorite returns to Downtown Missoula on Wednesday, April 21. ... more

Hunting Permit Drawing Results Now Available

The wait is over as the deer and elk permit drawing is complete, just 12 days after the application deadline. ... more

Griz Host Portland State to Cap Spring Season

And just like that, the Montana Grizzlies' spring season enters the home stretch as UM prepares to take on Portland State in its second and final game of April.... more

Montana to Host Full-Capacity Football Games in Fall of ’21

The University of Montana department of athletics announced Tuesday its intention to return to full-capacity attendance at Washington-Grizzly Stadium for the fall 2021 football season.... more

MCT Presents Schoolhoue Rock Live!

To close the 50th Anniversary year, the Missoula Community Theatre is going back to school and the stage with Schoolhouse Rock Live! ... more

MCT Presents Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon KIDS

Come on inside the Magic Tree House with the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT), as they present the musical adaptation of Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon KIDS. ... more

Montana Athletics Rolls Out Spring Football Ticket Process

Roughly 5,000 fans will get the chance to watch the Montana Grizzlies take on Central Washington and Portland State live and in-person at Washington-Grizzly Stadium this spring... more

Creating a New Path: Habitat Receives Unsolicited $100,000 Donation

HFHM was recently gifted a $100,000 check from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.... more

Spring Cleanup: Street Sweeping Starts Tuesday, March 30

Spring is here, and the City of Missoula’s Street Operations & Maintenance Division will begin its street sweeping schedule on Tuesday, March 30. ... more

Be Bear Aware When Recreating Outdoors

Bears are emerging from dens with the onset of spring, and people are reminded to “Be Bear Aware.”... more

Attendance, Kick Times, and Broadcast Details Set For Griz Spring Games

The Montana football team will have a limited number of fans in attendance at its two spring football games, kick times have been confirmed.... more

MDA Commences Planning & Production of Summer Events with Cautious Optimism

The Missoula Downtown Association will plan to host a modified (i.e. limited) version of the beloved Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight Summer Series events, beginning the first week of June.... more

Montana’s Offense Reloaded for 2021

When the Montana Grizzlies take the field for their first official practice of spring on Friday, one of their many offensive weapons will be running back Marcus Knight.... more

Mount Jumbo South Zone Closure Extended to March 22

In consultation with wildlife biologists at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Parks and Recreation has extended the Mt. Jumbo South Zone winter wildlife closure to March 22.... more

MCT Announces Summer Day Camps

MCT is excited to host 6 summer day camps: Jack and the Beanstalk (June 14-18 and July 5-9); The Frog Prince (June 21-25 and July 12-16) and The Wiz of the West (June 28-July 2 and July 19-23).... more

Montana Adds Spring Game vs. Portland State

The Montana Grizzlies have added another opponent to the 2021 modified spring schedule, with Portland State set to visit Washington-Grizzly Stadium in a non-conference matchup on April 17.... more

Beauty Lou and the Country Beast Day Camp March 15-19

Beauty Lou and the Country Beast will mosey on to the stage of the MCT Center for the Performing Arts March 15-19. Open to students in grades K-12.... more

2021 Smith River Permit Drawing Results Now Available

The permit lottery results to float Smith River State Park in 2021 are now available online at fwp.mt.gov.... more

Levee Maintenance Work to Begin March 1 Intermittent North Riverfront Trail Section Closures

The City’s Storm Water Utility will begin routine vegetation maintenance on two Clark Fork River levees on Monday, March 1, with completion by April 15, weather dependent... more

Avalanche Danger on Mount Jumbo!

Avalanche danger is present on Mount Jumbo, public urged to stay off the mountain.... more

Hunting and Fishing License Year Begins March 1st

The new license year opens March 1, which means that is the day you can buy your 2021 hunting and fishing licenses and begin applying for permits and special licenses.... more

2020 Big Sky Schedule Moved to 2021

The Big Sky Conference announced Wednesday it has approved moving the fall 2020 conference football schedule to the fall of 2021, restoring the slate of games that had previously been canceled.... more

Montana, Montana State Men’s Basketball Series Canceled

This week's two-game Big Sky Conference men's basketball series between Montana and Montana State has been canceled due to a positive COVID-19 test within Montana's program.... more

MCT Upcoming Show: Shrek the Musical JR

The Missoula Children's Theatre is excited to wave the “freak flag” and raise the collective laughter level of the world as it presents Shrek The Musical JR. ... more

Downtown Dine Local Week Jan. 25-31 in Downtown Missoula

In an effort to stimulate commerce during a traditionally slow quarter, the Downtown Missoula Partnership will be hosting the first-ever Downtown Dine Local Week.... more

National Parks You Need to Visit When in Montana

If you’ve set your heart on Montana for your next trip, here are 8 national parks you absolutely need to visit during your visit. ... more

Habitat for Humanity of Missoula wins competitive award in national Habitat Home Design Contest

Habitat for Humanity of Missoula (HfHM) is excited to announce it has won the Best in Affordability award for Habitat for Humanity International’s Home Design Contest.... more

Montana Schools to Play Modified Spring Football Season

The football programs at the University of Montana and Montana State University announced jointly on Friday that neither team will participate in the Big Sky Conference's spring championship season.... more

Louie-McGee Signs Contract to Play at Edmonton

Montana's record-breaking wide receiver Jerry Louie-McGee has officially signed to play professionally for the Edmonton Football Team of the Canadian Football League.... more

Montana Earns Upset Win Over Washington

It was a happy homecoming for head coach Travis DeCuire, who earned a 66-58 win over the Washington Huskies on Wednesday night.... more

Noteworthy Wins Best Overall in Downtown Holiday Window Decorating Contest

Noteworthy Paper & Press, located at 219 S. 3rd St. W, won Best Overall Window in the 22nd annual Downtown Holiday Window Decorating Contest, coordinated by the Missoula Downtown Association. ... more

MCT presents It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Take a holiday trip back to the 1940’s with the Missoula Community Theatre during It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Dec. 10-20. ... more

Mick Holien, “Voice of the Griz” for a Generation, Remembered as One of “The Good Guys”

Grizzly Athletics plans to pay tribute to Holien in the fall of 2021 when the fans he cared for so much are once again able to pack into Washington-Grizzly Stadium and Dahlberg Arena.... more

Downtown Missoula Gearing up for a Very Illuminating Holiday Season

Whether you safely enjoy the mistletoe, Santa, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or you don’t celebrate at all, Downtown Missoula welcomes you, our holiday season, and the chance to bask in the warmth of the hearth of our h... more

Montana Basketball Season to Start Without Fans for Home Games

The Montana basketball teams will start the upcoming season without fans for their home games at Dahlberg Arena.... more

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

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

MCT Presents On-Stage and Live Streaming of Souvenir

In the wake of cancelling the Missoula Community Theatre’s production of Matilda, MCT has found a true gem to bring to the stage that can be produced while following health and safety protocols. ... more

Instant Pot Mediterranean Lamb Stew

So, whether you approach this old school, new school or somewhere in the middle, the cooler days approaching promise to be flavorful.... more