🌱 $7 Million Construction Project + New Employment Opportunities

Hello again, everybody! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this weekend started off right with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's happening around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: An a.m. flurry; mostly cloudy. High: 41 Low: 17.
• Sunday: Mainly cloudy. High: 44 Low: 29.

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Here are the top three stories today in Missoula:

1. The Department of Natural Resources and Conversation is seeking public comment before reviewing an application by LHC, Inc. that requests the approval to mine, process, and remove gravel on around 21 acres of State Trust Land near Elbow Lake in Missoula County. Also part of the request is a proposal to build an on-site asphalt plant. The public is encouraged to submit their feedback from Mar. 16 through Apr. 16. (Montana Right Now)
2. Missoula's Public Works and Mobility Department will begin its construction season on Monday, Mar. 13 with two $7 million water main replacement projects. According to City Engineer for Utilities Andy Schulz, construction will take place on both East Central and East Sussex avenues, as well as throughout the areas around South 2nd Street and Cottonwood Street. (Newstalk KGVO)
3. Cascadia Management Group received approval on Thursday, Mar. 9 from Missoula County to apply for a Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund Grant. The company hopes to use this grant to expand its workforce in the coming months in a push to accommodate its growing base of local and national clients. It plans to hire around 10 employees over the next 15 months. (Missoula Current)

Today and tomorrow in Missoula:

Saturday, March 11

• Summer Camp Expo At Missoula Public Library (11:00 AM)
• St. Patrick's Day Parade At Downtown Missoula (12:00 PM)

Sunday, March 12

• Strummingbird Vegabond At Draught Works (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Missoula Art Museum officially opened registration for its upcoming camps that will begin on Jun. 12. Each camp is led by a professional teaching artist and available for children ages 6-12. Arist Jolena Ryan will lead an exclusive camp "Off the Wall and Into the Woods: Art in Nature" from Jul. 22-28. (Missoula Art Museum via Instagram)
• Join Ryan Callaghan, the man with the mustache, as he emcees Campfire Stories at Rendezvous 2023 on Saturday, Mar. 18. The event will take place at the Missoula Fairgrounds at 7:30 p.m. and feature storytellers from across the continent. Some of the storytellers that will present include Randy Newberg, Hank Shaw, Ashley Smith, and more. (Backcountry Hunters & Anglers via Facebook)
• On Tuesday, Mar. 12 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., come sing, hum, or tap along to some Celtic tunes played by Garden City Strings at Memory Café at the Missoula Public Library. The event will be in honor of St. Patrick's Day and welcomes individuals experiencing memory loss, as well as their caregivers and family members. (Missoula Public Library via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Taxes in Retirement Webinar on March 13th and 15th (March 13)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (March 14)
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That's it for today. I'll see you around!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.