🌱 City Receives Large Grant For Improvements + Mazda Dealership Sold

Hello all. It's me, Amy Mayo, your host of the Missoula Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a t-storm. High: 81 Low: 50.
• Sunday: An afternoon thunderstorm. High: 75 Low: 52.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories in Missoula today:

1. This past Thursday, the City of Missoula received a $24.5 million federal grant to work on improvements downtown in the city specifically geared around safety and connectivity. There has been some opposition to the coming construction and what that will mean for some of the businesses, but the mayor is confident that these potential issues can be resolved. A few notable changes include changing Higgins Avenue to a three-lane street, making Front and Main Street into two-way streets, and adding a protected bike lane. Construction is expected to start in 2025. (Missoulian)
2. The Young Automotive Group has made its expansion into Montana this month as the group has purchased Flanagan Motors Mazda of Missoula and will be transforming the dealership into Young Mazda on Jun. 26. The group set its eyes on this specific dealership due to its high reputation in the Missoula community and all the accomplishments it has gathered in the many years of operation. The Young Automotive Group primarily has a presence in northern Utah and southern Idaho with 29 locations and it hopes that this first dealership in Missoula is just the beginning of its expansion through Montana. (KPAX News)
3. This past week, the urban campsite near the Poverello Center was cleared out as Missoula city crews picked up trash and hosed the streets as homeless tents and belongings were moved from the grounds. Earlier this month, the mayor issued a State of Emergency regarding the homeless crisis in the city and now council members are searching for solutions. Some conversations have been had to convert the temporary Johnson Street Emergency Shelter into a year-round shelter which has received backlash from the community. The choices for those experiencing homelessness in the city are growing slim with several campsites being cleared. The city is searching for short and long-term solutions. (NBC Montana)

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Today and tomorrow in Missoula:

Saturday, June 24

• Missoula Farmers Market At Circle Square (8:00 AM)
• Funk Fest Pre-Party At Draught Works Brewery (1:00 PM)

Sunday, June 25

• Yoga & Cider At Western Cider (11:00 AM)
• Highland Calf At Painting With A Twist (2:00 PM)
• Paul Lee Kupfer At Draught Works Brewery (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Thinking about your next educational move? Make sure you visit the University of Montana campus and get a look at all the wonderful sites the university has to offer. (Destination Missoula via Instagram)
• Race weekend is finally here in Missoula and it is important to pick up your information packet so you are prepared to compete. You can pick up your packet today from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or the late hours from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. downtown at Caras Park. (Missoula Marathon via Instagram)
• The Missoula Public Library will be hosting three different opportunities this summer to share life and donate blood. You can register here. (Missoula Public Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (June 27)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— Amy Mayo

About me: Amy Mayo is a writer, visual artist, and political scientist, living in the NC Research Triangle. She graduated from the University of North Carolina Asheville with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and has worked in a variety of fields outside of copywriting including policy advocacy, the healthcare industry and pharmaceuticals, and education. She hopes one day to live up to the stringent expectations of her cat, Morty.