🌱 Fort Missoula Hospital Renovations + Annual Foresters Meeting

Hello again, friends! It's Saturday in Missoula and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A little afternoon snow. High: 47 Low: 28.
• Sunday: A passing afternoon shower. High: 41 Low: 22.

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Here are the top three stories today in Missoula:

1. The old Fort Missoula hospital may become the site of a new commercial development after years of neglect. Max Wolf of North of the Boarder LLC, which purchased the site in 2019, and David Gray of DVG Architecture are planning to build a retail, restaurant/cafe space, and possible housing to fund the hospital's restoration near the site, which would serve those employed at nearby Fort Missoula as well as locals who patronize the nearby park and playing fields. If approval is granted by local authorities, Wolf and Gray hope that once the projects are completed, the revitalized hospital could serve as office space for local businesses. (Missoula Current)
2. Missoula local Matthew Lucas Jones, 43, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison on Friday, Mar. 31 after pleading guilty in December 2022 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. The incident that led to his arrest occurred in June 2021 when he was stopped by local law enforcement after allegedly driving into oncoming traffic and was found to be in the possession of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and a pipe bomb, among other illegal items. His sentence is to be followed by five years of supervised release, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich. (Department of Justice)
3. Foresters and would-be foresters gathered together Mar. 30-31 for the annual Montana Society of American Foresters meeting in Missoula. Participants included professionals working as foresters in Montana as well as college and high school students interested in the profession from the University of Montana and St. Regis High School. The two-day event focused on the importance of sustainability in development, forest land management, and other issues pertinent to forestry, and how a thriving ecosystem can improve local quality of life. (NBC Montana)

Today and tomorrow in Missoula:

Saturday, April 1

• Bringing The Zoological Museum To You! At The Montana Natural History Center (10:00 AM)
• Off In The Woods/Skurfs At Free Cycles (7:00 PM)

Sunday, April 2

• UM Symphony Orchestra Presents "Silent Films" At The University of Montana (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Locals came together on Mar. 30 at The Humane Society of Western Montana in Missoula for an adoption drive. View pictures of the event at the link that show the volunteers, adoptees, and just a few of the scruffy, fluffy critters that were either adopted or are still needing homes. (The Humane Society of Western Montana via Facebook)
• Downtown Missoula is still a destination for weekdays, weeknights, and weekends! Learn more about the different activities you can enjoy at the link. (Missoula Downtown via Instagram)
• Missoula Wine Merchants are having a sale through Apr. 3! Cases of wine can be mixed and matched at 15 percent off their regular prices. The store is taking orders over the phone, by email, in person, and through its website. (Missoula Wine Merchants via Instagram)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. 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.