🌱 Missoula Homelessness State Of Emergency + Local Fatal Shooting

Hey, Missoula! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A stray afternoon t-shower. High: 77 Low: 58.
• Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 78 Low: 57.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories in Missoula today:

1. On Friday, Jun. 9, Missoula Mayor Jordan Hess officially declared a state of emergency due to a "houselessness crisis" in Missoula, which is causing health and safety risks for the whole city. According to officials, there is an increase in urban camping throughout the city because the demand for housing is far beyond local shelters' capacities. Hess said the city is preparing to reopen the Johnson Street emergency shelter and is drafting plans for a year-round emergency shelter. (NBC Montana)
2. Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred on Friday, Jun. 9, in the 7000 block of Azalea Drive. According to reports, an injured victim called police and said they had been shot by a shooter who had then shot themself. Police arrived to find the victim injured and the shooter deceased. (Newstalk KGVO)
3. On Jun. 9, the Missoula City-County Health Department proposed changing the Missoula City-County Health Code to require bear-resistant garbage containers for most of Missoula and the Missoula Valley. According to the Missoula Bear Smart Working Group, about half of all bear conflict incidents in the area from 2018 to 2021 were caused by unsecured garbage. (Missoulian)

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Today and tomorrow in Missoula:

Saturday, June 10

• Missoula People’s Market At East Pine Street & North Higgins Avenue (9:00 AM)
• All Ages Metal Music Fest At Missoula Public Library (7:00 PM)

Sunday, June 11

• Cohesion Amongst Chaos - Assimilation At Zootown Arts Community Center (1:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Missoula County Sheriff's Office is warning the public about a recent increase in car break-ins and thefts. According to the sheriff's office, it is mostly unlocked cars that are broken into or stolen. Remember to lock your car, make sure your valuables are out of sight, and park near other people and in a well-lit area. (NBC Montana)
• A market named "The Market" and a restaurant "The Den" have recently opened in The Vista, a planned area located on the corner of Upper Miller Creek and Linda Vista in Missoula. Families can now shop and eat at these businesses instead of driving all the way into the main part of town. (Newstalk KGVO)
• Kids can eat free at the Missoula Public Library all summer long, starting Jun. 13! Lunch will be served in the Level Two Imaginarium from 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Jun. 13 through Aug. 29. (Missoula Public Library via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! I'll see you around.

— 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.