🌱 Smurfit Stone Mill EPA Testing + T12 Fire Plane Coming To Missoula

Hello, everybody. I'm here with your fresh copy of the Missoula Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the community information you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Periods of sun. High: 84 Low: 48.
• Friday: Near-record temperatures. High: 87 Low: 52.

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Here are the top three stories in Missoula today:

1. Missoula County Commissioners recently heard an update on the nearby Smurfit Stone Mill Site, and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to expand groundwater testing at the site. When the mill closed down in 2010, toxic chemicals were left behind which can have a negative impact on the environment and people. Previously, the county sampled 39 acres at the site and then asked the EPA to approve more sampling in order to improve clean-up efforts. EPA officials said they expect to begin taking samples in the fall. (NBC Montana)
2. A bill proposed by a Missoula-area lawmaker that would have increased the rights of mobile home park tenants has been vetoed by Governor Greg Gianforte. House Bill 889 from Representative Jonathan Karlen (D-Frenchtown/Huston) had bipartisan support, passing in the Senate with a 30-20 vote and in the House with 68-31. In his veto letter, Gianforte said that HB 889 would increase the regulation of mobile home parks and disincentivize landlords from maintaining or updating mobile home parks. The bill was also opposed by the Montana Landlords Association. (Montana Right Now)
3. Neptune Aviation's "Tanker 12" fire plane is heading to a new location at the National Museum of Forest Service History in Missoula. "T12" is one of the last remaining planes from Neptune's fleet of Lockheed Martin P2V aircraft. The P2V were originally designed for anti-submarine warfare but were repurposed for firefighters and mountain flying. Once at the museum, it will help tell the story of aerial firefighting operations with the Forest Service. (94.9 KYSS)

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Today and tomorrow in Missoula:

Thursday, May 18

• Native Plant Garden Tour At Fort Missoula (10:00 AM)
• West African Dance Class At The Barn Movement Studio (6:00 PM)

Friday, May 19

• Blue Moon At The Old Post (8:00 PM)
• Kane Brown At Adams Center (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• This Friday, the Missoula Art Museum will be hosting Debra Magpie Earling as she launches her new novel, "The Lost Journals of Sacajawea." The event will include an author reading and Q&A. Click here to learn more. (Missoula Art Museum via Instagram)
• Registration is now open for the Missoula Half Marathon! The event is set to take place on Sunday, Jun. 25, and runners will get to enjoy beautiful views of the Montana landscape as they complete the course. To learn more or register, click here. (Missoula Marathon via Instagram)
• The Missoula Police Department is urging caution after recently receiving a report from a hiker who was almost bit by a rattlesnake on Waterworks Hill. (City of Missoula Police Department via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox soon with another update.

— 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.