Trial may be averted in officer assault case

KPAX TV photo(MISSOULA)- A woman charged with running over a Missoula Police officer last winter may not go to trial.

Attorneys say they're discussing a possible plea bargain for Dawnette Eaton, who's accused of running over Officer Deni Poling during a traffic stop. Prosecutors say Eaton ran over Poling and then drove away as another officer fired shots. She was arrested a few hours later after an extensive search. 

Trial is scheduled to start in early June if an agreement can't be reached. 

Read more from KPAX TV. 

Missoula leaders agree to partnership for "Central Park"

Commissioner Bill Carey signs agreement on Wednesday afternoon(MISSOULA)- Missoula County commissioners have inked a landmark agreement to management Missoula's "Central Park", a 160-acre tract of open land on the city's south side.

The idea of jointly managing the land as open space first surfaced more than a decade ago. But it was until this past year that Fairgrounds Manager Steve Earle and the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee were able to hammer out an agreement where the county, City of Missoula, YMCA, Missoula schools and the University of Montana will jointly manage the space.

The pact also calls on the agencies to share resources like maintenance equipment and staff. 

Another win for Missoula in competition for tourism conference

(MISSOULA)- Missoula is moving on to the championship round to host a major tourism conference this fall, having bested Branson, Missouri in the latest round of online voting. 

Destination Missoula has been leading the charge to host the Social Media Tourism Symposium in November, saying the event is a great opportunity to promote Missoula, and Montana as a whole by having several hundred promoters come to the Garden City. Executive Director Barb Neilan says the event is important because it creates a "buzz" with conference attendees using Twitter, Facebook and other social media tools to give their impressions of the area. 

In voting Tuesday on Facebook, Missoula topped Branson by more than 700-votes, winning Tuesday's single day of voting 4953-4250. That vote total is considerably higher than the previous rounds, showing momentum has been building for the event. 

In voting tomorrow, Cleveland and Huntsville, Alabama will face off to advance to the championship round next week to face Missoula. 

Work on Missoula Wayfinding Project moves into the next phase

(MISSOULA)- Missoula can be difficult to find your way around, even if you've lived here for years. But a new project aims to make it easier for visitors, and locals alike, to find their way to enjoy all of the Garden City's attractions.

Missoula has quite the reputation for activities and attractions, but finding those venues, and even services like transit, restaurants and hotels hasn't been very organized in the past.

That's where a new effort spearheaded by Destination Missoula and other groups comes in. For almost two years now, representatives from several local organizations have been working on the idea of establishing a "way finding" system. It would be an information network of signs, kiosks and other tools such as smart phone apps to help people find what they're looking for…

"It's difficult enough to find your way around the streets, as everybody in Missoula knows," says Destination Missoula Executive Director Barb Neilan. "But when you're a visitor it's compounded. And not only can they not find their way around, but they can't find their way to all the great assets that we have in this city. And if they can find their way to those assets and know what we have to offer then they will stay longer in our city. And it's economic development for everyone." 

Various working groups, and the general public, had a chance this week to offer input as the next phase of the wayfinding effort got underway. Those ideas will begin finding their way into draft form in the coming weeks. 

Portions of Mount Jumbo re-open after winter closure

(MISSOULA)- It's a sure sign of spring. Part of Mount Jumbo is re-opening to public access this weekend as the closure to protect wintering elk and mule deer comes to an end. 

Every year the City of Missoula closes the popular trails on much of the mountain so that the deer and elk herds can remain undisturbed when winter snows drive them out of the higher elevations. The closure starts at Saddle Point Road and includes all points south of the road. The South Zone includes the Backbone Trail and the trails near the "L".

Hikers and cyclists are still reminded to stay on trails, keep their dogs under strict voice control and remove all pet waste. Mutt mitts and loaner leashes are available at the trailheads. 

Even with the opening, the city says hikers should still be prepared to walk through mud and ice on the trails, rather than making damage by walking off-trail, which causes erosion and damages wildflowers and native grass. 

North Jumbo areas, which includes all the are north of Saddle road will remained closed until May 1st to protecting elk calving areas. 

Three areas of Mount Jumbo are open all year: the U.S. West road above I-90, the trail to the “L,” and the road linking Upper Lincoln Hills Drive with Tamarack, including about 40 acres below. Dogs must be leashed on the “L” trail and U.S. West easement during the winter closure. Violations of the Mount Jumbo winter closure are punishable by fine. Please call 911 to report closure violations.