A jury found Preston Hanna guilty for his role in the holdup at the Ole's store last year. The shooting left the clerk disabled and still working to put his life back together. 

Hanna was accused of driving the getaway car for Christopher Burch, who prosecutors say was the gunman. 

Read more from KPAX TV. 

Parks and Rec managers usually try to get the park open right around Labor Day, at least for the weekend. But once more this year the weather didn't cooperate and Splash remained closed, including over Memorial Day. The city's policy calls for closing the park when there's a threat of thunderstorms or temperatures drop. 

The park will open for continuous summer operation 11:30 Saturday morning, with the usual 8:30 pm. June closing time. 

Admission prices this year are $3.75 for children 11 and under, $4.25 for teens and seniors 58-years old and up and a $6 one-time fee for adults. Missoula residents can realize additional savings by getting their residency card and purchasing a swim pass. 

Members of the Montana Downtown Association, the Downtown Business Improvement District and the Mayor's Downtown Advisory Commission sponsored a forum Thursday morning to discuss the "costs and solutions" of vandals who leave graffiti all over the district. 

The panel discussion included representatives of the Missoula Police Department, the City Attorney's Office and downtown business owners. 

Downtown business owner Todd Frank, who moderated the panel, complains his business was hit five different times. 

"It's time to roll up our sleeves and take a serious look at what we can do to send the message that our beloved, historic buildings downtown aren't canvasses for vandals," said Frank in a statement before the meeting. 

Artist's rendering shows design for the new Poverello Center at the West Broadway site

The West Broadway site had been an eyesore for the past several years, but will now be the location of the new shelter, which replaces the aging center in downtown Missoula. Poverello leaders also kicked off a public fund raising campaign with an eye to raising more than $1-million to complete financing for the project. The agency has already raised more than $1-million toward its goal. 

Demolition crews were able to knock the old building down in no time at all, starting preparation on the site for eventual construction of the new center. Poverallo leaders had purchased the land last year after working for the past several years to find an acceptible location for the new shelter. 

KPAX TV photo

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. 

Commissioner Bill Carey signs agreement on Wednesday afternoon

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

Jars of Clay will perform in Missoula in August- photo from www.jarsofclay.com

Tuesday Missoula County commissioners approved a contract to bring the top-ranked group in for the show which will kick off the fair's entertainment lineup for the opening night of the fair on Tuesday. 

"Jars of Clay" is a Nashville-based band that's been touring for nearly 20-years and has been a top draw at both concerts and with album sales, winning Grammys and other awards  during their career. They're well known for songs that are positive and promote faith without an obvious religious statement. 

Fair Manager Steve Earle told commissioners "Jars of Clay" will headline a show with two additional acts still being negotiated and will be held in the rodeo area, giving people a chance to sit in the grandstands, or bring their own chairs to the infield. Earle says the fair board discussed bringing in a country music act but decided on the Christian rock performance based on the popularity of such acts in the past.

The fair is also negotiating to bring back the popular "dock dogs" competition this year, along with an extra day of canine diving. And Earle says he's hoping to secure a motocross exhibition for one of the evening grandstand shows. 

Commissioners also approved a new contract with artist Monte Dolack to produce a new fair poster this year, the third in a series by the famous artist, as well as unveiling a new fair logo this year.