Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a ghost-student scam cost Missoula College hundreds of thousands

And on the Missoula Patch calendar - Volunteering at Fort Missoula Native Plant Garden

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Saturday September 19th Patch AM
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Good morning Missoula! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a ghost-student scam cost Missoula College hundreds of thousands
  • Why Missoula mobile home residents are challenging big rent hikes
  • How today's library wardrobe sale keeps Missoula learning and thriving

Also on today's calendar: Energy Healing Conference Missoula and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call cows dancing in the dark 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Some sun with a few showers, with a high of 73 and low of 44 degrees.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and comfortable, temps: high: 78, low: 44.
  • Monday: Partly sunny and nice, with a high of 79 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fraudsters hit Missoula College in national financial aid scheme (missoulacurrent.com) — Missoula College, part of the University of Montana, lost hundreds of thousands of federal financial aid dollars to a nationwide "ghost student" fraud scheme in 2025, though the university has repaid the government and filed an insurance claim. New identity checks and monitoring now target distance-only students and program switchers, as state auditors and federal officials push stronger protections for taxpayer-funded aid.
   

2. 'An ATM for a soulless investment firm': Missoula mobile home residents vent outrage (easternprogress.com) — Missoula mobile home residents from Katoonah Lodges and Mobile City are pressing county commissioners over steep lot rent hikes imposed after a Texas investment firm bought their parks. With help from the Missoula Tenants Union, they've formed tenants unions and backed a commissioners' letter urging Axia Realty Partners to justify increases, improve communication, and address lingering maintenance and water-pressure concerns.
   

3. Lydia's Layers: Fashionista leaves wardrobe to Missoula Public Library for benefit sale (kpax.com) — Missoula residents can shop Lydia Weeden's eclectic wardrobe today at the Missoula Public Library, with all sales supporting programs like summer learning, Indigenous initiatives, and cultural exhibits. The benefit sale runs on the library's first floor from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., offering vintage and contemporary clothing, jewelry, books, and household items.
   

4. Missoula Sentinel vaults back into win column, using ground game to roll Missoula Hellgate (missoulian.com) — Missoula football fans saw Sentinel power past crosstown rival Hellgate at Missoula County Stadium on Friday night, despite two lightning delays and a long stop‑and‑start game. The matchup highlighted Sentinel's strong ground attack, with key runs from players like Tucker Laslovich and Kaden Thennis in a hard-fought local showdown.
   

5. New Montana Green Power Propsal Could Change Your Energy Options (theriver979.com) — Missoula is partnering with NorthWestern Energy and Bozeman on a proposed voluntary Green Power Program that could let local residents pay extra to support a new Montana renewable energy project. Only customers who opt in would cover the added costs, while others' bills would stay unchanged, pending approval from the Montana Public Service Commission and enough subscriber interest.
   

📸 Around Missoula

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Missoula

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • 1974 BMW R90/6 motorcycle
    Collector model. Runs good. Call  406-202-4460 in Helena (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • LET'S GET READY FOR SOME BINGO Septemer 24th, 2026
    Thursday Night: Where the Stakes are High and the Daubers are Hot! Missoula Senior Center, 705 SW Higgins. Join us for an electrifying game of… (Nextdoor Westside)
  • Come and check out the Missoula Senior Center for Lunch.
    Our kitchen just went under a huge renovation, we're excited to bring you delicious, freshly prepared meals every day. Call 406-543-7154 if you need… (Nextdoor Westside)
  • Kohl's posted a job opening for Part-Time Store Merchandising Associate (Early Morning) in Missoula. Apply here.
  • Buckle posted a job opening for Freight Coordinator (Part-Time) in Missoula. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Missoula here.

Ok Missoula! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Night Moo-s (Thank you John S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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