Space Center

The Inland Northwest Space Alliance announced Tuesday that it has been selected to help develop a small secondary payload spacecraft as part of a NASA project to search for water on the moon in 2008.

The INSA’s role in the project seems small, especially when compared to the investigation surrounding the Missoula non-profit’s ties to the University of Montana, and more than 3 million in NASA grants that the organization has not sufficiently accounted for. 

[more]

Money and Space

The investigation into a former University of Montana vice president’s involvement with a non-profit organization that received $3 million in NASA grants is on track to finish by early June, Montana's legislative auditor said Thursday. The investigation is in the preliminary stages and will require combing the financial records for not only the university and the INSA, but could also delve into the employment records of two of Montana’s biggest politicians: Sen. Conrad Burns and Rep. Denny Rehberg.

Monday’s unexpected resignation the Board of Regents Chairman John Mercer won't affect the progress of the investigation, said Scott Seacat, the state's legislative auditor. Seacat said Commissioner of Higher Education Shelia Sterns will keep the investigation going. “The commissioner isn’t going to let this leave her sights,” Seacat said. 

[more]

Politics and Academics

Despite a mission statement as a non-profit company working to stimulate private business in the aerospace industry for Montana, an aerospace company with ties to the University of Montana has little proof that significant work is being done. As a result, the chairman of the Montana Board of Regents wants to know what happened to more than $3 million in NASA grants the Inland Northwest Space Alliance has received since its creation in 2003.

According to its records, the center has promoted some educational outreach programs for schoolchildren, held a benefit golf tournament, begun fundraising for a multi-million dollar children's space camp and little else. Regents also believe the center was created without their knowledge or approval, casting doubt on the University of Montana's process for such projects and the practices of the university's top administrators.

But Dan Dwyer, vice president of research and development at UM, says despite the spotlight on the investigation into the INSA, the university is not in jeopardy of losing out on other federal grants. "We have lots and lots of projects that are being run by the books," Dwyer said. "This is just one." 

[more]

Not spring, but not bad

Things have been heating up on a couple of the local rivers recently but winter's a long way from over. This time of year, you don't have the luxury of waiting, so the moral of the story is to get it while it's good! 

[more]

Let it SNOW!

Well there is some big news in the winter sports scene!! Loveland Pass in Colorado has opened its lifts for the 05-06 season, again becoming the first resort to open up. Last week's amazing snow storm added to the early opening and has everyone itching for a little Montana snow!

Also, on the snowboard scene, local boardshop, Edge of the World is having their annual snowboard party with tons of fun lined up like bobbing for discounts, ninjas, and music. The party is on Saturday, Oct. 22, and should be a good time to do some meetin' and greetin'! 

Support Missoula!!

And the bidders are off!! Today bidding began on almost 60 skateboard decks that have been painted and customized from utilitarian tools to works of art.

All of this is part of a fundraiser for the new Missoula Skatepark and has brought out some amazing artists and artwork. If you have ever wanted to own a piece of skateboarding then THIS is your chance! Remeber, bidding ends at 5 p.m. MST on Oct. 14, 2005, so get YOUR'S now!

 

[more]