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By Courtney Lowery, 2-17-05

Welcome to the Missoula blog here at New West. We hope you are going to find this page as cool as we think it is. It will be a hub of discussion and a one-stop-shopping mart for all things Missoula. Think of this page as your online portal into your city. We'll give you a sharp, witty look at things you care about.

I’m your guide, Courtney Lowery. I’ve been writing professionally since I was in high school. (if you could call it professionally, but I was published, thanks to a welcoming editor at the Great Falls Tribune). I’ve been a reporter for the likes of The Associated Press, the Tribune, The Chronicle of Higher Education and the Lee Newspapers State Bureau in Helena. I am also a University of Montana graduate and the former editor of the Montana Kaimin. I fell in love with Missoula the first time I came here as a girl. It truly strikes an uncanny balance between urban and rural life and it still feels friendly, welcoming and enlightened. One of the things I love about this place is the sense of community. It’s hard to find in other places, but Missoula has managed to maintain an almost historical feeling that everyone who wants to can belong here. I hope New West can contribute to that by becoming a place where Missoulians can come, learn, discuss and write. I know there is never a shortage of concerned citizens in this city and I want our Missoula blog to be a place for those people to connect and converse or even scream if they want to. In all of this, I will try to be a smart guide to the news and issues that we’ve got swirling around here and give you a clear-eyed view of things. For that, I will need your help, so sign up and get screaming.

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By Courtney Lowery, 2-17-05 | comments (5) | email story | print story

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By Patia, 2-17-05

Well, hello there, Courtney Lowery. I'm a fan of yours from back in your Kaimin days. I really enjoyed your columns. Welcome back to Missoula!

This New West thing sounds interesting. I look forward to watching it grow.

http://www.patiastephens.com

By Blaine Meis, 1-01-06

I write because my hometown has become more of a bullying city than the small town symbol of cordiality that I once knew. My niece was just tasered 3 times by the cops. She was just beaten severely by her boyfriend,and I am sure she was hysterical,but she is a 90 pound 16 year old girl. What big,brave,strong men the MCPD has! She gets tasered,after having her nose broken,and the "man" who did it goes free on 1000 dollar bail. I love the physical beauty of Missoula/western Montana,but it is not home as much as I wish it to be. Did you know that by heresay alone,you can make a person`s life a living hell? If they are on probation for any reason,and refuse to sleep with you,you can simply call the probation office and say they were spotted at the Silver Slipper or Al`s Bar,or that they were at home smoking pot,and the local gestapo will charge their doors,force them to go downtown to be urine tested,and restrict their probationary privileges? This is MY Missoula--A River Runs Through It ( 3 actually) The Big Sky-The Last,Best Place. What an unfriendly little podunk city it is becoming.Heresay rules,and the police are power wielding maniacs with sipos and tasers. Oh what fun to give multiple taser shots to a little girl. So little have they to do with solutions or just compassion,and so much to do with cruelty,ignorant stereocasting of people, and just plain mean spiritedness.

By Todd, 6-26-06

I just returned from a three day visit to Missoula. It's my second trip in the last three weeks and I've developed a very fond impression of the town. I walked miles around the downtown area and drove around the city for work obligations. The scenery, weather (while I was there), friendly, helpful people and general laid back attitude is a nice change from the big city. However, I left my nice Moonstone jacket on a chair at the Iron Horse and when I returned to get it just minutes later someone had taken it. I must admit I found it quite shocking that I can retreive items left behind at various places in Seattle but I visit Missoula and take my eye of my jacket for 10 minutes and it's stolen. What a bitter taste that left after such a wonderful experience up until then. Is theft an issue in Missoula or was I just unlucky? Keep an eye out for anyone in a men's black Moonstone Nordwand jacket...it's almost certainly mine (the company is no more and the jacket is pretty rare).

By Joe Burnich, 6-07-09

I know its been a long time since the last comment.

I just moved back to Missoula after a 10 year hiatus. As soon as I drove in on Orange Street I got a warm feeling. It just feels like home. Ya there is a lot to complain about, but trying living in the midwest or a major city for awhile. I can almost guarantee it will change your perspective.

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By Joe Burnich, 6-07-09

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