Sign up for the free Missoula This Week newsletter and stay in the loop on Missoula city government, public school meetings, business news and upcoming entertainment and events. Sign up 02/20/2026 “Missoula This Week” is reported and written By Katie Fairbanks. Send your Missoula news and tips to [email protected]. The lodge could open once wastewater storage tank passes inspection Owners of the Holland Lake Lodge Thursday received permission to use a wastewater holding tank temporarily until the U.S. Forest Service repairs the permanent system.  The Missoula Board of Health Thursday approved a health code variance for the property, meaning that as long as it follows a long list of rules and conditions, the lodge south of Condon, which has been closed since 2023, could open this summer or next, likely with limited capacity.  Owner Eric Jacobson, with Holland Lake Lodge Inc., said during the meeting he is committed to moving forward in the safest way possible. Jacobson said he is nervous about exceeding the holding tank’s capacity and wants to “walk not run” into opening the property.  “The support and love for the lodge is really incredible, and I hope to preserve and protect that,” Jacobson said.  The wastewater system that serves Holland Lake Lodge and the nearby Forest Service campground was shut down in fall 2023 after public complaints of leaks to the state Department of Environmental Quality. Missoula Public Health forwarded concerns about the wastewater lagoon to DEQ, along with an email showing the Forest Service repaired the lagoon liner in 2022 without a review or permit, according to the staff report. After agency representatives met on site, the DEQ in October 2023 notified the Forest Service that the system was in violation of state laws and told them to stop all flow of wastewater into the lagoon.  Jacobson purchased the lodge and received a permit to operate last year. The 20-year permit allows operation within the current footprint and does not allow new or expanded activities or facilities. The health department told the new owner that the lodge and restaurant couldn’t be operated until the failed wastewater system was replaced, according to the staff report. Jacobson planned on using a wastewater holding tank until the Forest Service fixed the lagoon system, but holding tanks are not allowed without a variance because they are expensive and require strict guidelines to prevent overflow, said Shannon Therriault, environmental health director for Missoula Public Health.  The variance request must meet several criteria, including that it is needed due to “extraordinary conditions” that could not have reasonably been prevented, denial would cause undue hardship and there are no feasible alternatives.  Holland Lake Lodge’s application states the Forest Service is responsible for the wastewater system and the timeline for replacement is out of the business’ control.  “Without this variance, Holland Lake Lodge would be forced to close indefinitely, resulting in loss of employment for up to 20 staff members, loss of tourism revenue, and economic harm to Missoula County,” the application states. “There is no feasible wastewater alternative available.”  The health department also requires several conditions for the variance, including that the holding tank is watertight and leak tested, the owners follow an alert and pumping plan, wastewater is disposed of at an approved treatment plant and chemical toilets are available as backup.  Therriault said there is conflicting information about the tank and concerns about its size, soundness and watertightness. The tank would be leak tested and inspected before use. If a leak is found, Holland Lake Lodge would have to install a new holding tank for temporary use, which is allowed under the variance. That would likely require some level of environmental review from the Forest Service, but it’s unclear what that would be, said Anthony Botello, the Flathead National Forest supervisor.  Several area residents and frequent Holland Lake visitors raised concerns about the proposal, citing issues with the tank and that the criteria were not met because Jacobson knew about the wastewater situation before purchasing the lodge. A couple of Seeley Lake residents urged the board to approve the variance to allow the lodge to open for the community.  The board approved the variance with the additional condition that the wastewater collection system is watertight and extended the variance through 2028 or until the permanent system is fixed, whichever comes first.  Jacobson said he hopes to open for private events this summer, depending on if a new tank will be required.  “Regardless of the timeframe, I would try to do something, but being open full-tilt would be a ways away,” he said.  By the Numbers The increase in spring enrollment at the University of Montana over last year, according to a university press release. The growth was driven by bumps in the graduate program for professionals seeking updated academic credentials and Missoula College, while the number of undergraduate students remained steady, according to the spring census report.  This spring, 11,123 students were enrolled at UM, up from 10,793 in 2025. That includes 5,771 undergraduate students, up by five from last year.  The university reported a 5% increase in graduate students, from 2,733 to 2,868. The increase was driven by its partnership programs, with numbers of first-time and continuing graduate students down from spring 2025, according to the census report.  The partnership programs are for mid-career professionals seeking an updated academic credential, said Dave Kuntz, UM’s communications director. The students, who pay tuition, are typically remote and often foreign, Kuntz said. UM’s largest partnership program, Rehab Essentials, has provided education for physical therapists worldwide seeking an upgraded credential since 2008, he said. The university doesn’t have an enrollment goal for the program, and the number of students varies, often determined by changes in licensing requirements for medical professionals, Kuntz said.  Missoula College saw an 8% increase in enrollment, from 2,034 to 2,215 students. That includes a record 1,240 high school students in the dual enrollment program, up 113 from last spring. The number of non-high-school students also increased. While spring enrollment is typically lower than in the fall, UM’s total is higher because the number of dual enrollment students more than doubled from fall 2025 to spring 2026, according to the census report. Kuntz said high school students typically enroll in college courses in the spring because that’s when they have time to do so and are closer to attending college full-time. The state pays for the first two classes for dually enrolled students, giving them a jump-start on earning college credit while saving money, he said.  This is the fifth consecutive year the university has reported more students than the previous year.  “The consecutive years of growth at UM are a testament to the aggressive steps we have taken to ensure our campus experience is robust and vibrant,” said Leslie Webb, UM vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, in the release. “We have more work to do, but we are building the infrastructure needed to continue growing for years to come.” 2026 election season kicks off with candidate filing  Candidate filing for the 2026 federal election opened this week, with several Missoula County elected officials running to keep their seats.  The filing period opened Tuesday and closes at 5 p.m. March 4. The election includes several county positions, as well as Montana’s two congressional seats, a U.S. Senate seat, dozens of state House and Senate seats and two Public Service Commission seats.  Missoula County Commissioner Juanita Vero earlier this month announced her campaign for a second six-year term. Vero, a Democrat, was first appointed in 2019 and elected in 2020. Vero is a fourth-generation partner at one of Montana’s oldest family-owned dude ranches in Greenough, east of Missoula, according to a press release.  Sheriff Jeremiah Petersen filed for a second four-year term. Petersen grew up in Frenchtown and has served in numerous positions at the sheriff’s office since 2002, according to a press release. Incumbents Tyler Gernant, the clerk and recorder/treasurer, and Erin Lipkind, superintendent of schools, also filed for another term. Lester Bracey, who was appointed as interim auditor last fall, filed for the position.  Justices of the Peace Alex Beal and Landee Holloway and Missoula District Court Judge Shane Vannatta filed for reelection. Three seats on the Missoula Conservation District’s Board of Supervisors are also up for election. No challengers have filed for the county seats as of Thursday afternoon.  Candidate filing documents and information are available online. The primary election is June 2 and the general election is Nov. 3.  Thank you for reading Missoula This Week. A monthly gift helps keep this coverage consistent and free to share. Support Missoula coverage! Comings and Goings  The LOGE Missoula hotel and its coffee shop, the Dog Wash Cafe, closed this week, due to the financial troubles of its parent company.  Employees told the Missoulian that Tuesday was the last day of business for the 58-room hotel and the cafe. Washington-based LOGE Camps bought the property at 420 West Broadway in 2023 and renovated the hotel and former dog washing business, the Missoulian reported.  The company is closing properties across the region, including the historic Izaak Walton Inn, renamed LOGE Glacier, in Essex.  5 Things to Know in Missoula The Missoula County commissioners last week canceled several special district board elections and elected unopposed candidates by acclamation. Candidate filing for the special district election closed Feb. 4, and filing for school district elections closed Feb. 9. The May 5 special election will be held for the Seeley Lake Sewer District, Hellgate Elementary school board and Frenchtown School District board of trustees. The county is seeking applications for several positions for which no candidates filed. The full list of candidates elected by acclamation and vacant positions open for application is available online. Eligible residents can apply online by March 19.  On Thursday, the Missoula Redevelopment Agency board approved the final West Broadway River Corridor Master Plan and $400,000 in tax increment financing for initial project design. The plan includes river restoration, improved river access, debris removal, irrigation ditch removal and improvements to trails and recreation opportunities along the Clark Fork River between the Montana Rail Link railroad bridge and the California Street pedestrian bridge. The city is partnering with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Trout Unlimited on the project. Contingent on city council approval of the plan, the MRA will contract with SWCA Environmental Consultants to complete the designs to prepare for permitting and grant applications. Trout Unlimited will manage the project. The total project estimate is $7.2 million. Missoula Parks and Recreation is holding an open house Thursday to present a draft master plan for a new park near the Southgate Mall. The city is planning a 1.3-acre public park at Ernest Avenue and Schilling Street as part of the Midtown Commons development. The plan incorporates resident feedback from a design workshop in November, according to the city. The event is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Sentinel High School cafeteria, 901 South Ave. The Missoula City Council is set to consider the sale of the site to Miramonte Companies in the coming months, Mayor Andrea Davis said last week. The city last summer selected Miramonte to purchase and develop the site, and the company’s initial plan included single-family and multifamily housing and commercial development.  Front Step Community Land Trust and the Missoula Tenants Union are holding a free event Tuesday to celebrate and build solidarity among renters. Attendees can learn about the organizations’ campaigns to build tenant power and support, take a renter survey and share their love and visions for Missoula’s renting class. The event begins at 6 p.m. at Free Cycles, and food and drinks will be provided. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by emailing [email protected].  If Missoula gets another snowfall this winter, residents might see snowplows named “Bob,” “Betty Whiteout” and “Ctrl+Salt+Delete” clearing the streets. The names are the winners of the city’s second snowplow-naming contest, which residents voted on earlier this month. The city received 132 name submissions, said Gwen Landquist, a communications specialist for the public works department. Only 29 votes were cast, which Landquist attributed to the lack of snow so far this winter.  Might be Fun  Montessori Plus International is hosting a free Lunar New Year celebration Saturday at the Missoula Public Library. The event, ringing in the Year of the Horse, runs from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and includes family activities, Gamelan music, cultural performances and food.  The post Holland Lake Lodge inches closer to reopening appeared first on Montana Free Press. ...read more read less