Scoop Dogg, Darth Blader Among Missoula’s New Snowplow Names

Missoula, we did it. We finally gave our snowplows names worthy of them. Names that make it just a little less painful to shovel out our driveways. After more than 388 creative submissions and a whole bunch of community voting, the city announced the winners at Monday night’s City Council meeting. And boy, did Missoula deliver with snowplow puns.

Taking our crown (or, you know, snowblade) with a whopping 616 votes is The Big LePlowski.  A name so chill we can only imagine this plow abides by its own set of rules. Bringing in a cool 323 votes to come in hot (or, rather cold), Scoop Dogg adds the hip-hop swagger Missoula’s winter streets need. And finishing third with 309 votes is Darth Blader, whose name is so potent you can practically hear the Imperial March playing when it slices through the ice.

According to KPAX, Deputy Public Work's Director Brian Hensel announced the names at Missoula City Council's meeting Monday night.

This contest was a fun way to recognize how essential our snowplows and operators are," Hensel said. "And clearing snow and ice from our streets these last couple of weeks, we've definitely had a chance to demonstrate that.

Well now people looking to see Darth Blader all suited up in black, with a glowing red SABER blade, slow your roll. Hensel made sure to note that won’t be happening. But hey, at least we’ll be able to see the right names on the plows in no time. As for the people who submitted those top names? They’ll even be able to pose for a photo with their freshly christened snowplow.

So, next time you see The Big LePlowski barreling down your street, blowing the way for another frigid Montana morning, give it a tip of appreciation. Our plows now have names to match their snow-busting greatness, and winter in Missoula just became a little funnier.