June 2022

Letters to the Editor

The recently concluded legislative session left a number of important issues unresolved, many of which are important to cities and our residents here in Southwestern Minnesota. Specifically, the agreed-upon final versions of the Tax bill and the Jobs and Energy bill are much-needed items that will offer opportunities and to our residents and our communities.

Prairie Notebook

Glancing over at my neighbor’s yard I noticed a thick clump of bright yellow dandelion blooms all packed together in a tight mound. Suddenly, as though a burst of wind had thrust them aloft from below, the mass of yellow flitted upward and streaks of yellow arched out in every direction across the yard.

Western Fest returns June 23rd-25th

On Wednesday, June 23rd, the annual Western Fest celebration begins in Granite Falls. All of Wednesday’s events take place in the downtown area, and include the annual Cowboy Crazy Days celebration, as well as Queen Candidates and Royalty appearances. A number of activities are taking place for children including the Kiddie Carnival in Rice Park, Barrel Train Rides by Bisbee Plumbing and Heating, a Pedal Pull, Kiddie Parade, and the Legion is hosting a kid’s night complete with bingo, fish pond and cake walk. There’s also a Hula Hoop Contest by MVTV Wireless planned on Main Street, as well as free Root Beer Floats sponsored by Rock Hav en Church.

Jane Wrede, PhD, APRN, FACNM recognized as Fellow in the American College of Nurse-Midwives Board of Governors 2022

The Fellows of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (FACNM) Board of Governors shared the names of exemplary midwives who have been accepted for Fellowship in 2022. Fellowship in the American College of Nurse-Midwives is an honor bestowed upon midwives who have demonstrated leadership within the ACNM, clinical excellence, outstanding scholarship and professional achievement who have merited special recognition both within and outside of the midwifery profession. CCM Health is delighted to announce that Jane Wrede, PhD, APRN, FACNM has been honored on this year’s list!

Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging to hold a public hearing/meeting

Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) will host a public hearing/meeting to gather public input on its Area Plan for 2023-2024. This planning document, pursuant to the Older Americans Act, identifies priority needs, goals, objectives, and activities.

8,000 year old Native American remains discovered

An 8,000 year old Native American skull discovered in the Minnesota River and a subsequent social media post by the Renville County Sheriff’s Office made national news this past week. On Wednesday morning May 18, the Renville County Sheriff’s Office made a post on Facebook detailing the results of a forensic study regarding what had been suspected human skeletal remains found along by two anonymous kayakers in September of 2021.

Montevideo Senior Class Athletic Banquet held

The Senior class Athletic Banquet was held on May 22nd at the VFW. Those awarded included: Triple A Award - Tatum Christenson Alice Einerson Award - Amery Arends Floyd Arnold Award - Kaden Boike VFW Most Dedicated/Improved Award - Lana Rongstad & Callim Schmitz United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award - Emily Brace & Andrew Van Binsbergen Coaches Association / Army Reserve Scholar Athlete Award - Amery Arends & Kaden Boike.

Memorial Day storms hit the area

In the early hours of Monday morning, the first of multiple storms to move through the area left a trail of broken branches and muddy yards, putting a hindrance on all area Memorial Day programs. By evening, a second round of storms moved through the area, causing the most damage in the Hanley Falls area, and Milan/Appleton area. The US National Weather Service of Twin Cities/ Minnesota shared a photograph on their Facebook page taken by a Twitter user of a tornado between Milan and Appleton, confirming a tornado sighting amidst the high winds and heavy rains. The storm warnings issued throughout the day by local emergency management services, as well as the National Weather Service made comparisons between this storm’s path and behavior to the storm that left the Montevideo area with extensive damage on May 12th.