A state grant program born from the COVID-19 pandemic, and now in its second round, will soon benefit Montevideo’s Main Street businesses. Through a partnership with Southwest Initiative Foundation, the City of Montevideo, was granted $371,417 to be used for improvement projects in the downtown corridor.

Photographer Justin Beck will be the February artist exhibiting in Java River. Beck hails from the Hutchinson area and is a self-taught photographer. He started working in photography in 2016 as a hobby. He says he initially struggled to find subject matter, but through social media and photography books he discovered the aesthetic of “decay”. He took that focus and brought it with him to begin capturing older, run-down landscapes of rural communities.

From Staff Reports A COZY HOLIDAY BEVERAGE RECIPE: Wassail, a hot beverage with Nordic roots is a mulled cider perfect for gathering around the Christmas tree with family. 2 gallons apple cider 2 cups fresh orange juice 1 cup white sugar 1 cup lemon juice 1 cup pineapple juice 1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces 1 teaspoon whole cloves Directions: Stir apple cider, orange juice, sugar, lemon juice, and pineapple juice together in a large pot over medium-low heat.