News
Since God Loves You As You Are, He Won’t Leave You As You Are
“God loves you exactly as you are.” This statement is both 100 percent correct, yet so often used in 100 percent the wrong way. On one hand, this statement is true.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, February 25th: Stand up comedy show featuring nationally touring comedian Connor Hanglesben at Talking Waters Brewing Company. Tickets are available online (link on TWB Facebook page). Event begins at 7 p.m.

Team United headed to state tournament
Last Thursday evening, team United, made up of wrestlers from Dawson-Boyd/Lac qui Parle Valley/ Montevideo took a 57-20 victory to opponent MAHACA (Morris Area/Hancock/Chokio-Alberta) in the semifinals held at the Dawson High School.

Deadline approaching for students to apply for new multi-district CEO program
Editor jstolen-jacobson@cherryroad. com Montevideo, Yellow Medicine East and Lakeview School Districts have been working together for the last couple of years to bring a new program to life for students.

Milan Youth Center provides opportunities for activity and education
In 2017 The Greater Milan Initiative started the Milan Youth Center (MYC as the kids like to call it) located in the old Milan school. Ann Thompson, who runs the center explained more about how the program started, saying, “We got a grant from the Southwest Initiative Foundation as part of their Grow Your Own Summit focusing on youth, and underserved youth, in our area. We got the grant to start the Youth Center and it’s for kids in grades seven through 12.” The youth meet twice a week, normally on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. with time set aside on Wednesdays to focus on homework help for the kids. The center provides a quiet, safe, warm environment with snacks and then the kids also are able to help each other with their homework, although Thompson also helps them. “If they don’t have homework, there are games and puzzles they can work on. On Fridays we try to do something fun, like play in the gym. They love to play in the gym. Or have a game night or watch a movie or do karaoke. We’ve also gone bowling, but usually it’s stuff here [at the Youth Center],” Thompson says.


MnDOT announces winners of 2023 “Name a Snowplow” contest
Yer a Blizzard, Harry and Blizzo join the state’s snowplow fleet as winners of the 2023 “Name a Snowplow” contest, along with six other popular names, the Minnesota of Transportation announced today. More than 64,000 voters cast a ballot in the contest. One newly named snowplow will be assigned to each of MnDOT’s eight districts.
United Way of SW Minnesota announces Kindness Investment Program Grant
Program (KIP) grant intended to offer small, one-time funding to support a smallscale community-level project, program, or initiative that aligns with the UWSWMN Community Impact Priorities within our service area.
SW Minnesota Collaborative joins Philadelphia Fed’s Cohort Program focused on removing barriers to inclusive workforce
The Southwest Minnesota Collaborative is proud to announce its participation in the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s third annual Reinventing Our Communities Cohort Program. The program is focused on strengthening regional economies by addressing race-based economic inequities in rural and small urban regions across the country.