Newsletter-Late-Week

At last week’s meeting of the Montevideo Schools Board of Education, High School Principal Tanya Maethner provided an update on Spring happenings in the high school, noting that, for “many reasons”, students’ education is interrupted during the 4th quarter of the school year. “Some days, oursuper talented students are heading off to State competitions - Boys Basketball, Knowledge Bowl, and FFA, while others are rocking the musical, solo, and ensemble contests and earning high accolades. Some days the weather creates havoc with roads and travel, some days the weather is so nice it creates a muddy mess, and some days are perfect for field trips, assessments, and end-of-year activities! Whatever the reason, this season is both fun and challenging for high school students and staff alike,” she said.

At last week’s annual Chippewa County Historical Society banquet, Arnold Zempel was named the 2024 Hall of Fame Honoree. Zempel was born in Montevideo and attended country school at District 74 for five years until it closed in 1960. He then attended Sanford School for sixth grade, before attending grades 7-10 at Montevideo High School. Zempel went to the “new” high school for grades 11-12, graduating in 1968.

Last week, the Chippewa County Historical Society’s Annual Banquet included a presentation on the Riverside Sanatorium that housed tuberculosis patients in Granite Falls from around the area. The presentation was given by members of the Dr. Kathleen Jordan Project, including Mary Kelly, Peggy Kvam and Carol Heen, who have been working on the project since January of 2023. The committee has worked to create a public tribute to honor Dr. Kathleen Jordan’s dedication to human rights and humanitarian services including her medical testing of children throughout Minnesota to work towards eradicating Tuberculosis. In 2024, the committee held an event attended by over 930 people to honor Dr. Jordan’s legacy, and worked with area schools to include the work in lesson plans. At the Chippewa County Historical Society banquet, the committee highlighted some events for 2025, including a KFAI Broadcast in April, launch of a YouTube Channel, a display at Chippewa County Heritage Days in May, and Swensson Farm in September.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is waiving vehicle permit fees at all 73 state parks and recreation areas on Saturday, April 26. This “Free Park Day” is one of four days each year on which the DNR waives the requirement for a vehicle permit at state parks and recreation areas. The four fee-free days are spread out over the year, giving people an opportunity to visit a state park for free in each season of the year.

Do you enjoy learning about the natural world? If so, consider becoming a Minnesota Master Naturalist volunteer!

Beginning April 14, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is installing LED chevron signs along curves on highways in in Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, and Yellow Medicine counties. Chevrons are being installed to provide enhanced safety for drivers. The chevrons have simple LEDs powered by a solar panel. They are generally illuminated all day unless it is cloudy for an extended period.