April 2025

Avera Granite Falls receives CALS hospital designation in recognition of rural emergency medicine excellence

Avera Granite Falls Hospital in Granite Falls, Minn. has been recognized as a Comprehensive Advanced Life Support (CALS) Hospital, joining an elite group of facilities committed to excellence in rural emergency care. This designation reflects the hospital’s commitment to upholding high standards in staff training, utilizing state-of-the-art technology, and adhering to CALS principles.

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Live Well, Age Wisely: When in doubt, check it out!…

When it comes to fraud, scams, and questionable sales techniques, the bottom line is this: You are your own best resource against ending up in a situation that you wish you hadn’t. It might not sound like a positive approach to life to say, “Be wary of all that you see, hear, and receive,” but slowing down and looking with a critical eye at what is in your mailbox, inbox, and on the screen is truly the best defense.

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Free entrance to Minnesota state parks and recreation areas on Saturday, April 26

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.

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Notes from the Granite Area Arts Council: You Too Can Be a Vendor…

Sorry my recent columns have all had semi-chaotic energy: April is the busiest month for a professor who, in addition to all the usual grading, runs a Visiting Writers program and occasionally has to travel for work. This one comes to you from my usual spot (the wiggly dining room table), just much later than usual (sorry, Jessica): we threw a concert at the college tonight in which an alum and his producer pal spun experimental synthesizer beats, recited spoken-word poetry, and showed off how the poetry skills he learned in Creative Writing classes translate quite well to hip-hop.

Read MoreNotes from the Granite Area Arts Council: You Too Can Be a Vendor…