Ellen Marie (Finnes) Anderson, 91, of Cambridge peacefully passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023, following a brief illness, at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. Ellen was born on July 27, 1931, in Granite Falls to Obert and Ella (Seim)…
Sherry Jakel, 77, of New Prague, formerly Buffalo and Granite Falls, passed away on January 21, 2023, at Mala Strana Assisted Living in New Prague. Sherry Lee Jakel was born in Crookston on December 3, 1945, to Jackson and Shirley…
As a writing teacher, I encourage my students to take themselves on tiny adventures, but sometimes fail to heed my own advice. Fortunately, every time I try to de-thaw the fairy solstice village from the concrete outside the Makers on the Minnesota Gallery, it is a new experience: I went out on Saturday armed with a hair dryer determined to get it done, but forty-five minutes later, I’d succeeded only in temporarily flooding a tiny living room. The city, thankfully, is graciously allowing us to wait for a warm day (or someone else’s better idea?), and Ryan who snowblows the sidewalk sometimes has assured me that plowing around them isn’t terrible. Stay tuned for further updates, I guess.
Yellow Medicine County Deputy Sheriff Kyler Jelen was recently honored with a DWI All Star Award, recognizing his work on DWI enforcements while an Officer at the Granite Falls Police Department. Jelen was recognized at a local presentation by Scott McConkey, Southern Minnesota Law Enforcement Liaison for the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety. Deputy Jelen was recognized as a DWI All Star for going above and beyond in his dedication to keep our local roadways safe from impaired drivers, according to McConkey.
Last week, the Yellow Medicine East boys varsity basketball team took on Paynesville at home for a 3677 loss. Leaders in the game included Archie LaRose who scored 10 points, followed by Bryce Sneller scoring six points, with 10 rebounds and two steals to add to the team total.
For more than 20 years, the nine districts making up the Minnesota River Valley Education District (MRVED), have benefitted from a conference that takes place annually that provides educational and networking opportunities. Last week, educators from those districts gathered at the Lac qui Parle Valley High School once again for the annual MELT (MRVED Educators Learning Together) Conference during the Monday holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
If you’re reading this column, then you already know that I survived what I’m about to tell you about. In all of the years I’ve owned my downtown building, my “help” with most projects, repairs, etc, has been my oldest child. He helped move many an appliance up and down the apartment stairway, change light bulbs in the large fluorescent overheads in the store level, haul out left behind furniture from tenants, etc.
Granite Falls Police Department Wright Blue, Monique Lakota, Clarkfield; Offense date 5/13/22 5th Degree Assault - Intentionally Inflicts/Attempts to Inflict Bodily Harm on Another (Misdemeanor); Plea 10/31/22 Guilty; Disposition 1/13/23 Convicted; Court Decision 1/13/23 Sentenced Local Confinement (90 Days, Stay 0 Mo 81 Days For 1 Yr Credit for time served: 9 Days); $50 Fine. Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s Office Wright Blue, Monique Lakota, Clarkfield; Offense date 3/30/22 4th Degree Assault - Correctional Employee - Intentionally Transfers Bodily Fluid (Felony); Plea 10/31/22 Guilty; Disposition 1/13/23 Convicted; Court Decision 1/13/23 Sentenced Commit to Commissioner of Corrections - Adult (MN Correctional Facility - Shakopee, 12 Mo 1 Days, Stay For 4 Yr); $500 Fine.
I am not a winter enthusiast; to be precise, my favorite winter sport is going back inside where it is warm and comfortable. Having said that, as I traveled about last week, I was struck by the beauty of the hoarfrost trees. They are the same tree we see all year long but somehow covered in this beautiful flocking; they look magical. Seeing these beautiful trees made me think about New Year’s resolutions. We just finished the hustle and bustle of the holidays with the crazy weather that came with it this year. Just as we recover and dig out, the New Year stares us in the face begging us to make significant life-changing resolutions. So many of us take up the challenge and make a “resolution” of big changes in behavior or lifestyle, only to find in a few weeks or months that we haven’t kept them. Why do we put so much stress on ourselves? We should be more like those flocked trees. They are the same tree we see every day of the year… just better! So, this year I am skipping the New Year/ New Me and being the like the flocked trees, the same me, only better! bettermein2023. I will focus on self-care, kindness, decluttering my life, and being more involved with others and our community, even if in small ways. Like the hoarfrost covered trees, the larger the grove, the more magnificent the effect of the hoarfrost. The small branches, like the small things we can do, add to the beauty. Volunteering and giving back to our community are great ways to get involved and will create a ripple effect that helps many people. I encourage everyone to strive to be their best this coming year. At the United Way of Southwest Minnesota, we work with many community partners that can use volunteers to support their efforts. Let’s all take a little time and be open to helping them out. It could be a day, a week, help to deliver meals with Prairie Five Meals or Lutheran Social Service Meals on Wheels. Helping at United Community Partnerships Kitchen Table Food Shelves or Volunt
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has created a new online tool, called the Watershed Health Assessment Framework for Lakes (WHAF for Lakes), providing easy access to water quality and health information for thousands of Minnesota lakes.