Granite Falls’ Mark Jensen inducted into Thrivent’s Hall of Fame

Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization, is pleased to announce that Mark Jensen, ChFC, LUTCF, RICP of Granite Falls was recently inducted into the organization’s prestigious Hall of Fame. He is one of only 12 inductees in 2023. Jensen is a Financial Associate for the Midwest Rockies Advisor Group.

MPCA reviews proposal to develop new 4,800-head swine feedlot in Yellow Medicine County

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) today released its environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) for a new swine feedlot in Yellow Medicine County. Luke and Melissa Stevens plan to house 4,800 heads of grow-finish or weanto- finish swine near the town of Hazel Run, on land currently used for row-crop agriculture and surrounded by small residential farms.

Fine Arts celebration runs March 28-May 5 at SMSU

The 17th Annual SMSU Fine Arts Celebration returns March 28 through May 5. The celebration features creative works from the Fine Arts and Communication Department and the Creative Writing Program.

55+ driver discount program offered

The Minnesota Highway Safety Center will be offering 55+ Driver Discount Courses on April 20th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Granite Falls Senior Center and April 26th 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Montevideo Community Center. Both are four-hour refresher courses.

BUILDING

Editor’s Note: What started as a project titled “Angels Among Us” has evolved into something so much more than we originally anticipated. We put out the call asking for nominations of people in our communities who go above and beyond for others, with overwhelming response. What resulted is a new concept - a new weekly series called “Building Community” with a focus on how our community members from all walks of life are building the kind of community they want to live in, whether its through small things, or very large life changing things. It’s about inspiring ideas in others we may not have considered, and hearing words of encouragement from those who have overcome their own challenges to become more involved in our communities. To tell us about someone you know that’s helping to build community, send an email to jstolen-jacobson@cherryroad.com.

Morgan IronHeart, Montevideo

Morgan IronHeart found a drive to build community after reaching a low point in life. “To be honest, opiate addiction and my drinking had just gotten to a point where I wanted to give up on life. I just felt hopeless. There was no light at the end of the tunnel,” he says. “As a last ditch effort and surrender, I went to treatment and in treatment I got to spend time with my counselor. That was my first time really spending time with a positive male role model, in a cultural setting, too.”

Red Cross and PEANUTS: Be Kind, give blood in April

During National Volunteer Month in April, the American Red Cross is joining forces with PEANUTS as a reminder that it’s cool to be kind! We rely on the kindness of volunteer donors every day to ensure blood is available when patients need it.

National Public Health Week is April 3-9

A message from Countryside Public Health: The past few years have challenged and changed each of us, our communities, and the field of public health in numerous ways. This week, during National Public Health Week, we CELEBRATE the resiliency and strength of our communities, our many wonderful partners, our Board of Directors, our great staff, and all the amazing residents who choose to make their homes in these communities.