Notes from the Granite Area Arts Council

Last Wednesday afternoon, the windows of our farmhouse rippled with rain; the barely-visible cornstalks beyond whipped back and forth like ocean waves. Positive the Makers Market was not happening, I texted folks in Granite to confirm. Vendor Betsy Pardick responded with a video taken from her booth: a throng of wet folks clustered under her tent, cheerily perusing bracelets. Minnesotans are made of strong stuff, and will apparently venture out to purchase art in any kind of weather.

Court hearing in former Police Chief’s charges results in additional scheduled hearing

On Monday afternoon, former Upper Sioux police chief Christopher Allen Lee, 53, of Clarkfield, made an appearance in court in what was scheduled to be a Settlement Conference. Lee, who appeared by way of Zoom, appeared at the hearing while driving a motor vehicle, and Judge Laurence Stratton, who discovered Lee was driving while asking Lee to turn on his camera, halted court momentarily to wait for Lee to pull over to attend. It should be noted that in the court rules for Zoom hearings, it states that the attending must not be moving (either driving, walking, bicycling or otherwise).

Federal Government approves request for Tornado Recovery Assistance

Governor Tim Walz today announced that the President has approved his request for a major disaster declaration for 23 counties impacted by tornadoes, flooding, and storms in early May. “This spring brought unprecedented storms and historic flooding to our state.

Kilowatt Community Center News

Healthy Tip of the Week: Some foods pack a particularly powerful combination of nutrients that play a part in immune health, and oatmeal happens to be one of them. Not only are oats incredibly rich in cholesterol-lowering fiber, high-quality protein, but they also contain a wide range of essential minerals and other compounds with a high level of antioxidant activity.

City council discusses potential slope concerns on a portion of the levee

At the regular meeting of the Granite Falls City council held last Tuesday, one of the topics of discussion was the results of a recent inspection of the levee that was completed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). During the inspection, signs of potential slope concerns were noticed along a portion of the levee, resulting in the USACE recommending the City have a cross-section survey of the levee completed. The survey would allow a better understanding of the ground profile in the area around Oak Street to the baseball field, including homes where the land is located near the Dike Road.

Fires in Granite Falls apartment building investigated for arson

Since July 1st, 2022, the Granite Falls Fire Department, City of Granite Falls, Police Department and Minnesota State Fire Marshal have responded to four fires which the Granite Falls Fire Department says appear to have been intentionally set inside the Henry Hill Apartments in Granite Falls.

Split Rail Saddle Club hosts show

The Split Rail Saddle Club held their July Fun Show at Lee-Mar Ranch and Equine Center last Friday evening. The event included competitions in a number of categories including Key Race, Egg and Spoon, Poles, Pennant, Jump Figure Eight, Barrels, Ball Drop, and more. Competitions are divided into age divisions from Pee-Wee to Senior Plus. The category winners are awarded ribbons and prizes.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, July 16th: Larry Cole Book Signing event at the KCC from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Larry Cole grew up in Granite Falls and recently published a book, Living the Dream on America’s Team about his time in the NFL. He will be signing books and memorabilia.

Gayle Inks

 Gayle Inks, 78, of Granite Falls passed away on Monday July 11,…