Granite Falls is gearing up for another exciting Western Fest, and at the heart of the festivities is the long-standing Western Fest Royalty program—a 76 year tradition that highlights leadership, community service, and local pride.
Last Thursday, 46 vendors set up stands along the entirety of the Riverwalk for the first Granite Area Arts Council Makers Market of the season. Wares ranged from handmade hot sauce, all variety of baked goods, and farm fresh meats to handcrafted lamps and informational booths for area organizations such as the YME Vote Yes committee. The next Makers Market happens Thursday, July 3rd.
Emerson Olson of Clarkfield was named to the Southeast Technical College President’s List for the spring 2025 semester. To be named to the President’s List, students must be seeking a degree and have a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher.
The 2025 Chippewa and Yellow Medicine Counties Honorary Survivors and Caregivers Cancer Connection Walk was held June 4, 2025 in Smith Park in Montevideo. Pictured are: (L to R) Caregiver Bear Rowell, Survivor Michele Rowell, Montevideo; Caregiver June Eisenlohr, Survivor Mary Lou Lanes, Montevideo; Survivors Eileen and Milt Skogund, Clara City, they are each other’s caregiver.
The smoke from the Canadian wildfires made another appearance around parts of Minnesota on Sunday into Monday. It wasn’t as bad as last Tuesday when some of the worst air quality ever reported was found in Minnesota. At that time, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said that the air quality in portions of the state was in the very unhealthy to dangerous level.
There have been a couple of changes announced to the Western Fest Schedule. Those changes are as follows:
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is seeking feedback about statewide bicycle infrastructure to help update the agency’s Statewide Bicycle+ System Plan.
During June, the DNR is offering special programs and incentives to encourage Minnesotans to get outdoors. For example, the DNR will host a Free Park Day on Saturday, June 14, which allows free entrance to all state parks and recreation areas in Minnesota. There’s a state park or recreation area within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. The entrance fee waiver for Free Park Day does not cover amenity or user fees for activities like camping or watercraft rentals. Details are on the Free Park Day webpage (mndnr.gov/freeparkdays).
With Minnesota legalizing adult-use cannabis, many people in our communities have questions about how to use cannabis products safely, or whether to use them at all. At Countryside Public Health, our goal is not to tell people what to do, but to provide accurate information so you can make informed decisions for yourself and your family.