A Mankato business is recognized by the department of human services. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has announced the winners of its Circle of Excellence awards, which recognize organizations that have partnered with DHS and done an exemplary job of providing food, shelter and other assistance to Minnesotans in need. They say: Horizon Homes – Horizon Homes in Mankato has expanded its capacity to serve children and adults in need of mental and chemical health care. Services include a new South Central Crisis Center and a partnership with law enforcement, the Yellow Line Project, that provides access to a Mobile Crisis Team.

As part of Winter Hazard Awareness Week November 4-8, public safety officials encourage residents to build winter weather safety kits that include an emergency blanket, first aid kit, hand warmers, small notepad, and a pen/pencil. "It's a good time to prepare for winter," says Pam Hermanson, training and emergency management coordinator. "A winter weather safety kit can be helpful to stranded motorists." In addition, City of Mankato public safety and public works staff are visiting third graders in area elementary schools to provide information about winter safety tips, and an opportunity to learn about city service vehicles used in their work.

The Gustavus Adolphus College Department of Physics invites stargazers of all ages to attend a "Star Party" in Olin Hall on Friday, November 8, from 7-10 p.m. Free and open to the public, the Gustavus event will feature a range of indoor activities for all ages and the Olin Hall Observatory will host a viewing of the waxing gibbous Moon through a variety of telescopes and binoculars with the hopes of identifying general features and locating specific sites on the Moon. Fair weather will also allow viewers to catch a view of Saturn before it sets at about 8:15 p.m., as [...]

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is excited to host an event to show appreciation and recognize the sacrifices made by the military service members and their families. On Sunday, November 10, all current and past military service members and their families are invited to play at the Museum at no cost, thanks to the generous support from a local family that wishes to remain anonymous, Minnesota Masonic Charities, and Mankato Masonic Lodge #12.

November 11, 2019 @ 1 pm Veteran’s Day Ceremony in Historic Lincoln Park Presented by the Boy in Blue Memorial Project     November 20, 2019 @ 7 pm Boys in Blue Civil War Stories Morson-Ario-Strand VFW Post 950, 1900 No. Riverfront Dr. Mankato VFW Burger Night begins at 5:00 pm Living history actors bring to life the stories of Blue Earth County heroes during the Civil War. Come early, enjoy a delicious burger and stay for the program! The Boy in Blue Commemorative book will be for sale at the event. FREE and open to the public. Donations welcome.

MNsure launched its seventh open enrollment on November 1. On this first day of open enrollment, MNsure has seen strong interest — by 4:00 p.m., MNsure.org had received over 30,700 visits and the Contact Center fielded nearly 1,900 calls.  MNsure's seventh open enrollment period runs November 1, 2019, through December 23, 2019. Individuals earning up to $49,960 a year, or a family of four earning up to $103,000 a year, could qualify for federal tax credits. Additional income guidelines are available on the MNsure website. 

More than 50 visual artists will display and sell locally made, one-of-a-kind works at the annual GSR Fine Art Festival. Potters, painters, photographers, jewelers, sculptors, glass, leather, wood, fiber artists, and authors will show goods in a wide range of prices. Artists and live musical performances are online at www.gsrfineartfestival.com.   Hours:            Saturday, Nov. 30, 10 am – 6 pm Sunday, Dec. 1, 10am – 4pm Admission is free and open to the public. Many free parking options are available.   The event takes place at the Mankato Civic Center.  Beer, wine, and food will be available daily for purchase.

Children and families are invited to Greater Mankato Area United Way’s sixth annual Reading Festival from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, November 23 at the Mankato Family YMCA Blue Gym. This year’s event has a dinosaur theme. The FREE event is sponsored by Capstone and is in partnership with local organizations to promote literacy and celebrate reading. The Reading Festival includes free Capstone books, activity/craft stations for Pre-K through 3rd-graders, healthy snacks by Mankato Clinic and literacy information for parents. All children welcome. Organizations hosting activities include: Capstone, Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, Families First, Family Voices, Greater Mankato Diversity Council, Mankato Family [...]

A Nicollet County man suffers serious injuries after a tractor rollover. According to the Nicollet County Sheriff's Office, just before 7 Sunday night, there was a report of a tractor rollover near the intersection of Highway 99 and 417th Avenue. The accident occurred south of Highway 99, off the roadway in a field approach. Through the investigation, it was discovered that the tractor fell off a gooseneck trailer while being loaded. It injured the occupant, whom authorities have not named. The occupant was transported by North Memorial Air Care with serious injuries.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A Minnesota college student says Krispy Kreme has told him to stop making doughnut runs to Iowa. Twenty-one-year-old Jayson Gonzalez would make weekend runs to a Krispy Kreme store in Clive, Iowa, and pack his car with boxes of doughnuts that he delivered to his own customers around the Twin Cities. But after the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported about his business, Gonzalez says he received a call from Krispy Kreme's Nebraska office telling him to stop reselling their doughnuts in Minnesota.