Good morning, Mankato.

Rounders Sports Bar and Grill won Mankato’s inaugural Downtown Burger Battle in August after diners rated its Maui Wowi burger among custom creations from 13 local restaurants.

The contest, organized by the Downtown Partnership, boosted foot traffic downtown and celebrated local culinary talent.

Picklebarn is hosting a fall market on Sept.

19 at The Picklebarn on North Victory Drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring around 18 local vendors, food trucks, and a pickleball tournament with free 30-minute lesson vouchers (supporting families and local businesses) rain or shine.

Gardeners for Good Cooperative is celebrating its first year with a harvest festival and art exhibit on Oct.

3 at Spring Lake Park Shelter 3 featuring pot luck, lawn games, and art entries, and will host an open meeting at the North Mankato Taylor Library on Sept. 30.

Palmer Bus Service is facing higher diesel costs during back-to-school season in North Mankato as CEO Jenna Fromm reports the price hike is affecting over 1,000 drivers and local districts (Mankato Area Public Schools uses a fuel escalator clause to help offset the increase).

The Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners learned that removing Rapidan Dam will deliver long-term benefits by restoring a free-flowing river while moderating short-term water quality impacts from heavy construction; the county will work with the Department of Natural Resources to mitigate risks + safeguard aquatic life.

Local gardeners are urged to plant fall bulbs like tulips and daffodils by digging proper holes and grouping bulbs for spring blooms—correct depth helps protect them.

The outdoor Farmer’s Market opens Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon at the Best Buy lot on Adams Street with nearly 50 vendors.

Mankato East boys soccer hosted Delano on Tuesday and lost 2-0 — the loss underscored the team's need for better defensive play ahead of upcoming matches.

Mankato Loyola volleyball hosted Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop on Tuesday evening and won 3-0 in straight sets.

The team marked a milestone as Bella Giefer tallied over 1,000 career set assists.