Good morning, Mankato.

Mending Spirits is hosting Rescue Roundup to help pets that have been waiting for homes find a loving family.

The event features adoptable animals including a playful tabby named Smokey, senior cats Buttons and Spooky, a curious kitten called McKenna, and bonded brothers Frank and Red (more details available by email).

Bonnie Danberry retires from a 28-year career at the Center for Independent Living and will be honored with an open house on Thursday, Oct.

1, at 709 S. Front St. Lillian Lamoreux will take over her role as snacks and refreshments are planned.

Bethany Lutheran College will mark its 100th anniversary with a Fall Festival and homecoming weekend featuring live theater, art and music performances open to the public; the campus lineup includes a Saturday gallery reception and multiple shows from Friday through Sunday plus an Oct. 4 orchestral suite premiere.

South Central College broke ground Thursday on a $10-million utility upgrade to replace outdated boiler and chiller units + bipartisan state funding and lawmakers’ backing secured the project.

Work on the chiller will finish next spring and the boiler upgrade will complete fall 2028.

Thursday afternoon, Greater Mankato Growth Chamber Lunch Series hosted four panelists discussing how quality daycare supports early brain development and workforce readiness.

The panel, led by GMG Executive Vice President Andy Wilke at a local event attended by about 50 people, offered ideas to improve affordability and partnerships in childcare.

City engineers will upgrade Rosewood Pond to boost stormwater capacity and reduce flooding risks for residents along South Brook Circle after heavy rains have increased frequency; work is set to begin soon and finish in November.

Act on Alzheimer’s will host the Dementia Research Summit on Tuesday, Oct.

20 at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center downtown. The full-day event offers talks on new diagnostics, lifestyle trials and creative caregiver support, with registration closing Oct. 8 and fees varying by role.

The Mankato Sunrise Lions Club will host the Diabetes Rally on Oct.

10 at Wow Zone (8:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.) to raise $40K for nonprofits including Camp Sweet Life and the Minnesota Lions Diabetes Foundation. Teen Claire Erickson says the event connects youth managing Type 1 Diabetes.

The Tri-City United volleyball team won against St. James Area in straight sets during a match held Thursday, Sep.

24 in St. James.

The LCWM volleyball team swept Sibley East 3-0 in a South Central match on Sept.

24. The win enhanced the Knights’ season record in local competition.

Mankato East girls soccer team hosted Rochester Mayo last Thursday and won 5-1, scoring three goals in the first half of the match.

On Thursday, Sep. 24, the Albert Lea Tigers won a close soccer match against the Mankato West Scarlets 1-0 after netting a second-half goal in North Mankato.

The Minnesota State women’s hockey team starts its season today against RPI at home while the No. 4 football team travels this weekend to play Sioux Falls.

Coaches (Shari Dickerman and Todd Hoffner) say key players helped build their strong early records.