Good morning, Mankato.

Twenty-eight first responders and bystanders received South Central EMS Life Save awards on Oct.

28 in Nicollet for responding to a two vehicle crash (Oct. 2) when crews performed CPR, used a defibrillator, and extracted victims while Mayo One flew in; one patient later died.

VERDÁNT Organics will build a production facility and corporate headquarters on Energy Drive near Victory Drive and Airport Road, with a public groundbreaking Tuesday, Nov.

10; the company expects more than 17 full time jobs in year one and over 75 total roles at full capacity.

The Mankato Symphony Orchestra received a $1,000 grant from the Mankato Clinic Foundation to fund Youth Mental Health & Resilience Through Live Music Performance, supporting the orchestra’s education and community outreach programs.

Music on the Hill will open its 2026–27 Perspectives & Masterpieces season Sunday, Nov.

1 at 4 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, Bethany Lutheran College with Classical Horizons featuring Mozart’s Quartet in D major, K. 575 and Caroline Shaw’s Plan and Elevation performed by a string quartet.

Mankato East High School counselor Heather Krause was named Minnesota School Counselor of the Year by the Minnesota School Counselors Association after 24 years with Mankato Area Public Schools.

She will travel to Washington, D.C., in January to be recognized at the national celebration.

Provost David Hood announced he is taking an immediate, indefinite personal leave from Minnesota State University in a letter faculty and staff received Monday.

President Edward Inch said the university will appoint an acting provost and will hold interviews on Nov. 3 and 4 (no interim has been named).

Mankato West seniors Vivian Collins and Corrigan McLaughlin are increasing civic involvement, with Collins serving as an election judge in August and returning for the general election on Tuesday, and both working with groups like the League of Women Voters and the YWCA to shape local policy.

North Mankato removed 37 ash trees along Belgrade Avenue this week, cutting boulevard and park ash from about 1,000 to roughly 550 and bringing the city to about halfway to its emerald ash borer removal goal (crews have removed 160 to 170 trees so far this year, timed with the Veterans Memorial Bridge reopening).

Veterans Memorial Bridge will reopen by 1 p.m. Saturday after closing Feb.

3 for major repairs, including Belgrade Avenue and ramp upgrades, restoring a link that carries 20,000+ vehicles daily. A public ribbon cutting is at 2 p.m. today; parking is at the Blue Earth County Library with shuttle service to the bridge.

Elizabeth Shores, a senior at St. James Area, will play in the individual semifinals of the (Class A) state tennis tournament today and was named Prep Athlete of the Week for her leadership on the team.