Minnesota Prairie County Alliance (MNPrairie) issued nearly $900,000 in food assistance benefits in September to recipients across Dodge, Waseca, and Steele County.
If the federal government shutdown continues, 5,868 clients, 2,324 of whom are children, will be at risk of losing the support they receive from those programs.

Working with two other regional organizations, Minnesota Prairie County Alliance (MNPrairie) will offer an Oct. 25 conference focused on mental health and resilience.
Adults and Disabilities Services Supervisor Brandon Smith said MN Prairie is partnering with NAMI SE MN and SPERO, the local mental health center serving Dodge, Steele, and Waseca counties, to present the Mental Health & Resilience Conference.

Wonderland Whimsy is one of the newest businesses in Kasson, offering patrons a chance to “sip, savor & shop.”

Kasson-Mantorville’s Lions Club will be having a “White Cane Day” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the HyVee store in Kasson.
The purpose of Lion White Cane Day is to raise money for the Lions Vision Foundation Sight Program as well as the Minnesota Eye Bank. Money raised is used to help those with sight problems.

Get ready for some fall fun at the Mantorville Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25. The event is sponsored by the Mantorville Chamber of Commerce and will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Mantorville.
Get an early start to the morning with coffee flights at the County Seat from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Farmers Market will open at 10 a.m. at Riverside Park.

Emma Benoit was a 16-year-old varsity cheerleader in Dutchtown, La., when she attempted to end her life in 2017, the summer before her senior year.
She survived, but her attempt resulted in a spinal cord injury that paralyzed her.
The challenges she faced while recovering and learning to walk again helped her find faith and purpose and sent her on a mission to use her experience to help others.