The Murray County Medical Center’s Emergency Medical Services became the first ambulance service in Minnesota to partner with Avel eCare EMS this past week when its ambulance crew took part in “Go Live” training with Avel eCare leaders.

Question: I read your column in the newspaper but don’t think I’ve seen this question. When traveling in the Twin Cities with the required number of passengers in your car, can you use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes? Do you need to have a transponder set to carpool or some setting to indicate you meet the minimum number of passengers? I often have enough passengers but no transponder.

With two and a half weeks under our belt here at MCC, students are starting to settle into the school routine. Teachers are giving some of their first tests and quizzes, and students are busily studying, taking notes and relearning how to stay organized for their classes. It feels good to be getting back in the swing of things and have the hallways full once again.

SLAYTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVES 2024 PRELIMINARY BUDGET By Jenny Kirk The Slayton City Council approved the 2024 preliminary budget with a levy amount of $1,318,318 — a 9.49% increase — at its Monday, Sept. 18 meeting at City Hall.

Grace Welgraven Please help Lynn & Jane Huge celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Oct. 6, 2023 with a card shower.

USDA announced Milk Loss Program (MLP) assistance for eligible dairy operations for milk that was dumped or removed, without compensation, from the commercial milk market due to qualifying weather events and the consequences of those weather events that inhibited delivery or storage of milk (e.g., power outages, impassable roads, infrastructure losses, etc.) during calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022. Administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), signup for MLP begins Sept. 11 and runs through Oct. 16, 2023.

USDA Rural Development has funding availabile for very lowand low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. The Direct Home Loan program offers financing to qualified very-low and low-income applicants that are unable to qualify for traditional financing.

By Cassandra Gohman, Staff Development and Low Incidence Administrator, SWWC Service Cooperative The SWWC Special Education Department hosted the Knowledge Empowers You! Paraprofessional Conference on August 9, 2023, at the Worthington High School.

Monday, September 25: Chicken Enchilada Hotdish, Lettuce, Salsa, Sour Cream, Corn Muffin, Fruit, Lowfat Milk. Tuesday, September 26: Pasta w/Meat Sauce, Romaine Salad w/Dressing, Pears, Texas Toast, Cookie, Lowfat Milk.

By Arnold Krusemark It is now mid-September. The garden is doing ok.