The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program of United Community Action Partnership has been awarded a community impact grant from the United Way of Southwest Minnesota (UWSWMN) for $12,000. The VITA program works to connect trained and certified volunteers with low to moderate income individuals and families to ensure they claim important tax credits and deductions that they qualify for. This work aligns with UWSWMN’s financial stability priority area.

Year 2024 is now in progress for better or worse. This writer has been reading various predictions for the year. Some things stay the same - only the calendar changes. And our age. Sometimes we note some changes too. We’d like to think we learn something as we age too. But sometimes we’ve noticed people get forgetful. This time of year the gardening catalogs are arriving. One of the more interesting things we note from the catalogs is the new varieties listed. Most new varieties are in fruit (trees) and vegetables (corn and tomatoes).

Filling Their Backpacks Guest Columnist: Ashley Krog Expertly sandwiched in Mark 10—between a teaching on divorce and a rich, young man’s naïveté—there stands a lesson on the littlest among us. Parents and caregivers bring their children to Jesus, just to have him touch them, and the disciples nearby rebuke them for doing so.

• Scott A. Ahlschlager, et al to James Carlson, et al, B: 1 : 1 & 2, McDonnell’s Second Addition, Iona.

FULDA POLICE DEPARTMENT Terriance Ramelle Jones, Beaverton, OR, Disorderly Conduct $460. Paul Gene McKay, Appleton, MN, Threats of Violence - $1160.

Question: I have a question about people who are driving for food deliveries and ridehailing app services using their personal vehicle. Are they supposed to have commercial insurance or any other special type of insurance? Back in the ‘80s, I was working as an owner/ operator using my personal vehicle and was told that I needed commercial insurance. Answer: Minnesota requires that every vehicle on a public road or street has auto insurance. Under most circumstances, a licensed vehicle in the state of Minnesota must have liability, personal injury protection, uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage.

A conference geared toward women in agriculture will be held in St. Cloud on February 6, 2024.

Now that winter has finally arrived, it’s time to look ahead to an exciting event in March! The Slayton Area Farm & Home Show/Family Fair is coming up on Saturday, March 16 at the MCC gym. Sponsored by the Slayton Area Chamber of Commerce and Murray County Early Childhood Initiative, the event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.