Valley City – From Mayor Carlsrud: Pickleball is easy to learn, for people of all ages. Valley City has great facilities with indoor at the Gaukler Family Wellness Center and outdoor at Hi-Line Park for your pleasure. 

A week ago on a beautiful Saturday in Chautauqua Park, Valley City Parks & Recreation (VCPR) held its annual Riverfest Celebration.  There were 260 kayakers registered, about 54 registered vendors and a nice turnout of spectators.  It is a great event, thank you to the VCPR Staff.  If you haven’t been there, watch for next year’s date!

Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) has submitted a facility permit application to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for construction of a 145 megawatt Power Plant near Toronto, SD.  Four natural gas fired-combustion turbine-generators will provide reliable on-demand electricity to help meet the growing regional energy needs.

People riding scooters and bikes, especially E-assisted, please slow down when on sidewalks for your safety.  There have been some “close calls” so be careful.

There have been numerous shootings and other dangerous situations in our region putting citizens and law enforcement personnel in harms way.  If you are stopped by law enforcement, remember they are on the “frontlines” for us and are being very cautious, so please be patient, understanding and grateful.  Thank you to all law enforcement personnel, be safe.

North Dakota faces a critical need for blood donations, especially during the summer months. Vitalant and Red Cross are both prominent in our area and are in need.  Vitalant has two drives upcoming in Valley City, September 11 at St. Catherine’s along with October 7 & 8 at Stoudt-Miller Inc.  Call Vitalant at: 877-258-4825.

PLEASE, remove the weeds from the sidewalks at your businesses and homes. Your property will look so much nicer.  Thank you.

Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.

“God puts the right people in your life at the right time.”      ~ Jared Allen

        Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave Carlsrud