We have a new “first” at Redwood Current: first time I ran out of space. Emails that are too long get cut off, so this week’s issue is packed to the brim. Scroll down for details on upcoming party caucuses and a new feature from the Redwood Falls Public Library.

The Redwood Falls Police Department has been recognized as the Employer of the Year by LYFT Career Pathways. Officer Mike Monson teaches a law enforcement course at the Redwood Valley High School. Students engage in simulations, including traffic stops, deescalation techniques, and other aspects of serving as a police officer. The course is held in partnership with Minnesota West Community and Technical College, providing students with college credit.

Redwood Valley High students Claire Stephens and Clayton Salmon have won the school’s ExCEL Award and Zach Wilson and Addie Thomes have been named this year's Triple "A" Award nominees. The ExCEL Award – Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership – is for juniors who are active in school activities, leaders in their schools, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service. The Triple ‘A’ Award, recognizes high school seniors from across Minnesota for their achievements in academics, the arts/activities and athletics.

⛹️‍♀️ RV Varsity Girls Basketball at Pipestone Area, 6:00 PM, Pipestone Area High School, Pipestone

⛹️‍♂️ RV Varsity Boys Basketball at Pipestone Area, 7:15 PM, Pipestone Area High School, Pipestone

⛸️ Hockey Day Minnesota Celebration, 12:00 PM-7:00 PM, City Park Ice Rink, Morton, Free - Skating lessons, hot dogs, chips, s'mores, hot cocoa, and a warming shed

⛹️‍♀️ RV Varsity Girls Basketball at Minnesota Valley Lutheran, 1:30 PM, Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, New Ulm

🏫 Redwood Area School Board Meeting, 6:00 PM, Redwood Valley Middle/High School Board Room, Redwood Falls

🏒 RV Varsity Boys Hockey at Windom, 7:00 PM, Windom Arena, Windom

🤼 RV Varsity Girls & Boys Wrestling at Springfield Triangular, 5:00 PM, Springfield High School, Springfield

⛹️‍♀️ RV Varsity Girls Basketball at Jackson County Central, 6:00 PM, Jackson County Central High School Main Gym, Jackson

⛹️‍♂️ RV Varsity Boys Basketball at Jackson County Central, 7:30 PM, Jackson County Central High School Main Gym, Jackson

🤸‍♀️ RV Varsity Girls Gymnastics vs. Pipestone Area, 6:00 PM, Redwood Valley Fieldhouse, Redwood Falls

🏒 RV Varsity Boys Hockey at Marshall, 7:00 PM, Red Baron Arena Action Arena, Marshall

⛹️‍♂️ RV Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Eden Valley-Watkins, 7:15 PM, Redwood Valley Middle/High School Gymnasium, Redwood Falls

🏓 Beginner Pickleball Clinic, 9:00 AM-11:00 AM, Redwood Valley Fieldhouse, Redwood Falls, $15 - Ages 17 and older, paddles provided
📋 Register

❤️ Hearts & Flowers Card Making Class, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM, Redwood Area Arts, Redwood Falls, $25
📋 Call (320) 894-7644 or message Redwood Area Arts on Facebook to sign up

🧩 Redwood Area Animal Shelter Puzzle Party, 9:30 AM, Community Center, Redwood Falls, $40 - Teams of four, prizes for top three finishers, pizza and pop afterwards, limited spaces available
📋 Register

Dacotah Dining at Jackpot Junction - January’s $5 specials continue with a half rack of BBQ pork ribs, baked beans, and a muffin on Mondays and shrimp scampi on a bed of pasta, Caesar salad, and breadstick on Wednesdays. Available for dine-in only.

Duffy's Riverside Saloon - Every Monday night Duffy’s celebrates our veterans, past and present. All vets and one guest get their meals at half price, starting at 5:00 PM.

The precinct caucuses are coming up on February 3. Here’s what you need to know about finding your caucus location and what to expect.

Redwood Falls Public Library, 509 South Lincoln Street, Redwood Falls

Renville County Government Services Center Conference Rooms, 105 5th Street South, Olivia

Redwood Valley Middle/High School, 100 George Ramseth Drive, Redwood Falls

Fairfax Community Center, 300 South Park Street, Fairfax

Saint Mary’s School Gymnasium, 140 South 10th Street, Bird Island MN

Wabasso Community Center, 1429 Front Street, Wabasso

Winter may be half through, but there’s still time to sign up for the library’s Winter Reading Program! Going on now through March 22, each book you read enters you to win weekly prizes. Read 12 books and get chocolate bars courtesy of The Market of Redwood Falls. Finish 24 books to receive a Winter Reading Program mug.

Ask a librarian for more information.

There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Friday is going to be painfully cold. Wind chills will be at their worst Friday morning, when they could reach around -40°, meaning possible frostbite to exposed skin in less than ten minutes. We haven’t seen weather this cold since January 2019. I remember that cold snap well—I couldn’t start my car for a few days. If you park outside and even if you don’t normally have starting issues, you’ll still want to consider plugging it in. Also, everyone should put an emergency kit in their car in case it stops running: sleeping bags, socks, caps, gloves, water, and snacks. This weekend will remain cold, with just a little bit of relief next week. We’re still going to experience colder than average temperatures and should be stuck in a fairly dry pattern. On the bright side, we have officially reached the time of winter where average temperatures start getting warmer by the day, so that’s something.

Averages: Low: 5° • High: 24°

Thanks for reading! Stay warm!

-Justin