Duluth
Deployed Guard members ran 5K, just not in Duluth
Dozens of deployed members of the Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard ran a 5K remotely as part of the Grandma's Marathon series this year.
The military members ran the equivalent of the William A. Irvin 5K last weekend and got the same finisher shirts, socks and medals that local runners will get on the North Shore after completing races next weekend.
"It's the least we can do for their service," said Grandma's Marathon Executive Director Shane Bauer. "They support us, we support them. It's a huge asset to our community to have the 148th here. They're a big part of Duluth."
For many years, the 148th supported Grandma's Marathon with F-16 flyovers at the start of the 26.2-mile race.
Pam Louwagie
St. Peter
Motel to be converted to homeless shelter
A Christian ministry has purchased a motel on the city's north end and last week turned over ownership to a local nonprofit that plans to convert it into a homeless shelter.
The St. Peter Motel, at 221 Union St., will continue to rent out rooms for now as Mankato-based Partners for Affordable Housing raises the money necessary to convert it, said the organization's executive director, Jen Theneman.
She said the organization hopes to have $80,000 in donations and grants by year's end before starting the renovations.