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Thumbs up to the future. We’re into the full swing of 2025 graduates and so a hardy congratulations and whole-hearted best of luck to all of the graduates who are closing one gate to soon open another gate. For many, it was a long row to get to this point in their journeys and hopefully it comes with incentive enough to make the years ahead something worth grabbing hold of.

Thumbs up to the negotiators. This week, the negotiators on the Special Incident Response Team (SIRT) were honored by the Crisis Negotiators Association of Minnesota with the Negotiation of the Year Award for their efforts during a 10-hour long standoff in July of last year that freed a seven-year-old girl and brought the whole situation to a peaceful end. More often than not, all anybody really sees is the tactical work of the SIRT team, but it’s the negotiators who are unsung in any situation as they strive to bring any situation to that peace conclusion.

A place to play. This week, it was announced that Hayfield had been the beneficiary of a $30,000 grant that will be used to upgrade Earl B. Himle Memorial Park in the community. The park is a recreational hub in Hayfield and with upgrades largely focusing on Americans with Disabilities Act Improvements, the community will ensure that everybody can adequately use the park for such recreations.

Thumbs down to fruitless endeavors. Perhaps predictably, the Minnesota Legislature failed to finish its budget on time and will now work into a special session to try and finish the chore ahead. While not entirely surprising, any talk throughout the session of working together appears to be idle conversation at best as fingers were pointed and votes fell along party lines. Pretty clear that the divide is more of a gulf.

Thumbs up for recognition. The Style Lounge is making industry news after it was announced that they were recognized in the 2025 SALON TODAY 200 list. The list recognizes establishments across the nation that excel in their profession, something The Style Lounge has made a name for at its Main Street location over the years.