Federated awards scholarships

JACKSON — Nine area graduates have a diploma in one hand and a Federated scholarship in the other.

Federated Rural Electric Trust recently awarded nine $700 scholarships. One scholarship was awarded in each of the six Federated districts, plus three more to the son/daughter of a Federated member for district at-large.

Area recipients are listed:

o District 4: Colby Ringeisen of Sherburn. He graduates from Jackson County Central High School.

o District 5: Mason Schweiss of Welcome. He graduates from Martin County West High School.

o District 6: Samantha Moeller of Fairmont. She will graduate from Granada-Huntley-East Chain High School.

o At-large district: Shaylynn Anderson of Sherburn. She will graduate from Martin County West High School.

o At-large district: Dylan Stevens of Ceylon. He will graduate from Martin Luther High School.

o At-large district: Sophia Lovell of Alpha. She will graduate from Jackson County Central High School.

Federated is a Touchstone Energy cooperative that provides electric service to more than 6,800 members in Jackson and Martin counties.

Jackson rest stop work to begin

JACKSON — Eastbound and westbound Interstate 90 Des Moines River and Clear Lake rest areas near Jackson will be under construction in June but limited facilities, including parking and portable toilets, will be available to travelers during the one-year project, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Paving of the rest area parking lots will follow work on the building site in late 2021 or early 2022.

The original building sites were constructed in 1974 and 1975. The new facilities will provide improvements including:

o Energy efficient, ADA compliant buildings, picnic shelters and storage buildings

o Site amenities, including accessible walking trails, children’s play area, fenced pet areas, landscaping and walkway lighting

o Improved pedestrian and parking lot lighting

o More space for truck parking

o Smoother pavement

The nearest I-90 eastbound rest area is at Blue Earth and the closest I-90 westbound rest area is at Adrian. To find a rest area in Minnesota, use MnDOT’s website search tool to learn about services and access at each site: www.mndot.gov/restareas