🌱 Why Owatonna’s Alan Callahan earned his own official day

Greetings Owatonna! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Owatonna’s Alan Callahan earned his own official day
• Meet the Owatonna student whose robot impressed NASA judges

Also on today's calendar: Meet and Greet: Welcome our Surgical and Sports... and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the big rose say to the little rose? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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From our Partner
Today's Owatonna Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's best mobile network in the US, according to Ookla Speedtest. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Owatonna Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Owatonna.

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Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Mostly sunny and warmer, with a high of 81 and low of 59 degrees.
• Monday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 82, low: 62.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 86 and low of 61 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

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📰 News we're reading

• Patrol officer honored for lifesaving, tactical work at Moonlighters ceremony (southernminn.com) — Owatonna patrol officer Alan Callahan has been named Police Officer of the Year by the Moonlighters Exchange Club, honored at a ceremony at the local VFW Hall. Mayor Matt Jessup even proclaimed May 21 “Alan Callahan Day,” while Police Chief Jeff Mundale praised Callahan’s lifesaving CPR, tactical skills, and steady leadership within the Owatonna Police Department.
   

• SDSU's Wingman Tops NASA's Blue Skies contest (brookingsradio.com) — An Owatonna student, Mckenna DuFrene, helped design an award-winning aircraft inspection robot as part of South Dakota State University’s SPIDER team, honored at NASA’s Blue Skies competition. The broader SDSU group also captured the overall title with “Wingman,” an AI-enabled safety glasses concept that could streamline aircraft maintenance documentation and potentially shape future aerospace careers for these Minnesota-connected students.
   

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📸 Around Owatonna

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Owatonna

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Tuesday May 26

• Trusted Connections →
  141 E Rose St, Owatonna
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Monday May 25

• Memorial Day →
  Owatonna, MN Calendar Owatonna, MN 55060

Tuesday May 26

• OPU Commission Meeting →
  Owatonna, MN Calendar Owatonna, MN 55060
  4:00 pm

Wednesday May 27

• Meet and Greet: Welcome our Surgical and Sports... →
  Torey's Restaurant & Bar, 208 N Cedar Ave, Owatonna
  5:30 pm

Thursday May 28

• Opening Day at River Springs Water Park →
  River Springs Water Park, 3065 St Paul Rd, Owatonna
  4:00 pm
• 80's Mystery Night →
  Owatonna, MN Calendar, 105 N Elm Ave, Owatonna
  5:00 pm

Friday May 29

• Spring into Summer →
  Steele County Free Fair, 1525 S Cedar Ave, Owatonna
  10:30 am
• PTO Carnival
  Wilson Elementary
  6:00 pm

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📣 Owatonna Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday May 24

• The Unsinkable Molly Brown →
  Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 W Third St, Northfield
  2:00 pm
• Sunday Jazz Jam — Hot Spot Music →
  Hot Spot Music, 801 Division St S, Northfield
  4:00 pm
• Gen X Jukebox: Kamp Dels - 6:30pm →
  Kamp Dels, 14842 Sakatah Lake Rd, Waterville
  6:30 pm

Monday May 25

• Memorial Day →
  Faribault, MN Calendar Faribault, MN 55021

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Tips video for selling your home.
  https://vimeo.com/1170846216/ae0875ba31?fl=pl&fe=sh (Nextdoor S Oak Ave)

• Casey's General Store, Inc. posted a job opening for Team Member in Owatonna. Apply here.
• Life Fitness posted a job opening for Shipper - 1st Shift in Owatonna. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Owatonna here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Waseca

• U.S. Women's Sitting Team Defeats Japan to Open 2026 USAV Cup (usavolleyball.org)

Faribault

• Viaduct Park splash pad is officially open for summer (southernminn.com)
• Faribault honors three veterans as Memorial Day grand marshals (southernminn.com)
• Northfield boys tennis competes at 2026 Section 1AA tournament (southernminn.com)

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Ok Owatonna! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Hiya. Bud!! (Thank you Noreen F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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