[0:02] The Apple Valley Fire Department is now [0:04] accepting applications for its Fire [0:06] Explorer program. This free program is [0:09] open to youth who have completed 8th [0:10] grade and are between the ages of 14 and [0:13] 21. Best of all, you do not need to be [0:16] an Apple Valley resident in order to [0:18] participate. The 20week program starts [0:20] in March and introduces youth to the [0:22] fire service through hands-on training, [0:24] classroom instruction, and realorld [0:26] skill development. Explorers gain [0:28] foundational knowledge while building [0:30] confidence, teamwork, and leadership [0:32] skills in a structured and safe [0:34] environment. Visit Apple [0:36] Valleym.gov/fire [0:38] for more information and to apply for [0:40] the upcoming program. [0:42] Since 1978, Apple Valley's Midwinterfest [0:46] unites our community with winter [0:47] activities, tasty food, and fireworks. [0:51] Join us on Saturday, February 7th at [0:53] Johnny Cake Ridge Park for a day of fun. [0:56] Start your morning with the medallion [0:57] hunt. Find the hidden medallion and win [0:59] $250. [1:01] Register by 9:00 a.m. and follow clues [1:04] around Apple Valley's parks. At 400 [1:06] p.m., enjoy familyfriendly activities [1:08] like kite flying, back toss, disc golf, [1:12] a kids DJ, and cart rides from the Apple [1:15] Valley Police Department. When it's time [1:17] for a break, warm up by a fire pit and [1:19] enjoy food from a food truck or grab a [1:21] hot drink at the activity center. And [1:24] finally, we'll end the night with a [1:25] stunning fireworks display at 7 pm. For [1:28] more information, visit [1:29] applemn.gov/midwinterfest. [1:32] Don't hibernate this winter. Celebrate [1:34] it at this year's Apple Valley [1:36] Midwinterfest, sponsored by Allen Energy [1:39] Solar, the Apple Valley Arts Foundation, [1:41] and the Rotary Club of Apple Valley. For [1:44] more information, visit [1:45] applemn.gov/midwinterfest. [1:49] It's that time of year when many of us [1:51] are starting to remove our holiday [1:52] decorations. If some of your holiday [1:55] lights didn't make it through the [1:56] season, you can drop them off for [1:58] recycling. In Apple Valley, residents [2:00] can bring their unwanted or broken light [2:02] strands to the Western Service Center [2:04] through the end of January. For more [2:07] information and additional dropoff [2:08] locations, visit Dakota Valley [2:10] Recycling.gov. [2:13] And that's the latest vibe in Apple [2:14] Valley. Stay up tod date by visiting our [2:17] website and following us on social [2:19] media.