Posted by | Apr 29, 2025 3:00 pm | , and entertainment destination is ready to bring live music back to the center stage as the Palladio’s 2025 Music in the Piazza series kicks off this Friday night Leading off this year’s lineup is none other than local favorite Granite City 909 a band whose roots run deep in the Folsom community Granite City 909 is a tribute to the golden age of rock and to the city’s rich history The band’s name honors Folsom’s original moniker of “Granite City” and nods to the historic elementary school at 909 that was an important part of their youth With over 125 years of combined professional musical experience the band brings a sound deeply inspired by the diverse scenes of Los Angeles and South Texas during rock’s most influential era The group is made up of four longtime friends and talented musicians who are dedicated to preserving the spirit of the 1970s for today’s audiences and toured extensively across the South and Midwest in the early ’70s sharing stages with the likes of ZZ Top and Ted Nugent Even after transitioning to a banking career Freeman represented Wells Fargo in the Fortune Magazine Battle of the Corporate Bands performing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and at a Nashville event headlined by Cheap Trick began performing with his brother at outdoor festivals and corporate events from a young age Miklos carries the vibrant energy of 1970s rock in every note Bob Rogers (Guitar and Bass) grew up in Alaska before relocating to Folsom in 1975 A graduate of the original Folsom High School Rogers is a seasoned musician whose natural ear for music perfectly complements the group He recently added bass guitar to his instrumental talents to round out the band’s dynamic sound Scott Blakeslee (Drums) brings East Coast energy to the mix Blakeslee was inspired to take up drumming after watching The Beatles and The Rolling Stones on the Ed Sullivan Show at just eight years old His background includes performing in school concert and marching bands and earning accolades with a teen garage rock band authentic experience that captures the heart of classic rock and the spirit of Folsom’s history They are the perfect band to launch a summer season filled with live music under the stars Following Granite City 909’s performance Music in the Piazza continues every Friday through June 27 offering a lively mix of musical genres and acts On May 9, Have Mercy will take over the stage with a set of energetic Top 40 hits that promise to get the crowd moving a Woodstock tribute band that channels the sounds and free spirit of the legendary 1969 festival On May 23, Peter Morgan will blend smooth jazz with yacht rock classics perfect for a laid-back evening vibe. AKAlive will fire up the Piazza on May 30 with a high-energy fusion of classic rock and funk June opens with a Beatles tribute as Revolution Beat performs beloved hits from every era of the Fab Four’s career on June 6. Brisco County brings country flair on June 13 combining modern and traditional influences for a fun-filled night On June 20, Jax Hammer will rock the Piazza with powerful guitar riffs and high-octane performances before Eazy Dubwraps up the 2025 series on June 27 with a smooth reggae and island-inspired sound Each free concert runs from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m in the Palladio’s central Piazza and is open to all ages Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the evening in comfort including a Beer & Wine Garden hosted by Barnes & Noble Kitchen The 2025 series is made possible through the support of generous sponsors including Elliott Homes For more information on the Music in the Piazza series and other upcoming events at the Palladio, visit www.gopalladio.com or call Palladio Guest Services at 916-542-7408 More on Granite City 909 can be found on the band’s official website 2025 Music in the Piazza Schedule at Palladio: Bill Sullivan has over 25 years of professional journalism and content creation experience in which he has earned 37 professional awards He is the co-founder/publisher of Folsom Times an All Town Media LLC product About UsPrivacy PolicyTerms and ConditionsContact UsSubscribe for FREE! 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Make sure you get those nominations in before voting begins Jovanna joined Community Impact as a reporter in July 2023 She graduated from Sam Houston State University in December 2021 where she majored in mass communication with a focus in multiplatform journalism and a minor in creative writing and served as a writer for the campus newspaper The steelworkers union in Granite City praised President Joe Biden’s decision on Friday to block U.S but its leadership remains unclear on what’s next for the Metro East mill “I just hope at some point we get out of this where we’re living this way,” said Craig McKey president of United Steelworkers Local 1899 which represents Granite City Works employees “I think maybe this decision gets us there sooner than later “It is my solemn responsibility as president to ensure that America has a strong domestically owned and operated steel industry that can continue to power our national sources of strength at home and abroad,” Biden wrote “And it is a fulfillment of that responsibility to block foreign ownership of this vital American company.” U.S. Steel and Nippon said the companies’ management was dismayed by the president’s decision arguing it violated the laws governing foreign investment and was politically motivated The fate of Granite City Works has long been in limbo and the president’s decision does not offer much clarity for the U.S Union leadership came out in opposition immediately in December 2023 when U.S expressing discontent that the famed steelmaker did not pick a domestic buyer “I'm disappointed that it isn't one of the other steel companies that we were pushing for,” Dan Simmons Union leadership hoped U.S. Steel would select Cleveland Cliffs, the Ohio-based steel manufacturer that made the first unsolicited offer to buy the company Before that deal emerged to sell the entire company, a local energy producer, SunCoke, made an offer for Granite City Works’ two blast furnaces Union leaders said in 2022 that the sale of the blast furnaces could cost the region roughly 2,000 jobs The local deal has since stalled but could be resurrected Steel leadership had made any comments about its intentions with Granite City’s steel mill amid the larger purchase The lack of transparency surrounding Granite City Works over the past couple of years has been frustrating for local leaders who’s said he’s never gotten a meeting with U.S “Why don’t you tell the American citizens — and the people of Granite City — what you’re going to do with our plant?” said Parkinson But without complete transparency and the American citizens knowing what’s going to happen to the American steel foundry that’s been around forever whose Metro East facility produces a carbon-based fuel used in steelmaking said the company remains committed to the deal to purchase the blast furnaces “We began working on this project with U.S Steel prior to their strategic alternatives review process and continue to work with them on the project,” said Shantanu Agrawal vice president of finance and treasurer of SunCoke Energy we cannot speculate on the actions of others.” Local union leadership would also like to know what’s going happen. Since the SunCoke deal was announced, U.S. Steel shut down the second blast furnace in fall 2023 “I’ve been doing this stuff for a lot of years “I can tell you it is very difficult on my membership and their families to have to deal with for the last two years on what their future is going to be.” McKey and union leaders anticipated Nippon may be leaning toward pursuing the SunCoke deal Not only did Granite City union officials oppose the Nippon sale on national security grounds they believed it wouldn’t help them locally Steel and Nippon will challenge Biden’s decision to prevent the deal President-elect Donald Trump, who also opposed the sale, has promised more tariffs and Katz said it could be in Nippon’s best interest to continue to pursue the purchase of an American steelmaker to possibly circumvent a tariff on foreign-made steel While Nippon has promised to improve the steel mills around Pittsburgh and Gary Katz said it may need to make more promises — like upgrading Granite City Works everything tied to Granite City is a long shot,” Katz said Katz also said a potential legal challenge to Biden’s decision could put a freeze on any U.S meaning the SunCoke deal may remain on the back burner as the courts weigh the matter While the steel mill’s future has been in question over the past couple of years, Madison County and Granite City officials have been courting an ammunition manufacturer to town The details are scarce during a competitive process to lure the company with incentives but local officials believe it could employ roughly 300 employees We want it to thrive and grow and expand,” said Madison County Board Chairman Chris Slusser Granite City can't live and die based on what happens at the steel mill — that's not a sustainable model in the future.” Pollutants from SunCoke’s plant in Granite City that produces fuel for steelmaking could be responsible for six to 11 premature deaths and more than 3,300 asthma symptoms in residents annually, according to a recent report Industrious Labs, a Washington D.C.-based climate advocacy nonprofit, found that SunCoke Energy’s Metro East facility also could be responsible for workers taking off 528 days 838 students staying home and $87 million to $161 million in total health costs every year “What this all adds up to is some really clear numbers on how we can think about the health impacts of this facility and all facilities involved in coal-based steelmaking in the U.S.,” said Hilary Lewis Representatives from SunCoke Energy could not be reached for comment is a key ingredient in blast furnace steelmaking It’s used in large quantities to turn iron ore into steel Burning that coke releases a slew of harmful pollutants according to the environmental organization that specializes in helping heavy industry to become more climate friendly The group calculated its findings based on data reported to the U.S. EPA by the industry after running them through a model called the CO-Benefits Risk Assessment, or COBRA “I think it's particularly a useful tool for people who live near this facility to understand the health impacts of being a neighbor,” Lewis said they can ask for stronger regulations to protect public health and improvements and investments at this facility to move it away from coal.” emitted more than 492,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2022 the report found the 17 coke facilities in the U.S could be responsible for an estimated 892 premature deaths more than 250,000 cases of asthma and $13.2 billion in health costs The new findings come as the future of steelmaking in Granite City remains unclear That local deal stalled but could be resurrected and Nippon leadership has not yet made any comments about its intentions with Granite City’s steel mill amid the larger purchase Now that a Japanese company has dropped its plan to buy U.S Granite City Works in the Metro East remains in limbo President Donald Trump said Friday that Japanese-based Nippon wouldn’t continue its bid to buy U.S Steel and will instead invest in the American steel giant Earlier this year, then-President Joe Biden blocked the deal and Trump also remained opposed to it Leaders of both major political parties objected to the nearly $15 billion deal on national security grounds Officials from both local and national steelworkers unions also opposed the deal Leadership at the union in Granite City could not be immediately reached for comment on Friday afternoon The fate of Metro East steel mill has been uncertain over the past few years Before the Nippon deal emerged to sell the entire company made an offer for Granite City Works’ two blast furnaces Since the SunCoke deal was announced, U.S. Steel shut down a second blast furnace in fall 2023 Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Paul’s Lutheran Church in Granite Falls Burial will follow in the Granite Falls City Cemetery Visitation will be 10:00 – 11:00 AM one hour prior to the service at the church He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith Odell attended grade school in Sacred Heart before transferring to Granite Falls where he graduated in 1949 Odell served his country in the United States Navy Reserves for seven years where he learned airline mechanics Odell was united in marriage to Carol Podoll on September 22 in Granite Falls and were blessed with five children Odell began working at the NSP plant in Granite Falls first as a construction worker and worked his way up retiring in 1991 as a plant Superintendent Both Odell and Carol managed the Granite Falls golf course for a couple of seasons and Odell kept busy giving golf lessons and making custom clubs for other golf enthusiasts He was very active on the city council and was instrumental in the conception and building of the Kilowatt Center His unconditional support for his children and grandchildren will never be forgotten along with his tender heart which his family witnessed often Odell loved to golf and enjoyed fishing at the family lake cabin He was also known to go hunting in his younger years to spend time with his father-in-law Orwell Podoll He enjoyed wood working and created many different items through the years from bird feeders and bird houses to clocks Stephen Dubois) Growe of Glenwood; Doug (Connie) Rude of White Bear Lake Daniel (Nicole) Rude of Eden Prairie; grandchildren Kayla (Evan) Beranek; great grandchildren Hudson and Lennon Anderson Kathy Larson of Apple Valley; as well as other relatives and friends Odell is preceded in death by his parents; grandson Nicholas Rude Add to Calendar Complete the form below to get directions for the Visitation for Odell Rude Add to Calendar Complete the form below to get directions for the Funeral Service for Odell Rude Add to Calendar Complete the form below to get directions for the Burial for Odell Rude This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Waite Park's entertainment spots Granite City Jump and Nice Axe will be relocating to St are expected to open in the Midtown Square Mall along Division Street this spring Prescott decided to relocate her bounce park and axe throwing businesses after being approached by two brokers trying to fill the mall once it came under new ownership They encouraged her to consider some of the spaces at Midtown Square and she said she liked the size and improved visibility of its location along Division Street because it has such a big parking lot where you walk into the bounce park.. Salon acquisition: Arbor Hair Studio acquires Hautigo Spa in Waite Park Prescott said Granite City Jump will offer much of the same experience as before such as a revamped arcade and a space for toddlers only She may also eventually add a ninja course for older children The new location also features 30-foot ceilings which will allow her to use the largest inflatables that she couldn't use in the previous location The new Nice Axe location in the former Clothes Mentor store will offer an upgraded experience with a lounge area in front that offers a television and viewing area to watch other axe throwers It will also include a full kitchen for serving sandwiches Joann closing: St. Cloud's Joann set to close after new ownership group wins bid, closing all locations Prescott said Granite City Jump will continue to host birthday parties and she may also schedule events in the future with food trucks she said she has already heard excitement from customers and other business owners in the shopping center A lot of people were very excited about the new location and that it'll be easier to find," Prescott said The new Nice Axe location will likely be open in mid-March with Granite City Jump estimated to open in its new spot in late spring Teagan King covers business and development for the St Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More WASHINGTON — A powerful government panel on Monday failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of a nearly $15 billion proposed deal for Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase U.S leaving the decision to President Joe Biden Hundreds of steel workers in the Metro East are waiting for the decision 1,000 employees in the Metro East have been on a form of temporary layoff because U.S Steel idled a blast furnace in 2019 and then idled the other last October Union leaders say some of those employees have resigned and moved on while 700-750 union steelworkers remain on the job processing steel slabs brought in from other facilities The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States sent its long-awaited report on the merger to Biden who formally came out against the deal in March speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the private report said some federal agencies represented on the panel were skeptical that allowing a Japanese company to buy an American-owned steelmaker would create national security risks Monday was the deadline to approve the deal recommend that Biden block it or extend the review process Both Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have courted unionized workers at U.S Steel and vowed to block the acquisition amid concerns about foreign ownership of a flagship American company is giving up Nippon Steel's potential investments in the mills and upgrades that might help preserve steel production within the United States Under the terms of the proposed $14.9 billion all-cash deal Steel would keep its name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh It would become a subsidiary of Nippon Steel and the combined company would be among the top three steelmakers in the world according to 2023 figures from the World Steel Association said earlier this year that it was "vital for (U.S Steel) to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated.” Trump has also opposed the acquisition and vowed earlier this month on his Truth Social platform to “block this deal from happening.” He proposed reviving U.S Steel's flagging fortunes “through a series of Tax Incentives and Tariffs.” The steelworkers union questions if Nippon Steel would keep jobs at unionized plants make good on collectively bargained benefits or protect American steel production from cheap foreign imports “Our union has been calling for strict government scrutiny of the sale since it was announced Now it’s up to President Biden to determine the best path forward,” David McCall “We continue to believe that means keeping U.S Steel have waged a public relations campaign to win over skeptics Steel said in a statement Monday that the deal “is the best way Nippon Steel said Tuesday that it had been informed by CFIUS that it had referred the case to Biden and urged him to “reflect on the great lengths that we have gone to address any national security concerns that have been raised and the significant commitments we have made to grow U.S and strengthen the entire American steel industry which will enhance American national security.” “We are confident that our transaction should and will be approved if it is fairly evaluated on its merits,” it said in a statement