News
AWARD-WINNING - Alexis Olson, 16, was awarded a Blue Ribbon at the Minnesota State Fair for her Monarch Waystation display on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026.
New Richland has a 16-year-old high achiever who presented her project at the 4-H Building of the Minnesota State Fair after winning in Waseca county. Alexis Olson was awarded the Blue Ribbon for her project titled Monarch Waystation, complete with many months of long research, planning and...
Charles Rubel
Charles Grant Rubel, 55, of Eagle Lake is in custody with the Waseca County Sheriff’s office after an incident which began about 2 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4. A Waseca County deputy driving on West Wilton River Road northwest of New Richland spotted a Chevy Camaro driving with its headlights off on...
Christopher Wright is willing to share his recovery story in the hope it will help others see it is possible for them to leave the substance-use lifestyle behind. Wright was one of six people who advocated to have September named locally as "Recovery Awareness Month" in parallel with the national proclamation. Star Eagle photo by Deb Bently
“I’m still in the process. It’s a daily battle,” comments Owatonna area resident Christopher Wright. “It’s scary leaving behind your past life.
“But it’s worth it.”
Wright was one of six recovering addicts who appeared at the Waseca County Board meeting on Sept. 1 to request that...
RECOVERY AWARENESS MONTH - During the Sept. 1 meeting of the Waseca County Board of Commissioners, the month of September was proclaimed "Recovery Awareness Month." Members of the recovery community were present to support the cause. Lighting on the county courthouse will be purple all month in recognition of the proclamation. Pictured here are (back row, from left) Commissioners Doug Christopherson and De Malterer, Tyler Bolster, Quen Bena, Christopher Wright, commissioners Brian Harguth, Brad Milbrath and Brad Krause (front, from left) Alexander Henderson, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Megan Radel and Heather Clark, holding her daughters Vienna and Zella. Star Eagle photo by Deb Bently
The press toward a preliminary 2027 county budget and levy continued during the Sept. 1 meeting of the Waseca County board of commissioners. During an 8 a.m work session, representatives of agencies which receive more than $10,000 a year in "allocations" provided summaries of the services their...
There is something special about the start of a new school year.
The hallways are full again. Classrooms come back to life. Buses are rolling, activities are underway, and our buildings once again have the energy that only comes when our students and staff are together.
As we begin...
LOCAL CHAT - Mullaney was already halfway through his Vikings career when he met Lynette Peterson, originally of New Richland. Star Eagle photo by Melanie Piltingsrud
Mark Mullaney was drafted again. Not to play for the Minnesota Vikings this time, but to help entertain guests at the Lady Bug's grand re-opening on Saturday, Aug. 29.
Mullaney and his wife, Lynette, are frequent shoppers at the Lady Bug, and both were happy to oblige. Accordingly, thrift...
Waseca County law enforcement officers participate in the statewide "Toward Zero Deaths" initiative, meant to reduce accidents--especially accidents leading to fatalities. Officers sign up for extra shifts during which they raise public awareness regarding various aspects of safe driving by issuing tickets or performing traffic stops during which they remind drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, speeding, failure to use seat belts, and more.
Under a special statewide program, Waseca County Sheriff deputies spend as much as 20 hours in some months on patrols designated to watch for specific driving dangers—for example, speeding, driving under the influence, failure to use seat belts or car seats, and hands-free violations.
As...
A NEW ANGLE ON FIRST AID - Nearly all teachers and paraprofessionals at the NRHEG school system took part in a "Mental Health First Aid" course intended to help them recognize indications young people are experiencing difficulties which might lead to mental health challenges. The course also included training in best ways to approach and assist people having difficulty. Here are many of the district's paraprofessionals who attended the course on August 30. With them are Annette Duncan, instructor for the course and president of the United Way of Steele County (front center) and fellow trainer Bruno Vela (back left.) Star Eagle photo by Deb Bently
In recent years, the number of people coping with mental health challenges has been rising, particularly among those 35 and younger.
Unlike physical ailments which are made evident by symptoms such as a fever, a limp, or some sort of pain, mental health difficulties are entirely internal...
Annette Duncan, president of United Way of Steele County, encourages interested groups and individuals to look into attending the “Mental Health First Aid” course she teaches at a cost of $50 a person. The 8-hour seminar is taught as “blended” instruction–part of the time participants study...
Brinn Bohlke, Paulette Krampitz, Mark Mullaney, and Annette Strenge pose in the front room of the Lady Bug Thrift Shop. Star Eagle photos by Melanie Piltingsrud
With fans and shoppers daily asking when the big day is, the grand re-opening of the Lady Bug Thrift Shop on Saturday, Aug. 29 promises to be a not-to-be-missed event.
Retired Vikings football player Mark Mullaney, originally of Colorado, but now living near New Richland, will guest star at...