News
By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
An agreement reached between Steele, Waseca and Dodge counties includes terms under which Steele County can withdraw from the joint powers agreement regarding the delivery of social services through an agency called Minnesota Alliance of Prairie Counties (MNPrairie...
In a brief special meeting the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 10, county commissioners gave the go-ahead on general specifications regarding the justice center to be constructed west of the county courthouse beginning next fall.
County administrator Michael Johnson explained to commissioners...
During his session of Coffee with Tom Sexton on Friday, Dec. 12, Representative Sexton spoke to a small group about the fraud in this state, citing former Minnesota Attorney General Andrew Luger, a Biden appointee, “Minnesota, you have a fraud problem.” AG Luger resigned in January of this year...
GETTING CRAFTY - New Richland librarian Kathy Kronebusch showed Anora, 6, and Evan, 9, how to make pipe cleaner projects at the library on Thursday, Dec. 11.
The New Richland Public Library led a Pipe Cleaner Crafts demonstration and workshop for children the evening of Thursday, Dec. 11. Pipe Cleaners are those bendable wires with the fuzz around them, originally used to clean tobacco pipes, but in this case, they’re being used for fun.
Kathy...
Members of the Geneva city council decided at their Dec. 9 meeting that the city’s property tax levy for 2025 will be set at 3 percent. Truth in taxation is all about budgeting. Council members said among themselves that property values as determined by the county auditor are overly high. Since...
LEADERSHIP - Scott Jensen, left, who was the GOP candidate for Minnesota governor in 2022, speaks to the crowd at a candidate forum last week in Owatonna. Also pictured on the dais beside Jensen are Rep. Kristin Robbins, Kendall Qualls, Patrick Knight and John Krhin.
The field of challengers hoping to unseat incumbent Gov. Tim Walz continues to grow – and nine of them made their way to Owatonna last week for a GOP candidate forum.
Hosted by the Steele County Republican Party, the Dec. 2 event included Lisa Demuth, Scott Jensen, Jeff Johnson, Brad Kohler...
Saxophonist Alexis Olson stands for a solo during the band concert, while fellow brass section musician Sophia Williams looks on.
In back-to-back concerts presented the evening of Dec. 8, the vocal and instrumental music departments at NRHEG shared an array of lively holiday tunes performed by students in grades 6 through 12.
The instrumental department, directed by district music instructor Seth Schaefer, presented...
IT PAYS TO HAVE TALENTED FRIENDS - (At top) Homegrown musical talents Eva Wayne, Adam Moen, Gavin Berg and Ellen Johnson presented the fourth annual "Home for the Holidays" concert to benefit the New Richland Area Foundation. This year, about 375 people attended one or more of the three performance times. (Above) Audience members sang along to a candle-lit version of "Silent Night."
The New Richland area “Home for the Holidays” concerts featuring home-grown musicians Gavin Berg, Adam Moen, Eva Wayne and Ellen Johnson brought in about 375 people and $10,000 in immediate donations across three performances, held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6...
Members of the Hartland city council determined during their regular Dec. 1 meeting that the city will not increase its property tax levy for 2026. The levy has remained the same since 2020. Council members expressed pleasure that Hartland will not be audited this year, which saves its residents...
VOLUNTEERS - From left: Jean Groskreutz, Faunice Witt, Bev Janike, Bonnie Truebenbach, Gayette Beyer and Marlys Nelson were volunteers at the Waldorf Community Christmas luncheon for the First Lutheran Church on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.
The ladies of the First Lutheran Church of Waldorf offered a community Christmas dinner over the luncheon hour at the town’s community center on Thursday, Dec. 4. Among those they served were city Mayor Rob Wilkening and Waseca County Sheriff Jay Dulas.
Ticket taker Cheryl Dobberstein...