Features (1071)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
An often overlooked entity in New Richland — the Economic and Development Authority — is reaching out to the public for help.
The EDA is trying to obtain funding for an additional eight-unit town house project and needs $128,000 in pledges by Oct. 31. Of that amount, $83,000 has aready been pledged, $30,000 by the State Bank of New Richland.
The plan, according to NR City Clerk Wayne Billing, is to apply for a Small Cities Development grant from the State of Minnesota, and the pledges should greatly enhance the city’s chances of receiving a grant.
Designed to honor the families of active and veteran members of the military, the Minnesota Military Family Tribute (MFT) will be the first of its kind in the nation. Poised on the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol Mall, the Tribute will thank those that have made, and continue to make, sacrifices here at home.
Framing the south end of the Minnesota State Capitol Mall, the Tribute will consist of three main components: the Gold Star Table, the Thank You Military and Veteran Family Walkway and Story Stones. You can visit the MFT website at www.militaryfamilytribute.org for complete details and artist’s renderings.
TROPHY TIME — Members of the NRHEG Marching Band and director Sam Boerboom, right, pose for a photo with their trophy from the 2014 Waseca Marching Classic Saturday, Sept. 20. (Star Eagle photo by Nikki Erickson)
By NIKKI ERICKSON
Contributing Writer
Band director Sam Boerboom and the NRHEG High School marching band started off the fall season with a Class 1A first place award at the Waseca Marching Classic Saturday, Sept. 20.
Despite being the smallest marching band in numbers, their sound and performance impressed judges and crowd alike. The band marched to the James Bond theme and performed a parade route routine as they marched down Highway 13 in downtown Waseca.
Boerboom, who is new to the NRHEG school district, noted that this was his first teaching position since he graduated from Concordia College Moorehead with a degree in Instrumental Music Education.
Legendary NR coach returns for reunion
HONORING AN NR LEGEND — Former New Richland-Hartland teacher and coach Jim Clark, second from right in front, was honored with a reunion/open house at the Willows Sept. 13. Pictured next to Clark are Kathy Frisk and Dr. Albert Flor. Others pictured: Jim Finseth, Curt Dodge, Xan Johnson, Steve Johnson, Mike Hatle, Dennis Roesler, Dave Flor, Craig Jensen, Bill Supalla, Mark Dodge, Tom Borchard and Bob Frisk. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Reunions or open houses for former teachers or coaches are not uncommon. You hear about them all the time. They usually involve an individual who was at a particular school for a long period of time.
That’s not the case with Jim Clark.
Clark, who coached New Richland-Hartland football and baseball team for just five years in the 1960s, was honored with a reunion/open house at The Willows in New Richland on Saturday, Sept. 13. A total of 13 people turned out to share dinner with Clark and his wife, Moni, and several others showed up to share stories.
Dave Flor, a 1963 New Richland-Hartland High School graduate, organized the event.
Why?
NR man arrested for criminal sexual contact
On September 16th, 2014, a criminal complaint was filed with the Waseca County Court Administrator’s office charging local resident, Joseph Gordon Ranniger, with numerous counts of felony Criminal Sexual Conduct involving alleged criminal sexual contact and penetration between Mr. Ranniger and a juvenile female, occurring within the City of Waseca, County of Waseca and City of New Richland from approximately 2001-2010. An arrest warrant was requested and issued based on this complaint.
The investigation was conducted by the New Richland Police Department with assistance provided by investigators from the Waseca County Sheriff’s Office, the Waseca Police Department and the Albert Lea Police Department.
On September 18, 2014, at approximately 4 p.m., Mr. Ranniger was taken into custody in another county by a deputy from the Waseca County Sheriff’s Office and was transported to the Waseca County Jail.
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Water tower leak mysteriously repairs itself
Written by Jim LutgensNew Richland City Council
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
The New Richland City Council held its second meeting of the month on Monday, September 22. All members were present, and the agenda and consent agenda items were approved.
A request by the St. Olaf Lake Association was made, with Darlene Miller and Dr. Dennis Knudson in attendance to present the proposal and ask for the Council’s support for a no passing zone and speed restriction on 240th Ave., the road adjacent to the lake. With so much foot and vehicle traffic on the stretch of road from roughly 170th St. to the Steele/Waseca County line, a speed restriction would greatly reduce the possibility of an accident occurring. The Council approved the request for support, and the proposal will be presented to Waseca County Commissioners, the County Board and eventually the DOT before any action will take place.
Powerhouse Raider football teams ran winning streak to 27 games
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
The football season is upon us. Homecoming is here.
It’s a time to look ahead and to look back.
Nobody around here will likely forget the 1976 and ’78 state championships for coach Jim Simser’s New Richland-Hartland teams.
To the east, in Ellendale, one of the most memorable stretches ever occurred more than 70 years ago, in the early 1940s.
The Ellendale Red Raiders had a powerhouse back then, going undefeated for two consecutive seasons and outscoring opponents 353-0 in 1941.
Homecoming royalty crowned
Ryann Hagen, left, was crowned NRHEG’s 2014 Homecoming Queen Monday night at the high school gymnasium in New Richland. Nick Bartness, right, was crowned Homecoming King. The Panthers face arch-rival Waterville-Elysian-Morristown in the Homecoming football game Friday night at 7 p.m. For more on Homecoming, past and present, see Pages 6-7 of this week's Star Eagle. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
Waseca Cty. 4-H’ers earn awards at state fair
Written by Jim LutgensDuring the 2014 Minnesota State fair, 4-H members from all 87 counties in the state provided 2,844 4-H building exhibits and 2,885 livestock exhibits.
Waseca County 4-H members fared well during their non-livestock exhibit judging, which was held August 28-30. Results from the Non-Livestock Encampment are as follows:
• Emily Barbknecht – Fashion Review - Participation
• Grady Bice – Geology – Red ribbon
• Annie Christian – Plant & Soil Sciences – Blue ribbon
Final two Ellendale musicians to play indoors
The city of Ellendale has had a great number of entertainment programs on Saturday night this summer to enjoy, thanks to the organization of Russell Goette. It has good to see so many people turn out for the events each week to enjoy the great music, as well as visit with their friends and neighbors. Summer is quickly coming to an end, the daylight is getting shorter and the evenings are getting cooler, so the last two performances will be moved from the outdoor stage on 5th Avenue and 2nd Street to the Ellendale Community Building. Darlene Smith, who is from Owatonna, will take center stage on September 20 starting at 6:30; and Ross Sletten, whose performance had earlier been rained out back on the 31st of May, will share his musical talents on September 27. Once again Becky Lassahn will be offering root beer. The floats are available for a free-will donation as a fundraiser for the Assembly of God Refuge.
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Warke recounts his wartime stint in Japan
HONORED — Eugene Warke stands near some of the World War II memorabilia that can be found on the walls of his New Richland home, which he built. Warke, 87, said he was honored to be one of 13 NR area people honored for their service in WWII as grand marshals of this year’s Farm and City Days Parade. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
In 1945, Eugene Warke didn’t wait to be drafted into the Armed Forces. At age 17 years, 3 months, he skipped his senior year of high school to enlist.
“There was a group of guys from around here going in,” he explained. “I wanted to be with the ones I knew. Age was not a question then.”
Though the war was over by the time they got overseas, some enemies either didn’t know or refused to acknowledge it. Warke and his friends dodged plenty of sniper bullets and endured their share of hardship on Japanese islands. Of 14 who went, three came back. Warke came home carrying 119 pounds on his 6-foot frame.
“After swearing in at Fort Snelling, we were sent to Fort Hood, Texas for training,” said Warke. “We should have had about five months of training. We had five weeks.”
WHO WILL WEAR THE CROWNS? — Homecoming coronation is set for Monday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the high school gymnasium in New Richland. Candidates pictured are, front from left, Alyssa Esplan, Anna Stork, Ryann Hagen, Kaylee Hanson and Jade Hill. Back: Matt Jensen, Nick Bartness, Spencer Tollefson, Macoy Schwierjohann and Trevor Tracy. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
It’s Homecoming time at NRHEG High School.
Queen and king candidates have been named and festivities set for next week, culminating when the football Panthers face Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26.
Coronation is set for Monday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the high school gymnasium in New Richland Dress-up days are scheduled for each day at the elementary and secondary schools.
Parades are Friday, Sept. 26, at 12:30 p.m. in Ellendale and 2:15 p.m. in New Richland.
SWCD names Rudolph, Nelson Outstanding Conservation Farmers
Written by Jim LutgensThe Waseca Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors recently selected Janet Rudolph and Arlene Nelson of Waseca as the 2014 “Outstanding Conservation Farmers.” Janet and Arlene own and manage an 800-acre, fifth-generation family farm. They have proven over time to be good stewards of the land by applying sound conservation practices including: Contour strips, terraces, water and sediment basins, buffer strips, buffered tile inlets, grassed waterways, CRP, farmstead windbreak, stream bank stabilization, and cover crops. Congratulations Janet and Arlene from the Waseca Soil and Water Conservation District.
For first time, admission free for Farmamamerica Fall Fair
Written by Jim LutgensAnnual event this weekend
A wagon train, antique tractor pull, tram rides on a historic Time Lane, and much more can be enjoyed for free at the 2014 Fall Fair, Sept. 13 and 14 at Farmamerica.
It’s the first time the annual event has had no admission charge, making it the perfect fall outing for families throughout the area.
“We want everyone to be able to experience the many attractions at Fall Fair, so we won’t be charging admission this year,” Farmamerica Executive Director Jim Gibson said. Also new this year is the Sheriff’s Posse Wagon Train Saturday, raising funds for youth with an impressive array of rigs and horses. Sunday’s main attraction is the antique tractor pull beginning at 11:30.