Features (1071)
New Richland City Council
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Contributing Writer
The New Richland City Council held its first meeting of the month on Monday, February 10 at 6:30 p.m. All members were in attendance, save for councilperson Amy Ihrke. The consent agenda items were approved, as well as Resolution 14-04, which accepted a $2,000 donation of cash to the city from the New Richland Firemen’s Relief Association. The resolution was approved.
Scott Eads presented the police report for January, stating the New Richland Police Department responded to 80 calls and 27 other contacts/activities during the month, and no serious or felonious crimes were reported.
A request for the purchase of two new tasers, to replace two broken in December, was then made. It was approved, with the cost not to exceed $2,000.
Nancy Skophammer, President of Farmers State Bank of Hartland, recently announced that Minnesota Community Bancshares, Inc. has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Hartland Bancshares, Inc. which owns Farmers State Bank of Hartland. The Minnesota Community Bancshares, Inc. group is led by current Bank officers, Daniel Otten and Mark Heinemann. The acquisition, which requires the approval of banking regulators, is expected to be completed in April of 2014. Official legal notice of this transaction was published on February 3, 2014, in the Albert Lea Tribune.
Next meeting set for Feb. 19
Farm and City Days will be here soon! The dates are July 11, 12, 13. The steering committee has started working on events for the weekend and your help is needed!
“We want to focus on promoting New Richland’s businesses, churches, city government (city hall, ambulance, fire department, police), school and agriculture,” said steering committee member Larry Goehring.
Al Batt to present book at NR Library
On Wednesday, February 26 at 7 p.m., the New Richland Public Library, with the help of an Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund grant, will proudly host Al Batt, who will be presenting his first book, “Life Gone to the Birds.” The book will also be available for purchase. This event is open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to attend.
NRHEG squad takes first in MCCA state competition
MILES OF SMILES — Above, Members of the NRHEG High School Competition Cheer Team had plenty to smile about Saturday after placing first in the Class A Non-Tumbling Division in the Minnesota Cheerleader Coaches Association state competition at Roy Wilkens Arena in St. Paul Saturday, Feb. 1. Front from left: Torrie Stencel, Jadyn Nelson- Spies, Abbey Solland, Stormi Hagen, Nicole Edon and Jessica Nafe. Back: Lizzy Hagen, Grace Lewison, Mikayla Besser, Taylar Tieskotter, Abby Christopherson, Abby Wacholz, Bayli Possin and Anna Bailey. Below, coach Kari Buendorf holds the state championship trophy. (Star Eagle photos by Sarah Raimann)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
At the start of the 2013-14 season, NRHEG Competition Cheer coach Kari Buendorf had to wonder.
How could the Panthers possibly replace nine graduating seniors?
“I was excited about this group of young ladies, but was nervous if they would be ready to compete at the level we have gotten to over the past years,” said Buendorf.
The answer? Quite nicely, thank you.
2014 prom to set sail aboard riverboat
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
An administrative staff resignation and two student expulsions were approved by the board at Monday’s regular meeting of the NRHEG School Board.
Administrative Assistant Karen Gimberline turned in her resignation effective February 7. Her resignation was approved, with gratitude for service.
Expulsions approved
The board dismissed visitors to hold two closed sessions for the purpose of discussing two recommendations to expel two students. The board then unanimously voted to expel both students.
Coronation, talent show highlight NRHEG Snow Week
WINTER ROYALTY — Snow Week runs Feb. 3-8 at NRHEG High School. Pictured here are the Snow Week candidates for 2014. Front from left, Kendra Grothem, Morgan Staloch, Makayla Vangen, Jordyn Wobschall, Hannah Lundberg. Back: Ross Chester, Tyler Logan, Spencer Anderson, Nicholas Altermatt, Jimmy Phillips. Coronation is Monday, Feb. 3 at 2:15 p.m. and the talent show is Friday, Feb. 8 at 12:30. Both are open to the public. (Star Eagle photo by Nicole Billing)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Last year, Snow Week was a big hit at NRHEG High School.
So they’re doing it again.
This year’s mid-winter festivities are set for the week of Feb. 3-8.
The public is invited to two events, coronation on Monday, Feb. 3 and a talent show Friday, Feb. 8.
Coronation will take place Monday at 2:15 p.m. in the high school gym.
New Richland City Council
By NICOLE BILLING
Editorial Assistant
The New Richland City Council held its second meeting of the year Monday, Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. All members were in attendance. The agenda was approved along with the consent agenda.
The Care Center report stated there were three new advisory board members: Judith Ritter, Cathy Crowe, and Joann Maloney.
The Care Center is going to go through and mark the percentage of variables between what is being budgeted and how much is actually being spent, which the council approved. The money market report and write-off report was given, with the council approving both reports. The Care Center is using a different payroll account, so they requested the money left over in the payroll account in the bank, an amount of $3,178.46, be moved to the general account, which was approved.
Farm & City Days meeting January 29
The New Richland Farm and City Days Committee will meet Wednesday, January 29 at 6:30 p.m. at New Richland City Hall. Anyone with ideas for 2014 Farm and City Days is encouraged to attend.
NR blood drive Jan. 29
The New Richland Blood Drive will be held in City Hall Wednesday, January 29 from 1-6 p.m. To schedule your appointment call 1-800-REDCROSS (800-733-2767) or sign up online @ www.redcrossblood.org, enter sponsor code: New Richland Community.
Geneva Cancer Auction, events, raise $100,000
AUCTION ACTION — Auctioneer Tracy Holland, left, makes the announcement as Rhonda Hareid and Angela Dobberstein present a check for $8,200, proceeds from the Hot Looks for a Cure calendars during the second and final weekend of the 30th Annual Geneva Cancer Auction. (Star Eagle photos by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
The Geneva Cancer Auction has built quite a reputation over the past 30 years. The $1 million mark for money raised in Geneva was reached in 2010 and now, in 2014, another new mark was set.
The 2014 auction brought this year’s total to $100,000. Yes, $100,000!
Whitey and LaJune Hagen again made their yearly trip to the Eagles Cancer Telethon in Rochester on Sunday, January 19, to make the presentation on behalf of the many great people from the Geneva area who help raise money for cancer research.
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64th Annual Waseca Sleigh & Cutter Festival kicks off Jan. 31
By KEN BORGMANN
Coordinator, Waseca County Sleigh & Cutter Festival
Are you ready for some winter fun? Are you ready for a Friday night party? The 64th Waseca Sleigh & Cutter Festival has that and a lot more.
This year we have 27 events scheduled over 12 days from Jan. 31 to Feb. 22. There are events for all ages and interests. Check out our website events page for a complete schedule: www.sleighandcutter.org.
What’s new? Chris Brooks and the Silver City Boys will play from 8:30 p.m. to close at the VFW Club after our dinner. The $12 dinner of a 12-ounce Lau’s stuffed pork chop, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables, salad and dinner roll will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7.
ID Frosty for $325, find Medallion and win $1500!
Who is “Frosty?” Where is the Medallion?
Identify Frosty — or find the Medallion — and win some cash! Prize money totaling $3,000 is waiting to be won, $1,500 for the Frosty Contest and $1,500 to the finder of the Medallion.
Frosty is a Waseca County resident chosen to be an ambassador for the Waseca Sleigh & Cutter Festival. Follow the clues and guess Frosty’s name.
30th Annual Cancer Auction kicks off in style
UP FOR BIDS — Paula Twedt displays Elaine Peterson's Graham Cracker Creme Pie so people can get a closer look during the opening weekend of the 30th Annual Geneva Cancer Auction. Elaine makes and donates a pie every year. The auction concludes this weekend at Geneva Bar & Grill. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Geneva doesn't have a very big population, according to the map or the record books. But in terms of the friends who come to be part of a great cause, it’s a very big place.
Continuing a tradition
The Geneva Bar and Grill was filled with supporters on Jan. 10 and 11 for the first weekend of the 30th Annual Geneva Cancer Auction. It may have been cold outside, but much warmth was generated inside.
It is without a doubt the event of the year.
Whitey Hagen welcomed everyone to Geneva, and told the gathering that some people have participated all 30 years.
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
At the organizational meeting of the NRHEG School Board last Thursday, it was reluctantly agreed to set Monday, January 20, Martin Luther King Day, as a make-up day for one of last week’s snow days.
The meeting itself – the first meeting of the year and first in the school’s new boardroom – had originally been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 6, but was postponed when the Governor declared Minnesota’s schools closed that day.
School was closed Tuesday as well, leaving the board with two snow days to reconcile with their calendar, lengthening what should have been a brief meeting.
King Day and Presidents’ Day, the winter Monday holidays, are legislated so that schools may choose to hold classes on that