Features (1071)
Spotlight: teen suicide
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
In the state of Minnesota, suicide is the second leading cause of death in teens; in the United States, it’s the third leading cause of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In southern Minnesota alone, there have been six teen suicides this summer, and thousands of teens across America commit suicide every year. What is causing this? What can we do to prevent it?
Suicide is not a subject to be taken lightly, and although people of all ages do it, it’s most commonly attempted by those aged 15-24 years old. Teenagers have many stressors in their lives, including school, sports/extracurricular activities, friends, family, their appearance, cliques, jobs, trying to fit in, the pressure to excel in whatever they do and the fear of failing and disappointing not only themselves, but those close to them.
Combine that with the hormones that come with adolescence which make it even harder to handle all of the emotions that come with being a teenager. The result can be a feeling of hopelessness and having nowhere to turn to deal with your problems.
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday, September 13 with Mayor Engel and all council members present. Eric Haefner of Bolten & Menk, Roger Swearingen, City Maintenance, Steve Louks, City Clerk, and Pete Paulson, Municipal Liquor Store Manager were also in attendance.
The agenda was approved as presented.
The first item on the agenda was the Road Improvement Plan. Haefner was recognized to go over the plan with the council.
Haefner and his firm have been putting together a plan for the city to improve streets, and has been working with maintenance to review street conditions within the city.
Haefner’s firm then prioritized them according to condition. The council went over the plan with Haefner and gave their input.
Long family opens 5th Avenue Pizza in Ellendale
AT YOUR SERVICE — Ricky and Sarah (Lundberg) Long have renovated the old Maggio’s Pizza building and turned it into the 5th Avenue Pizza Shoppe in downtown Ellendale. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Who doesn't like pizza, especially since there are so many choices to choose from and it is so easy to find?
Ricky and Sarah (Lundberg) Long recently decided to open the 5th Avenue Pizza Shoppe, on the top of the hill in Ellendale at 301 5th Avenue West.
Ricky is originally from West Texas, where his dad works for a natural gas company and his mother was a stay-at-home Mom for his brother, sister, and him. Sarah is a New Richland native who went to college at Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, where she and Ricky met. She plays piano and writes songs, while Ricky is a drummer. They attend and are active members of Vibrant Life Assembly of God Church in Ellendale.
Ricky and Sarah moved to Ellendale in 2006 and purchased a home there in 2007. Ricky worked for the previous pizza restaurant, Maggio’s, for four years.
The Refuge aims to be ‘The Spot’ on Fridays
Written by Jim Lutgens
THE SPOT — From left, Cynthia Butler, Ella Butler and Michael Butler are among area youth enjoying The Refuge at Ellendale’s Assembly of God church on Friday night. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Ellendale’s Vibrant Life Assembly of God church members have always had a strong yearning to get involved in the lives of teenagers.
And now, through the planning of Pastor Patrick Stitt, Alicia Butler and many other members of the congregation, this soulful longing of theirs will be fulfilled.
“All year round (starting September 14), on Friday nights, 7-12th graders can come here to the Refuge and hang out, after a parent consent formed is signed,” Butler said. “They can come and go as they please, and we will of course have adult supervision.”
Kids in this age bracket can even show up last minute, and bring home a consent form to fill out and return the following week. Anybody is welcome to join in on the good old-fashioned fun.
Multi-agency effort results in dozens of arrests during weekend music festival
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, cocaine and, of course, marijuana.
Freeborn County Sheriff Bob Kindler has seen it all, including overdoses, and more of it seemed to be happening at Harmony Park, a low-profile but high-traffic rural sanctuary located between Geneva and Clarks Grove.
So a crackdown was inevitable.
The result was dozens of arrests for drug violations last weekend. Members of the South Central Drug Task Force — including deputies from Waseca, Faribault, Steele and Freeborn County and several police departments — conducted the enforcement. Charges ranged from possession of drug paraphernalia to felony drug possession. Most of the arrests were the result of traffic stops, though some arrests were made at Harmony Park.
The extra enforcement was an effort to reduce illegal drug traffic and sales, according to Kindler. It continued throughout the weekend festival, Shangri-La, presented by WookieFoot.
New Richland City Council
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
The first City Council meeting of September commenced at 6:30 on Monday night. All members of the council were present for the meeting.
The first order of business was the proposed levy for 2013, which remains undecided. Many ideas were given in the area of cutting costs, but nothing was officially decided on yet. In order to cut $13,000 of spending, money will have to be taken from other areas, which is difficult for council members to agree upon.
“There’s only so much a city the size of New Richland can cut and still provide the same level of service,” said Wayne Billing, City Clerk.
The proposed levy doesn’t have to be finalized until December, and citizens who would like to comment or ask questions will be allowed to do so on December 10 at City Hall.
Straight out of college, a dream job at Ellendale
Written by Jim LutgensFirst-year teacher relishes return to small town life
RIGHT AT HOME — Megan Steuck, originally from the Medford area, feels fortunate to land a job teaching first-graders in a rural community. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Straight out of college, Megan Steuck landed her dream job. But, Steuck doesn’t and will not take all the credit.
Instead, she gives the glory to God for allowing her to lead one of Ellendale’s first-grade classrooms.
“I worked hard to get here, but this would be because of Him, absolutely,” Steuck said. “I wanted a small country school and I wanted first grade. I feel so blessed.”
Persistence also played a huge role in acquiring her new title.
“After finishing school in May, I stopped by and talked to the school secretaries to see if they had any openings,” she said. “I came back another time and ran into Mr. Anderson. I then gave him a brochure that outlined who I am as an educator.”
NR 3rd-grader finds his niche in surprising sport
ALSO FOR BOYS — Eric Arvis of New Richland has reaped the benefits of gymnastics instruction and inspired many other area boys to join the sport. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Impressed by the gymnastics at the Summer Olympics? One can only marvel at the abilities of these young people who have dedicated so many hours of training, many from early childhood.
Entertaining to be sure, but it is much more than that. The training, discipline and commitment to the sport is fantastic as they work muscles, learn balance, and work on timing, all important for health benefits.
Most people think gymnastics is a thing that girls do, but after a few boys learned there were boys in our area attending the gymnastic class offered at the Waseca Gymnastics Center, a few more boys wanted to attend a class.
A big reason why is nine-year-old Eric Arvis of New Richland, who’s been involved with gymnastics in Waseca for at least four years.
“Eric is to get the credit for more boys joining the gymnastics class,” said coach Scott Young. “For the first couple of years, Eric was the only boy.”
25th Annual Marching Classic Saturday
The 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Waseca Marching Classic will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2012. The 100-unit parade kicks off at 12:30 p.m. in downtown Waseca and includes 10 competing Marching Bands, Classic Car Cruise, Royalty, floats, Alumni Band with Guard & Drum Majors, and Food Shelf Collection by the Area Neighborhood Service Center. The Celebration continues at 4:30 p.m. at the Waseca High School with 12 Marching Bands competing on the field. Waseca’s Marching Jays perform in exhibition in both parade and field show. The Awards Ceremony is at 8:15 p.m. followed by the grand finale - a fireworks display, a favorite of the band students. Featured guest, Minnesota Vikings Skol Line, the Official Drum Line of the Minnesota Vikings, will perform at both the parade and field show. Join us for a day of family entertainment at its best – our 25th Annual Waseca Marching Classic. We love having visitors! Check out our Web sites: www.wasecamarchingclassic.com or www.discoverwaseca.com. Admission for field show competition is by wristband only, day of event, $7 including program (K-adult).
NRHEG School District awarded $25,000 grant
EXCITING STUFF — NRHEG School District has been awarded a $25,000 grant from Monsanto. Front from left: science teachers Amanda Inouye, Anne Feist and Jennifer Hatten. Back: Rick Schultz and Doug Christopherson, local Asgrow/Dekalb Seed dealers) and Superintendent Kevin Wellen. (Star Eagle photo by Jessica Lutgens)
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Editorial Assistant
It’s not just good – it’s great.
The NRHEG School District has been selected to receive a $25,000 grant for science lab equipment through America’s Farmers Grow Rural EducationSM, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. Schools from all over Minnesota applied for the grant, and our district was lucky enough to be one of the winners. The district applied for a $10,000 grant a year ago, but was denied and given $500 as a consolation prize.
In order to be selected to receive the grant, schools must be nominated by local farmers and the money they would receive, if chosen, has to tie into science, math, and agriculture. NRHEG received 100 nominations this year, surpassing last year’s nominations by 40.
“It was really exciting stuff for us,” said Superintendent Kevin Wellen. “When I got the e-mail, I talked to everyone within the hour.”
More...
Inspired by Misgen, Johnson boys tear up derby circuit
SMASHING SUCCESS — Jim Misgen, Corey Johnson and Casey Johnson stand in front of one of the Misgen-sponsored demolition derby cars in which the Johnson brothers have enjoyed much success. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Misgen is a name recognized throughout the territory.
Francis still holds the position as head guru of Misgen Auto Parts, but he has passed along his expertise, knowledge, and excitement of developing "junk" into valuable parts that people need.
Since 1972, Francis has been overseeing the scrapping, recycling, and educating not only by himself but with his children and grandchildren. There’s no doubt that he is passing the legacy to three great grandsons.
Francis's son, Jimmy, has always shared his dad’s interest in cars and has been owner/manager for some time, and his knowledge runs deep. He and Rick Johnson dabbled a little in demolition derby competition in their day, but it was the boys who inherited the interest and have really "smashed them up" over the years.
Want to get to know your Waseca County Commissioner candidates? Here’s your chance.
The New Richland Sportsman’s Club will host a candidate forum Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m., sponsored by the Waseca County Corn and Soybean Growers Association.
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
School Board Candidates
Results of filing for NRHEG Board positions were announced by Supt. Kevin Wellen at last Monday’s regular meeting of the NRHEG Board of Education.
The terms of board members Mike Moen, Lori Routh and Michelle Moxon are expiring, and all three members will be running for re-election this November. Also running will be new candidates Jay Crabtree and Peggy Radjenovich.
iPad Handbook
The iPad Handbook was approved. The handbook will be issued with the iPads and contains detailed information about care of the device, identification, repair and replacement, managing files, network connectivity, acceptable content, school and student responsibilities and insurance.
Waldorf Muni’s newest manager aims to please
MIXING THINGS UP — Newest Waldorf Muni Manager Kelley Luckey and her well-trained staff welcome you to take a seat for a good meal and nice time all around. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
After nine months of claiming the Waldorf Municipal liquor manager position, Kelley Luckey knows just how lucky she is to have found a good place of employment.
The customers seem to just keep on rolling back in, which according to Luckey, is due to mixing in old tactics with new ones.
“Lately, we have been trying different things like bean bag, volleyball and pfeffer tournaments,” Luckey said. “People also do tell me how much they liked what other managers have done too, so we touch on those and tweak them a little bit.”
Always open to new ideas and suggestions, this restaurant guru has tackled the new position one step at a time. The challenge is really what gets her fired up.
“I did some rebuilding as far as clientele, staffing, etc. when I started,” Luckey said. “People were pretty excited to have a new manager in here.”