Features (1071)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
All members of the Geneva City Council convened for their December meeting, held last Tuesday at 7 p.m. Mayor Steve Bailey called the meeting to order and announced the first order of business.
After perusing the paperwork, Councilman Janell Tufte made a motion to approve the meeting minutes, financial report and bills payable. Adjacent Councilman Rich Weckwerth quickly seconded, with the motion carrying.
The second order of business was soon underway once Bailey welcomed Alliant Energy representative Bob Danner to the table to once again review Geneva’s new electrical contract and gas franchise agreement. After their second read-through, Tufte made a motion to adopt the 20-year electrical contract with a 10-year window timeframe. Councilman Jim Beenken seconded and it carried.
All present also witnessed the gas franchise agreement approved by Weckwerth and seconded by Councilman Taff Worrell. The gas contract outlines the same parameters, 20 years with a 10-year window.
TOTAL LOSS — Area firefighters battle the blaze at the home of Mark and Sara Misgen of Ellendale in the early-morning hours Wednesday, Dec. 7. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
For 15 years, since they were first married, Mark and Sara (Degan) Misgen lived in "the house on the corner" in Ellendale. Gradually, as funds and the need of more space grew, they worked at tranforming the old house into "their home."
It disappeared in a matter of hours.
"The worst fire in five years," according to local authorities, has left the Misgens and their four children homeless. The house has been determined unlivable, following two early morning fires on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Tuesday, Dec. 6 had been a busy day for the Misgen family. The youngest boy, Makota, had hockey practice in Albert Lea. The older boys, Payton and Markus, had basketball practice. Mark had troubles with his truck, and once Sara got home after the boys’ practices concluded, they headed into town to get the things that Mark needed to get his truck running. When the family returned home late that night, Mark opened the door to their home and smoke rolled out from the kitchen in his home. He quickly called the fire department.
CAREFUL PREPARATIONS — Joe Farr was on hand early to cook one of a plethora of dishes served at the 27th Annual Wild Game Feed Saturday, Dec. 3 at Geneva Bar & Grill. (Star Eagle photos by Kathy Paulsen)
COOKERS — Rich Jensen, Bruce Jensen and Kevin Davis take a break as they cook meat for the annual Wild Game Feed.
Wild Game Feed attracts about 1,000 to Geneva
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
If you cook it, they will come.
And they did. Again. In droves.
The weather reports and some snow that did fall didn't slow the stampede for 27th Annual Wild Game Feed Saturday, Dec. 3 at Geneva Bar & Grill, an event that multiplied by four the population of the town. People from far and near come for the event, with no less than 90 towns represented this year.
Vanessa VanEngelenhoven and Julie Oquist served as greeters. Though everyone didn't sign the guest book, more than 950 names were recorded. Attendees this year came from as far as Chicago.
North, south, east and west, as far as the eye could see, cars lined the streets of Geneva for one very important purpose, to raise money for cancer research.
The gun raffle began at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and at 11 a.m., hundreds of people lined up waiting to fill their plates. For a big portion of the day, it was "move if you can" sitting and standing room only.
NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
The fiscal 2011 audit and a possible new softball field were additional items discussed at a meeting of the NRHEG School Board Monday, Dec. 5, concurrent with the annual Truth in Taxation Hearing.
Softball Field
The board considered the results of a meeting with the Activities Director and the softball coach concerning the inadequacies of the Legion Field softball field, and what needs to be done.
Three options were offered: 1. Improve Legion Field. 2. Use the field at Ellendale. 3. Build a new softball field on its western property in New Richland.
1. Improve Legion Field
“There are a lot of challenges down there,” said Board Chair Rick Schultz, referring to issues such as maintenance and the chronic flooding conditions which have kept the field unusuable for a large part of the softball season. “I feel some kind of obligation to get more than four games out of a field.”
New Richland City Council
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Following the required public hearing, the New Richland City Council, with all members in attendance, approved the city’s 2012 Budget Tax Levy Monday night. The levy will be $293,706, up $4,380 from 2011. It represents a 1.51% increase from last year.
“Our preliminary budget in September started out at almost a 10 percent increase,” said City Clerk Wayne Billing. “The council cut $67,481 out of the proposed budget.”
City resident Mark Kvamme was in attendance and inquired as to why he is seeing his property taxes going up. Local Government Aid from the state is being reduced $47,065 for 2012 compared to 2011. Also, there is no guarantee the state legislature won’t reduce the amount even further. Residents can visit City Hall or the city’s Web site for a complete breakdown of the 2012 budget.
The council adopted the following resolutions:
11-29 — Accepting a $5,000 donation from the NR Fire Relief Association.
11-30 — Committing special fund revenues related to Government Accounting Standards Board’s statement number 54.
Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met December 8, 2011 at 7 p.m. with Mayor Engel and all council members present. Clerk Louks and three residents were present for the Truth In Taxation hearing.
Mayor Engel opened the hearing by reviewing the process the council takes to arrive at the proposed tax levy. The levy proposed by the city for 2012 is $307,118. This is around a 7% increase over 2011. Engel then opened the floor to any citizens who might have questions concerning the levy.
One citizen, who told the council he works for the county, asked if like at the county, all departments were asked to trim as much as possible from their budgets. Engel said that the city does not have a lot of different departments, but the council has been trying to watch the spending.
Another citizen asked the council why her home had gone up in value, along with her taxes. She was told by county officials that she needed to come to the city. The hearing date in April is the time to correct a problem like this. Engel also went into detail about the homestead credit, which is being phased out by the state.
WHEREVER THE CAR TAKES HIM — Royal Villa resident Lyle Byrne often takes a morning cruise, destination unknown. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
Royal Villa retiree Byrne takes life one day at a time
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
New Richland resident Lyle Byrne doesn’t like traffic jams one iota. In fact, the only kind of travel he prefers involves a wide open county road.
“I have two brothers out in Phoenix,” said Byrne. “They each live on either side of town and they hardly see each other because the traffic is so bad.”
A resident of Royal Villa for five and a half years now, he comes and goes as he feels. Taking a day at a time, he just kicks back and enjoys doing “nothing.”
“I do what I please,” Byrne said. “Usually in the mornings now I go for a ride. If I have anything to do, I get it done in the morning.”
Every morning he also receives a phone call from the staff just to see if he’s all right. But that’s not the only ring he answers to.
“My son Bradley calls just about every morning,” Byrne said. “We both have cell phones, so when he drives about 40-50 miles to work, he calls me up to pass the time.”
IT’S IN THE AIR — The Christmas spirit was in abundance in downtown Ellendale Sunday, December 4, for the 24th Annual Christmas in the Country event. Santa, above, was seen about town and people could enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides. (Star Eagle photo by Carol Jolly)
24th annual event attracts people from far and wide
By CAROL JOLLY
Staff Writer
'Twas beginning to look a lot like Christmas on Sunday, December 4, in Ellendale. With Jack Frost nipping at your nose, the fresh snow glistened for the 24th Annual Christmas in the Country event.
Christmas carols echoed in the air as local shopkeepers enticed customers with their merchandising specialty, and a few tasty treats in community businesses from 1 to 5 p.m.
The Ellendale Community Building housed the Craft and Bazaar Sale from noon to 4 p.m., where vendors far and near had their wares available for shoppers to purchase.
"The Christmas in the Country event gets you in the Christmas spirit," said Betty Johnson, hand-painted glass vendor.
THANKS EFJ — On hand to accept grants from the EF Johnson Foundation Fund were Sue Stieglbauer, Mikenzi Hebel and Angie Aaseth. The grants were used to purchase iPads for the NRHEG school and a whirlpool tub for the New Richland Care Center. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The Waseca Area Foundation awarded grants to benefit the NRHEG School District and the New Richland Care Center at a ceremony held November 17 at the Waseca Junior High School Media Center. The grants came from the EFJ Foundation Fund, which is a fund of the Waseca Area Foundation. In total, 22 grants were handed out to different organizations that evening.
The first award was a $3,000 EFJ Scholarship to be presented to a NRHEG senior this coming spring. The next award was another $3,000 to be used to purchase six iPads for use in three special education classrooms.
“This is the first time we have applied for a grant like this,” said Sue Stieglbauer, Special Education Case Facilitator at NRHEG School. “Gail Schmidt was instrumental in helping us obtain the grant.”
“We will be using them on a regular basis in the classrooms,” said Angie Aaseth, NRHEG Technology Coordinator. “The iPads are very versatile and a great educational tool.”
AUCTION ACTION — Auctioneer Lowell Gabriel cried the sale as the Freeborn Area Cancer Auction was conducted on Saturday, November 24 at TB3s in Freeborn. The event raised $40,000 for cancer research. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
$100,000 mark reached in just four years
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Four years ago, a group of concerned individuals decided to have an auction in Freeborn to raise money for cancer research. When they started, only Saturday afternoon was used to raise funds, now the Freeborn Area Cancer Auction lasts two days.
“In just four hours Friday night, we raised over $12,000,” said Jeanette Ladlie, one of the organizers of the benefit. “There is still quite of a bit of stuff left for today (Saturday.)”
The folks who filed in to TB3s in Freeborn early Saturday, November 28 to claim their seats for the auction took the time to look over the bidding items as well as have a little lunch. Around 1 p.m. auctioneer Lowell Gabriel started the auction action. Gabriel announced there would be a surprise later on in the afternoon, but he didn’t know exactly when. Baskets, figurines, gift certificates and countless other items were put on the block auction. The prices were very reasonable starting out as several items went for $10 or less.
More...
After a six-month investigation by agents of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, a rural New Richland man has been charged with 10 felony counts of possession of pornographic material involving children.
Authorities searched the home of Nicholas Scott Pitan, 33, after obtaining a search warrant and found photographs and videos on Pitan’s computer featuring children as young as six years old involved in explicit sexual activity.
Allegedly Pitan paid approximately $99 to a Web site which allowed him to download 135 photographs and 10 videos.
If convicted, each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine or both. His next court appearance is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on January 24, 2012.
Tourney remembers Felt, raises funds to fight cancer
Written by Jim LutgensBy KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Sixteen years ago, Matt Felt and Nick Marsolek played pool together. They both had a talent and a passion for the game.
When Matt lost his battle with cancer in 2007, at the young age of 26, Nick came back playing the game as a tribute to his buddy, and it shows. This is the third year in a row that Nick has been on the winning team in the Fourth Annual Matt Felt Memorial Pool Tournament Nov. 25-26 at Geneva Bar & Grill.
All the teams were winners as they played in honor of Matt and for the benefit of others just like him. Another member of the top team, Jeremy “Budda” Williams, has been a two-time winner of the tournament. The third person on the winning team this year was Robert Ortega. A total of 24 three-person teams paid $60 apiece to participate, coming from Geneva, Albert Lea, Austin, Clarks Grove, Manchester, New Richland, Owatonna and Mankato.
POWERFUL PERFORMANCE — Performing during the 2011 NRHEG Indoor Marching Band Concert Tuesday, Nov. 22 were, front from left: Jill Theuer, Kevin Kalis, Tyler Logan, Kelson Titus, Hans Frank, Matt Dahle and Kirsten Olson. Row two: Dylan Arnold, Missy Malakowsky, Nikki Kaupa and Carter Tollefson. Back: Adam Anderson and Logan Knutson. (Star Eagle photo by Nikki Erickson)
Indoor concert displays talents of NRHEG Band
By NIKKI ERICKSON
Contributing Writer
The night started on a jazzy note, flowing into contemporary pieces and finishing with a mix of patriotic notes, moving to the steps of the marching band.
The mix of musical delights should be no surprise for those who know the NRHEG Band, which presented the 2011 Indoor Marching Band Concert Tuesday, Nov. 22 in the NRHEG High School gymnasium.
The band has won numerous awards this year, including the People’s Choice Award at the Albert Lea 3rd of July Parade, Grand Champions Class C at the Minnesota State Fair, third place at the Harry Wenger Marching Band Festival and two first-place finishes at Fairmont’s Interlaken Heritage Days and the Waseca Marching Classic. With approximately 50 members, it’s smaller in numbers; however, it’s obvious this band is not short on sound.
AFTER THE HARVEST — All things considered — late planting, early frost, unusual dryness — agronomist Mark Bernard said area farmers should be thankful for the 2011 harvest. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
Despite frost and dryness, area farmers should be thankful
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Now well into the holiday season, the corn dust has certainly settled. But, us Minnesotan folk still might wonder how the farmers actually fared in 2011.
So, here to answer just that is New Richland’s own, Mark Bernard of AgroEconomics.
“I’d say harvest this year was decent considering that we didn’t get a whole lot of rain from the middle of August on,” Bernard said.
According to Bernard, the corn fared quite well with high end test weights ranging from 60-62 pounds per bushel, while the low end numbers tallied 56. The soybean planters didn’t get so lucky, as a large amount of test weights landed in the 55-56 range.
“Soybean test weight is supposed to be 60 pounds,” Bernard said. “What happened is that we had a fair amount of beans that were planted a little later, so when we got that frost on the 14th of September, that raised hob with a lot of the later planters.”