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.

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. 

By 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.

 NRHEG High School Principal Paul Cyr has announced the names of students selected to the Honor Roll for 1st Quarter 2011-12:

“A” Honor Roll

Grade 12 —Matthew Dahle, Dustin Esplan, Samuel Grothem, Michaela Hansen, Samantha Hogstad, Hailey Johnson, David Lassahn, Brandon LeBlanc, Cody Mosher, Eric Sorenson, Jill Theuer, Amy Thompson, Carter Tollefson, Jade Waltz and Lexi Wayne.

Grade 11 — Kiley Beenken, Elizabeth Eder, Hans Frank, Emilia Hobbs, Alicia Merritt, Brooke Olson, Crystal Olson, Casey Rosacker, Tara Simon and Nathaniel Wallin.

Grade 10 — Emily Christensen, Dalton Dahl, Haley Deml, Kellen Ferber, Carson Field, Presley Johnson, Jessica Katzung, William Kofstad, Hannah Lundberg, Laura Ranniger, Douglas Rudau, Jade Schultz, Morgan Staloch and Carlie Wagner.

NRHEG kindergarteners held a “Back to the ‘50s” day in November. Girls in Mrs. Jensen’s class, pictured with 50 cans of food for the food shelf, were, front from left, Khara Peters, Grace Borchert, Olivia Smith, Aubri DenHerder, Julia Churchill and Lillian Conner. Back: Jordis Diaz, Gracie Possin, Debra Rollins, Addison Loken and Haylie Garcia. (Star Eagle photos by Carol Jolly)

NRHEG kindergarteners held a “Back to the ‘50s” day in November. Boys in Mrs. Jensen’s class were, front from left, Jackson Chrz, Dylan Fleming and Kaeden Neitzel. Back: Cole Schwartz, Carter Johnson, Gage Heusinkveld, Jordan Adams and Ethan Burfield.

SHOT IN TRAFFIC — NRHEG’s Katie Cole (14) looks for a shot while being double-teamed by LeSueur-Henderson defenders during the girls’ basketball season opener Nov. 29 in New Richland. The Panthers won 82-25. They went on to beat Belle Plaine 71-41 on Friday. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

THINK TWICE — Abby Crabtree of the Panthers (5) looks to the basket while LeSueur-Henderson’s Kelsey Schmidt makes her think twice at New Richland Nov. 29. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

Last season, LeSueur-Henderson may have caught the NRHEG girls’ basketball team by surprise in the season opener.

There was none of that this year.

The Panthers — returning almost everyone from a team that finished 23-4 a year ago — jumped to a 38-22 halftime lead and totally dominated the second half while winning 82-25 in New Richland Nov. 29, avenging last year’s season-opening loss to the Giants.

According to NRHEG head coach John Schultz, defense was the difference.

“Our pressure defense was working, resulting in a lot of lay-ups,” said Schultz. “I was happy with our defense really playing well in the second half, allowing only three points.”

REBOUND — The Panthers’ Tyler Sorenson (11) pulls down a rebound in front of Kenyon-Wanamingo’s Peder Sviggum (35) at New Richland last Friday. The Panthers lost 69-60. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

According to coach Pat Churchill, the NRHEG boys’ basketball team learned a lot from last Friday’s season opener against Kenyon-Wanamingo.

Unfortunately, they were tough lessons.

The Panthers came out on the short end of some key exchanges and incurred a technical foul while falling 69-60 at New Richland.

The first half was close until the visitors opened a 35-29 lead at halftime, converting a basket after a Panther turnover.

“So, instead of having a chance to be down two, we were down six, which was a big moment of the game I thought,” said Churchill.

By JIM LUTGENS

Editor/Publisher

The NRHEG wrestling team opened the 2011-12 season Saturday at the Dick Shiels Invitational in Faribault.

The Panthers finished sixth among 14 school with 113.5 points. Apple Valley won it with 228.

“As a group, we certainly have to get a lot better,” said NRHEG coach Paul Cyr. “Granted, this was our season opener and the competition was very good, but we did not respond as well as I would have hoped in certain weight classes and certain situations.”

The Panthers had two second-place finishers, Dustin Esplan at 126 pounds and Seth Petranek at 195.

Placing third were Brandon LeBlanc at 138 and David Lassahn at 145. Jacob Staloch was fourth at 152, Nathan Krohn fourth at 160. Matt Dahle placed fifth at 182.