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Subsections this Saturday
After three months of preparation and practice, the NRHEG contest one act play “Ignoble Death” will be taking part in subsection competition on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023 at an all-day event at Medford High School. The performance is scheduled in the day’s final time slot: 2:50 p.m., just prior to awards.
The story, set in a 1920s train station, centers around the sudden disappearance of socialite Frank Noble from a train. Investigations are indeterminate: Did he fall? Was he pushed? Members of the highly-placed Noble and Purser families were on the train for the sake of making plans and arrangements for the upcoming wedding between Frank and the oldest Purser daughter, Francine.
Forced to stay in the train station as the investigation proceeds, various travelers reveal their stories and their characters as they converse and interact.
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
While only one official matter of business–approving a 202223 budget revision required by the state of all school boards was discussed and voted upon during the January 17 school board meeting, the evening was a genuine learning experience nonetheless.
It was the first regular meeting for board members Aaron Phillips, Pat Theuer and Amy Irhke, all of whom were elected last fall. They and other board members had recently attended the Minnesota State School Board Association’s (MSSBA) annual conference. Many topics had been covered there, including school finance.
As school district business manager Karla Christopherson shared information about the current financial status of the district, board member Pat Theuer commented that those who attended the convention had acquired tremendous respect for the many tasks which Christopherson must perform. In fact, while hearing about many of the details, “Our heads blew up,” joked Theuer. “We were just amazed at everything your job entails.”
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
Since 1999, the number of suicides in the United States has risen by one-third. Every year in our country, as many as 1.2 million people attempt suicide; about 45,000 succeed. According to the national Centers for Disease Control, it is the second-most common cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24, having taken the lives of about 600 Minnesota teens in 2018.
Thanks to funding provided through the Greater Mankato Area United Way and NRHEG’s FFA organization, all students at the NRHEG secondary site took part in an event meant to raise their awareness about suicide during the January 9 school day.
The 2.5 hour session began with a video which shared the story of Emma Benoit, now 22, who attempted suicide in 2016 at the age of 16.
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By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
New and old city of Ellendale representatives took the oath of office during the regular meeting of the city council Thursday, January 12, 2023.
Mayor Matthew Bartsch began his second term and was first to be sworn in by city clerk Kim Zimprich, followed Jon Asplund, who begins his first official term, and Scott Groth, who begins his 8th term, serving all but four years on the council since 1998.
Preceding the swearing in was an hour-long, well-attended codification workshop reviewing city ordinances related to dog kennels, fencing, landscaping, building materials, and lot designs.
Logan Busho presented the fire department report. The unit responded to 167 calls, 124 of which were medical in 2022, the most the department has ever responded to, a trend which Busho expects to continue to rise.
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New mayor, elected council, sworn in
By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Chad Neitzel, newly elected New Richland mayor, was sworn in by Gail Schmidt, her last official act as mayor, during the regular meeting of the city council Monday, January 9, 2023.
Loren Skelton and Jason Casey were next to take their oaths of office.
A relatively quick meeting included approving basic organization details and procedures for the 2023 calendar year. The most controversial item discussed was the possibility of towing cars which were not moved after a snowfall requiring snow removal. Police Chief Tanyce Bruegger said she and the department are working hard to enforce the “parking after snowfall ordinance.” Through the end of November the department issued 20 citations. Nine remain unpaid. Those residents have been sent follow-up letters stating they must pay or the ticket becomes a state citation. The department is working with the county attorney on a possible ordinance change that would allow for a vehicle to be towed after a ticket remains unpaid for 10 days.
Council members shared many observations and thoughts, not reaching any definitive conclusion or action. A public hearing would be required before any new ordinance could be put in place.