NRHEG Star Eagle

137 Years Serving the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Area
Newspaper of Record for NRHEG School District
Newspaper of Record for Waseca County, MN
PO Box 248 • New Richland, MN 56072

507-463-8112
email: steagle@hickorytech.net
Published every Thursday
Yearly Subscription: Waseca, Steele, and Freeborn counties: $52
Minnesota $57 • Out of state $64


Compiled by JESSICA LUTGENS

Editorial Assistant

With the upcoming election on Tuesday, November 6, candidates for the local school board and city government were given questionnaires by the NRHEG Star Eagle. The following are their responses:

NRHEG School Board

Name: Jay Crabtree

Age: 45

Family: Wife Shari, children Abby (Senior, NRHEG), Katie (7th, NRHEG), Tyler (Graduate, NRHEG), daughter-in-law Amy, grandson Payten

How long have you lived in the area? Lifelong Ellendale resident 45 years

What is your occupation or profession? Police Officer – Albert Lea Police Department

New Richland City Council

By NICOLE BILLING

Editorial Assistant

The New Richland City Council held its second meeting of October at 6:30 Monday evening. All members of the council were present. The council members approved the agenda as amended with additional consent items.

The first order of business was a public hearing to talk about franchise fees. Mayor Tom McShane asked if there was anyone who had any concerns about franchise fees at the time; since there wasn’t, the council moved on to other items with the agreement to come back to franchise fees.

The next issue was about Richard Baker’s sprinkler system. He asked the council to approve a $73 credit to his sewer bill because the sprinkler malfunctioned and didn’t shut off. After much deliberation, the council denied the credit.

Veteran photos sought

In observance of Veterans Day November 11, the NRHEG Star Eagle will be having a section dedicated to our defenders of freedom. Area veterans or family members are encouraged to bring in photos of veterans in uniform from all branches of service for inclusion and the recognition they so justly deserve. The deadline for photo submission is noon, November 2. For questions or more information, call the Star Eagle office at (507) 463-8112 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


NRHEG Veteran’s Day program November 12

NRHEG High School will host a Veteran’s Day program Monday, Nov. 12 at 9:45 a.m. in the gymnasium. The speaker is State Senator Julie Rosen. The NRHEG band and choir will perform and winners of the “What Does Veteran’s Day Mean to Me?” essay contest for eighth and 12th grade will be announced. The public is invited. Questions? Call Georgia Dinneen at 507-417-2614. 

For new NRHEG special education instructor, teaching is in her genes

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HOUSE OF EDUCATORS — Stacie Ebnet-Dietz, originally from Albany, Minn., comes from a family of teachers, and her husband is also involved in education. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

“It is a great school with a wonderful staff. I have enjoyed becoming part of Panther Pride at the NRHEG Secondary school.”

Those exact words came straight from the new sixth and seventh-grade special education teacher, Stacie Ebnet-Dietz. She has much more to say about the teaching position however.

“It has been reassuring to see smiling faces and helpful advice and guidance,” Dietz said. “The NRHEG staff has been welcoming and they have made me feel part of the team. I appreciate working with such talented and innovative professionals.”

As they bind together, she can see her students’ academic gaps shrink on a daily basis.

For first time ever, Minnesota to lead U.S. in corn production

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EARLY OUT — It’s been an unusually early harvest for area farmers who, according to local agronomist Mark Bernard, should be thankful for another fruitful season. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)


By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

Here in our little neck of the woods, local agronomist Mark Bernard believes farmers should count their blessings, every single bushel.

“They could’ve had diddley squat like some other unfortunate areas of the country,” Bernard said. “If it had been a little hotter and a lot drier, it could’ve happened here too.”

So, what saved area crops? The soil moisture deficit we had coming out of last fall.

“There were certainly times when we could’ve used rain, but it was amazing how little the crop showed stress,” he said. “That’s a tribute to the moisture-holding capacity these soils have. We can typically hold 11-12 inches in the top 5 feet of soil.”