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

NRAFF update

By GAIL SCHMIDT

New Richland Area Foundation Representative of the Waseca Area Foundation

As we begin the last quarter of 2012, it reminds me it is time for me to update everyone on the activity of the New Richland Area Foundation. As you remember, through the collaboration of the NRAF Fund and the By-The-Grace-Of-God Fund, we were able to pass out $15,000 to 12 grant recipients at the Farm & City Days Pancake Breakfast in July. 

This was by far our best grant presentation in three short years. This is a result of the generous contributions these funds have received since the start up of the foundation in 2009. 

Also in July, I was invited to talk about “our story” and the success we have experienced within the New Richland area since the formation of the NRAFF at a Janesville Community Meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to educate their community on the benefits of having their own foundation. 

Ellendale City Council

By SCOTT GROTH

Contributing Writer

The Ellendale City Council met Thursday October 11 with Mayor Engel and all council members present. Clerk Louks; Roger Swearingen, maintenance; Pete Paulson, Municipal Liquor Store; Wes Brown, Bolten & Menk; Phil Kohl, City Attorney; and seven other visitors were also present.

The council, for the first time in several years, moved to give city employees a wage increase of 3%. The council felt the employees deserved the increase, as the employees have been more than patient during the recent recession. The council also approved an increase in council pay effective 2013.

NRHEG PTO to host candidate forums

The NRHEG PTO will host a pair of Meet the Candidates forums for potential school board members. Five people are running for the three open spots, and they will answer a number of prepared questions on Monday, Oct. 22, in Ellendale, and Monday, Oct. 29, in New Richland. 

Both forums will begin at 7 p.m. in the respective school media centers. Please plan to attend and get more insight on the people who will help run our school district in the years to come and be able to make an informed choice on election day!

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HALLOWEEN FUN — From left, Leah Morstad, Amichai Gassmann and Levi Stitt plan to be at Vibrant Life Assembly of God Church Halloween night. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)


By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

This upcoming Halloween night, Ellendale’s Vibrant Life Assembly of God cordially invites one and all to their sixth annual Hallelujah fest. 

Event organizers Alicia Butler and Patrick Stitt (church pastor) can’t help but rub their hands together in anticipation for this eclectic evening. Yes, these two are just that excited.

“Hallelujah Fest is a family thing,” Butler said. “Last year, we organized 45 games. This year however, we are planning for less, as the gym will house a bouncy house.”

The Refuge gym will also features games like mini golf, hula hoop toss, sucker toss and a cupcake walk.

New Richland City Council

By JESSICA LUTGENS

Editorial Assistant

The New Richland City Council held its first meeting of October on Monday, the 8th. The two-hour meeting consisted of a lot of discussion about cutting spending for the budget levy and the current insurance policy, as well as reports. All members were present.

The first order of business was the ambulance report, which requested the approval of six new members. The new members will either take classes or join the first response team. The request and ambulance report were approved.

The New Richland Police Department reported 74 calls and 56 other contacts/activities for the month of September. The previously mentioned juvenile nuisance complaints have improved since school has been in session, as expected. The department is also looking into the purchase of a new camera and snow tires for the new squad car, and their request to purchase ammunition for the department was approved, costing $579. The police report was approved.