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

 

There have been more reports of vandalism in New Richland.

According to Police Chief Tony Martens, there were multiple reports of broken windows on the north side of town. Also, just north of town, a truck parked overnight was reportedly spray-painted. The incidents happened toward the end of last week.

Martens urged the public to contact the police at 465-3240 if they see anything suspicious.

“I’d rather have somebody call and it turn out to be nothing than not have them call,” said Martens.

Recently, vandals caused damage at All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland.

The New Richland Police Department has taken reports of a suspicious male in the City of New Richland. Parties reported that a male party in a vehicle pulled up to a juvenile female while the female was walking home or to school and demanded that they get in the vehicle. When they refused he got more threatening, yelled and swore at them to get in the vehicle. When the juveniles threatened to call 911, the male drove off.

The suspect is reported as a heavier set Hispanic male driving a tan sedan with a black stripe. During the first incident the suspect was wearing a safety vest with a red shirt and “Thompsons” hat. Suspect is believed to have scarred hands as well. An additional report stated that the suspect may have also been seen driving a blue sedan (looks almost black) and may be significantly louder than other vehicles.

The NRPD is working with NRHEG High School to provide extra security and safety measures for both students and staff at this time.

If you have any additional information on these incidents or information that can help identify this suspect or suspects vehicle, please contact the New Richland Police Department.

 

New Richland City Council

By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer

A summary of two recent closed sessions of the New Richland City Council was given during the first regular council meeting of the month on Monday, May 13, for which all members were present. The closed sessions were held for the purpose of discussing former care center administrator Larry Passel, whose recent six-month review showed a failure to meet expectations and resulted in the decision by the council to discontinue Passel’s employment with the care center. No further details were given.

In regards to the concession stand at Reese/Legion Field, the council approved a cost of $2,693 for materials and labor to get the building up to code. The floors of the building are good, and a fairly new refrigerator and freezer already in the building will be used. It was agreed to rent the building to Quad Cities baseball for operation during the season at a cost of $200.

The sale of six surplus pagers, which are now obsolete due to Waseca County’s recent upgrade of pagers, to Ellendale at a cost of $100 each was approved.

Tony Martens presented the police report, which stated that the NRPD responded to 148 calls in April. A purchase request for Lexipol Policy and Training Software at a cost of $2,456 annually was approved. The purpose of the program is to control policy and documentation for the department and reduce risk and liability. Martens noted that the program is used by the Waseca Police Department and the Waseca County Sheriff’s Office, and Martens used the program for six years while employed with the Sheriff’s Office.

SAD SIGHT — Father Mike Cronin of All Saints Catholic Church surveys some of the damage done to his church by vandals Friday morning. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)

By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher

Father Mike Cronin was in an especially somber mood last Friday morning.

The same question kept running through his head. Why?

Why would someone walk into an unlocked All Saints Catholic Church and proceed to vandalize it? Why?

Cronin surveyed the damage and cleanup efforts as he pondered the question.

Sometime after Cronin opened the church and left for New Richland Care Center worship Friday morning, someone did the damage, spilling paint, writing graffiti and breaking glass in the basement while spraying a fire extinguisher and spilling wine upstairs.

“It’s very disappointing to me,” said Cronin. “It’s just not very respectful.”

Ten members of the NRHEG FFA traveled to the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota April 28-30 for the 90th Minnesota State FFA Convention.

While there, they attended workshops put on by people like the current Southern Region Vice-President Jordan Stowe, compete in contests, and participate in other events. On Sunday, Dacoda Malakowsky, Tylar Malakowsky, and Brady Schaak participated in the Best Informed Greenhand contest. This contest is basically an FFA knowledge contest and consists of a 100 question multiple-choice test. Dacoda led the team with a gold rating. Tylar had a silver rating and Brady earned a bronze rating. 

Another team competing was the Small Animal & Vet Science team. Armed with knowledge of numerous small animal species the team of Holly Stene, Elizabeth Karl, Jordan Horejsi, and Lexi Ignaszewsi took home a 19th-place finish and a gold rating. The team was lead by Holly and Liz who each earned gold as well with Jordan and Lexie each earning a silver rating.