No surprises in audit report
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By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
The first item of the agenda at last Monday’s regular meeting of the NRHEG Board of Education was the audit report from Tom Olinger of Abdo, Eick, and Meyer, who have taken over the financial oversight from the district’s former auditor Eide Bailly.
Olinger reported downslides in both revenues and expenditures pretty much in parallel with the other districts in the area, as caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The reductions in revenue due to absences were generally offset by reductions in expenditures for food service and supervision.
Also, the local tax base was somewhat lower, again in keeping with the crisis.
But despite the shortfalls and the cost of the new construction, the district still kept up with its curriculum and facilities. This is due to the refinancing of long-term facilities bonds, and also to the district’s decision to continue to float the current $200,000 budget deficit.
Donations
Donations were received by: NR Farm & City Days, $200.00 for CE Cheer ; NR Firemens’ Relief Assn., $1,000.00 for Football Endzone Camera; NRHEG PTO, $743.32 for Elementary Recess Kits, $1,500.00 for Eagle Bluff, and $100.00 for Krista Reeder Elem Supplies ; NRHEG Football Boosters, $199.00 for Hudl Fee; NRHEG Basketball, $1,800.00 for Varsity Hudl Acct., Kelsie/Tyler Pederson, $100, Mark/Ellen Johnson $20, Tim/Lindsey McGurran $25, Andy/Kelli VanHal $130, McKayla Sikel $20, Travis/Katie Ladwig $80, Brady/Amy Jensen $60, and Layne/Jillian Possin $80 for Elementary Snack Cart.
Total $6,057.32
Total to Date $15,182.32.
Workforce
Resignations were accepted with gratitude from Lonna Broitzman—Lead Cook Elementary, 5 years with the District; and Linsy Hershberger--Special Education Teacher, 8 years with the District.
Employment contracts were approved for: Karina Goana--English Language Learner (ELL) Paraprofessional, and Kathleen Bauleke--Elementary Assistant Cook/Kitchen Assistant.
Board Governance
Mandatory policy updates were approved as per the State.
Enrollment Options
Five students (one family) from our District chose to attend an on-line school, and one student is moving to our District but remaining in their current school.
January 2022 Organization Meeting
The Special 2022 Organizational meeting will meet Monday, January 3, 2022, at 5:30pm in the Secondary Media Center.
Board Meeting Dates for January and February
The Board moved to set the January regular School Board meeting date for Tuesday, January 18, 2022; and the February regular School Board meeting date for Tuesday, February 22, 2022, in respect of Monday holidays.
Expert billing contract approved
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By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
During the regular meeting of the New Richland City Council, Oct. 11, 2021, an agreement was reached between Expert Billing and the city to provide ambulance billing services beginning Nov. 1, 2021.
A two-year contract agreement approved by the council will have Expert Billing handling essentially all parts of the billing process, including collections, deposits, and insurance paperwork for services provided by the New Richland ambulance department at a cost of $29 per each “billable transport” beginning Dec. 1. The month of November will be used for Expert Billing to prepare their systems and computers for the city’s account.
Police Department
Police Chief Anthony Martens reported the department responded to 133 calls for service during the month of Sept., bringing the year’s total calls for service to 1,222, up from last year’s total of 981.
One past city ordinance violation regarding Wallace Laundromat will be going to court Oct. 22, 2021. In the past month, 12 vehicle violations were issued and one parking violation. A total of six violations are pending resolution.
Meyer family farm celebrates a century: Ona grateful to continue life in her home, receives award at county fair
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CENTURY FARM - Ona Meyer and her son, Jon, accepting their century farm award during the 2021 Freeborn County fair.
By BARB FINSETH
Staff Writer
Ona Meyer lives in the same house today that she was born in just west of Hartland. Her father, Ole Knudson, bought the 200 acres including the building site shortly before he married his wife, Hilda Rugroden of New Richland, on March 16, 1920. Ona and her family were recognized as a Century Family Farm at the 2021 Freeborn County Fair. The commemorative plaque was received a year late because the 2020 Fair was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Ole and Hilda Knutson started out in the best of times. From 1910 to 1920, farm land prices in Minnesota went from $46/acre to $109/acre. Improved farming practices and equipment made it easier to produce more crops and work more land. Crop prices were high and credit was readily available for producers and consumers because high production from farmers was essential for military use in Europe during WWI. In 1918 - 1919, billions of pounds of pork, beef, and dairy products were shipped to Allied countries, various relief programs, and American Expeditionary Forces overseas.
But when the war ended, it quickly turned into the worst of times in the 1920s for the agricultural community locally and nationwide. Demand from Europe for U.S. surplus production was gone and there was a dramatic decrease of 63% in market prices for farm crops. Farmers had more land, equipment, and debt, making it difficult to reduce production. Large surpluses of corn caused prices to drop from $1.30/bushel to 47 cents/bushel in one year.
Ole served in WWI and while overseas he was exposed to toxic gases being used as a weapon against their forces. This exposure affected his lungs and throat for the rest of his life. He had a persistent cough and couldn't eat things that scratched his throat like apple skins or popcorn.
Panthers fight together: NRHEG fall sports collaborate to support Rourke
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FIGHTING TOGETHER - Medford and NRHEG volleyball teams and players are pictured together after their match Thursday, Oct. 14. The theme for the game and night was an ‘orange out’ with fans sporting shirts saying ‘Fight together’ and ‘Rourke Chop’
By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Every year NRHEG sports teams traditionally set aside one game for senior night and cancer awareness. This year, instead of each team doing individual cancer nights, the football, volleyball, and cross country teams have come together to raise money for Rourke Wacholz, his family and their fight with cancer. Rourke is four years old and battling B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
The first of these events was Thursday night, Oct. 14, when the NRHEG Volleyball squad hosted Medford in its traditional senior night. When the Tiger’s heard what was happening, they wanted to support the Wacholz family, and in place of holding their own cancer night, chose instead to come together with NRHEG.
“It was greatly appreciated that Medford joined us,” coach Onika Peterson said. “It shows the wonderful community they come from.”
Thursday night was an “orange out” as fans from both schools came dressed in black and orange with students from both schools sporting shirts with the logos reading, “Panthers fight together,” and on the back “RourkeChop, #Panthernation, #NRHEG.”
“This all came about through the planning of coach Peterson,” NRHEG Athletic Director Dan Stork said. “Once the other coaches heard, they all jumped on board.”
This was the first of three nights dedicated to help raise money for Rourke and his family. The next two were the conference cross country meet Tuesday and the final home football game for the Panthers Wednesday night.
“We’re all just trying to do some good for Rourke and the family,” Stork shared. “Some things transcend sports. This idea was another way for us to support one of our fans close to home.”
Gehrke recognized for response to shooting: NR officer receives commendation from Waseca Police Department
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Thursday night, Oct. 14, officer Ryan Gehrke was recognized by the Waseca Police Department for his response to the Arik Matson shooting.
Photo by Angela Gehrke
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Staff Writer
Ryan Gehrke received a unit commendation at 7 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 14 for his role in responding to the Arik Matson shooting in Waseca on Jan. 6, 2020.
Gehrke wears many hats. He works full-time for UPS out of Owatonna, as well as part-time as a police officer for New Richland. Yet he still finds time to help out on his dad's Waterville acreage. He was getting into a combine to harvest corn when the Star Eagle caught up with him for an interview.
Gehrke was informed two months prior that he would be recognized at the event, where Waseca County honors fire department and ambulance crews, police officers, and numerous citizens for life-saving awards or for calling in suspicious circumstances that led to investigations. In 2020 the event was postponed because of Covid. This year the evening of recognition took place at the Waseca High School Performing Arts Center.
On the night of recognition, Gehrke received a certificate and a red, white, and blue bar pin for his invaluable service. Gehrke's family attended the event, including his wife, Angela, their four children, and one of his younger sisters, who is a Deputy in Blue Earth County.