News

Seven wrestlers from three area high schools qualified for this week’s Minnesota State High School League Wrestling Championships. Above, Westfield’s Tyler Archer lifts his Blue Earth Area opponent off the mat during his 3-2 win by decision at the state individual preliminary competition on Saturday, Mar. 20.

ON TO STATE

Seven area wrestlers will be representing three Steele County schools this week in the state individual wrestling tournament in the Twin Cities. Tyler Archer of Blooming Prairie’s Westfield, Tommy Elwood, Josiah Hedensten and Brennon Hoffman from Medford and Cael Robb, Landen Johnson and Matt...

The future of the historic Daniel S. Piper House has recently been a matter of contention for some in the city of Medford and a developer who has purchased the property and looks to demolish the house in favor of building storage units.

Zoning: Keep residential zone for Piper House property

After a developer purchased the property where the historic Daniel S. Piper House sits on Medford’s southern edge, the city council informed the developer, Brad Price of Right Size Storage, to take his plans to the city’s Planning and Zoning board. Price’s original vision involved demolishing the...

Nolan Baker installs a new computer for a local business recently. Baker has turned a few heads as the junior in high school has been operating his own LLC computer company for the past year. He juggles school work in between working on computers for commercial and residential.

A COMPUTER WHIZ

As Nolan Baker works his magic on computers and other technological systems, he surprises many people when they find out how old he is. He has become known as the teenage computer whiz as the junior in high school has been operating his own LLC computer company, Baker Tech Services, for the past...

Emergency management to expand to full-time role in Steele County

Steele County will soon have a full-time emergency management director. The County Board has approved turning the part-time position into full time after the upcoming retirement of current director Mike Johnson. For years, Johnson has split his time between the county’s emergency management and as...

NRHEG hires top administrator

There's a new superintendent coming to New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (NRHEG) Public Schools and his name is Michael Meihak. The current principal at Faribault Middle School was approved as the next superintendent by the school board at its meeting on Monday, Mar. 15. School Board Chair...

While Huskies star Evan Dushek is defending in this photo, it’s his shooting ability that’s perhaps most noteworthy. The junior recently scored his 1,000th point of his career, a milestone only achieved by seven other Owatonna players.

Dushek’s Magic

During the March 8 Owatonna boys basketball game against Northfield, junior Evan Dushek accomplished what only seven other players in team history had before him. He scored his 1,000th point as a Huskie. “It's super cool,” Dushek said. “Obviously living here my whole life and growing up here, it's...

Blooming Prairie tight end Mitchell Fiebiger breaks loose for some yards after the catch during the Awesome Blossoms’ 49-6 win over Randolph in the Section 1A Championship. For his play on the field, both offensively and defensively as a linebacker, Fiebiger was chosen as one of the 31 players from the state nominated for the Mr. Football Award. He was selected to participate in the Minnesota Vikings Showcase Game.

Fiebiger’s super senior season

Besides getting a chance to compete in the state tournament, Blooming Prairie tight end/linebacker Mitchell Fiebiger’s senior season couldn’t have gone much better. His team went undefeated and won the Section 1A Championship, he made the All-District team and was named District MVP and he was the...

THE PODCAST SHERIFF

As a long-time public safety warrior, Scott Rose knows firsthand how losing police officers sends ripple effects through police agencies and the communities where they serve. Perhaps even more importantly, he has experienced how it leaves devastating emotional scars on the surviving families. Rose...

Tyler Hoff has taken over ownership of Worlein’s Funeral Home in Blooming Prairie and Austin. His arrival brings an end to 31 years of ownership at Blooming Prairie and 76 years at Austin for the Worlein family.

Same name, different owner

Tyler Hoff may turn a few heads with his youthful look, but he’s not letting that stop him from conquering the challenge of owning a new business. At only 29 years old, Hoff recently purchased the Worlein Funeral Home in Blooming Prairie and Austin. His arrival brings an end to 31 years of...

Krell achieves top state honor

A top educator, who once reigned on the national level as a distinguished principal, has added yet another honor to her portfolio. The Minnesota Association of School Administrators has named Michelle Krell of Blooming Prairie the Outstanding Central Office Leader. Krell currently serves as the...