News

Under the watchful eye of his parents, Elaine and Tim, Owatonna senior Brayden Truelson signs his letter of commitment to St. John’s College to play baseball and major in business.

Family advice leads Truelson’s college decision

The decision on where to go to college is a tough one for any high school student. On Wednesday, Feb. 3, 18 Owatonna high school student-athletes made that decision in celebration of National Signing Day, signaling not only would be furthering their education at these schools but also, furthering...

Dual citizenship helps Owatonna native with post-wedding plans

Dual citizenship isn’t something that Charlotte Vaillancourt thought about, but when the opportunity presented itself, she took it. Vaillancourt, who now lives in Montana, her mother, Nancy, who is the director of the Blooming Prairie library, and her brother, Alexander are now citizens of both the...

Caleb and Jennifer Robertson of Owatonna share a special love. They met in the mission fields of Florida and soon their love turned into marriage and a blending of their families of 14 children.

A love match

Working in the mission fields of Hurricane Michael in Florida proved to be more than mission work for an Owatonna couple. It also produced love that led to marriage and the blending of the couple’s existing families of 14 children. Caleb and Jennifer Robertson celebrated their first anniversary on...

BP Chamber names new director

The Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce has named its new executive director. Emily Glaser of Blooming Prairie took over as the chamber’s new director Monday. She replaces Becky Noble, who is retiring after 20 years with the chamber. Glaser plans to keep the same hours that Noble had, working...

First woman to serve on BP Council dies

During a time when it was uncommon for women to be involved in politics, she became the first woman to ever serve in city government in Blooming Prairie. Lorraine Kruckeberg served on the Blooming Prairie City Council in the mid-1980s. She passed away at her home in Blooming Prairie on Feb. 3. She...

Landen Johnson poses after scoring his 100th pin Friday in Northfield.

Owatonna’s Johnson achieves 100 pins

Landen Johnson reached a major milestone Friday night, as he grabbed his 100th pin of his career. The highlight proved to be the capping point of a successful week for Johnson, who scored four pins in four matches during the week. “It was something that he had from last season knowing that he was...

Each Blooming Prairie girls basketball player presented a Hayfield player with a gift in memory of classmate Macy Holtan who tragically died last week.

Blossom girls stay undefeated

The Blooming Prairie girls basketball team not only haven’t lost a game yet, they haven’t won by fewer than 10 points after beating Hayfield 53-43 on Tuesday, Jan. 26, and Maple River 58-41 on Friday, Jan. 29. Before the Blossoms’ game against the Vikings started, the two teams shared a special...

The Little Theater of Owatonna’s production ‘Clue: On Stage’ opens next Friday (Feb. 12) in the Sharon Stark Auditorium at West Hills. Characters will don face shields throughout the performance and seating is limited to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Pictured with their shields are Patrick McColley, who plays Wadsworth, and Raquel Hellman, who plays Miss Scarlett.

‘Clue: On Stage’ opening COVID-19 style

Little Theater of Owatonna is doing everything it can to make sure the show goes on this time. The cast of “Clue: On Stage” will wear face shields and the crew and audience members will wear face masks. LTO is also limiting seating to 80 people per performance to ensure there is adequate space for...

TUNNEL OF LOVE

Are you looking for a little love? The Tunnel of Love may be just what you need. It’s a new display located in the greenhouse next to B to Z Hardware on Main Street in Blooming Prairie. It will be featured daily through Valentine’s Day. The man behind the Tunnel of Love is no stranger to making...

This is a section of the mural that graced the walls of Jerry’s Supper Club in Owatonna for 50 years. The mural, which tells the story of Owatonna's past, will soon be moved and displayed at the History Center in Owatonna.

Historical Society to preserve Jerry’s Supper Club mural

The mural that hung in the dining room of Jerry’s Supper Club in downtown Owatonna for 50 years will be preserved by the Steele County Historical Society, thanks to the generosity of the building’s owner and nearly 90 people who have contributed nearly $6,000 to its preservation fund so far. After...