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

The family of Adam Finseth, a paramedic who lost his life while trying to provide aid to wounded officers, has roots in the Hartland/New Richland Area. 

Below is a letter from the family:

“Thank you to all in our community who have reached out to our family during this tragic event of losing our Adam. We are so grateful for your concern and prayers for us.

Because we are receiving so many inquiries about how and where to send condolences &/or memorials to Adam's family, this is to inform you of how we'd like to handle it locally and help Adam's family with the overwhelming amount of attention they are dealing with at this time.

You can send cards to Barb's address of PO Box 305, New Richland, Mn 56072 with the addressee as "The Family of Adam Finseth." Memorial checks can be made out to "Tara Finseth" (Adam's wife). They have not had time to decide on designated memorials yet.

All correspondence will be given to the family at a later date when they are able to give their attention to your heartfelt shared sorrow.

In Love, Faith, and Gratitude,

Barb, Jim & Brad Finseth”

Statement from Tara Finseth

Tara Finseth, Adam Finseth’s widow, wrote in her first public statement released on Sunday,

“To say that our family is devastated ot the loss of our Adam is an understatement. We are broken. Our children will grow up without their "papa." My soul mate is no longer here to wrap me in his arms and live out the life we had so intimately planned. His parents are without their son and his sister is without her big brother and best friend. So many friends and family are left with a void in their hearts. Adam was one of the most selfless and humble individuals you would ever meet. His dedication to his family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, community, and country was unwavering, His worm smile, contagious laugh and genuine personality will be deeply missed by so many, Although our forever hero Is no longer with us, his soul will live on through me, his children, family, friends, and community. We know he Is by our side everyday until we meet again In heaven, On behalf of our family, thank you for the overwhelming and heartwarming support during this very difficult time.”

 

BURNSVILLE, Minn. — Two police officers and a paramedic were shot and killed in a Twin Cities suburb Sunday morning, authorities said, and the man who shot them is also dead.

Superintendent Drew Evans with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Burnsville police officers were called to a home at about 1:50 a.m. on 33rd Avenue South and East 126th Street, just west of the Interstate 35E - Highway 77 interchange.

The suspect, whom the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified Monday as 38-year-old Shannon Gooden, was inside and reported to be armed. Several others were also barricaded inside, including seven young children ranging in age from 2 to 15.

Evans said law enforcement "spent quite a bit of time negotiating with this individual," and paramedics came in for backup at about 5 a.m. Minutes later, dispatch ordered everyone to stay back after Gooden opened fire.

Burnsville city officials identified the victims as officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth. Sgt. Adam Medlicott, 38, was also shot but is expected to survive.

Gooden was reported dead at about 8 a.m., and the family members in the home made it out safely a short time later. A medical examiner said Gooden died by suicide.

Evans said details surrounding the timing and exchange of gunfire are not clear at this point in the investigation.

"Several officers did return fire," Evans said. "I will note this individual had several guns and large amounts of ammunition."

Ellendale fish fry serves 475

By TAYA ROSACKER

Contributing writer

The annual Ellendale Fire Department Fish Fry was quite the catch with the community and surrounding neighbors. Festivities began at 5 p.m. with an amazing meal made by the fire department. Everyone was served crispy fish, baked firehouse beans, coleslaw, refreshments including water, milk, and lemonade, along with their homemade tartar sauce, which garnered compliments from many. In the first hour alone, there were a total of 266 people served. Many were there before the 5 p.m. start time.

“Thank you to everyone for making this year’s first fish fry our biggest and best yet,” Rick Johnson of the Ellendale Fire Department said. “We hope you all really enjoyed it and look forward to seeing you again in March.”

This year’s total number of meals served was the largest ever at 475 meals.

The annual fish fry happens twice a year, once in February and again in March.

The town of Ellendale has been throwing this fundraiser for more than a decade and making it a favorite time of year for everyone.

“We do this to help our community and to get to know our neighbors” says David Modder, a member of the Ellendale Fire Department. The money raised helps purchase tools and equipment, supports those within the community as well as the Ellendale food shelf.  

The next fish fry will be March 22 at the Ellendale community center from 5 p.m. until gone. This is a free will donation and the fish is all you can eat. Come enjoy a wonderful meal and leave with a smile.

By TRISTAN GEHRING

Staff Writer

Ginger Thompson of rural Ellendale retired from Lerberg's Fitness Center and Gift Shop after 38 years on December 29, 2023. A reception was held at the Fitness Center with gifts, balloons and cake.

“It sure went fast,” Ginger recalled. “I can’t believe it’s been 38 years.”

Ginger enjoyed getting to know many kind people and Panther athletes over her two decades with the Fitness Center. She first got her start working at Lerberg's Gift Shop in 1985. “It was more like a department store,” Ginger described. “We had clothing for men and women, children too– Red Wing boots and Minnetonka Moccasins, hallmark cards, jewelry, perfumes, material and sewing needs, sheets and towels, and high school mascot clothing.”

The store had that, and much more, even offering free gift wrapping. “It was a great place to work and get to know everyone in town,” Ginger added.

Mary Lerberg was Ginger’s first employer there. “She was great to work for and taught me many things about business, and how to make attractive displays,” Ginger said.  

Asked if she enjoyed the work, Ginger responded with an emphatic “YES.”

By ELI LUTGENS

Publisher/Editor

The NRHEG Competition Cheer team took eighth place during the National High School Cheerleading Competition at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Florida earlier this month.

After missing the national finals by a mere fraction of a point a year ago, and falling short of a fourth straight championship at the state level, this group of girls was determined to make the most of their trip.

“These athletes could have gotten down on themselves and called it quits, but they didn’t,” coach Joni Churchill said during a Friday-afternoon welcome home celebration in front of hundreds of students, fans and NRHEG faculty at the secondary site. “These guys could have easily gone down to Florida, put out a mediocre performance the first day, and then spent the rest of the time at the beach and Disney, but they didn’t. They made a promise to themselves and to each other that they were going to reach their goals, and they did.”

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