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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
While only one official matter of business–approving a 202223 budget revision required by the state of all school boards was discussed and voted upon during the January 17 school board meeting, the evening was a genuine learning experience nonetheless.
It was the first regular meeting for board members Aaron Phillips, Pat Theuer and Amy Irhke, all of whom were elected last fall. They and other board members had recently attended the Minnesota State School Board Association’s (MSSBA) annual conference. Many topics had been covered there, including school finance.
As school district business manager Karla Christopherson shared information about the current financial status of the district, board member Pat Theuer commented that those who attended the convention had acquired tremendous respect for the many tasks which Christopherson must perform. In fact, while hearing about many of the details, “Our heads blew up,” joked Theuer. “We were just amazed at everything your job entails.”
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By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
New and old city of Ellendale representatives took the oath of office during the regular meeting of the city council Thursday, January 12, 2023.
Mayor Matthew Bartsch began his second term and was first to be sworn in by city clerk Kim Zimprich, followed Jon Asplund, who begins his first official term, and Scott Groth, who begins his 8th term, serving all but four years on the council since 1998.
Preceding the swearing in was an hour-long, well-attended codification workshop reviewing city ordinances related to dog kennels, fencing, landscaping, building materials, and lot designs.
Logan Busho presented the fire department report. The unit responded to 167 calls, 124 of which were medical in 2022, the most the department has ever responded to, a trend which Busho expects to continue to rise.
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New mayor, elected council, sworn in
By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Chad Neitzel, newly elected New Richland mayor, was sworn in by Gail Schmidt, her last official act as mayor, during the regular meeting of the city council Monday, January 9, 2023.
Loren Skelton and Jason Casey were next to take their oaths of office.
A relatively quick meeting included approving basic organization details and procedures for the 2023 calendar year. The most controversial item discussed was the possibility of towing cars which were not moved after a snowfall requiring snow removal. Police Chief Tanyce Bruegger said she and the department are working hard to enforce the “parking after snowfall ordinance.” Through the end of November the department issued 20 citations. Nine remain unpaid. Those residents have been sent follow-up letters stating they must pay or the ticket becomes a state citation. The department is working with the county attorney on a possible ordinance change that would allow for a vehicle to be towed after a ticket remains unpaid for 10 days.
Council members shared many observations and thoughts, not reaching any definitive conclusion or action. A public hearing would be required before any new ordinance could be put in place.
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
Since 1999, the number of suicides in the United States has risen by one-third. Every year in our country, as many as 1.2 million people attempt suicide; about 45,000 succeed. According to the national Centers for Disease Control, it is the second-most common cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24, having taken the lives of about 600 Minnesota teens in 2018.
Thanks to funding provided through the Greater Mankato Area United Way and NRHEG’s FFA organization, all students at the NRHEG secondary site took part in an event meant to raise their awareness about suicide during the January 9 school day.
The 2.5 hour session began with a video which shared the story of Emma Benoit, now 22, who attempted suicide in 2016 at the age of 16.
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By TRISTAN JENSEN
Editorial Assistant
Geneva Cancer Auction continued its work raising money for cancer research with the first weekend of its annual auction event January 6 and 7 at Geneva Bar and Grill. The auction is scheduled to continue January 13 at 7 p.m. and 14 at 2 p.m. In addition to the live auction, raffle tickets are being sold throughout the event, and the drawing will take place at 10 p.m. on Saturday, January 14 with a Grand Prize of $1,000. Sunday, January 15 the Geneva Cancer Auction committee will officially pledge their donation and announce the amount raised for 2023. Since its inception in 1985, the auction has raised over $2 million. “It was nothing when we started,” said Whitey Hagen, founder, “but people grabbed onto it and it's been like this ever since. It takes a lot of work by a lot of people who don't like cancer.”