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Ellendale City Council
By SCOTT GROTH
Contributing Writer
The Ellendale City Council met Thursday August 23, with Mayor Engel and all council members present. Also in attendance for the meeting was Steve Louks, City Clerk, and Pete Paulson, Municipal Liquor Store Manager.
The city council took on the yearly task of determining how much and what is needed in the city to set the tax levy for the year 2013. The council felt that streets are a major concern for the upcoming years and would like start doing projects in stages. Mayor Engel pointed out to the council that the backhoe will be paid for this year and that will help a little. The council reviewed the interim budget report prepared by Clerk Louks for the meeting. After some discussion the council moved to leave the levy the same as 2012, which is $307,118.00. This amount will be sent to county for certification.
The council reviewed the fire department’s new Relief Association bylaws. As explained to the council at a prior meeting, the major difference will be in the time it takes an individual to get vested in the fire department. The council moved to accept the new bylaws for the fire department.
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By NICOLE BILLING
Editorial Assistant
Habitat For Humanity is helping an underprivileged family by fixing up a donated house. Joe Fritz, building coordinator, encourages all interested volunteers to sign up by September 1.
The house, located at 508 NW 4th St. in New Richland, needs a fair share of repairs before the family can move in.
According to Joe Fritz, "We need to replace the walls, windows and siding. There has to be Radon tests done. Volunteers won't be asked to do any of the big things, but it would be nice if they could help with little things like yard work and hammering nails into the wall. People could even help put sheet rock up if they wanted."
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Vista, LeSueur River’s search for full-time pastor concludes with first-time pastor
A GATHERING PLACE — LeSueur RIver and Vista Lutheran’s full-time pastor Brian Gegel invites you to his spacious garden for a time spent in connection with God. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Seated amongst his home congregation in Indiana, Brian Gegel felt an urgent sense of both an internal and external sense of call to become a pastor.
However, it just never seemed to be the right timing. Until now that is.
“There is faith and hope in the call of the church,” said Gegel, the newest full-time pastor for the two-point perish of Vista Lutheran and LeSueur River Lutheran churches. “There’s a little bit of anxiety in a new atmosphere, but I’m excited about being established in a new place and discovering what it is God brought me to these congregations to learn and do together.”
Originally from southwestern Illinois, Gegel and his wife Jane have happily settled into the character-filled parsonage that clearly has been loved for many years. The stewardship of the church is obvious, he says.
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By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Welcome to Everbridge.
The switch has been made and Steele and Rice County now have a new emergency notification system in place and operational.
There was a meeting of the minds on Wednesday, August 15, at the Owatonna Fire Department with Deputy Director of Emergency Management, Chris Gannon; Steele County Sheriff, Lon Thiele; Owatonna Police Chief, Keith Hiller; Owatonna Fire Chief and Steele County Emergency Management Director, Mike Johnson; Rice Steele 911 Center Administrator CEM Administrator, Timothy Boyer; City of Ellendale Maintenance/Ellendale Emergency Management Director, Roger Swearingen; as well as area media services.
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French foreign exchange student brings family to town for mini-reunion
LONG-AWAITED VISIT — After 34 years, former New Richland exchange student Ghyslaine Longefay-Perroud returned to town Sunday, Aug. 12 for a reunion with her host family and classmates. Front from left: Don and Audreene Smith. Back: Alison Hagen, Jayne Busho, Longefay-Perroud, Anne Hagen and Lori Towle. (Star Eagle photo by Nicole Billing)
By NICOLE BILLING
Editorial Assistant
Ghyslaine Longefay-Perroud came to New Richland from France during the 1977-78 NRHEG school year as a foreign exchange student.
Ghyslaine was back visiting old classmates at City Hall on Sunday, August 12, after 34 years of being away. She mentioned she would be staying and visiting for a week.
In 1977-78, she stayed with the Donald L. Smith family for an entire year.
"Living in America was very different,” said Ghyslaine. “I came from a very small village and had never been abroad before. The people were very welcoming."