I grew up on a farm outside Little Falls, WI. Bet you didn't know there was such a place. I've got 40 years in the radio business now. I married an Ellendale gal and that's how I wound up here. Forgive me, but I'm still a diehard Packer/ Badger fan.
Loren Hart
Minnesota School Bus Driver Appreciation Day is Feb. 22
So, you've never heard of Minnesota School Bus Driver Appreciation Day? Of course you haven't; we haven't had one yet. The first is coming up in a few days. In a State of Minnesota proclamation signed by Gov. Mark Dayton, Wednesday, February 22, becomes the first School Bus Driver Appreciation Day...
Southern Minnesotans Who Made Their Mark
This isn't about a Southern Minnesota town's most famous citizen, but rather about a person or, in one case, a creature that made its mark but may have been forgotten.
We'll start with Faribault-born Harry Williams. Williams was a composer who also had an Owatonna tie as he attended Pillsbury...
S.A.F.E. Santuary of Faribault Fundraiser
S.A.F.E. is an acronym for Save Animals From Euthanasia. They are similar to a Humane Society that takes in stray animals with the goal of finding good permanent homes for them. As of now they're dealing primarily with dogs. The Faribault chapter has been around for 14 years and serves a large area, not just Rice County...
Rice-Steele County Crop Days in Owatonna
The date for the annual Rice and Steele County Crops Day has been set. It'll be Tuesday, February 21, at the Steele County Community Center in Owatonna.
The day will begin with registration at 8:30AM along with coffee and rolls.
Topics to be covered at this year's event will include Emerging Challenges for Insect Pest Management in Soybeans...
Rice Lake State Park to Host Candlelight Ski
Rice Lake State Park will be hosting a Candlelight Ski, Snowshoe and Hike on Saturday, February 11. Hours will be 5-8PM.
This is a free event, but you will need a vehicle permit to enter the park and also a ski pass. Both of these will be available at the park office...
Plane Crashes Near Ellendale
The Rice-Steele Dispatch Center was notified Thursday night around 8:15PM of a missing plane. The plane was discovered west of Ellendale near Beaver Lake. The pilot was able to walk to a nearby residence and notify law enforcement. The pilot was airlifted by North Memorial...
Owatonna Hospital to Restrict Visitors
Effective immediately, Allina Health has begun implementing restricted visitor guidelines at all their hospitals. This is part of an effort to protect patients, visitors and staff from spreading influenza.
It is being requested that children younger than 5 not visit patients...
Where To Hunt in Steele County
Where can I hunt? While I'm not a hunter, a number of my friends are, and that's a common question they pose. It's getting harder and harder to find lands that a hunter can gain access to in order to hunt.
The DNR has expanded a program known as the Walk-In Access program from 35 counties to 46 counties...
Governor Dayton Appoints Judge to Third District
On Thursday,Governor Mark Dayton announced the appointment of Carol M. Hanks as a district court judge in Minnesota's Third Judicial District. The Third District includes the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona...
Owatonna’s Chili Cook-Off Brings the Heat on Saturday
The 13th annual Chili Cook-Off Contest is Saturday, January 28, at Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers on the north end of Owatonna. Hours will be 4-8PM. Proceeds benefit the Andrew Lawrence Memorial Scholarship Fund. Andy was a young man who lost his life in a car-bike accident...