County News

United Way of Dodge County allocates $70,000 to local nonprofits

United Way of Dodge County (UWDC) raised funds his fall to meet the increased nonprofit partner needs and the board recently approved $70,000 in grants. UWDC supports local nonprofits and programs for the most critical issues facing Dodge County in the areas of education, financial stability,...

Christmas coming to Dodge

Christmas celebrations come to Dodge County in a big way this weekend as Kasson, Mantorville, Dodge Center, Hayfield, and West Concord all kick off the holiday season with special events. Two of the biggest city-wide events are in West Concord and Mantorville. West Concord Community Christmas...

Dodge County knows how to celebrate Christmas

I have been a reporter and editor for many years and have worked for newspapers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Texas, Maryland, and New Jersey so I have done a lot of Christmas stories. When I first started covering Dodge County it was for the old West Concord Enterprise and I was mainly concerned with...

Photo by Wayne Hendrickson A Nativity Scene tells the story of Christmas at the Methodist Church in Kasson.

Christmas Alive returns to Dodge County

Christmas Alive will return to its live, walk-through format this year after last years event being drive-through because of Covid. This year’s event will be staged from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 2, and 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, at 64961 230th Avenue, Kasson. The non-denominational...

Kasson Chamber gets update on wind project

Mark Lennox, project director for Dodge County Wind, connected with the Kasson Chamber of Commerce last week for a video update on the project. Dodge County Wind, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, is seeking Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approval to construct a wind farm in Dodge and Steele...

Dodge County officials get update on wind project

Mark Lennox, project director for Dodge County Wind told Dodge County Commissioners last week that the company is working to advance the project and meet the concerns of local residents and board members about the proposed route of the transmission lines. Dodge County Wind, a subsidiary of NextEra...

Minnesota's war on cops

We have special interest groups who continue with this false narrative suggesting virtually anyone wearing a uniform and badge is broken, is a danger to our communities, and is systemically racist. We have state leaders with absolutely no experience in law enforcement who are now the experts – who...

2 people die from COVID in Dodge County

After going nearly nine months without recording any deaths, Dodge County experienced two COVID-related deaths within the past week. Public Health Director Amy Caron reported the first death on Dec. 2. She said a person in their 90s had died from the virus. A second death involving a woman in her...

BREAKING NEWS: COVID-19 claims first death in Dodge County

Nearly nine months after the pandemic began, Dodge County has recorded its first COVID-19 death. Public Health Director Amy Caron reported late Wednesday that a person in their 90s has died from the COVID-19 virus. “Our sincere condolences go out to the family during this difficult time,” Caron...

Gov. Walz Issues Statewide Masking Mandate

Gov. Tim Walz last week signed Executive Order 20-81, which requires Minnesotans to wear a face covering in indoor businesses and indoor public settings. Researchers have advocated for masking, calling it a simple and effective step to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. To date, 30 states...