News

BACK TO SCHOOL!

Kasson-Mantorville Middle School students headed to classes Tuesday as the 2024-2025 school year began. Most of the Dodge County schools saw older students in the classroom Tuesday while the elementary grades started later in the week. Students in the Byron School District began their classes last...

City Council approves 8% increase for police in year one of new contract

Kasson Mayor Chris McKern, who has opted against seeking re-election, says his least favorite part of his public office position is negotiating union contracts. But last Wednesday, the City Council voted to approve two union contracts, one for the union representing public works employees, and the...

Trooper pleads not guilty in Flores crash

The Minnesota State Patrol Trooper accused of manslaughter and a host of other charges for his role in the crash that killed an Owatonna High School senior has pleaded not guilty. Shane Elroy Roper, 32, of Hayfield, made his first appearance Aug. 29 in Olmsted County District Court, where he has...

Marigold Days Saturday, Sunday in Mantorville

The 59th Marigold Days celebration is this weekend, Sept. 7 and 8 in Mantorville. In the years since that first event, it has grown to be one of southeast Minnesota’s best known and attended festivals. The weekend starts off with a vendor reception at the Welcome Center on Main Street from 4 to 7 p...

An unexpected trip

(Larry Hegerle of Kasson was a long-time Kasson-Mantorville teacher and volleyball coach.) On July 29th Jamestown University, in Jamestown, N.D., volleyball players (Jimmies) and 28 supporters (mostly parents) made a ten-day pilgrimage to Europe, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy to practice...

Reminders for a safe school year

Another school year has begun and although we say this every year it is worth saying again. Now that school has started don’t forget to be mindful of safety when driving. School buses are on the road again and many youngsters will also be heading back to class either by walking or riding bicycles....

Half of students falling behind: a wake-up call for Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Education released the 2024 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) last week, revealing that student performance has remained stagnant. Approximately half of the state’s students are meeting or exceeding grade-level standards in math and reading, a figure that has...

Hayfield grads take over Hayfield volleyball program

Samantha (McCamy) Thurman has taken over the head coaching position for the Hayfield Vikings volleyball program. Thurman is a 2007 graduate of Hayfield, earning eight varsity letters in volleyball, basketball, and golf during her time as a Viking. After high school, she played four years of...

K-M, Triton football teams open season with wins

It’s not often football games are delayed due to weather. But it might be exactly what helped the Triton Cobras dominate Maple River during its home opener last Thursday, winning 42-13. “We endured a 45 minute lightning delay near the end of the 1st quarter, which was really a blessing, we used the...

Byron announces 2024 Hall of Fame class

The Byron High School Athletic Hall of Fame will induct five new members and recognize a special team at their Sept. 21 Hall of Fame ceremony. This year’s event will be held at the high school commons with a social beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the ceremony commencing at 6 p.m. This event is open to...