Friday, January 17, 2025

News

Left: A youngster displays his Christmas spirit during Kasson-Mantorville Elementary School’s all-school sing-a-long on Dec. 22. Right: Grace Arneson sings out during the sing-a-long.
You could hear them from the parking lot, Kasson-Mantorville Elementary School students singing and laughing on Dec. 22, the last day of school before Christmas break. They packed the school gym and used their considerable energy to perform “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Deck the Halls,” “You’re...
Cohen Melcher, left, and Charlie Finley feed llamas during the ‘Christmas Alive’ event on the Jim Checkel farm. The animals were among several featured in various scenes regarding the birth of Christ.
Tradition reigns on Jim Checkel’s farm. The Kasson man hosted the 10th-annual “Christmas Alive!” event on Dec. 2 – and a big crowd visited, guided by a “guardian angel” through seven dramatic scenes of the birth of Christ. Live animals including llamas and horses enhanced the Christmas atmosphere...
 Dodge County Emergency Management director Matt Maas offers advice to area church representatives during Monday’s “active shooter” training session at Kasson-Mantorville High School. Law enforcement officials emphasize a proactive “Run, Hide, Fight” approach to the situation.
Many people associate mass shootings with schools. Actually, more faith-based organizations were targeted during 2016, when 246 violent acts were reported, Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose said Monday during a church safety training session at Kasson-Mantorville High School. The event was hosted by...
Lori and Dan Hodgman pause for a photo at their Dodge Center business, Hodgman Drainage Co., Inc. The company offers excavation, drainage and septic system services.
Don Hodgman was lead foreman for a drainage contractor in West Concord when he set out on his own in 1982. Thirty-five years later, his business dream has expanded into a large, thriving venture in Dodge Center. Hodgman Drainage Co., Inc., supplies commercial and agricultural drainage, earth-moving...
Adam Fredericksen speaks Nov. 22 during an event in Dodge Center. He works to educate the public on the effects of impaired driving. Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose is pictured at right.
Adam Fredericksen was 18 and riding high during his senior year at Kasson-Mantorville High School. Kaitlyn Hansen was a smiley 16-year-old “drama queen” at Fillmore Central High School in Harmony. But an impaired driver slammed into Fredericksen’s vehicle in Kasson on Feb. 7, 2004, leaving him...
Kasson-Mantorville Elementary School third-graders gather for a photo. The students, members of Jody Vossen’s class, prepared for Thanksgiving by indicating what they’re thankful for. They include: front, Delia Alberts. Back, from left, Grace Roethler, Beau Orser, Giovanni Carney, Jossalyn Burkhart, Floyd Ranvek and Dylan Meyer.
Kasson-Mantorville Elementary School fourth-graders participated this month in a pre-Thanksgiving “Grateful Challenge.” A paper chain link indicated what they’re grateful for as the big day rolls around. Mom. My Daddy. Hugs. Books. “I’m thankful for my friends, because they’re supportive and really...
Rory Ginder is pictured with money she plans to donate to the Triton schools. The 6-year-old decided to help the schools after an operational levy measure failed Nov. 7.
Triton schools officials say the district may have to make difficult cuts since voters denied an increase in the 2018 operational levy. Rory Ginder is having none of that. The Dodge Center resident decided to chip in funds from her own savings account to try and help the district. “I don’t care...
Rosario “Chayo” Tobar is pictured with her husband, Sam Lopez, and Chayo’s granddaughter, Maxine Harris, 1. Tobar officially became a U.S. citizen on Sept. 19 in St. Paul.
Rosario Tobar is a U.S. citizen at last. The Kasson woman, known as “Chayo,” moved from Mexico in 1996, and finally took the  naturalization Oath of Allegiance this past Sept. 19 during a ceremony in St. Paul. She was among 21 people who officially became American citizens. “I cried,” Tobar said. “...
K-M Middle School fifth graders Charlie Converse, left, and Logan Davidson add tags to popcorn packets at Just Like Home Child Care in Kasson on Tuesday. The youngsters, part of the school’s community service day crew, assisted Kasson-Mantorville Area Care and Share, a company which helps benefit area families in need.
Kasson-Mantorville Middle School students were out and about Tuesday, helping out with various community service projects during an advisory community service day. They were seen raking at the Dodge County Courthouse Annex in Mantorville, and packaging items for people in need at Just Like Home...
Kaitlyn McNeill is crowned Homecoming Queen during a coronation ceremony Oct. 6 at Kasson-Mantorville High School. Homecoming King Eli Herbst smiles in the background. The event kicked off Homecoming Day.
Kasson-Mantorville High School celebrated Homecoming Week in style this past week, with dress-up days, all sorts of contests, a coronation ceremony, parade and pep fest. Eli Herbst and Kaitlyn McNeil were crowned King and Queen before the big Homecoming parade on Oct. 6. The parade, held in a light...

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Dodge County Independent

Dodge County Independent
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Kasson, MN 55944

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