News

It was a very cold Tuesday, February 16, morning, but the KM bus drivers were on the job with their routes. Left to right are: Tea Wytaske, Kami Anderson, Jerry Reker, Jay Horsman and Jeff Schmidt.

Former KM principal retires, turns school bus driver

Jerry Reker was the Kasson-Mantorville High School principal for 17 years and has been retired for six years. He has been involved with education for 40 years and was a principal for 33 years at different schools. Jerry has been a wrestling referee for 35 years traveling to matches at high schools...

Area schools returning to in-person learning

After a year of distance and hybrid learning, area students in all grades are heading back to the classroom. State officials recently announced that getting all Minnesota students back into the classroom is a priority, provided district follow guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health....

Joel McCall, left, and Todd Halverson, right, make sure Kasson-Mantorville fans can follow their favorite sports. McCall does play-by-play announcing for all sports but hockey and Halverson does the videos for all sports. Steve Alvarado does the play-by-play for boys and girls hockey.

Volunteers bring KM high school sports to the masses

It’s all about the kids, say a trio of local volunteers who broadcast Kasson-Mantorville sports games and get them put up on YouTube. Family and friends who otherwise couldn’t watch games are able to because of the efforts of Todd Halverson, Steve Alvarado and Joel McCall. “Now with COVID, it’s...

Byron superintendent headed to Austin

Byron school Superintendent Joey Page is headed to Austin. The Austin School Board officially approved the hiring of Page as the district’s new superintendent at a special board meeting Monday afternoon. Last week, after interviewing several finalists for the position, the board offered the...

Kasson-Mantorville Junior Kal Wynia defeats Zumbrota-Mazeppa’s Gabe Tupper on a 10-6 decision.

KM's Winning Streak Comes To An End

A wrestling fan might wonder when was the last time the KM wrestling team lost a conference dual. Year after year, the four time state champions (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018), continue to dominate the HVL. The KoMets have already demonstrated two big, come from behind, wins this season. The KoMets...

Byron gymnasts back in action

After a two week absence from the gym, the girls were able to get a week of practice in before heading to Caledonia on Feb. 11 for a triangular that included LaCrescent as well. The girls finished with a 129.5 points, which were enough to come out on top. LaCrescent finished with 123.825 points and...

Kasson postmaster enjoys people he meets

Barry Erichsen lived in Rochester, with a brother and sister, until the third grade. The family moved to Kasson in 1971 when his dad, Erv, became the Kasson police chief. A 1980 KM graduate, Barry said he tried basketball in Junior high but was not really involved with school activities. He said...

West Concord school building now on National Historic Register

West Concord’s old school, which now houses the city’s historical society, has officially been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The West Concord Historical Society received the official notification from the National Park Service at the end of January, said the society’s Joyce...

Credit union to open in Kasson’s Plaza 57

A credit union is opening at Plaza 57, the former Shopko building on Mantorville Avenue, with a projected opening date of early June. Accentra Credit Union has locations in Austin and Albert Lea, making Kasson its third location in southeastern Minnesota. The 2,400-square-foot credit union will...

Mantorville loses city leader Luke Nash

Mantorville lost a dear friend when Luke Nash died Sunday, say city leaders. Nash, a council member and former mayor, had a heart attack last week at his family’s downtown Mantorville business, The Chocolate Shoppe, and was transported to Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, where he passed away on...