News

Superintendent Brett Joyce, left, and School Board Chair Jim Jensen, right.

Triton expecting significant cuts

Triton’s school board has authorized administrators to make recommendations for reductions in programs and staff positions. Superintendent Brett Joyce said he expects the school district will have to cut $250,000 to $300,000 for the 2018-2019 school year. Triton cut about $380,000 for 2017-2018....

Staff photo: Michael Anderson A semi-truck lies on its side near the Al-Corn Clean Fuel ethanol plant in Claremont. The driver was injured when the vehicle rolled over as he was heading toward the plant.

Semi-truck rolls near Al-Corn plant

One person was injured March 8 in a vehicle rollover near the Al-Corn Clean Fuel ethanol plant in Claremont. The semi-truck driver, Donyell Tyrone Roberts, of St. Paul, was heading to the plant when his vehicle rolled on the frontage road near Highway 14 at 120th Avenue (West Street) and 621st...

New teachers may take K-M to arbitration

Five teachers in the Kasson-Mantorville school district have gone through three stages of contract grievances and could enter into arbitration against the district. The difficulty is that Education Minnesota, the state entity representing public school teachers and educationals support...

Kasson-Mantorville High School SADD president Amy Buehler serves pulled pork to school resource officer Jesse Kasel during an appreciation event Dec. 19. Several officers enjoyed dinner courtesy of K-M SADD members.

Saying ‘Thanks’

Zac Plein was a member of Kasson-Mantorville High School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions group, not so long ago. He was on the other side Dec. 19 at his place of employment, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office in Mantorville. Plein, a Sheriff’s deputy, was among several area law enforcement...

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.

‘Spirit and Joy’

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 lives on at ‘Christmas Alive!’

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.

Law enforcement: Be proactive against church shooters

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.

All in the Family

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.

Commitment to safety

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.

Saying Thanks

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...