Ever stop to think about how each individual bead on a necklace came to look the way it does? Instead of just buying beads from a store, Sue Peoples makes unique beads by doing it herself with a torch and kiln.
Peoples first started doing beadwork in 1997 after she took a group class to learn how to make earrings from a co-worker. 

 Gus’ Station, built in 1931, has always been a good place to tell stories. On July 18, visitors to the historical building will once again have the chance to hear stories of days gone by. 

Michelle Miller of Medford is a wife, mother of three and friend to many. She’s also a survivor. 
Miller was diagnosed with cancer in Aug. 2013 and has been in remission (cancer-free) since Oct. 2013. This year, Miller is also one of two honorary chairs at the Steele County Relay for Life. The other honorary chair, Joe Plemel, could not be reached for comment at press time.

Dogs of all ages, shapes, sizes and ability filled the Dodge County Fairgrounds for the Dodge County Fair 4-H Dog Show on July 11. 
Around 20 youth participated in the event ranging in age from third grade up to a freshman in college. All of the participants are involved in the Dodge County 4-H Dog Project. 

A heavy haze and a smoky smell blanketed Dodge and Steele counties last week as most of Minnesota found air quality unhealthy as the result of wildfires burning in several provinces of Canada.

Four people are in custody after a stabbing incident in the early morning hours in Meriden Township of Steele County.
According to the Steele County Sheriff’s Office, one person was seriously injured after deputies responded to a residence after 3 a.m. on July 10.

Betty Darlene (Hansen) Fierro, age 61 of Las Vegas, Nevada, died Thursday, June 11, 2015, at Valley Regional Hospital where she had been since March 1, 2015. She had bravely fought pancreatic cancer for 6 ½ years. Betty was born in Blooming Prairie, the daughter of Carlo and Esther Ann (Ingvalson) Hansen. After graduating from Blooming Prairie High School in 1971, Betty went on to attend Rochester Vocational School. She was employed at St.

Glenn William Naatz, 77 of rural Waltham died Sunday morning, June 28, 2015, at his farm home. 
He was born July 12, 1937, on the family farm in Waltham Township, Mower County, the son of Edmund August and Magdalena Emma (Faber) Naatz. Glenn attended Trinity Lutheran Parochial School of Waltham through the eighth grade and graduated from Austin High School in 1955. 

As I enjoyed the Fourth of July in Blooming Prairie, I couldn’t help but notice all the fun and excitement the different events brought to the faces of young and old alike. Even before the fireworks filled the night sky, people definitely were getting a bang out of the festivities.