Kasson-Mantorville Superintendent Beth Giese, like other top officials in school districts and cities across Minnesota, recently posted a reminder about the upcoming school board election filing period on Facebook.

STAFF PHOTO BY KAY FATE
The Hayfield Fire Department offered a cool spray on a hot day as it made its way through the Blooming Prairie Fourth of July parade. More than 100 units participated in the 52nd annual event, which annually draws tens of thousands of people to town.

Pending Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) board approval, Blooming Prairie and Hayfield High Schools will put their football rivalry to the side in 2026 and instead join forces as the Blooming Prairie-Hayfield co-op football team this coming fall. Hayfield Schools Superintendent Gregg Slaathaug made the information public with a post to Facebook around 3 p.m. last Tuesday.

Township Square will have plenty of free entertainment once again during the 2026 Dodge County Free Fair.
 

July 15
Jeff Reinartz Music will play from 
12-3 p.m.
At 3:30 p.m. there will be a Bubble Gum blowing and rooster calling contests, followed by the Prince and Princess of Dodge County Fair contest at 5 p.m.
Sarah Holdyn will perform from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
 

SUBMITTED PHOTO
Cora Holtz will compete in her third year of 4-H show competitions atop her horse Rex. Holtz credits the Young Riders 4-H Club and 4-H leaders Marette Jorgenson and Pam Justice with helping her succeed in the show ring.

STAFF PHOTO BY RICK BUSSLER
John Davis of Byron leans on the Friendship Wagon Train truck waiting for the horse riders to arrive at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Meriden. He has coordinated the ride for 38 years.

Byron’s Good Neighbor Days arrives July 16-19, bringing a slew of events from art contests to garage sales to food trucks and much, much more.
 

The Dodge County election series is back. As voters get ready to vote on crucial local races the DCI will be asking candidates for local, county, school district, and state house seats a question each week leading up to the Nov. 3 election. The goal of the series is for voters to understand where candidates stand on various issues.