Dorothy V. Kruger, age 93 of Blooming Prairie, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie.
Dorothy Viola Harber was born on June 27, 1925 in Bancroft Township, Freeborn County, the daughter of Thomas Earl and Viola Emelyn (Selstad) Harber. Dorothy lived in the Blooming Prairie area all her life and attended Blooming Prairie High School, graduating in 1943.

One could have heard a pin drop last Friday morning at Medford High School as a packed gymnasium listened to a father share the heart wrenching story of losing his son nearly four years ago.

There is a term that has been used more and more often called “first world problems.” That was exactly the case for me last week.
I had just gotten home from coaching a track meet and from picking up my girlfriend from work in Owatonna since she had car pooled with someone the day before to head over to Granite Falls.

Forrest J. Umsted, 86, of La Crosse and formerly of Kasson, died on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center.
He was born on Nov. 27, 1932 in Dayton, Iowa, to Forrest and Ida (Beckman) Umsted. He grew up in Harcourt, Iowa and graduated from Harcourt High School in 1950. On May 1, 1955, he married his life’s love, Karen Stewart, and they were together until her death in 2005.

Harold Lyle Freerksen, 59, of Harmony passed away Thursday, April 11, 2019 in Chatfield. 

In the last couple of years Kasson-Mantorville School Resource Officer Jesse Kasel hasn’t had to worry about kids being caught with cigarettes or other traditional tobacco products.
But one thing he has to worry about now is a new trend among teens across the state and country, and that is the use of e-cigarettes and vaping.

Eric Ayen, owner of Ayen Chiropractic, has only lived in Byron for the last 10 years.
But like most people who make their journey to the community, he has been happy to call it his home.
Now after two years of having his business in town, Ayen will be able to help out with the business community by serving as the vice president of the Byron Chamber of Commerce.

Since she began her career in education, Kasson-Mantorville High School English teacher and teaching and learning coach Lisa Goihl has always taken advantage of different opportunities presented to her.
That's why this September, she will begin her next chapter in education, as the assistant principal of Instructional Leadership at River Falls High School in River Falls, Wis.

Sitting in his office in the Triton Administration area of the school, Superintendent Brett Joyce reflected on his career as he prepares to retire at the end of the current school year.
“I’ve enjoyed my career in education,” he said. “I wouldn’t have done anything else.”