With the new school year kicking into full gear this past week, the Dodge County Independent is searching for stories about teachers.Specifically, we’re looking for area teachers who’ve made an impact on their students.

Jon Yusten never imagined after  more than three decades of teaching, that he would be selected as the Minnesota Association of Agriculture Educators’ (MAAE) Outstanding Agriculture Teacher of the Year. 
Yusten currently teaches seventh through 12th graders and 10 different classes in the Zumbrota-Mazeppa School District.. He was humbled to be selected as the Minnesota Outstanding Agriculture Teacher of the Year. 

The fire department committee was disbanded; the open meeting law was discussed along with a potential change in the animal ordinance at last week’s Kasson City Council meeting. 
Mayor Steve Johnson told the council and the audience “as of now there will be no fire committee, I will handle it.”  

What may look like a normal backpack is actually a bag that provides nutrition, eases anxiety, improves attention span, raises academic performance and increases self-esteem. 

Dodge Media, the parent company of the Dodge County Independent newspaper, has taken over ownership of Dodge County Printing. 
The transaction was finalized Sept. 16, transferring ownership of the printing shop from Sueann Johnson to Rick Bussler, the owner of Dodge Media. Dodge County Printing is currently located in the same building as the newspaper.

There are times in life when it seems like a goal that one wants to obtain is unreachable. Sometimes, that can be as simple as losing a couple pounds or going back to school to pursue a degree. 
However, it tends to get complicated when life gets in the way. People get married. They have a job. They start a family. All of these things take away the focus toward that goal and steer them into a path of complacency.

 With a 1-4 record coming into Friday night’s tilt with Byron, it’s easy to say that things haven’t gone according to plan for the Kasson-Mantorville football team.

As we progress through Dodge County’s remodel and building projects for the year, things are starting to look at little different here at the Sheriff’s Office.

Larry William Huckins, 67, of Mantorville,  passed away peacefully, Monday, Sept. 28, 2015 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Larry was born Feb. 16, 1948 in Cresco, Iowa to John and Naomi (Gager) Huckins. Larry was a graduate of John Marshall High School. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during Vietnam. On Nov. 14, 1987 in Rochester, Larry married Lori Woolley. Larry and Lori owned and operated L&L Vending.