The Kasson-Mantorville girls basketball team held its Senior Night against Stewartville on Feb. 20. The home team lost to the #3-ranked Tigers. Pictured left to right: Amelia Keopke, Lana Burr, Ava Richardson, Jenai Sandstrom, Malea Haraldson, and head coach Ryan Haraldson.

With a 4-3 overtime win over Waseca, the Dodge County Wildcats boys hockey team was one win away from advancing to the Class A state tournament.
The Wildcats were set to face off against Northfield for the Section 1A title on Wednesday night.
In the semifinal matchup against Waseca, Gabe Coshenet had two goals, and Nolan Steele and Jeremiah Peterson-Gordon each had a goal of their own.

In a matchup against the top-ranked teams in Section 1AAA, the Byron girls basketball team fell short against Stewartville 82-51.
For Byron, Madison Ohm had 17 points, Avery Rossow had 11 points, Raegan Kelm had nine points, Kayla Stork had five points, Alyse Ayen had three points, and Ella Nelson, Taylor Meyer, and Peyton Steele each had two points.

Area athletes competed at the state gymnastics meet last weekend.
Sydney Portner finished eighth in the all-around and seventh on vault. She also finished 10th on beam and floor.
Olivia O’Brien finished 17th in the all-around and ninth on vault.
Eleanor Smith finished fourth on the beam for Kasson-Mantorville/Triton/Stewartville.

The Dodge County girls hockey team started off the Class A State Tournament last week the same way the tournament ended: with an overtime victory.
The Wildcats first faced off against Proctor/Hermantown. Maysie Koch scored in the first period, followed by Daisy Harens, who knocked in a goal during the second.

In the Feb. 15 paper I read another article, “Agents menaced observers at their homes, filings say,” similar to reports in various media outlets over the last few weeks. The stories describe visits by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the homes of citizens exercising their constitutional rights as observers. There is clearly confusion about how this can actually happen.

The 2026 Legislative Session began this week with a touching tribute to House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.
Melissa Hortman and I served together for many years. We talked frequently, and I’m happy that I regularly made her chuckle during the tough days. We both strove to advance the interests, and improve the lives, of our constituents.
Speaker Hortman will be greatly missed.

In Minnesota, winter is more than a season — it’s a stage. As the temperatures drop and snow blankets our towns, gyms and arenas across the state come alive. Winter tournament season is one of the most special times of the year in Minnesota, bringing together students, families, schools, and entire communities in a way that few other events can.

The Byron High School annual Winter Carnival is set to take place this year on March 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The cost of $5 per child includes a hotdog, chips, and all the activities.
The event is set to take place at Byron High School.
Any questions can be directed to Cadence at Clough86@students.byron.k12.mn.us.