A Byron man appeared in Olmsted County District Court, last week on felony charges of electronic child solicitation, electronic communication with a child involving sexual conduct and electronically distributing sexual conduct material to a child.
According to court records William Douglas Pirkl, 48, entered not guilty pleas on all charges on April 24, and was released from detention on a non-cash bond on April 25.

“Service learning” is something that Kasson-Mantorville third grade teacher Allison Whalen wants her students to learn.
Laundry Love in Kasson is a new project started by a group of volunteers including Pastor Kristen Schlauderaff of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Its aim is to provide a little help to those people who are finding that the cost of doing their laundry at a laundromat can be difficult, especially for a family.

Kasson Chamber of Commerce members were on hand at the Suess Insurance Agency last week to welcome Scot Suess as the new State Farm agent in the community. Suess became the agent following the retirement of Jana Nawrocki as agent in December 2024.

EDITOR
With the search for a new superintendent behind them, the Byron School Board turned its attention to passage of a levy referendum this fall with a discussion on the costs of the election and the advantages of hiring a public relations firm help with marketing at Monday night’s meeting.

A Hayfield man made his first appearance in Dodge County District Court Monday on charges of abusing a juvenile for almost a decade.
Jason Allen Krueth, 39, appeared before Judge Debra Groehler on six charges of 1st degree criminal sexual conduct with a child and three charges of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct with a child.

A fire last Wednesday at Johnson Hardware, 14 1st Ave. SW, in Dodge Center caused extensive damage to the building.
The Dodge Center Fire Department was called to the location about 7 p.m. for reports of smoke coming from the building, Fire Chief Jeremy Dostal said.