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South Washington County Schools Director of Business Services Kris Blackburn presented on the proposed levy increase, set at 1.4 percent Sept. 24. The levy awaits finalization in December.

South Washington County Schools proposes $135.7 million tax levy for 2027

By Joseph Back South Washington County Schools set its preliminary property tax levy at $135.7 million for taxes payable in 2027 at its Sept. 24 board meeting. The proposed levy represents an …

Longtime Hastings sports figure charged with 13 felonies

Derrick Lee Pfeffer, a former Hastings athlete with decades of connections to the local baseball community, is facing 13 felony charges in Washington County involving allegations of sexual conduct …
Electric bikes, mopeds, e-scooters and motorcycles may look similar, but Minnesota rules differ depending on the type of vehicle, the rider’s age and where it is operated. The “Know your ride” graphic highlights some of the basic differences riders and parents should understand.

Hastings police, county sheriff and state senator focus on e-bike safety

Hastings police, county sheriff and state senator focus on e-bike safety By Bruce Karnick and Nicole DePalma Electric bikes and other electric-powered transportation devices have become a familiar …

Bekki Kammeyer named administrator for Hastings Veterans Home and Domiciliary Program

Bekki Kammeyer has been named the new administrator for the Minnesota Veterans Homes in Hastings and the Domiciliary Program based at the Hastings and Minneapolis Veterans Homes, bringing more than …
Eight-year-old Georgia Jones, of Ellsworth, was crowned MAC Victory Sweetheart at the Miss American Coed National Pageant in Orlando. She also won five Optional National titles.

Ellsworth’s Georgia Jones wins national pageant titles

Eight-year-old Georgia Jones of Ellsworth recently traveled to Orlando, Fla., to compete in the Miss American Coed National Pageant, where she proudly represented Miss Great Lakes Sweetheart. …

Woodworking Again: The thrashing adventure, Part II

Last week I recorded my family’s preparations to revert to an old-fashioned way of harvesting oats, a real adventure for me and a pain in the neck for my dad back in 1943 when gas was rationed and …
There was an opportunity to shoot a few baskets.

Owen-Withee FFA Alumni & Supporters host record-setting breakfast at Black River Orchard

The Owen-Withee FFA Alumni & Supporters brought friends, families, and community members together for breakfast at Black River Orchard on September 12, serving more than 800 guests during the …

Polish heritage on display Sunday

Local history was on display Sunday, Sept. 20, as the Stanley Area Historical Society (SAHS) hosted a Polish Heritage Celebration. Doors opened for the celebration at 11:00 a.m., with concertina …
Bonus, web-only content

Immigration insights: Tears and action follow ICE raids  in southwest Kansas

DODGE CITY — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived in southwest Kansas on Sept. 22 and departed three days later, leaving fear, uncertainty and anger.  Many in the Hispanic and Latino communities in Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal, where most ICE activity was located, returned to work this week. But their fear persists […]

Buddy Guy celebrated at Radio City Music Hall with a sold-out ‘Buddy’s Got the Blues’ show

Blues great Buddy Guy was celebrated Thursday night with a sold-out show at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Fellow legend Bobby Rush said he would have walked from Mississippi to be part of the celebration.

How many Republicans will vote for a Black man for governor?

“Although slavery may have been abolished, the crippling poison of racism still persists, and the struggle still continues.” — Harry Belafonte, 2010 With U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds one step closer to the Governor’s Mansion, Republicans in general and MAGA in particular face a choice: Will they vote for a Black man to be Florida’s chief […]

Curtis Bay Energy will end incineration of medical waste under agreement with state

State officials hailed the news that the troubled Curtis Bay Energy facility will stop burning medical waste at its South Baltimore site in order to settle a Maryland Department of the Environment lawsuit charging the company with repeated air pollution violations.

Iowa lawmakers approve bill allowing $1.4B in tax incentives for steel mill project

Iowa lawmakers sent Gov. Kim Reynolds a bill Friday changing a state’s economic development program that could provide nearly $1.4 billion in tax incentives for a $15 billion steel mill project planned in southeast Iowa. Lawmakers called it the largest economic development deal in the state’s history. The Iowa House approved House File 2801 in […]

Pinal supervisors escalate feud with county attorney Brad Miller, seek bar investigation

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to file a bar complaint against Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller, the latest development in a tumultuous year of legal disputes over everything from hiring practices to taking on federal immigration enforcement responsibilities.  During a special session on Friday, supervisors voted 5-0 to authorize its outside attorneys […]