Supporters change plans to help Schmitz family and Chandler
They tried pumps, hoses, shovels, most every tool available to a grounds crew trying to make a ball field playable. In the end, the rainfall at Don Giesen Field the past week just wouldn’t allow the annual home run derby to be held.

The time has come for school districts to put their feet down. It’s time to consider banning cell phones in schools, especially the high school. No, this isn’t about what books, videos or information is made available to students. The time to ban cell phones in schools, New Prague Schools, in this case, has arrived.

Virgil M. “Cutter” Brueggemeier, age 68, of New Prague, died unexpectedly after a short battle with cancer, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital Rochester.  Virgil was born on September 28, 1955, in Gaylord, MN, to Martin and Violet (Brockoff) Brueggemeier.  He graduated from Arlington Green Isle High School in 1973 and two years later, married Katherine K. Winter on November 21, 1975, at St.

FOX9’s Town Ball Tour will be stopping at the Elko Express’ Fredrickson Field along France Avenue in Elko New Market, Wednesday, July 3, as the Express take on the Prior Lake Jays.
FOX 9 will broadcast live from the Express’ ballpark starting at 5 p.m. The Minneapolis-based TV station’s Town Ball Tour usually visits with local residents about the history of the ballpark or the team. A part of the Elko Express’ history is it has made 15 state appearances.
The Express and the Prior Lake Jays will begin their game at 7 p.m.

Two updates have been made to the schedule for Fire Rescue Days, Elko New Market’s annual community festival. This Sunday, June 30, the pancake breakfast held by Scout Troop 325 has been moved to Wagner Park, 120 Park St. and will be held 8 a.m. to noon. The annual breakfast is sponsored by the NEW Lions Club. Also at Wagner Park, at 10 a.m. Tapestry Vineyard Church and Crossroad Church will hold an outdoor Sunday service.

Wilson J. “Butch” Peterman, age 72, of Le Center, died on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Central Health Care in Le Center. Graveside service to be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis on Friday, July 5 at 11 a.m. Honors will be given by the Fort Snelling Cemetery Honor Guard.

Rosemary (Rosie or Rose) Hasty, was a wonderful mother, grandmother, wife and best friend, and she leaves behind a legacy of laughter. She was known for a lot of fantastic things, but making people laugh and feel good about themselves was her specialty. People were drawn to her, laughing with her, breathing her in, always walking away in stitches.

Kenneth “Ken/Kenny” Kimmet, age 74, of Le Center, died on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the Estates of Roseville in Roseville. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 2 from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 3 at 11 a.m. at St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Heidelberg with visitation one hour prior at the Church. Interment will be held in St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Heidelberg. Military honors will be provided by the Montgomery Area Veteran Honor Guard.

Le Sueur County commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday, June 25, declaring the county in a state of emergency for conditions resulting from the flooding events beginning on June 17.

Norman Kent Nelson, 98, of Rochester, MN, died June 9, 2024, at Charter House in Rochester, MN.
 Born February 9, 1926, in West Palm Beach, Florida, he married Hilda Marie Olive of Durham, NC, in 1949. Norman received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Duke University where he was employed as public information officer for the Duke Medical Center. In 1964, he and his family moved to Rochester, MN. He was a member of the Section of Communications at Mayo Clinic until 1979, when he retired to pursue his interest in watercolor painting.

Peter Grossman, age 94, of Northfield, passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side, on Thursday morning, June 20, 2024.

The Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office has issued no-wake restrictions for all lakes south of state Highway 99 to include lakes Washington, Gorman, Sakatah, Tetonka, West Jefferson, Emily, Middle Jefferson, East Jefferson, German, Francis, Rays and Volney.
The restriction has been issued because of the abnormally high-water levels, which has created shoreline erosion concerns, submerged docks and excess debris in the lakes creating potential hazards.

For the third time in the last 10 years, the city of Waterville and surrounding areas have been deluged with excessive rainfall, causing the most prolific flood in the town’s history.
In 2014 the city received high waters which was considered the worst flood since 1965 when flood waters covered many of the downtown streets. In 2016 the city endured yet another massive rainfall which was nearly as bad as 2014. There was also some flooding in 2019.

Scott County Highway 9/Carver County Highway 11/Jordan River Crossing (Jordan/Sand Creek Township): The Jordan River Crossing will close Thursday, June 20, at 2 PM due to flooding.

From the Minnesota Department of Transportation
Highway 19 east of Henderson to Highway 169 closed at 12 p.m. today, June 19, due to flooding from the Minnesota River.
Traffic is detoured to Highway 19 west of Henderson, Sibley County Road 17 (391st Avenue), Sibley County Road 8 (336th Street), and Highway 169.
Motorists should monitor www.511mn.org for current road and detour information.
Other crossings closed