When I was a young boy into my preteen years, I loved the outdoors. Dirt, mud, sand, rocks, snow, water, and sludge were all my friends. I also had a lot of time on my hands to explore, a luxury of little responsibility and a product of being born in the very early 1980’s where you were sent outside until it was dark.
It should come as no surprise that a boy with those ambitions would take on the task of making my own ice luge. I know “Cool Runnings” was a popular movie, coming out in 1993. I, however, didn’t get inspired by it.

Belle Plaine used a strong second half to defeat Tri-City United, 67-52, Tuesday, Feb. 28 in the regular season finale for both teams.
TCU opened up an early 19-5 lead but by halftime the two teams were nearly heads-up. Belle Plaine hit a three-pointer to go ahead by six points with seven minutes to play and continued to extend their lead the remainder of the contest.

All Tri-City United High School music groups performed a spring concert Thursday, March 2 in the high school’s performing arts center (PAC).
The concert opened with a smooth piece, “Pure Imagination,” by the jazz band, which included a wonderful solo by saxophone player Aiden Miland. Encore Choir followed and then the concert choir. Three soloists in the concert choir switched off nicely back and forth with each other, matching voice tones in “Death Came A Knockin’.”

With two players ill and a third player nursing a bad ankle the Tri-City United girls basketball team went into their Section 2AA, North Sub-Section playoff game Tuesday, Feb. 28 not at full strength.
Belle Plaine took advantage of the absences and defeated the Titans, 43-33, ending TCU’s season.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) launched a $1.9 million test pilot that aims to improve public transportation needs across western and southern rural Minnesota. If the test pilot goes well, it could be expanded state-wide and improved upon.

Owners JoAnn and Joel Erickson started their passion-business, Something for All, 14 years ago in Lonsdale.
The shop at 135 Main Street S lives up to its name. It’s not strictly antiques. It’s not completely crafts. It’s not a thrift store. It has elements of just a little bit of each. It’s “Something for All.”

Two Tri-City United senior wrestlers returned from the Class AA State Wrestling Tournament with All-State Honors.
Caden O’Malley and Reyes each reached the award podium after placing in the top six of their respective weight classes Saturday, March 4.
O’Malley, wrestling at 182 pounds, placed third overall. Reyes, wrestling at 220 pounds, placed fourth overall. A third senior, Cole Franek, competed at 132 pounds but did not place.

Owners JoAnn and Joel Erickson started their passion-business, Something for All, 14 years ago in Lonsdale.
The shop at 135 Main Street S lives up to its name. It’s not strictly antiques. It’s not completely crafts. It’s not a thrift store. It has elements of just a little bit of each. It’s “Something for All.”

Lynn L. Lambrecht, age 67, of Owatonna, formerly of Montgomery, died peacefully with her loving husband at her side at her home in Owatonna on Monday, March 13, 2023.  Lynn was born on September 23, 1955 in Gaylord, Minnesota to Loren and Lois (Kelm) Lade.  She grew up in Brownton, graduated from High School in Minneapolis, and completed her Bachelor’s degree at St. Cloud State University.  Numbers were important throughout Lynn’s life and she worked in various jobs in the financial industry and was currently still active.  She married her soulmate, Dennis H.

Kathy Ann Moeller, 34, of Lonsdale, MN, passed away on Friday, March 10, 2023. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 16, from 4 p.m.- 8 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 17 at 11 a.m. with Fr. Tom Niehaus officiating at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with visitation one hour prior also at the church.

(Updated story 3/15)
A New Prague man was cited for a single vehicle crash that happened in Union Hill on Saturday, March 11 at about 3:30 a.m.
A blue 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 was traveling south on Scott County 7 (Church Avenue), ran through the stop sign at MN 19, crossed MN 19 and Hub Drive, sliced through a power pole, over three mailboxes, and ended up in the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church's old schoolhouse parking lot.

Townships in Scott, Le Sueur and Rice counties, as well as in counties throughout the state, will hold their annual meeting Tuesday, March 14.
Known as Township Day, these annual meetings are held every year on the second Tuesday in March and set townships apart from other forms of local government. The meetings allow township residents to voice their opinions about local issues with other township residents and also vote directly on their annual tax levy -- direct democracy in action. Citizens attending annual meetings also often discuss and vote on other local issues.

The names, faces, and stories of all the people I’ve met and interviewed over the course of the last 20 years are flooding back to me as I sit down to write this column.
This will be my final column.
After almost two decades working as a writer for the local newspapers, I’ve decided it’s time for a career change.
Thank you to all of you who have welcomed me into your lives and homes and trusted me to share your stories. It has been an honor.

James F. “Peanuts” Uhlir, age 83, of Montgomery, passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at his daughter’s home in Montgomery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 9 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Funeral will be held on Friday, March 10 at 11 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Montgomery with Pastor Jason Pollington officiating with visitation 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be held in St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Montgomery in spring. Military Honors provided by Montgomery area Veterans Honor Guard.

Todd Allen Trcka, age 57, of rural Belle Plaine, died at his home following his third battle with cancer on Sunday evening, February 26, 2023.  A celebration of his life and sharing was held Friday, March 3, 2023 at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine.

Tri-City United Activities Director Chad Johnson gave a proposal to the school board Feb. 13 recommending that the high school sports and activities remove themselves from the Minnesota River Conference (MRC) and join the Big South Conference (BSC). The middle school sports and activities would remain where they are.