Fluttering orange and black wings speckled with white spots make the monarch butterfly an unmistakable creature to many in Minnesota and the United States.
This time of year, the seasonal changes signal to the beautiful Monarch to begin its amazing migration hundreds of miles to the remote mountains in Central Mexico.

The rainy weather ended just in time for Heidelberg's annual Community Day and Car Show on Sunday. While the event didn't have as much attendance as previous years, a good amount of people still came. There were vendor booths selling baked goods, clothing, plants and food. Inside of the pavilion were brats, burgers and more food for sale. Kids had the park and a couple of giant inflatables to keep them entertained. See more in the print edition.

After a longer-than-normal summer due to construction in the Tri-City United School District, classes were back in session on Tuesday, Sept. 3. After greeting teachers, third grader, Lukas Bisek was all-smiles to begin the new year. (Wade Young Photo)

Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason reports that on Wednesday, Aug 28, 2019, agents with the Cannon River Drug and Violent Offender Task Force (CRDVOTF) assisted by the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office, Rice County Sheriff’s Office and Montgomery Police Department executed a search warrant for Gilberto Martinez Jr., 41, along with his residence at 714 Mill Avenue #34 in Montgomery.
The search warrant was obtained after an ongoing narcotics investigation involving Martinez.

With a few days before the start of a new school year, the Tri-City United School Board took care of business at a special meeting, followed by a work session and tour of the new high school additions.
The special meeting consisted of hiring 14 people in positions across the district, including third grade and kindergarten teachers for TCU Lonsdale. The board also approved the contracts for school nurse and school health aide.

Close to 200 people listened to Ring of Kerry play traditional Celtic music in Montgomery’s Memorial Park, Thursday evening, August 22. It was the last in a series of four Music in the Park events for the year.
“I believe our season was amazing,” stated Carol Freid of Montgomery who helps organize the event. “We have a number of people who attend every concert, and we have people who come from neighboring towns. It is top-notch entertainment in a fantastic venue, and it is free to the public.”

Prime weather, great field activities, and a strong feature were just a few of the highlights that helped to make the 46th annual Pioneer Power Show a success, according to Bill Thelemann.
Thelemann, the president of the Le Sueur Pioneer Power Show, said that this year’s attendance on Saturday was close to record breaking for single day attendance.
“The crowd was unbelievable,” he said. “It makes me feel good to see that. I’m very thankful for the people that came to see our show.”

Princess Kay of the Milky Way finalist Brittney Tiede, 18, of Le Center will be bringing home an almost 90-pound butter head from the Minnesota State Fair.
The Tri-City United High School graduate shined in the dairy ambassador pageant at the State Fair Band Shell on August 21. The young ladies were judged on their personality, communication skills, knowledge of the dairy products and the industry, and their commitment to dairy promotion.

Since June 26 Elizabeth Sammons of Lonsdale has been waiting at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for a heart so she can have a transplant operation. For Elizabeth this is her second heart transplant, plus she needs a kidney.

Brittney Tiede, 18, of Le Center finished in the top three at the 66th Princess Kay of the Milky Way pageant on the State Fairgrounds, Wednesday, August 21. The Tri-City United graduate represented Le Sueur County in the contest, which included 10 young women, who were previously selected as finalists from a field of over 50.
Amy Kyllo, a 19-year-old college student from Olmstead County, was crowned the 66th Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Kyllo was also named Miss Congeniality.
Kyllo and Tiede, along with the other eight finalists will have their likeness cared in butter.

The Montgomery City Council gave the green light on Monday to ask voters to approve its $6.7 million building project this November.
The special election, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5, will ask voters to approve a new fire and EMS building, and a remodel to city hall that will include the police department.

One man was arrested and two avoided arrest when they fled authorities in a high-speed chase through Montgomery on August 18.
At approximately 7:50 p.m. the Montgomery Police Department attempted to make a traffic stop on a stolen motor vehicle in the area of Fir Avenue NW. The vehicle did not stop and attempted to flee the area. The Montgomery Police Department pursued the vehicle north on Second Street NW, East onto Boulevard Avenue NW, and Fifth Street SE onto Hwy 21.
The subject vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed.

Tom Goetzinger, longtime station manager at KCHK Radio, has been named grand marshall for the 2019 Dozinky Parade of Farm Pride.
The New Prague Chamber of Commerce made the announcement Friday, Aug. 16, after the Chamber board of directors made the selection.
Goetzinger has been active in promoting Polka Music at the station, which is celebrating its 50th year on the air this year.
He is pictured with Chamber Executive Director Brooke Sticha when they surprised Goetzinger at the Radio Station with the announcement.
Read more in the print edition.

Le Sueur County Historical Society has shed its vacant Waterville property and is focusing on the future.
The announcement of the sale was made during the society’s August 7 regular meeting in Montgomery.
“I have no idea what they (previous LCHS board members) were going to do with it, and it’s no use to us. It’s a drag financially as it’s taxable as a regular dwelling, so no reduced taxes, and we can’t afford to keep it,” stated LCHS Chairman Bill Stangler.

The New Prague Times Patrick Goggins of New Prague was sworn in as a Judge of the First Judicial District during an investiture ceremony Thursday, Aug. 8, at Next Chapter Winery in rural New Prague.
Judge Christopher Neisen, a former law partner of Goggins and a Judge in the Third Judicial District, had the honor of administering the oath.
The program began with a procession of approximately 30 judges and justices from the State of Minnesota. Among them was Judge Goggins’ sister, Colleen Goggins King, who is also a Judge in the First Judicial District.

Every motorist driving in and out of Lonsdale’s east side gets a wave.
The unofficial greeter is John Carson. He loves waving to everybody and hopes it makes their day.
It makes him "happy," he said.
John, who turned 19 in April and graduated in May from Tri-City United High School, has been waving to passersby for a few years now. His mom, Roz Carson, can't pinpoint why he started greeting motorists, but believe it started at school under the guidance of one special teacher.