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’.”

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.

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.

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.

One will be making his first appearance. One will be making his second appearance. One will be making his third appearance.
Three Tri-City United wrestlers have advanced to the Class AA State Individual Tournament after winning their respective weight classes at the Section 2AA Meet Saturday in St. Peter.
Seniors Cole Franek, Caden O’Malley, and Marco Reyes will start their State Tournament experience Friday, March 3 at 9 a.m. at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Montgomery to New Prague
    
A total reconstruction of MN 13 in Montgomery from just south of Milwaukee Avenue to just north of Tri-City United High School and a roundabout at Le Sueur County 28 and MN 13 will happen this summer.
    

One will be making his first appearance. One will be making his second appearance. One will be making his third appearance.
Three Tri-City United wrestlers have advanced to the Class AA State Individual Tournament after winning their respective weight classes at the Section 2AA Meet Saturday in St. Peter.
Seniors Cole Franek, Caden O’Malley, and Marco Reyes will start their State Tournament experience Friday, March 3 at 9 a.m. at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

The next time you visit Memorial Park during Kolacky Days and sit on one of the many new sawhorse benches, you can thank Boy Scout Travis Napper. He coordinated the construction of 115 of them for his Eagle Scout project that was awarded to him at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Jan. 22 at Hilltop Hall.
    
Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process.
    

The next time you visit Memorial Park during Kolacky Days and sit on one of the many new sawhorse benches, you can thank Boy Scout Travis Napper. He coordinated the construction of 115 of them for his Eagle Scout project that was awarded to him at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Jan. 22 at Hilltop Hall.
    
Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process.