Donald J. Trump was sworn in this week very peacefully. I look to four years prior and the opposite was true. To say otherwise would be to lie. These days, I wonder how much lying or searching for a lie plausible enough to believe that many people have been doing.

Multiple fire departments responded to the scene of an industrial fire at Fiberglas Fabricators, 315 W Industrial Street, in Le Center, on Monday, Jan. 13, shortly before midnight.
A Le Sueur County Sheriff’s deputy contacted his patrol sergeant at approximately 11:47 p.m. saying that he had observed smoke coming from the roof soffit air vents of the building, observed smoke inside the building, and that the air smelled of smoke, according to the incident report from Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Department.

The Tri-City United (TCU) wrestling team split two duals during their home triangular Thursday, Jan. 16 in Montgomery.
The Titans defeated a depleted Le Sueur-Henderson squad, 57-17 and lost a 43-23 match to Redwood Valley.
In the win over the Giants, the Titans received six forfeits and one default. Winning matches were Owen Delander (107 pounds) with a fall in 1:45 over Kain Romano, Nathan Blaschko (152) with a fall in 4:10 over Isaac Holloway, and Maxxis Ross (160) with a 14-9 decision over Luke Miller.

A group of quilters from St. John Lutheran Church in Montgomery has spent a great deal of volunteer time making 56 quilts that were sent off earlier this week, via Lutheran World Relief, to help aid those affected by the wildfires in the Los Angeles area of California.
The victims will also be receiving personal care kits that include things like a towel, soap, toothbrush, and nail clippers.
A total of $500 was raised in the collection baskets this Sunday at the church to help with the shipping of items, something that is direly needed according to Gari Teig.

Joel Edward Kukacka, age 73, of New Prague, died on the evening of Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

George "Sonny" John Pomije, Jr., age 87, of Montgomery, died on the evening of Friday, January 17, 2025, at his Traditions of Montgomery home.

Mary Jane Dahl, 92, of Fargo, formerly of Willmar, died Wednesday, January 15 at Bethany on 42nd in Fargo. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 20 at Church of St. Mary in Willmar with visitation starting at 9:00 a.m.  Interment will be in Clover Leaf Cemetery.  Funeral arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar.  www.hafh.org

Tri-City United (TCU) sophomore Trista Gessler won the girls 118 pound weight class at the Big South Conference Championships held Saturday, Jan. 11 at Jackson County Central.
Gessler, rated 6th in Class AA at 118 pounds, pinned two opponents before decisioning Bernie Rock of Luverne, 13-8. Rock is a two-time State runner-up and the loss to Gessler was her first this season.
Also earning All-Big South Conference honors were junior Griffin Lemieux and sophomore Tucker Skluzacek.
Skluzacek placed 2nd at 133 pounds and Lemieux placed 3rd at 121 pounds.

Tri-City United weightlifters returned home from Lakeville with three 1st place spots on varsity — all girls.
Head Coach Andrew Meier said, “I thought it was a great meet for us! We had a lot of PR's from all athletes which is always fun to see and the goal for every meet we go too. The meet was one of the largest in Minnesota history with over 240 lifters and a lot of good competition for everyone. I'm very proud of all of the TCU lifters and how they have worked and competed this year! Hoping to continue the momentum for the next meet in Burnsville on Jan. 31st.”

Mom goes to appointment, drives herself to hospital for first baby of 2025
The winner of this year’s contest for the first baby of the year in Montgomery are parents Ashley Gregor and Jason Barnett, both natives of Montgomery. Gregor gave birth to 6 pound, 1 ounce, Adalyn Annette Barnett at 12:50 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, at Northfield Hospital.
“I drove myself there,” said Gregor. “I went to my daughter’s appointment and then went to the hospital.”

Last week was one of the toughest for the Tri-City United (TCU) girls basketball team.
They faced two teams who were near the top of their respective divisions in the Big South Conference.
The Titans were up to the battle, winning both games. TCU defeated Fairmont, 59-41, Tuesday, jan. 9. They also defeated defending Section Champion St. Peter, 76-61, Friday, Jan. 10.
TCU is now 6-1 in the East Division of the Big South Conference and are 10-1 overall, winning their last 10 games.

Arnold J. “Buck” Zahratka, age 99, of Montgomery, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Traditions of Montgomery.

Helen Emma Vosejpka, 88, of Lonsdale, died peacefully on Thursday, January 2, 2025. Helen was born on March 7, 1936, in Rice County, to Joseph and Cecilia (David) Sirek. She graduated from Montgomery High School in 1954. On June 16, 1955, Helen married her High School sweetheart Robert F. Vosejpka at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery.

Gladys Christine Soulek Nickolay, age 93, of New Prague, died on Tuesday, December 31, 20204, at Traditions of Montgomery.  Gladys was born on May 3, 1931, in Montgomery, to Vendelin and Emma (Zoubek) Soulek.  She was one of seven children and graduated from Montgomery High School in 1948.  She married Charles “Rock” Nickolay on September 9, 1950, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery.  Gladys and Rock celebrated 65 years of marriage shortly before Rock died in 2015.

Churches around the nation have been struggling and closing in rather large numbers. The attendance at churches has dropped significantly. A Gallup poll published in 2024 showed that 43 percent of adults said they attended religious services in their 2000-2003 poll to just 30 percent in their 2021-2023 poll, dropping 12 percent.
St. John Lutheran Church in Kilkenny is no exception to this decline in attendance. Husband and wife Daryl and Alice Bosacker, long-time members of the church, have seen the change personally.