Kasson News

First Alliance Credit Union is the recipient of the Credit Union National Association's (CUNA's) Excellence in Mortgage Lending Award for credit unions with assets less than $250 million.

The purpose of the Credit Union Excellence in Mortgage Lending Award is to identify, recognize and share examples of mortgage lending excellence within the credit union movement. The award recognized First Alliance for their ability to serve their members while sustaining sound financial performance and demonstrating an ability to reach their members' mortgage lending needs by innovative means. Throughout the year, First Alliance Credit Union will be highlighted for best practices in mortgage lending in various publications.

In an effort to deal with flooding problems in select areas of Mantorville, the city has directed engineer Tim Hruska from WHKS to get quotes on two FEMA projects, the 5th Street culvert and covered bridge.

The covered bridge abutment project is expected to be done the first of the year. It was noted bridge companies typically work through the winter months. Before the 5th Street culvert project can take place the state historical architect, Mantorville Restoration Association and staff will review plans.

WISSOTA Late Models will take center stage this weekend at Deer Creek Speedway, as the racing season comes to a close in southeastern Minnesota.

KASSON MANTORVILLE 42, BYRON 12 K-M too much for Bears KASSON -- The Komets had control for the first three quarters, putting 42 points on the board, and keeping the Byron Bears silent in K-Ms lopsided win.

The K-M School Board set the 2008 levy, payable in 2009, at $3,274,420.93, a 9.83% increase over last year. The levy last year was $2,981,416.32.

Business manager Bob Hasz said the single biggest reason for the increase was the $145,000 designated for health and safety. The overall levy increase is around $300,000.

Board member Mark Packard asked what kind of a tax impact the $300,000 levy increase would have on the average district resident. Superintendent Peter Grant said the increase would have about a $12 impact on each resident.

Steve and Dawn Johnson, 405 5th Street N.W., Kasson, had a tree cut down on the west side of the house a few weeks ago. Steve had them leave about 15 feet of the trunk for good reason. He hired Dale Brooks of Owatonna to do a form of chain saw art.

Steve, of Norwegian descent, had the chain saw artist carve out a Norwegian Viking. He has had friends and neighbors tease him he should add purple and make it a Minnesota Viking. He would have nothing of that.

Vikings have been glorified by Scandinavians, and banned by others for their brutality and cruelty. All Steve wanted to do was preserve a piece of Norwegian history.

Clifford Jerome Oehlke, 78, of Dodge Center, MN passed away Thursday, September 4th. He was born October 3, 1929, in Woodbury Township, Washington County, MN.  He worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad and Northern States Power Company. He began farming in 1950, in Denmark Township, Washington County. Clifford married Bertha Pritzel on April 24, 1954. He moved the farming operation to Ashland Township, Dodge County, MN in 1974.  After 52 years of farming, he retired in 2002.  He served as Ashland Township Supervisor for 26 years. He was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church of Dodge Center. Clifford was a church and community volunteer. With Bertha, he delivered Meals on Wheels for many years.  After retirement, he was an avid gardener and collector of classic tractors.

When the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks nears, people often ask each other, "Where were you on the Sept.

Relatives of victims killed at the World Trade Center have observed a moment of silence to mark the seventh anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

About 15 years ago, Jim Finn shared an idea with a few of his trucker buddies for a gathering where they could show off their rides and share tales of the road.

Members of the St. Olaf Heritage Association met in the parish park Thursday to watch carpenters restore the Tverberg log cabin, one of the first dwellings that served as both a church and school to the early ...

The Kasson city council has authorized the request for quotes for demolition of the former Expressions Building, located next to the C.O. Brown building on Main Street. Demolition was budgeted for last year and the city has determined the building can't be rehabbed and is not salvageable.

The city delayed demolition a year ago because of a concern that the adjoining building may collapse. The council now feels they are in a position where the building can be taken down without impacting the adjacent building.

Monday was Labor Day, telling Glen Betcher that summer has ended and big changes are coming.

Jon Christensen's meat case at Erdman's County Market doubles as a trophy case. His smoked meats products -- jerky, bratwurst and sausage -- have brought in 27 state and national awards to the Kasson grocery ...

A Kasson man was sentenced Friday to 12 years in prison for sexually assaulting a girl in April 2007.

At the age of 18 Andrew Ruby of Kasson joined the Marines to begin a four year commitment at the base in San Diego, CA. Andrew is now 21 and beginning his third year of the four year commitment with the Marines.

Lance Corporal Andrew Ruby recently returned to his United States Marine Corps military base in Twentynine Palms, CA. to begin the final preparations for his second deployment to Iraq August 25. He was returning from a two-week pre-deployment leave to Minnesota.

Last week Andrew's mother, Barb Hauber of Kasson, received correspondence from Andrew's commanding officer, Lt. Col. J. B. Woulfe of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. He outlined the pre-deployment training Andrew and his Marine unit "recently performed and completed magnificently", including the large scale, month long exercise called the "Mojave Viper".

City of Kasson and local preservationists have agreed to spare a historic school building The southern Minnesota city of Kasson and local preservationists have agreed to a plan that could spare a historic ...

Last Thursday morning Judge Lawrence Agerter swore in Jason Peck as a Kasson police officer. What is significant about the swearing in is that Peck will serve as the full time Student Resource Officer (SRO) for K-12 in the Kasson-Mantorville School District. The school district is partnering with the city of Kasson to make the new position possible.

In the past the district has shared an SRO with Triton and Hayfield through the Dodge County Sheriff's Department. The school board and Superintendent Peter Grant determined the district reached a point where they could justify hiring an officer full time. Previously the SRO was in the district two to three days a week.

David Stevens overtakes Bobby Swanson with one lap to go in the first heat of the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds Friday night at Chateau Raceway.

The Mantorville council gave approval to the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to install two new "Welcome to Mantorville" signs on the outskirts of town off of Highway 57. Included with the two signs will be planters and limestone bases at a total cost of approximately $15,000.

The EDA brought their proposal to the Dodge County Commissioners. They were not required to take any action, but their input was requested as well as any concerns they might have. Mn/DOT has already been contacted about any potential problems with the project. Commissioners asked a few questions, but did not have any problems with the project.