News Leader

Richard Zwart, 34, brother of Preston woman

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:54am

Richard William Zwart, 34, of Fergus Falls, formerly of Lake City, died unexpectedly of natural causes on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, from a medical condition.

He was born on March 1, 1984, to Todd and LouAnn (Lane) Zwart in Lake City.

He attended and graduated from Lake City High School where wrestling was his main sport. He enjoyed playing softball for Trinity Lutheran Church — Lincoln.

Delores Kiehne, 82, of Preston

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:52am

Delores Kiehne, 82, of Preston, died on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, at Chosen Valley Care Center.

She was born in Galesville, Wis., on Nov. 29, 1935. She was the oldest child born to her parents, Elmer and Lillian Christopherson. She has two brothers, the late James and Garry and two sisters, Arlene Brekke and Lucille (Sue) Hansen.

The siblings attended several schools in Wisconsin, and then the family moved to Minnesota early in her freshman year in 1949. She completed her high school education and graduated from Canton High School as class salutatorian in her Class of 1953.

Kyle Dahl, 30, brother of Spring Grove woman

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:50am

Kyle James Dahl, 30, of Hesper, Iowa, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2018, at his home.

He was born on Dec. 31, 1987.

He grew up in Hesper, accumulating many lifelong friendships along the way.

He graduated from the Decorah High School with the Class of 2006. He completed the Automotive Technology program at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa.

He had worked at Everlast Car and Truck in Dunkerton, Duffy’s Auto Service in Waterloo and dedicated his last four years at C.J. Lensing Motors in Decorah.

Helen Paul, 95, formerly of Spring Grove

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:49am

Helen I. Paul, 95, of Mabel, died on Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, at the Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield.

She was born on Oct. 25, 1923, in Grinnell, Iowa to Sylvester and Amme (Cramer) Smith.

She graduated from the Grinnell High School.

On Sept. 18, 1944 she married Keith Paul in National City, Calif., while he was in the Marine Corps preparing to be deployed to the South Pacific.

Gerald Hellickson, 90, of Preston

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:48am

Gerald Otis Hellickson, 90, of Preston, died peacefully on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, at the Harmony Care Center in Harmony.

He was born on May 21, 1928, near Ostrander.

He married Elaine Marzolf on July 22, 1950.

He farmed and lived in the Preston area for 68 years and was actively involved until his death.

The highlight of his day was morning coffee with friends and family. He was a very active member of the Pork Producers and was instrumental in organizing the Pork Wagon.

Many green deals have merit

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:10am

Several of the new, young Democrats recently elected to Congress have proposed a Green New Deal, a comprehensive plan to address environmental and other issues. It’s ambitious, light on details and overly idealistic, yet the intent has some merit.

The platform has some components reminiscent of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, a 1930s-era package of policies to bring the United States out of the Depression, which raises objections by Republicans. There is good cause for questions as the cost of the proposals could cause problems down the road.

Enough is enough

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:08am

Neighbors in the Newburg area and beyond have been clear for months: we want the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to follow the law and order an environmental impact statement for Catalpa Ag, the gigantic 5,000-sow hog operation proposed in Newburg that would put our drinking water, property values and health at risk.  

On Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mabel Community Center, we have our last chance to express our concerns directly to the MPCA and demand an EIS before Commissioner John Linc Stine makes a decision. 

Public meetings on invasive weeds along the Root River

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:06am

Two public meetings are set for Thursday, Nov. 29, to discuss invasive plant species — such as Japanese hops — along the Root River.

The first meeting will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the MiEnergy building, 31110 Cooperative Way, City of Rushford Village. The second meeting will be held at the Houston County Nature Center, 215 West Plum Street, Houston.

Trust seeking landowners to protect Minnesota’s bluff lands

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:02am

The Minnesota Land Trust, which is launching a new phase of its innovative Southeast Blufflands Protection Program, is seeking willing landowners who want to conserve their forests, woodlands, prairies and surrounding areas.

Minnesota’s distinctive bluff lands are home to the state’s most diverse array of forest, prairies, streams, and wildlife. This unique habitat has diminished dramatically in the past several decades, though, threatening the plants and animals that call Minnesota home.

Wyffels repeats MVP; Henry, Johnson, Underbakke also honored

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Wed, 11/21/2018 - 2:15pm

The Mabel-Canton football season wrapped up with the annual awards presentation. Head coach Karl Urbaniak gave out a total of eight awards that were voted on by the players. Drew Wyffels was the choice for Most Valuable Player for the second time and voted Most Valuable Defensive Back for a third season.

Blake Henry was voted three awards, including the Hardest Worker honor for a third straight season along with both lineman awards.

Gavin Johnson was honored twice as the Most Improved Player and the Most Valuable Offensive Back.