Local Hayfield candidates

Rich Fjerstad is the current Hayfield Mayor and running unopposed. There are six names on the ballot for the two open Hayfield City Council. Chris Nelson has lived in Hayfield his whole life, other …

Hayfield Grocery Celebrates First Year

The Hayfield Grocery, Hardware and Liquor Store had an open house this past weekend to commemorate their first year in business. Store owner Shikhar Kanki and his wife live in Rochester and staff the …

Oktoberfest in Kasson

Farmers Union to host Meet the Candidates event

BYRON, Minn. – The Olmsted and Dodge County Farmers Unions are hosting a Meet the Candidates event at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 at Frank 'N Stein Restaurant and Lounge, 15 Frontage Road, Byron. The event …

Hayfield Ambulance Benefit

Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association Scholarship Program

Sheriff Scott Rose of Dodge County announced today the commencement of the Law Enforcement Scholarship Program for 2026. Sheriff Rose proudly announced that the MSA Board of Directors has established …

The 2026-27 school year is off to a great start

Our students are settling into routines, procedures, and expectations. Staff members are working hard to establish the foundation for a successful school year. There are many experiences and …

More Local News

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

A year ago, I had an hour to pass waiting for someone at St. Mary’s Hospital. I was looking for something to do while they had a test and took the occasion to walk to the patient and visitor …

An Inconvenient Study

Science is a powerful tool. A tool can be used for good, or it can be used improperly, which can result in significant harm. True science is the observation of causes and reactions in a controlled …

A Minnesotan:

The longer I live in the Cities I have become more and more aware of what my husband likes to call the pumpkin spice monsters. A pumpkin spice monster is one who goes crazy for pumpkin spice as soon …

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Obituaries

Carolyn May McDonald

Carolyn May McDonald, 93, of Hayfield, MN passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Fieldcrest Care Center in Hayfield, MN. Carolyn was born on December 15, 1932, at home in Westfield …

Darrell Stephen Schuster

Darrell Stephen Schuster, 83, of Maiden Rock Wis., died Tuesday, September 15,2026 at his home with his family by his side. He was born in Detroit Lakes MN to Hilton and Marjorie (Peterson). The …

Colleen Carol Rasmussen

Colleen Carol Rasmussen, 89, of Kasson, MN passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center, MN. Colleen was born on …

Michael Joseph O’Connor

Michael Joseph O’Connor, 77, of Brownsdale, Minnesota entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. He passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his loved ones after his journey …

Linda Remillard

Linda Remillard, age 77, of Faribault, died on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at New Richland Care Center. Arrangements are being completed by Boldt Funeral Home & Cremation Services, …

The Messenger October 2026 Issue 1

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Community

The Power of Story

In the background of our lives are stories. More than facts and figures and outcomes, stories guide how we live our lives, how we interact with people, how we work, what we hope for. We attach …

Austin-area farm to host conservation event

AUSTIN, Minn. – An Austin Township farm family will open their land along the Cedar River to visitors next week for a field day on using data for conservation that benefits wildlife and farming. …

Kenyon Market Sold to New Local Owners

After announcing earlier this summer the market was for sale or may close, Pete Wagner, owner of Kenyon Market in Kenyon confirmed a deal has been reached to sell the store to new local owners, …

Community

The King & Crooners Show and End of Season Car Show October 10th in Dennison

Chris Olson returns to Dennison in October blending the old with the new in his tribute show, The King & Crooners Show at The Sapphire Event Room. Chris has entertained for many years each fall in …

Heavy Rains Bring Floods South of Our Area

Early Saturday morning’s threat of heavy rain slide south of us and caused severe flooding along it’s path. New Richland, a community of 1,200 residents, suffered water damage in 80% of the …

Highway 57 to get Roundabout

In the summer of 2027, MnDOT will resurface a section of Highway 57 and build a roundabout. The roadway will be repaved from 9th Street in Mantorville to Dodge County Road 16. They will also …

Iowa Down Ballot podcast: Special legislative session, 4th District debate

Iowa Down Ballot with Dave Price 10/4/26 by Iowa Writers Collaborative A super busy Friday so we recorded Saturday. Get caught up on state lawmakers passing $1.5B in steel plant incentives through a special legislative session. Laura, Kathie, and Eric are all here! Read on Substack The Iowa Legislature’s one-day special session on Friday left […]

Inmates moving to new Rapid City women’s prison, but dilapidated unit in Pierre remains in use

South Dakota’s recently opened women’s prison in Rapid City held 79 women at the end of September, the first month the state began to move them there from the women’s prison campus in Pierre. Overcrowding in the buildings at the older women’s prison spurred the construction of the $87 million Rapid City complex. For years, […]

Wood banks prep for long winter months

The United Way of Lamoille County is among the organizations helping Vermonters gear up for winter and heating their homes with wood. Read the story on VTDigger here: Wood banks prep for long winter months.

After a costly dry spell, a wetter outlook

Dartmouth research found that drought has become less frequent and less intense across the Northeast, which could help inform Vermont’s future disaster preparation. Read the story on VTDigger here: After a costly dry spell, a wetter outlook.

NC legislative leaders call for special session on high gas, diesel prices

North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, and Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, announced Saturday they’ve agreed to call the legislature into a special session to provide relief from high gas and diesel prices. The leaders did not announce a date for the special session or details on what measures they plan to consider. With […]