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Monticello Times
Be safe this Fourth: Festive sparklers aren’t child’s play
Did you know that the average primary flame blowtorch burns at around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit? USFS National Technology and Development says wildland fires typically burn between 1,600 and 2,000 degrees. Aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, and cast iron also can reach melting points at or slightly below 2,000 degrees. It’s likely safe to say that parents would never let their children handle a blowtorch, wander into a forest fire nor touch molten metals, yet many seemingly have no concerns about children playing with sparklers during July...
Picnic at the park with the Monticello Senior Center
If you want to spend an enjoyable afternoon outdoors with some really nice people, our second picnic of the summer is coming up. Please join us at Ellison Park next to the beautiful Mississippi River on Monday, July 8. Contact the center to reserve your place, 763-295-2000. A delicious box lunch will be served at noon and then people can play bingo for the chance to win prizes. The cost is $10 per person, and you are asked to pay in advance. We hope you can join us for this fun event. ...
Student news
• Several students from Big Lake were among the 500 graduating seniors awarded their high school diplomas as part of Minnesota Connections Academy’s Class of 2024. They are: Saraya Berg, Rylen Buck, Angelina Carlson and Luke Grimsbo. • Zachary Anderson of Big Lake has been awarded a Post-High School Tuition Scholarship from Catholic United Financial. He will attend the Dunwoody College of Technology to study automotive technology. • Chase Beucler...
Hot Dish: Pasta perfect in a pinch, like penne alla vodka
If you’re someone who needs to get dinner on the table regularly, it’s highly advisable to have a back-pocket, pantry-staple pasta you can pull off in a pinch. My favorite such dish is the iconic Italian stunner penne alla vodka, which comes together in a snap and relies on mostly shelf-stable ingredients — but tastes as though much more time and effort has transpired. I’ve been making penne alla vodka...
DNR casts around for favorite fish recipes
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting anglers to share their favorite Minnesota fish recipes through the Wild Minnesota Recipe Exchange at www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishwildlife/wild-minnesota.html. People can submit recipes through June 30 for the chance to be featured on the DNR website and social media platforms. “The recipe exchange is a fun way to inspire and be inspired when it comes to delicious recipes for fish caught in Minnesota,” said Cara...
Wright County attorney: Deputy was justified in fatal shooting
Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes has concluded his findings into a fatal officer-involved shooting in neighboring St. Michael back in March. Lutes determined the use of deadly force by a deputy with the Wright County Sheriff’s Office was justified during a traffic stop early in the morning of March 2 on Ivory Avenue NE in St. Michael. During the incident, 67-year-old driver Jeffrey Lynn Chapman, of Albertville, died after being...
On Wisconsin! Emmerich’s triumphant return from injury to the record books
The last time the Monticello community saw Luke Emmerich on a playing surface, a sophomore at the time, he was attempting to lead the Magic to a win in the Section 6-5A semifinals over Rogers on Oct. 29, 2022. However, tragedy struck the young star. He suffered a torn ACL during the contest and missed nearly two years of action and development. A natural-born competitor, it was devastating for Emmerich when he suffered the first of two ACL tears against Rogers. “It was hard. I...
Arrests, sentencings, fire calls for June 27
Wright County Sheriff arrests: • Cory Matthew Johnson, 39, of Monticello was arrested June 10 in Monticello on charges of third-Degree DWI and intent to escape motor vehicle tax. • Edward Thomas Misamore III, 51, of Big Lake was arrested June 10 in Sherburne County on Wright County warrants for fifth-degree controlled substance and trespassing. ...
Opatz shoots two-round 177 at state golf tournament
Monticello sophomore Alayna Opatz represented the Magic last week at the Minnesota State High School League Class AAA Girls Golf Tournament at Bunker Hills Golf Club in Anoka. The two-day tournament began on Tuesday, June 11 and finished on Wednesday, June 12. Opatz shot 177 (13-over par) after both rounds and finished in 64th place. She shot a 92 on day one and 85 in round two to complete her trip to the state tournament.
Monticello Polecats sit on top of Sauk Valley East standings
The Monticello Polecats, the local town ball team that plays in the Sauk Valley East League, is coming off of two straight state tournament appearances and is working on making it three. They are 7-4 so far this summer but are 6-1 in league play and sit in first place by two games over Clearwater and Becker. Monticello is 4-0 over their last four league games. They most recently beat Becker 9-2 on Sunday, June 16. ...
Monticello Athlete of the Week: Girls' Track and Field 4x200-meter relay team
Not one, not two, not three but four athletes came together and put on a show that only they could. Senior Sasha Steinbach, junior Kacie Lilledahl, junior Kaela Skistad and senior Emelia Skistad were the Class AA state champions in the girls’ 4x200-meter relay race with a time of 1:39.43. Not only was it a new school record, it was the second-fastest time in state history.
Record season ends in section semifinal appearance for boys’ lacrosse
The year didn’t end as they wanted, but the Monticello boys’ lacrosse team still had the best season in program history. After winning the conference for the first time, the Magic won their first-ever section game. They played St. Michael-Albertville on the road in the Section 8 semifinal on Tuesday, June 4. The first few minutes belonged to the Magic but the Knights recovered and eliminated Monticello from postseason play. ...
Records fall for Monticello during state track and field championships
Another track and field season is in the books and Monticello finished it the only way they knew how, shattering school records and reminding the state where magic truly comes from. The 2024 State Track and Field Class AA Championships were last week at St. Michael-Albertville High School. The state track and field championships began on Thursday, June 6 and ended on Saturday, June 8. Coming off a Class AA...
Loch Jewelers celebrates its 75th anniversary
Monticello’s Loch Jewelers celebrated its 75th anniversary with a customer appreciation party recently at its Cedar Street store. The 75th anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 8, included entertainment by DJ Chopper, food from Primo Pizza, root beer floats, cake, hula-hooping, the limbo and other fun activities for kids and appearances by Mayor Lloyd Hilgart along with the Monticello Royal Ambassadors. The small business, which began in 1949 in Maple Lake,...
Arrests, sentencings, fire calls for June 20
Wright County Sheriff arrests: • Cory Matthew Johnson, 39, of Monticello was arrested June 10 in Monticello on charges of third-Degree DWI and intent to escape motor vehicle tax. • Edward Thomas Misamore III, 51, of Big Lake was arrested June 10 in Sherburne County on Wright County warrants for fifth-degree controlled substance and trespassing. ...
Senior Center seeks volunteers to help during Riverfest
Monticello’s Walk & Roll is over and now it is time to talk about Riverfest. The Senior Center, City of Monticello, Monticello Community Center, Monticello Times and the Army National Guard will once again celebrate with a Block Party. People of all ages are invited to stop by the south side of the community center on Thursday, July 11 any time between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for a free hotdog, chips, dessert and soda. It’s all free. Part of the senior center’s responsibility for...
Movie Review: Newest 'Apes’ flick fits our divisive time
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is the 10th installment to date in the long, long running “Planet of the Apes” franchise (the original, Charlton Heston starring film was released way back in 1968). It picks up the story begun in a trilogy of films made in the 2010s starring Andy Serkis as Caesar, the ape who led a rebellion against humankind. “Kingdom” opens long after Caesar’s death, in...
Historically Speaking: Gee ran city's 'Funeral Emporium'
Before the modern funeral home existed, when it was common for folks to have in-home wakes, there stood a “funeral emporium and furniture house” in nearly every town. In modernity, this kind of business may seem quite odd, but back in the days when furniture stores were run by the furniture makers themselves, it also was quite practical for them to make funeral caskets. Thus, they would also commonly take on the title of undertakers for this profitable side affair. ...
Eight Eagle Scouts leave the nest in Class of 2024
MONTICELLO — The newly graduated Class of 2024 includes a group of eight Eagle Scouts, a band of brothers who grew close over their Scouting careers as they gave back to the community, served as youth leaders, developed key life skills and formed a tight-knit bond of friendship that will last beyond their time together in Monticello. Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America, and, since its inception in 1911, only 4% of Scouts have earned this rank, according...
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Monticello Times has been serving the local community since 1857. Published Thursdays by APG of East Central Minnesota. 24/7 local coverage found online at www.monticellotimes.com
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