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Monticello Times
Big Lake woman looks to become stronger advocate for disabled
BIG LAKE — LanaLee Lambrecht of Big Lake is one of just 30 Minnesotans who recently completed a free advocacy training course, Partners in Policymaking. A nurse with four children, three of whom have disabilities, Lambrecht believes this course will help her continue to be an advocate for the disabled. This nationally acclaimed program is for adults with developmental disabilities and parents/legal guardians of younger children with developmental disabilities. ...
Times Past: Look back at this week in city history
30 YEARS AGO: JUNE 30, 1994 • Monticello phone customers overwhelmingly voted to join the metro calling area. • Sister Carolyn Fink of St. Henry’s Catholic Church, known as the painting nun, completed art school. • A transportation study was presented before the City Council that focused on the future of County Road 75. ...
Cargill donates to Romp ‘n Stomp upgrade
Cargill Kitchen Solutions, which has facilities here in Monticello, donated $3,500 this month for the Romp 'n Stomp indoor play structure at the Monticello Community Center. The multi-level playground, which opened in 2022, is getting an upgrade, to add a swirl slide, additional crawl tubes and protective rubber surfacing. The total cost of the project is $45,000 to $50,000, and more funding is still being sought. More than $33,000 has been raised so far, and Cargill’s contribution brings the upgrade one step closer to fruition.
Movie review: Pixar returns to world of emotions in ‘Inside Out 2’
The folks at Pixar are great world builders. It’s been one of their primary strengths since the halcyon days of that original 10-or-so film run starting with 1995’s “Toy Story.” They create striking new universes, and populate them with delightful details. Pixar has historically been so good at creating original worlds, in fact, that it makes their more recent trend toward sequels doubly disappointing. With the exception of the “Toy...
Monticello School District thanks donors, volunteers
The Monticello Public School District and its School Board hosted a special event on Monday, June 17 to celebrate and recognize donors and volunteers who contributed during the 2023-24 school year. Held ahead of the regular school board meeting, the reception saw a significant turnout from those who have generously contributed their time and resources from July of last year to June of this year. Over this time period, 60 different businesses, individuals, groups and organizations gave the district a total of $184,235 in donations, plus an additional $162,150 in scholarship donations. In addition, the Monticello School District received the support of 344 dedicated volunteers, whose contributions have made a substantial impact.
Downtown Mosaic Art Project spawns school of funky fish
MONTICELLO — Some vibrant, funky fish are adding river-based personality to the downtown in the form of mosaic artwork. Earlier this month, MontiArts held the first workshop of the year in its Downtown Mosaic Art Project, and the results are now on display for all to see, with the colorful sea creatures swimming in the center median on West Broadway Street, near MontiArts’ headquarters. “We had a total of 11...
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. ...
Monticello sports round-up: June 13
Magic fall in section championship The Monticello baseball team fought all the way through the elimination bracket to get to the Section 5-3A Championship against Totino-Grace. The game was postponed to Wednesday, June 5 due to weather. The Eagles beat the Magic 7-1 and ended Monticello’s season a game shy of another state tournament appearance. TG scored two runs in the first and never looked back. Monticello scored one run...
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...
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