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Owatonna People's Press
PHOTOS: Downtown Thursday entertainment draws a crowd
The latest installment of Downtown Thursday drew another big crowd to the streets of Owatonna on a warm, sunny night. As usual, the monthly event included a range of food, live music and activities. In addition to the many vendors and businesses participating, Owatonna’s nonprofit community was well-represented. “The Unicycling Unicorn,” an international stunt and comedy show, proved to be a major attraction. Performer Jamey Mossengren juggled pins, lit torches and a knife while cracking jokes and straddling his 12-foot tall unicycle. Mossengren, who hails from Bemidji, has performed at venues around the world and is the subject of an upcoming documentary. He’s set to attempt a Guinness World Record by riding a 44-foot unicycle Sunday in Bemidji. The next Downtown Thursday is scheduled for Aug. 1.
Owatonna Post 77 wins in back and forth matchup against Waseca
After a rainstorm ended the Aces’ hopes to play a home game on Wednesday night, Chuck Fuller Field was ready to go by Thursday night for the matchup between the Owatonna American Legion Post 77 baseball team against Waseca. The matchup was an all-around great game, as Waseca came back every time it fell behind until Owatonna shut down its opponent in the seventh inning to win the contest at a score of 6-5. ...
Flores family thanks community following death of Olivia, recent charges
After a tumultuous eight weeks since the death of their teenage daughter, Stephanie and Carlos Flores, along with their son Christian, are still taking it day by day. Olivia Flores was only three weeks away from graduating from Owatonna High School, where she was known for her spirit as a cheerleader, her work with Young Life and her ability to befriend everyone, when she was involved in a May 18 car crash outside Rochester’s Apache Mall and died from the injuries she sustained. She was...
Medford council gets head start on 2025 tax levy, sets 7% increase to start
At its June 24 meeting, the Medford City Council got an early start on the 2025 budget and tax process. The main issue of discussion came at the end of the meeting: the 2025 levy increase. City Administrator Elizabeth Jackson brought the discussion forward, so she could begin the process of creating a budget for 2025. There was discussion on what percentage level to use for next year. The discussion...
Kids meet both local and exotic animals at library event
Creatures from near and far received an enthusiastic welcome at the Owatonna Public Library. Kids and families flocked to the library Thursday morning for a special program from Sustainable Safari, meeting animals that could live right in their backyard as well as those hailing from other continents. Library staff counted over 300 attendees. Sustainable Safari...
Owatonna undercover officer thwarts plot to kidnap, kill British TV host
Owatonna has once again found itself thrust into the spotlight, this time on an international level for undercover work done by a local detective. A recent case in Essex, England, just wrapped up where an undercover Owatonna detective is being credited for stopping the kidnapping and murder of Holly Willoughby, a British television host. Gavin Plumb was convicted earlier this month of planning to kidnap, rape and murder Willoughby in October 2023. ...
Rainbows set to take over Dartts Park for community's 2nd pride event
Earlier this year, lifelong Owatonna resident Jen Hansen stood inside the local bowling alley as a group of kids, some that started off as strangers, celebrated one another with smiles, hugging, laughter and selfies. She recently looked back on that day. Rainbowatonna had hosted a special event for the local Gender-Sexuality Alliances from both Owatonna and Waseca high schools, providing them a safe space to come together for a bowling and pizza party at SpareTime Entertainment. Hansen, who is a mother of a transgender daughter,...
Legion Post 77 falls to Winona in the first of five-game home stretch
The Owatonna American Legion Post 77 baseball team returned to Chuck Fuller Field for the first time since June 18 on Tuesday night as they faced off against Winona’’s Legion Post 9 team. Owatonna was coming off of a 5-2 road victory against Stewartville that took place Sunday night, which was their first game after a ten day break in their schedule. They did not fare as well against Winona, as they lost 5-0. ...
SteeleCoWorks celebrating partnership with local students, employers
“What’s next?” is the dreaded question many young people face upon graduating from high school. While many graduates search far and wide for the answer, some local students have found it right at home in the community. Since graduation, employment program SteeleCoWorks has celebrated students joining the local workforce with a series of signing days, taking place on-site at businesses that are employing local graduates. ...
County discusses possible HR split with MNPrairie
As it navigates a period of transition, Steele County is reexamining the next chapter of its involvement in the Minnesota Prairie County Alliance. Steele County is one of three counties that participate in the human services collective, better known as MNPrairie, which offers a variety of programs including income and housing assistance. MNPrairie was established in 2014 through an agreement between Steele, Waseca and Dodge County. Currently, the county’s human...
Aug. 2 declared Don Laughlin Day in Nevada
A beloved Owatonna icon now has his own official day in the state he made his new home. Nevada Governor Lombardo’s proclamation of Don Laughlin Day on August 2. Don Laughlin, Owatonna born and founder of the town Laughlin, Nevada, died in October at the age of 92. Though he moved away from Steele County in 1952, he made many journeys back to his hometown of Owatonna, especially during the...
Owatonna clay target team wins 1st conference title
The Owatonna clay target team ended its season last month at the Minnesota Trap Shooting Championships in Alexandria. The season was the team’s most successful one to date, with Owatonna having a clay target shooting team since 2017. The team won their first ever conference title, competing in the Minnesota State High School League(MSHSL) Clay Target League’s Class 9A Conference 2. Owatonna lead the conference in standings for the duration of the whole season. ...
Youth Club firing up for 13th annual Ribfest
Just like a rack of tender, smoky ribs, preparing Blooming Prairie Youth Club’s signature fundraiser takes hard work and a lot of patience After months of planning, BPYC is nearly ready to give the public a taste of what they’ve got cooking for this year’s Ribfest. The 13th annual fundraiser is set for July 27, offering a whole evening of food and entertainment to support local kids. Twelve barbecue teams...
State trooper charged with felony criminal vehicular homicide, manslaughter in crash that killed Olivia Flores
The Minnesota State Patrol trooper who was involved in the May 18 crash that killed an Owatonna cheerleader weeks before her high school graduation has formally been charged in Olmsted County District Court with five felonies, three gross misdemeanors and an additional misdemeanor for his part in the crash. Olmsted County Attorney Mark Ostrem announced Tuesday that criminal charges have been filed against Minnesota State Trooper Shane Elroy Roper, 32, for his actions causing a motor vehicle crash on May 18 at the intersection of...
Steele County child safe after lengthy standoff in Austin
A 7-year-old girl from Steele County is safe Monday morning after a standoff in Austin that was around 11 hours long. The girl — believed to be the daughter of a man at the heart of the standoff — was rescued from a white vehicle parked at a home on 16th Avenue NW just after 9 a.m. Monday morning. The man, identified as 48-year-old Kristofer Luiken, was taken into custody and according to the Austin Police Department’s Capt. Todd Clennon is looking at local charges...
Owatonna Legion Post 77 returns to action
The Owatonna American Legion Post 77 baseball team returned from a nine-day hiatus on Sunday and played against Stewartville on the road. After falling behind, Owatonna had a great fourth inning and won against Stewartville 5-2. Owatonna was held to no runs in the first three innings, as the first runs of the game came in the bottom of the third with Stewartville taking a 2-0 lead. Their lead did...
United Way of Steele County, OTB want to address lack of gathering places for youth
Hangout spots have played an integral role in the social lives of American youth for decades. Arcades, shopping malls, drive-ins — if all these examples sound somewhat old-fashioned, perhaps it’s because these once-ubiquitous gathering places are a dying breed. As it works toward a solution for the lack of safe places for youth to gather, United Way of Steele County’s (UWSC) teen mental health action team has found a way...
Aces lose in blowout to Braves
Fans filled up the seats at Chuck Fuller Field to watch America’s pastime on Wednesday before the holiday, as the Owatonna Aces faced off against the Waseca Braves. The Aces were coming off of a doubleheader split against the Winona Chiefs on Sunday, making the game against the Braves Owatonna’s third home game in a row. It didn’t go to plan, though, as the Aces lost 15-3 in seven innings. ...
PHOTOS: Blooming Prairie celebrates 50th Old Fashioned Fourth of July
Blooming Prairie's Old Fashioned Fourth of July festivities hit a major milestone this year. This week's celebrations marked the event's 50th anniversary. Overseen by the Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce, the festivities were projected to bring in approximately 20,000 visitors, expanding the town's occupancy tenfold. Despite a sprinkling of rain, the Old Fashioned Fourth of July parade drew a big crowd Thursday. The multi-day festival also featured a slate of food, games and live entertainment. The festivities culminate with the annual tractor pull on Saturday.
Riverland hosts community input session to help build strategic plan
Often considered the best kept secret of Owatonna, the community's only higher education presence is looking to remove that title. Riverland Community College hosted a community input session last week in an attempt to learn more about how they were viewed in Owatonna, what people know about the college, and what they would like to see the campus provide the community to help fill gaps. The session was one of...
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