Le Sueur County commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday, June 25, declaring the county in a state of emergency for conditions resulting from the flooding events beginning on June 17.

Memorial Park was once again host to this year’s Kolacky Days Meet and Greet. It was a chance to meet the candidates, some of the volunteers that put on the annual celebration in July, and find out and meet the 2024 grand marshals.
On a steamy but rain-free evening of Monday, July 24, members of the Montgomery Area Community Club handed out free kolackys, cookies and water, while Scott Smisek played his concertina. Shortly thereafter, the reigning Kolacky royalty spoke, followed by each of the seven candidates for this year — who were presented with their Little Sisters.

The Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office has issued no-wake restrictions for all lakes south of state Highway 99 to include lakes Washington, Gorman, Sakatah, Tetonka, West Jefferson, Emily, Middle Jefferson, East Jefferson, German, Francis, Rays and Volney.
The restriction has been issued because of the abnormally high-water levels, which has created shoreline erosion concerns, submerged docks and excess debris in the lakes creating potential hazards.

For the third time in the last 10 years, the city of Waterville and surrounding areas have been deluged with excessive rainfall, causing the most prolific flood in the town’s history.
In 2014 the city received high waters which was considered the worst flood since 1965 when flood waters covered many of the downtown streets. In 2016 the city endured yet another massive rainfall which was nearly as bad as 2014. There was also some flooding in 2019.

Monday evening was a history lesson for the Kolacky Queen candidates for this year at the Arts and Heritage Center.
Local historian Dale Ruhland, seen at the left in the group photo and next to the current royalty, briefly spoke about a few historical items, and Jim Mladek followed with a more thorough wrap-up of Kolacky Days throughout the years. Mladek said, “My challenge to you (candidates) is to do some of your own research on your own heritage.”

The Le Sueur County Fairgrounds in Le Center was host to the Sixth Annual Tri-City United FFA Alumni and Friends Truck and Tractor Pull on Friday evening.
    There was plenty of muscle to go around on a very pleasant evening, with a good portion of the crowd of approximately 800 opting to purchase pit passes to be closer to the loud, sometimes smokey action. Spectators were treated to a total of 66 hooks on the straightaway. 

Scott County Highway 9/Carver County Highway 11/Jordan River Crossing (Jordan/Sand Creek Township): The Jordan River Crossing will close Thursday, June 20, at 2 PM due to flooding.

From the Minnesota Department of Transportation
Highway 19 east of Henderson to Highway 169 closed at 12 p.m. today, June 19, due to flooding from the Minnesota River.
Traffic is detoured to Highway 19 west of Henderson, Sibley County Road 17 (391st Avenue), Sibley County Road 8 (336th Street), and Highway 169.
Motorists should monitor www.511mn.org for current road and detour information.
Other crossings closed

Volunteers, homemakers and staff of Aging Services for Communities (ASC) were honored for their dedication to helping senior citizens and people with disabilities at a special recognition event Wednesday, May 15.
Approximately 70 volunteer drivers, homemakers, their guests, the Montgomery office staff and guests were treated to a full meal and door prizes at The Little Dandy in Le Center.

Earlier this month, six Tri-City United High School students loaded a bus and headed to the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport to board a plane for Chicago to participate in the 2024 Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference, May 10-14. 
Over those five days, they were able to meet over 6,000 students from around the United States and compete against them for the right to be called the best in the U.S. 

As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, a very personal collection of various mediums of art is on display at the Arts and Heritage Center in Montgomery. Joe Deutsch’s collection of art, never intended to be in any sort of gallery or on display, found its way to the center by means of knowing the president of the board of directors for the Arts and Heritage Center, Maureen Gunderson. Gunderson suggested that he should display his art, knowing his story with it. Gunderson’s husband, Deutsch’s high school shop teacher, also encouraged him.

Memorial Day
Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, events remembering our veterans will start with a religious service and a parade — leading east on Vine Avenue from Most Holy Redeemer Church, south on 1st Street, and west on Elm Street and stopping at the American Legion.
The Legion will feature a program with Guest Speaker Amy Larsen, who is the American Legion 3rd District Vice Commander, member of the Department of Minnesota National Security Team, Commander of the Lonsdale American Legion Post 586; and Vice Commander and Chaplin of Lonsdale Post 586 Honor Guard.

Friday night into Saturday morning was a spectacle of the skies, even those within the city limits and outside of direct light, as the aurora borealis or northern lights put on a show for all to see.
People as far south as the Bahamas and southern California were able to see them outside of light polluted areas. Even within the Twin Cities metropolitan area the aurora was visible to the naked eye.

Seneca Foods Corporation in Montgomery has been issued a citation by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (MNDLI) and issued a penalty of $156,259 in regards to the incident which happened in the early morning hours of October 5, 2023, where 58-year-old worker Jose Luis Alvarado had items in a warehouse fall on top of him and he died from his injuries.

Air quality is expected to reach the red AQI category in southern Minnesota, which is unhealthy for everyone
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended the air quality alert for southern Minnesota. The alert now remains in effect until 11 p.m. on Monday, May 13. The affected area includes the Twin Cities metro, Albert Lea, Marshall, Worthington, Rochester, Winona, Mankato, and the tribal nation of Prairie Island.