Be sure to pick up a copy of the May 14, 2026, Montgomery Messenger at a newsstand to find within the 2025-2026 Tri-City United High School Arts and Activities Section within and to check out all the local advertisers that help support these types of sections. Without them, local journalism and featuring these students wouldn't be possible! 

    Abdo, financial auditor of the City of Montgomery, gave a presentation of the draft audit at the April’s city council meeting. 
    Abdo Certified Public Account Tom Olinger, who gave the presentation, said, “We did issue an unmodified opinion, which means a clean opinion for the city.” He noted no instances of noncompliance. This generally means that there were no major issues with the city’s finances.
    As in past years, Olinger noted that Abdo did prepare the financial statements for the city, something they must disclose.

The Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Patrol (MSP) have released their incident report and crash reconstruction report regarding the fatal crash on Sept. 11, 2025, at the intersection of Country State Aide Highway (CSAH) 28/320th Street and CSAH 32/211th Avenue, a few miles north of Clear Lake in Derrynane Township.

Belle Plaine mother Mackenzie Jo Glaser, 23, perished in the incident. She was a new mother carrying her one-year-old daughter in the vehicle, who survived without injury. Glaser was on the way to drop off her daughter at daycare at the time.

The Rice County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 9, approved the county’s 2026 budget and property tax levy, which increased by 8.51% over 2025. That’s slightly less than the preliminary figure approved in September.

  While the $103 million budget is about $12 million lower than the current budget, the levy increase is largely due to cost shifts from the state, reductions in state grants and county program aid, the 2026 elections and higher personnel costs laid out in negotiated collective bargaining agreements.

Tri-City United High School Assistant Principal David Reuhs was surprised when he walked into the school's media center on Monday, Jan. 5, for what he thought was a staff meeting.

Ruehs was met by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) Executive Director Bob Driver, his family,  much of the staff of the school, and media, where he was presented the honor of being the chosen the 2026 Minnesota High School Assistant Principal of the Year award. 

He will be put up against others across the nation in April for the national award. 

The Tri-City United School District School Board voted on Monday, Dec. 22, to ask voters in the district again to pass the same $39.99 million bond that was proposed at the November 2025 single vote election. In November, the tax base that showed up to vote voted 926 in approval and 1,088 in opposition.

    Saturday’s home weightlifting duo with the Burnsville Blaze yielded three individuals qualifying for state and slug of first place finishes. 
    Morgan Meier qualified for varsity state competition with an automatic qualifying total (AQT) greater than 95 KG of 100 KG in the varsity girls’s 58 KG category. 

Lonsdale was the centerpoint of Christmas-related activity this past Saturday.
    Triumphant Life Church held an ornament-making activity in the afternoon. Next door, the Lonsdale American Legion hosted kids bingo. Down the street, Something For All held their outdoors Who-Ville event for all to meet The Grinch.

Much of Minnesota is feeling the effects of a large winter storm currently with Tri-City United Schools cancelling all afternoon and evening activities, rescheduling the music concert from tonight at the same time tomorrow night, Friday, Dec. 18.

Tri-City United Le Center PreK-8 School Principal Jeff Eppen has been awarded the Southwest Division Leadership Award from the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA).

The 33rd Annual Torchlight Parade and Fireworks in downtown Montgomery on Thursday, Dec. 4, was definitely another bundle-up affair this year.

Temperatures hovered just barely above zero and all the hot foods and drinks along 1st Street were welcomed. As time progressed, the wind also picked up.

Santa Claus was there with his live reindeer again, letting all ages hop on the sleigh for a photo. The Amazing Hoopsters were back dazzling with fire and light-up hola-hoops before the parade in front of Frandsen Bank & Trust and in the parade.

This month’s Montgomery American Legion Post #79 Thank A Living Veteran focus is on Larry Parsons.

Parsons attended Kindergarten at Montgomery Public Schools before joining Holy Redeemer Catholic School through eighth grade. He completed high school in Amery, Wis., where he attended University of Wisconsin — River Falls after graduation for three years. It was during this time where he decided to enlist, and the U.S. Army was the first to have an opening.

The community’s biggest outdoor holiday event is tonight, Torchlight Parade & Fireworks.

Fun for the evening begins at 5 p.m. along 1st Street in Montgomery.

Entertainment by Schell’s Hobo Band, which will play downtown and at Park Manor (as well as the parade). Lakelanders Barbershop Chorus will stop by Traditions to sing some tunes as well as during the parade.

Most pre-events to the parade can be seen near the intersection of Vine Avenue and 1st Street.

Trust for Public Land (TBL) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the permanent protection of 200 acres of grassland, forest, and wetland habitat about 2 miles southeast of Lonsdale in Forrest Township within Rice County. The new Sungina Wildlife Management Area (WMA) rests between Union Lake Trail (Rice County 59) and Millersburg Boulevard (Rice County 1), and east of Garfield Avenue.

This newly established WMA will offer residents and visitors a green oasis to explore the outdoors, connect with nature, and enjoy recreation close to home. 

    There are a few ways you can give back this holiday season in our community beyond just shopping local. 

Foster Care Giving
    New this year, the Montgomery Fire Department will be collecting toys, new children’s clothes, and/or monetary donations ahead of the Torchlight Parade & Fireworks on Thursday, Dec. 4 for Lutheran Social Services Foster Care. 
    Firefighters will be stationed on the east side of 1st Street and Vine Avenue, just north of Frandsen Bank & Trust, to collect from 6-6:30 p.m.