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ASHLEY’S NIGHT!

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Men, women (and everything in-between) gather at the Balaton Municipal Liquor Store for some good-natured fun for a very worthy and personal cause

There were a handful of bartenders or barbacks slinging drinks and stocking coolers at the Balaton Municipal Liquor Store on Saturday night, working without respite to keep the booze flowing and everyone smiling.

Ashley Haroldson, the bar manager, wasn’t one of them. She had a rare Saturday night off — not because she needed the break, but because she was the guest of honor.

Haroldson was diagnosed with hormonal breast cancer last December — she was told it was Stage 3 a few weeks later — and the reason the bar was filled wall-to-wall this past weekend was to support her, both financially and emotionally.

“It’s very overwhelming,” Haroldson said after finding some quiet office space in the liquor store to chat. “I don’t think I can put into words what it means to have everybody here for this.”

A din seldom experienced at the bar was the result of a community showing how much it cares about one of its own. Indeed, the bar was filled, not just with bar flies looking for a buzz, but with friends who genuinely care about their dear friend.

“I don’t know how people get through something like this — or any other life-threatening disease or medical issue — without a couple years. Photos / Per Peterson

ASHLEY HAROLDSON IS SHOWN AT LEFT SURROUNDED BY GOOD SPORTS AND CARING SUPPORTERS following Saturday night’s Ms. Tootsie contest, held as part of a special benefit for Haroldson, who late last year was diagnosed with hormonal breast cancer. Judging by the photo at right, Haroldson, the manager of Balaton’s municipal liquor store, was very impressed with each contestant. Photos / Per Peterson

support system,” Haroldson said. “It’s a call from me at 3 in the morning saying, ‘I can’t do this’ and somebody picking up and saying, ‘It’s fine, we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna get through this.”

Haroldson underwent 12 rounds of a chemotherapy drip in Sioux Falls and is now on a second round with another more aggressive chemo drip. She had her port put in her hand on Jan. 15, and received her first transfusion Jan. 17.

“I was numb” upon having received the diagnosis. “My daughter (Tina, who donned a bright pink wig Saturday) was with me when we were told, and she basically had to step up and be the parent, ask the questions. I couldn’t even think about it. But a lot of family and friends have stepped up with calls and texts — the support is crazy.” Good friend and one of the organizers of Saturday’s party, Dar Sherman, who knows a thing or two about personal struggles, was not surprised by Saturday’s turnout.

“She’s my adopted daughter!” Sherman said. “It doesn’t even have to be a health issue, or what I’ve been through — it can be a storm before July 4th when the whole town helps clean up the town so we can have our parade. Everybody just pulls together, they don’t even have to know you.”

Her diagnosis is a more serious leg of her difficult recent journey. As the manager of the liquor store, Haroldson has been at the forefront of a battle to keep what has been a struggling liquor store open. A lack of consistent attendance pushed the business to the brink of closing before the Balaton EDA offered a $30,000 loan/ mortgage to the City to get everything back on track.

“It’s amazing to see these guys show up for everything — not only for this, but everything that we throw at them, they keep showing up,” Haroldson said. “You can tell they love their bar and they love their town.”

Haroldson’s mantra during all of its struggle was that the bar is a family, and that showed in spades Saturday.

“And they have showed that they are more than just family,” she said, fighting back tears. “Everybody stepped up to help.”

Haroldson added that her staff has been amazing since she told them the news, doing things like taking shifts when their boss had a doctor’s appointment or simply had one of her “run-down” days.

“I would put my bar staff against any other in the world — they are just that amazing,” she said. “All the people in there (Saturday), my staff is handling it. I can’t thank them enough.”

Three of those staff members took part in Saturday’s Ms. Tootsie contest, which was won by Haroldsons son, Tucker.

“I will never be the same after that,” Haroldson said. “I just want to thank everybody that came and had a great time.”

Besides the muchanticipated “pageant,” there was a split-the-pot raffle, and a potluck meal was served for a freewill donation that raised $9,164 to go toward Haroldsons medical expenses.

IT APPEARS BEING ONE OF NINE MS. TOOTSIE CONTESTANTS at Saturday’s Ashley Haroldson benefit aged Jamie “Fester” Chandler by a

JUST A FEW YEARS AGO, Trevor Eisfeld was winning a state wrestling title as a member of the TMB/WWG wrestling team. Trevor has clearly changed since high school, as witnessed in the Ms. Tootsie contest.

THOSE WHO ATTENDED SATURDAY’S BENEFIT for Ashley were in a giving mood. More than $9,000 was raised.

TUCKER HAROLDSON blows a kiss to the camera before taking the Ms. Tootsie title.

Miller’s ‘plan’ comes to fruition

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Local artist has published her first children’s book

Sammy Jo Miller has no problem connecting with children on a canvas. Now, she is trying her hand at doing the same thing through a different media.

Miller, Tracy’s artist in residence, has published a children’s book titled, “I Have a Plan.” She wrote the book and, of course, is the source of its illustrations. It follows a kindergarten-aged kid who is trying to make a plan to build a block castle. The young girl experiments with a variety of materials, and she ends up drawing out her plan so she can execute it.

“Big words, big concepts, very simple,” said Miller. “She’s got the blocks, so she’s like, “What do I want to build?’ She starts by wanting to paint it, but it’s hard to draw shapes with a big paint brush.”

The girl has a plan, but, like any young child, finds herself getting constantly distracted by one thing or another.

At the end, she draws her castle with markers and uses her drawing as a reference to build her castle. “It’s about developing the plan, not just about executing the plan,” said Miller. “It’s about, sometimes we have to try many times to find a plan that’s going to work.” The publication comes with activities and a website dedicated to using it in a learning environment. Miller hopes it will be more than just 28 pages that can be read and put away; it’s about getting a child involved in a project that they can do at home — “it’s about making a plan instead of just diving into something,” she said.

The book is simple by design and is geared

‘

I want to be in schools, and I want to talk to kids about how to make art be a part of storytelling.

— SAMMY JO MILLER toward early readers — kindergarten through about third grade.

The book is the end game of a long-term goal for Miller. She said she has wanted to publish a children’s book for some time. When she was in the fifth grade at Talahi Elementary School in St. Cloud, her school was visited by an author/illustrator, who inspired her at that young age.

“That stuck in my brain,” she said. “I want to do that. I want to be in schools, and I want to talk to kids about how to make art be a part of storytelling. This book leads ultimately to me wanting to connect with kids through schools and those types of presentations.”

Miller moved to Walnut Grove in 2021 and after reaching out to local libraries was introduced to Tracy librarian Val Quist. Since then, she has provided a number of public works in town, including the new mural at the library and one on the east exterior wall of Boxcar Liquors.

More than what can be seen around town, Miller leads local art programming at the library — classes that are often supported by grant funding. She also works with Tracy’s community education program through the school district.

“I really like working with kids — they’re a lot less intimidating!” she said. “They have questions, but they’re questions that you can answer; sometimes the adults overthink things, and kids just dive in. There’s something magical about kids just diving into something.”

The accomplished artist, who has started her own publishing company called Paintdrop Press Publishing, said working with kids independently when they’re outside of their parents’ shadow allows them more freedom to create. And her book’s main character is a girl who is working on her own in the most simplistic way “The kids’ world right now is so overstimulating,” she said. “I didn’t want to overdo the illustrations; when I put it out, I was a little hesitant — are people that follow my work going to be a little disappointed that it’s not more than it is?”

The answer to that — at least through the eyes of a child — came when Miller showed her book to her kindergarten daughter, Thea, on her iPad before it was even published in book form.

“I wanted to jump back to the things that my kids were really drawn to,” said Miller. “I had written the book, and it might have been a project I was just going to throw away until I read it to my daughter … she fell in love with it, wanted to read it on her own. When she fell in love with it, I thought, ‘There’s something here — I think this needs to get into the hands of kids.’”

MN House D15A candidates take the stage

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

ELECTION 2026

Shortly after most of the questions were answered at Tuesday’s Meet the Candidates night in Marshall, featuring the four House District 15A candidates, one of them, the outspoken Brian Mock, brazenly stated that it’s a two-man race.

To whom Mock was referring was unclear, but his statement offered evidence of the highlydiversified field of candidates, ranging from a political veteran and college professor in Marshall to a 26-year-old EMT from Granite Falls.

Mock was joined at the event, held at the MERIT Center in Marshall, by David Sturrock of Marshall, Hunter McFall of Granite Falls and Brad Hennen of Ghent. The men took on a number of questions from the audience that made up the full house to Republican constituents, as each candidate seeks the GOP endorsement.

After introducing themselves, the questions began, starting with a general one about what sets them apart from the other candidates. Then, the inevitable query about dealing with fraud was offered up.

Mock: “(The Department of Justice) is doing nothing to fight fraud. The Democrats have all voted to not do anything, nothing. There is no cavalry. I’m working on this fraud solution right now. I’m the only candidate here that’s doing it. We’re going to find people who have been weaponized against. We’re going to go after very specific laws. We have a twoprong attack and put Democrats on the defensive.”

Sturrock: First, we deal with the evils that have happened, that means prosecutions against people who have broken the law. This isn’t just the Democrats being asleep at the switch; the federal government brought prosecutions against the abusers … guess who has not been doing that — our Attorney General Keith Ellison.”

MOCK

STURROCK

McFALL

HENNEN

Hennen: It’s been a major concern among our communities, among our state, and I hope it’s just not limited to the Republicans. Prosecuting those involved is going to be one of the most important things to do, and judges that don’t hold the guilty liable for their actions need to be held accountable as well. The most important thing that needs to be done next year is stop this fraud before it happens again.”

McFall: I go off of three things: Accountability, transparency and preventability. The Office of the Inspector General needs to make more headway. We need a separate power from the Executive Branch. Governor (Tim) Walz and AG Ellison have no oversight over this branch; we want these people to go to jail and we have judges that aren’t prosecuting.”

Are you willing to work with Democrats, Independents and fellow Republicans in order to meet the needs of your constituents to benefit all of Minnesota; are you going to compromise with bills and stand your ground on bills you don’t agree with?

Sturrock: “You can’t compromise your principals and your values. You go to St. Paul, you’re representing your conservative district … you do have to pass a bill sooner or later that’s going to be chock full of things that are imperfect; you have to make a reasonable decision that’s best for your constituents, what’s best for the people of the state.”

Hennen: “We have values and principals that we need to protect. We cannot be compromising on our values, but we do need to be able to articulate how our values resonate with others’.”

McFall: “Look at the State House right now, they’re tied, we have political gridlock; we do not need more partisanship. We can’t keep going far right, we can’t keep going far left. The big question we need to be asking ourselves is, ’Is this right for our district?’ We need to find that middle ground.”

Mock: “Truth of the matter is, my three opponents are really nice guys (but) they’re not ready for this. I’ve heard about reaching across the aisle — these people (Democrats) have declared war on us. (The Democrats) screwed up this state, they spent tens of billions of dollars of surplus and are forcing us into a deficit. I’ve fought at the highest levels and I’m winning.”

Southwest Minnesota is losing businesses to South Dakota — what ideas will you bring to the table to stop that from continuing?

Hennen: “I don’t want to see businesses move out of state because of regulations, because of high taxes. When businesses leave, our young people move along with them … I believe taxes and regulations are by far the biggest drawdowns in our local communities. We need to be able to have infrastructure rebuilt.”

McFall: “Taxes are killing us. We’re going to work with small businesses on tax abatement with their cities, we can look at repealing property taxes in general for our small businesses. The Paid Family Leave Act that got rushed into law is going to bankrupt our businesses — it’s ridiculous.”

Mock: “If you’re going to talk about incentives, lets get manufacturing in here; that has an inverse tax rate — you’re going to earn more taxes off of manufacturing than anything, other than medical. My proposal is, you come and get an education here, you put in five years, you learn your trade, and we start guaranteeing that we’re going to help get you set up with a business. We’re going to get you some tax incentives.”

Sturrock: We have the ‘Southwest Squeeze.’ St. Paul keeps sending the burdens like taxes. The regulations, the permitting process and that ‘rocks-and-cows’ attitude — all of that comes to us from St. Paul. At the same time, our low-tax, pro-business neighboring states work hard to draw our employers across the state lines.”

Talk about what’s happening with the Paid Medical Leave Act and how you might tweak it.

McFall: “I can understand parts of the concept, but this was rushed … and it has been a complete debacle. What are we doing with it? Why are we letting this continue to bankrupt our small businesses? It needs to be repealed, the process needs to be gone through more properly.”

Mock: “(The Democrats) are trying to make this a welfare state. When they bring in these policies, they do it to destroy small business; that’s how create a welfare state. We’re in a fundamental crisis here. You cannot elect a nice guy again … there is no aisle to reach across. This is a fundamental fight.”

Sturrock: “Paid Family Medical Leave — sloppy drafting, loose standards, little consideration of the size of the employer. We’ve got to tighten this up and improve it. We can’t encourage bad behavior.”

Hennen: “You cannot solve budgets with imaginary numbers. You cannot promise things like free buses, free healthcare without somebody footing the bill. If we’re going to implant new programs … the vast majority of the time, the government is pushing the wrong way and restricting supply, rather than making things more available. If you do have a new program, it should be sunsetted so that until it’s proven that it can work it will go out of existence at some point in the near future. Then you can look at permanent funding. It should be done at a micro level, on a small scale.”

TAPS board hears second reading of capital outlay requests; budget shortfall noted

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Planning for the future was the theme of the regular Tracy Area Public School board meeting held Tuesday.

The board held the second reading and approval of FY27 capital outlay requests. The total capital outlay requests approved was $711,308; a reduction of $320,942 from FY26 Capital Outlay requests of $1,032,250.

The capital outlay includes $71,440 district wide; $6,265 for buildings and grounds; $26,802 for safe schools funds; $82,592 for the secondary school (the biggest expense being the social studies curriculum at $50,526); $35,578 for the elementary school (the biggest expense being the media center updates for $20,000); $150,790 for technology; $9,000 for district library area; and $33,545 for athletics.

The largest area of capital outlay is in the Long Term Facilities Maintenance dollars. The LTFM is $295,296. There are several areas of work LTFM dollars can be used. In athletics this year, the gym floor will be recoated, a new stag divider curtain will be purchased, as well as improving fencing and the backstop at the junior high baseball field (west of the TAHS football field). The football field/track bathrooms will also see an improvement, as well as changes and additions to the crows nest.

Supt. Chad Anderson explained that the FY27 requests are lower this year as the school wanted to keep more money available for projects that come up during the year that were not in the original budget. Part of this planning came after this year.

In addition to approving the capital outlay, the board approved a revised 25-26 budget with revenues at $10,487,823 and expenses at $11,648,906 resulting in a shortfall of $1,250,446. This change was due to several factors, including a decrease in revenues for special education of $431,201 due to having fewer students with high needs. In addition, lights for the baseball field, softball field and football field, as well as the door project ,were not in the original budget.

Another step in planning for the future, the board approved ISG as architects, engineers, environment and planning for potential school projects as well as RA Morton as construction manager for potential school projects. ISG will start with a community group to identify needs for and wants for the school. Following that, a community wide survey will be conducted to gauge community support for any projects. Future plans would be made based on those results.

In other board news …

• The board approved the purchase of lunch tables, an oven and a Combi Oven.

• The board approved the registrar contract.

• The board approved to rescind the previouslyapproved contract with Emily Hernandez as English Language Arts teacher due to non-acceptance, and to post the position again.

• The board approved Amiret Electric for structural installation ($56,800) and electrical installation ($21,900) of lighting for TAPS football/ track complex.

• The board approved the resignation of Katelyn Elton following the end of the school year.

• The board approved the hiring of Paige Foley as longterm sub for FACS effective Aug. 24, 2026, as well the hiring Jason Kainz as .5 FTE Academic Advisor for the 2026-27 school year with the remaining .5 FTE for physical education.

• The board approved hiring Grace Dolan and Jordyn Hanson from volunteer softball coaches to B squad coaches for the remainder of the season because coach Peterson is on maternity leave ; they will split the remaining pay

Balaton council moves to address its No. 1 infrastructure issue

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

The Balaton City Council is favoring a fiscally-conservative fix to the City’s lift station issue.

After hearing from Public Works Supt. Josh Torgeson at a special meeting Monday evening, the council came to a consensus to spend what would amount to less than half the price of a full overhaul of the collection system — roughly $230,000, plus a dialing alert system and a back-up generator.

Auxiliary lift station replacement was listed as ISG’s No. 1 priority on its Capital Improvement Plan, just recently adopted by the City. It was at the top of the list because pumps, controls and electrical are all original equipment that is more than 40 years old, and replacing parts for the original equipment has become nearly impossible.

The cost to replace everything, according to the CIP, would by north of $745,000.

“We’ve got two options,” Torgeson told the council. “One is the pump panels and valves for about $230,000. “I look at our needs and wants; I look at it like it’s mine. Debt is fine to have when we’re looking at infrastructure stuff. The whole project would be a great thing … but if we’re going to pay this out of pocket …” I’m fine with (replacing) pumps, panels and valves.”

A dialing system, Torgeson said, would run about $6,000 for both lift stations. He said the wet well is in better shape than the dry well. However, this would not address the City’s Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) issue.

The auxiliary lift station is a local lift station, meaning it takes collected wastewater from a smaller area of the City and pumps it into another part of the collection system. It pumps directly into the main lift station through a dedicated forcemain. It also consists of two wells just like the main lift station.

According to ISH, the auxiliary station has a history of being unable to keep up with flow demand during high-volume rain events and times with the adjacent lake elevation is high.

The City would pay for the project out-of-pocket, as there is no grant monies available for it at this time. Even if that were an option at this point, Torgeson said the grant process would take about two years.

For its own reference, the council did request an estimate as to what it would cost for a completely new system, but it has already been made known that it would cost in the neighborhood of $745,680. ISG has reported that maintaining the auxiliary lift station is no longer cost effective.

“My personal thought is that if we get 20 years out of it, I’d go along with your recommendation,” Balaton Mayor Lonnie Lambertus told Torgeson.

MPS Board takes care of late-season business

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

As the end of the final school year at Milroy Public School is quickly approaching, the board continued their work behind the scenes for the consolidation with Tracy Area Public Schools.

During its regular meeting Monday, the board approved a memorandum of understanding with the teachers’ union.

The MOU included $250/year of service to the Milroy Public School as well as the school covering the renewal fee for insurance the last two months as the teachers would have already received their last paycheck before that renewal fee is paid.

In addition, the board approved payoff of $250/year of service for non-teaching staff as well, not including Supt. John Willey or custodian Jason Dahl as those had been approved at prior meetings. The total for the teachers and non-teaching years of service payoff is $16,625.

In addition, the board approved a liability insurance tail policy. This policy will cover the school for three years after the consolidation.

The board also set the garage sale dates for equipment and supplies not going to TAPS in the consolidation. The sale will be held on June 19 and 20.

The soil report is complete, and buried debris was found where the original high school stood. This information will be shared with the buyers of the building. Contaminated soil found was at a very low lever and 28 feet below ground. Nothing unusual was found from the old septic tanks.

In other board news …

• The board approved the resignation of Emma Volz at the end of the school year.

• The board approved the audit engagement letter from Hoffman and Brobst for the final audit.

• The school has many upcoming events before the end of the school year, including Grandparents Day May 6, spring concert May 7, track & field day May 20 and the last day of school May 22 with preschool and sixth grade graduation. Students have several field trips and other fun events planned.

School Menus

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

(All meals served with milk) Tracy Area Elementary School Breakfast Friday, April 24: Muffin top, cereal, fruit cup, fruit juice, string cheese Monday, April 27: Mini cinni, cereal, fruit cup, fruit juice, string cheese Tuesday, April 28: Biscuit/gravy, cereal, fruit cup, fruit juice, string cheese Wednesday, April 29: Breakfast combo, cereal, fruit cup, fruit juice, string cheese Thursday, April 30: Mini bagel, fruit cup, fruit juice, string cheese

Friday, May 1: Muffin, cereal, fruit cup, fruit juice, string cheese

Tracy Area High School Breakfast Friday, April 24: Muffin top, cereal, fruit, fruit juice, toast Monday, April 27: Mini cinni, cereal, fruit, fruit juice, toast

Tuesday, April 28: Biscuit/gravy, cereal, fruit, fruit juice, toast Wednesday, April 29: Breakfast combo, cereal, fruit, fruit juice, toast

Thursday, April 30: Mini bagel, fruit, fruit juice, toast

Friday, May 1: Muffin, cereal, fruit, fruit juice, toast

Tracy Area Elementary School Lunch Friday, April 24: Pizza, chicken wrap, mixed vegetables, Jonny Pops Monday, April 27: Salisbury steak/mashed potatoes, hot ham and cheese sandwich, green beans, apples/bread Tuesday, April 28: Nacho, chicken and cheese salad, corn, peaches Wednesday, April 29: Chicken Alfredo, chef salad, broccoli, banana, dinner roll Thursday, April 30: BBQ on a bun, Lunchable, baked beans, pineapple Friday, May 1: Max cheese sticks, turkey and cheese sandwich, carrots, orange

Tracy Area High School Lunch Friday, April 24: Pizza, chicken wrap, mixed vegetables, pineapple, Jonny Pops Monday, April 27: Salisbury steak/mashed potatoes, hot ham and cheese sandwich, green beans, tropical fruit, apples/bread Tuesday, April 28: Nacho, chicken and cheese salad, corn, peaches, oranges Wednesday, April 29: Chicken Alfredo, chef salad, broccoli, banana, warm apples, dinner roll Thursday, April 30: BBQ on a bun, Lunchable, baked beans, pineapple, kiwi Friday, May 1: Max cheese sticks, turkey and cheese sandwich, carrots, peas, sidekick

Second Chance Breakfast Friday, April 10: N/A Monday, April 13: Fruit juice, apple

Tuesday, April 14: Fruit cup, apple

Wednesday, April 15: Fruit juice, apple

Thursday, April 16: Fruit cup, apple

Friday, April 17: N/A

St. Mary’s School Breakfast (served with whole grain bread) Friday, April 24: Muffin top, cereal, fruit cup, fruit juice, string cheese Monday, April 27: Mini cinni, cereal, fruit cup, fruit juice, string cheese Tuesday, April 28: Biscuit/gravy, cereal, fruit cup, fruit juice, string cheese Wednesday, April 29: Breakfast combo, cereal, fruit cup, fruit juice, string cheese Thursday, April 30: Mini bagel, fruit cup, fruit juice, string cheese Friday, May 1: Muffin, cereal, fruit cup, fruit juice, string cheese St. Mary’s School Lunch Friday, April 24: Pizza, mixed vegetables, Jonny Pops Monday, April 27: Salisbury steak/mashed potatoes, green beans, apples/bread Tuesday, April 28: Nacho, corn, peaches Wednesday, April 29: Chicken Alfredo, broccoli, banana, dinner roll

Thursday, April 30: BBQ on a bun, baked beans, pineapple

Friday, May 1: Max cheese sticks, carrots, orange

lions banquet

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

THE TRACY LIONS CLUB hosted its annual dinner and raffle on Saturday at The Caboose. The Lions served about 183 people and raised about $5,500, which will go toward the 100th Box Car Days celebration in 2027. Raffle winners were: Eileen Noram ($500); Carol Strand ($250); and Bob Syverson, Bosacker Auctions, Gordon Edwards, Davin Bengston and Kent Weedman ($50). ABOVE: The Cornerstone Quartet entertained the large crowd. IMMEDIATE RIGHT: Davin Bengston reaches into the tumbler to draw a raffle ticket as Wayne Brock examines the first ticket and Tom Hesse stands by to announce the winners. FAR RIGHT: Gordon Crossley gave the invocation. Photos / Tara Brandl

In the giving mood?

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Tara’s Takes

Local journalism is vital to our communities. As I’ve said before, we are the ones who are there for the celebrations and the heartbreaks in our communities. We cover city council meetings, high school sports, town celebrations, new businesses and tragedies. The newspaper brings our communities together.

Over the years, our industry has seen many changes. This is no different than most industries. At the Headlight Herald, we have more and more online subscribers. The majority of our online subscribers are those outside our local coverage area who still care about their local communities but want the newspaper when it comes out and don’t want to wait for out of area mail service.

Those stories are still written by local journalists. If you hear about something that was written in the paper from your neighbor, that was still written by a local journalist. We are capturing the graduation photos that will be looked back at for generations. Many times, we are the only member of the public attending a meeting. We cover the teams during championship seasons and down years.

The fact is, we’re here. We’ll always be here. We do this because we think this is vitally important, and we love our jobs and the communities we cover.

This brought us to a new opportunity.

The Minnesota News Institute has partnered with Give Media MN to create a unique opportunity. You may be familiar with GiveMN as they are the ones behind Give to the Max Day.

Through this new partnership, we are kicking off “Local News Giving Day.” This week-long campaign starts today, April 23, with early giving and wraps up on Thursday, April 30, with our Give Day. This new partnership allows readers and supporters to give a tax deductible donation to their local newspaper through the link on our website www.headlightherald.com. The funds are tracked and donations to our specific paper will come back to us in the form of a grant.

We know we have people in our communities and beyond who are looking for ways to support journalism, especially local journalism.

This is the perfect fit. Any donations that are made to any of our four papers — The Lake Benton Valley Journal, Hendricks Pioneer, Tracy Area Headlight Herald and Tyler Area Tribute

— will go back to that specific paper. We will use any donations to continue to put forth the best local community newspapers we can.

Much like shopping local, your local support can go a long way in the future of local journalism. If you’re interested, please consider making a donation to any local newspaper participating in Local News Giving Day. Visit that newspaper’s website and contribute to the future of local journalism.

We thank all of our supporters, whether subscribers, readers or advertisers; your support means the world to us, and we truly appreciate it.

Cloud-covered community center

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

There Ya Go

The 2020 sale of the former Mutli Purpose Center sent the wheels in motion for the City to create a space for a new community center. As we found out shortly thereafter, those wheels had corners. Little has gone smoothly since.

I give the previous administration an “A” for effort in its push for a new center, and an “F-” for effectiveness.

Others behind those efforts were, at the beginning, working from behind because of the cloud of doubt and bitterness that lingered for years. Doubt because, back then, no one knew how a new center was going to be paid for. Bitterness because of the perceived cold fashion in which the City displaced seniors from a building they grew to love and appreciate as their cozy home away from home.

But the City tried. Dozens of meetings were held — previous city administrator Erik Hansen, a hard worker who I doubt ever really felt comfortable in his post, just loved his meetings. Hansen — a big-city boy in a Mayberry setting — led discussions with senior citizens, City and school officials and high school students; everyone was there. Even Barney and Goober were invited to share their hopes and thoughts.

They all talked. They broke into groups. They put colorful stickers on large pieces of paper stuck on a wall of the library basement — our former leader loved those stickers, too. There were some good conversations, and a lot of opinions were shared — that is, between the inevitable backroom, vitriol-filled fingerpointing that went on.

Don’t tell me the latter didn’t happen, either, because I heard some of it. And every time I did, a pinch more doubt of my own for this process to come to fruition crept in.

All due respect, these groups didn’t get much done. Too many cooks in the kitchen? Maybe. More likely, progress was stunted because indignation and resentment toward Hansen never subsided. In fact, it was borderline hatred, and it led to shoulder shrugging and eyes rolling so far back in people’s heads that some almost got stuck.

And it appeared to me that center supporters, mainly seniors, always seemed to have felt the need to prove their worth and debunk the notion that they were little more than Bridge players.

Not exactly a recipe for progress. There were also roadblocks that had nothing to do with animosity. Early on, there was a flash of hope that we could build a brand-new building, but — shocker — construction costs got in the way. That begged the question: What existing building can we use?

We had a buffet of choices, a good-old potluck. There was the former dollar store, a good-looking building that still is home to nothing but stale air; the second story of the VMC, a reach of a proposition most people knew had no chance; The Caboose — The Caboose? seriously?; and the old liquor store that people now can remember only through old photos and tales of barstool humor yarns spun during Saturday-night last calls.

Each option had some pros, yet all were outmuscled by myriad cons.

But now we have answers. Not only that, we have something to look at as we toodle on by on South St., looking at the former ADO building like 8-yearolds peering through a candy store window, our noses pressed against the window of our car.

How refreshing is it that we can actually see this transformation taking place after all these years, all that great fundraising?

How nice is it that we are filling an empty downtown building, not watching Lyle Noomen knock one down?

But … this is Tracy, where little comes easy, and now, the City is facing its most daunting roadblock.

The city council met last Friday behind closed doors to determine how best to find a panacea for its latest ill: The property line on the west side of the building. That adjacent property is owned by two Tracy residents who, like so many before them, are none too happy with our City leaders. The relationship is as sour as citrus fruit. Picture a married couple on the outs and arguing over property. This cuts both ways.

It’s not pretty, and that’s not good for Tracy. That’s not good for anyone.

Tracy’s attorney warned at last week’s council meeting that reconciliation might be more than an arm’s length away. The process, potentially, might better be measured in months, not days. Will that keep the center from opening this summer?

This sounds pessimistic, I know, but hey, if we’ve learned anything these last six years, it’s that sometimes, even when our patience is tested, we need to persevere, we need to have faith. Heck, just keep your fingers crossed — it can’t hurt.

Good things, after all, come to those who wait.

Others seeing mom’s greatness, too

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Sophia says …

Slowly but surely as you grow up, you realize your parents are actual people functioning in the world as individuals, separate from their relationship to you. You realize that they, too, have friends, siblings, and even parents of their own. You begin to hear stories about their lives instead of only being asked questions about yours. And if you’re lucky enough, you eventually realize that you are indeed very proud of the people that your parents are. So when my mom told me the news, that she was being honored as the 2026 Minnesota State Board of Trustees Educator of the Year, I felt proud, but not because of the title.

I am proud because she is such a talented educator that other people couldn’t help but notice.

Her passion and care for her students and her work is so evident that others felt it imperative that she receive recognition on a large scale. I have seen the care she puts into lesson plans, the interest she has in her students’ success, her dedication to making each and every class the most engaging it can be. That is what makes me proud. Not the title or even the recognition.

As the daughter of two teachers, I grew up hearing, “Your parent is Professor Gaul? I took their class!”

By this point more than a dozen of my friends have taken a class taught by one of my parents, and I purposefully never ask if they like the lectures, because I don’t want to pressure them into saying something nice. However, almost every time they say this sentence, it’s followed by some anecdote about what they learned, or how interesting the class was. Although I’ve heard many of these stories, it still makes me proud that my parents are good at what they do.

My mom’s entire teaching philosophy could be summed up in three words: make history fun.

I have laced up corsets, finger curled wigs, and sampled every type of grain you can imagine for my mom and her lesson plans. I know the long hours she spends at her desk at home, thinking about new ways to engage students and convince them that history is so incredibly relevant to their lives.

She is knowledgeable, but that isn’t what makes her a good teacher. Now being in college myself, I know there is a vast difference between an academic who just happens to also teach classes, and an educator who works in higher education. My mother spent years of her life studying and writing so she could become the best teacher she could be, but it’s her enthusiasm and inventive classroom activities that make her a great educator.

Nowadays my mother frequently calls me on her drive to work in the morning. Because of the time zones, her early morning commute to Worthington is pretty much the only time that works for the two of us to hear each other’s life updates. Every time we call, I know I will get to hear an anecdote about a student, the content of her upcoming lessons, or details about the costume she’s wearing from the time period she is teaching about that day.

All this to say, my mom is pretty incredible, and it’s wonderful that other people see that, too.

Name That Year

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

“Name that Year” is designed to put your knowledge of Tracy and its newsmakers of the past to the test. Each week, we will publish a news item that ran in a past edition — maybe it was a major event, or a story about a Tracy resident — it’s up to you to determine in what year that particular news item hit the pages of the paper:

• TRACY BECAME A ONE-GROCERY-STORE TOWN THE SUMMER OF THIS YEAR WHEN THE DOWNTOWN GROCERY STORE CLOSED.

A deal is expected to be finalized whereby Bruce Schelhaas and another buyer take over ownership and management of the Chuck’s Jack & Jill supermarket on west Morgan St.

Jack & Jill owner Chuck Parks said in a Tuesday telephone interview that he preferred not to comment publicly, and referred questions to Schelhaas.

Schelhaas said that the Jack & Jill store is being purchased by Nash-Finch, the grocery wholesaler that supplies Jack & Jill. In turn, Tony Bosch of Luverne, is buying the Jack & Jill store from Nash-Finch. Bosch is also buying out the Schelhaas family at the Tracy Food Center. Schelhaas is to join Bosch as a minority owner of the former Jack & Jill Store.

Bosch owns grocery stores in Luveme, Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Brandon, Flandreau and Hartford, SD.

Schelhaas met with Jack and Jill employees on Monday to inform them of the planned changes.

The pending sale comes 16 months after the Tracy Food Center opened in the former John’s Super Valu Store on Third Street. The Tracy Economic Development Authority and Tracy Area Development Corporation both assisted with financing the operation in an effort to keep a grocery store operating in downtown Tracy.

In an interview with the Headlight-Herald, Dawn and Bruce Schelhaas expressed mixed feelings about the planned changes. They say it was their dream to have their own store. When they committed to the Tracy store, they were confident Tracy was big enough to support two stores. Based on updated projections, new data and a year of experience, they say the two grocerystore scenario is no longer realistic.

Bruce said that while the Tracy Food Center is “doing fine” for now, there is no margin for error. He said it is apparent two grocery stores, one small and one large, cannot both operate profitably in the Tracy market.

• Last week’s answer: Tracy State Bank donned a different name, Minnwest Bank South, in 2001.

From Our Neighbors

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Highlights from area newspapers

Murray County Wheel/ Herald Tessa Dierks has been hired as the new Murray County Central principal.

Hendricks Pioneer

The Pioneer Museum in Lincoln County is preparing for its 2026 opening, featured more opportunities for visitors of all ages.

Lake Benton Valley Journal Eleven-year-old Reese Weber of the Lake Benton/ Verdi area, recently sang the National Anthem in front of about 2,500 people at the Jackrabbit Stampede Rodeo in Brookings, SD.

Tyler Tribute

RTR student Jillian Schoenfeld was among 59 Minnesota students to receive an FFA Foundation Scholarship.

Pipestone County Star

A Marshall man appeared in Pipestone County Court on April 13 after being charged with arson on an April 13 fire.

Ivanhoe Times

The Ivanhoe School Board on March 11 passed a District Ethical Practices and Conflict of Interest policy.

$35M campaign launched to renovate historic State Fair 4-H Building, expand statewide 4-H programs

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Landmark initiative is largest of its kind in history for the Minnesota State Fair and University of Minnesota 4-H The Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota 4-H have partnered to begin a major renovation of the iconic three-story 4-H Building at the State Fairgrounds and an expansion of the statewide 4-H program. This is the largest project of its kind for both the State Fair and University of Minnesota Extension.

To date, 60% of the $35 million fundraising goal has been raised, thanks in part to a $10 million donation to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation from Kathy and Jim Cargill, which jump-started the campaign. Significant gifts have also come from the Ames Family, Compeer Financial, Riverview LLP and the Rosen Family Foundation.

The 85-year-old, 100,000-square-foot 4-H Building has been a cherished space and launching pad for generations of Minnesota youth from all 87 counties since it opened in 1939. That tradition continues with the nearly 5,000 Minnesota 4-H youth who earn trips to showcase their projects at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds each year. The building’s dormitories provide lodging for up to 700 4-H’ers a night during the State Fair, and a cafeteria serves thousands of healthy meals daily to 4-H’ers during the fair and other events. The first floor is open to fair guests during the 12 days of the State Fair to see project displays, demonstrations and live musical performances.

Exterior work is currently underway, with the majority of building renovations beginning immediately after this year’s fair. The updates will be completed in time for the 2027 State Fair.

As part of the building transformation, fair guests and participating 4-H’ers will see new stages for performing arts, public speaking and demonstrations; updated spaces for STEM activities, entrepreneurship, agricultural education and judging; a teaching kitchen; a media studio; and flexible spaces for workshops and community gatherings that will make programming possible April through October. Beyond the State Fair, the building will house community workshops, camps and career-exploration activities for youth from across the state.

Critical functional updates include replacing all the windows; repairing and repainting the exterior; installing new elevators and other accessibility features; updating fire alarm and life safety systems; enhancing ventilation; improving electrical and technological capacity; and renovating and expanding building restrooms and shower facilities.

4-H is part of University of Minnesota Extension, which is an important contributor to the University’s mission of educating Minnesota’s future leaders. “The 4-H Building is more than a structure and its potential expands far beyond the 12 days of the fair,” said Bev Durgan, dean of Extension. “Through this campaign, we are making an investment in the future of 4-H and young people for generations to come.”

Minnesota 4-H reaches nearly 58,000 youth across the state.

4-H enrollment has increased by a third in the past four years, and the program is aiming to reach 100,000 young Minnesotans, with the newly renovated State Fair building serving as a premier center for youth leadership and development.

“The skills Minnesota’s youth need to succeed in life and careers are changing rapidly, and Minnesota 4-H ensures they are ready to meet those challenges,” said Jennifer Skuza, Minnesota 4-H Director and University of Minnesota Extension Associate Dean. “This renovation will allow us to improve how we showcase youth achievement and innovation and build connections to future opportunities by linking fair activities to yearround programs, educational pathways and community engagement.”

“We’re deeply grateful for the early generosity that has helped launch this effort,” said Minnesota State Fair CEO Renee Alexander. “The 4-H Building is an iconic part of our historic fairgrounds, and this investment is about making sure it continues to serve Minnesota’s youth for generations. There’s still work to do, and we’re hopeful Minnesotans will step forward to help us reach our goal to fully realize what this space can be.”

The Cargills said they are excited to offer their support for the project and hope to inspire broader community engagement in the missions of Minnesota 4-H and the Minnesota State Fair.

“At its heart, this initiative is about the students,” Kathy and Jim Cargill said in a statement. “The young people who emerge from the 4-H program demonstrate exceptional strength in agriculture, STEM and the arts — and they grow into leaders who serve communities across the state. The activities housed within the 4-H Building on the fairgrounds represent the culmination of their dedication — showcasing the very best of their work and achievements throughout the year. We are honored to support a new generation of young people who embody the values of hard work, perseverance and integrity, while never losing sight of the joy and camaraderie that make the journey meaningful.”

Remember When

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Excerpts from past Tracy newspapers April 26, 1956 —Peterson Construction Co. workmen are pushing construction of the new Red Rooster cafe on Highway 14, at the present time putting up beams for the flat roof. The new Red Rooster will provide a cafe and dining room, service station and small quarters in the rear for transient truckers. It is expected that the building will be ready for occupancy late next month.

April 28, 1966 — The annual spring roundup of youngsters, an estimated 130 expected to start kindergarten next fall, will be held today at Currie and all day Friday at the Tracy elementary school. Prin. Vernon Grinde expects that about 30 boys and girls will attend the Currie pre-school conference this morning starting at 8:45. Pres. Mrs. Marvin Lindberg and other members of the Mother’s Club there are in charge of arrangements and will serve refreshments.

Obituaries: John McCoy, Robert Brokke, Paul Knoblauch, Sr

April 22, 1976 — Bernie Holm, chief of the Tracy Fire Department since 1967, has resigned from the chief’s position effective immediately. Holm made the surprise announcement at this month’s meeting, according to Department President Dave Abernethy, who said Assistant Chief Lloyd (Bud) Whaley will assume duties of chief. In a letter to Abernethy, Holm said it was “because of responsibilities to my family and business. Holm is the seventh fire chief since 1940.

Obituaries: Verena Omberson, George W. Castle, Mrs. John McCormick, Edward Bemmels, Keith Moen, Edward Haase

April 30, 1986 — Bradley Salmon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Salmon, was recently chosen as the 1986 Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen. The Good Citizens Program was established by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1934. The local chapter of that organization has participated in that program every year from that time. Good Citizens are chosen for qualities of leadership, service, dependability and patriotism.

Obituaries: Vincent Carey, Marie Rosenau, Rudolph Mitzner

April 24, 1996 — The Mediterranean Club was closed for three days last week. Owner Tom Morin said he was accused of taking a vacation but it was far the truth. “We did a major remodeling job in the kitchen. We worked from 6:30 a.m. until 9 at night. The telephone kept ringing but the crew kept working. It was far from a break for anyone,” Morin said. The club has a new exhaust hood and make-up air unit in the kitchen. There is also a new broiler, range and grill. Besides the new equipment , new wiring and a new kitchen door was installed.

Obituaries: Hannah Glynn, Robert Giesler, Elizabeth Pelkey, Louise Ann Fischer, Tanner Larson

April 26, 2006 — A new owner is preparing to take over the kitchen at Sanders’ Eastside. Arlene (Fastenau) Ross is purchasing the restaurant, bar and store from Ruth Sanders effective May 1. “We’re really excited,” Ross said. “It’s really going to be fun having our own business.” A lifelong area resident, Ross is no novice in the food business. She has worked at restaurants and supper clubs for 28 years. Her most recent job as a cook was at the Red Rooster Restaurant in Tracy. “I know how to make just about everything,” she said.

Obituaries: Harold LaVoy

April 27, 2016 — Mason Van Essen has been elected student body president at Augustana University, Sioux Falls. The 2013 Tracy Area High School graduate was elected on a ticket with Vice President Abbie Sell of Brookings, SD. The Van Essen/Sell ticket received 51.08% of the 823 ballots cast. Van Essen, a junior, is currently the student treasurer and administrator and planning chair at Augustana. Sell is a sophomore and a leader of the student organization “It’s on Us.”

Obituaries: Eugene Longstrom, Wayne Greeley

GOOD ADVICE! City Patrolman Al Graham, left, is shown helping highway maintenance worker Ken Triplett tighten up a nut on one of the new “Buckle Up and Live” signs at the west edge of the city in 1966. The signs are installed state-wide to get motorists to use their seat belts — and live.

5-BALL, CORNER POCKET: LUBBEN IS ON CUE AT BIG 8-BALL TOURNAMENT

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Keith Lubben shoots league pool every week at The Caboose, but his experience last week in Mankato was a far cry from that.

Try 96 billiards table in a large arena, and hundreds of competitors at the CNN YearEnd 8-Ball Tournament.

But Lubben wasn’t phased and ended up taking first place and bringing home a $600 reward and a plaque. He even defeated a person who knocked him out of a tournament in Sioux Falls, SD, a week earlier.

“We kind of laughed at each other, because she said, ‘I beat you in Sioux Falls and that didn’t mean anything!’” Lubben said. “It was kind of funny that we ended up meeting in the tournament.”

This past weekend’s tournament consisted of four 16-person brackets. Lubben played five best-of-five matches of 8-Ball Thursday, earning his way into the Friday’s winner’s bracket.

He won his first match 3-2 and his second 3-1 to earn a spot in the finals, where he won as well to cap off a memorable run.

“It was exciting, it was fun,” Lubben said. “It was very good sportsmanship, which I crave.”

But, Lubben concedes, he didn’t rely solely on his skill or experience.

“I was lucky,” he said. “No doubt about it. I’d make shots that I sometimes don’t make, and there were times that I’d miss shots, but I was lucky enough where I hid the cue ball so they wouldn’t get a good shot. Or sometimes my opponent missed and allowed me an opportunity to make. A blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while!”

Lubben has been playing pool since he was a kid at home and has been shooting league for about 15 years.

“I got nervous for a while,” he said. “On the second day, I was not nervous, I was focused.”

TMB BOYS 4TH AT HOME INVITE

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Eli Lightfoot wins triple jump and long jump

Eli Lightfoot swept the long jump and triple jump events at Tuesday’s Panther II Invite — TMB’s first home meet of the spring.

Lightfoot jumped 19’-8.5” in the long jump and 35’-9” in the triple jump.

The Panther boys finished fourth overall.

Tyler Arnold was second in the

800-meter run with a time of 2:14.12; Hunter Ostgaard was third in the

200-meter run at 24.03 and fourth in the 100-meter run at 11.81; and the TMB 4x200 relay team of Owen Maguire, Chanse Swenhaugen, Ty Yackely and Braden Morgan was third with a time of 1:36.47.

For the girls, Lauren Knakmuhs placed second in the 800-meter run

a 2:52.03, and Elizabeth Buyck was second in the pole vault at 7’.

The TMB girls took eighth place.

The Panthers are in Worthington today (April 23) and compete in the Bob Nagle Relays in Pipestone on Tuesday.

Girls

100 meter run: 1. 12.00 / 13. Elizabeth Buyck, 14.74; 17. Brooke Swenhaugen,

15.17; 27. Aishwarya Moua, 16.59 200 meter run: 1. 24.70 / 19. Elsie Knott,

33.07 400 meter run: 1. 1:03.22 / 15. Knott,

1:15.49 ; 19. Gracelynn Struchen, 1:22.57;

21. Nora Rice, 1:24.52 800 meter run: 1. 2:36.94 / 2. Lauren Knakmuhs, 2:52.03; 8. Avaya Sagmoe,

3:13.48; 14. Payton Daniels, 4:14.83 100 meter hurdles: 1. 17.20; 14. Clara Buyck, 21.30; 15. Stella Munson, 21.81; 16. Jayda Snyder, 21.81 300 meter hurdles: 1. 52.82 / 7. Linaye Schreier, 57.81; 11. Munson, 1:04.91 4x100 relay: 1. 50.74 / 4. TMB (RaeLynn Schreier, Linaye Schreier, Buyck, Avery Anderson, 56.55) 4x200 relay: 1. 1:55.75 / 6. TMB (Buyck, Brooke Swenhaugen, Knakmuhs, R.

Schreier) 2:01.87 Shot put: 1. 31-3..5 / 10. Swenhaugen,

25-11.75; 16. Ava Swenhaugen, 24-3.52;

21. Makayla Erickson, 20-1.5; 23. Sagmoe,

19-6 Discus: 1. 111-4 / 14. Payton Daniels, 59-4;

15. A. Swenhaugen, 58-4.75; 25. Kolbie Lanners, 47-4/25; 29. Sagmoe, 43-7 High jump: 1. 5-0 / 4. Alexis Dames, 4-2; 7. Elsie Knott, 4-0; 9. Steichen, 4-0 Pole vault: 1. 8-0 / 2. Buyck, 7-0 Long jump: 1. 19-1 /

10. L. Schreier 14-2;

22. Emmarie Ripley,

11-8

Boys

100 meter run: 1.

11.49 / 4. Hunter Ostgaard, 11.81; 5.

Eli Lightfoot, 11.84; 9.

Myhlez Moua, 12.23 200 meter run: 1.

23.42 / 3. Ostgaard,

24.03; 11. Owen Maguire, 26.00; 15.

Cayden Lakings, 26.69 400 meter run: 1. 51.63 / 12. Benito Ortiz,

1:01.38; 16. Karson Schneider, 1:02.44; 24.

Xander Brinkley, 1:10.22 800 meter run: 1. 2:08.76 / 2. Tyler Arnold,

2:14.12; 17. Baw Htoo, 3:01.62 1,600 meter run: 1. 4:48.93 / 4. Owen Beier, 5:2.12; 8. Jaxter Pfarr, 5:48.43 110 meter hurdles: 1. 15.54 / 6. Talon Brinkley, 18.96; 9. Auden Ortiz, 21.31 300 meter hurdles: 1. 40.93 / 11. A.

Ortiz, 53.15; 12. Brinkley, 53.69; 13. Sam Lightfoot, 53.69 4x100 relay: 1. 44.76 / 4. TMB (Moua, Braden Morgan, Ty Yackley, Hunter Ostgaard) 47.55 4x200 relay: 1. 1:36.47 / 3. TMB (Maguire, Chanse Swenhaugen, Yackely, Morgan)

1:41.00 Shot put: 1. 46-7.75 / 19. Ismael Reyes,

33-7.25; 30. Adam Hippe, 30-4.25; 33. Lane Peterson, 28-5; 35. Cohen Radke, 24-9.5

Discus: 1. 145-1 / 27. Reyes, 80-9.5; 32.

Peterson, 66-3; 33. Hippe, 64-3; 37. Radke,

50-1 Pole vault: 1. 11-6 / 5. Noah Schmidt, 9-0;

7. Damion Crooks, 8-6; 12. Schreider, 6-6 Long jump: 1. Eli Lightfoot, 19-8.5 ; 7. S.

Lightfoot, 17-1.5

Triple jump: 1. E. Lightfoot, 40-1; 3. S.

Lightfoot, 35-9

JAYDA SNYDER (left) and Clara Buyck run nearly side-by-side in the 100-meter hurdles at the Panther II Invite on Tuesday.

LIGHTFOOT

TALON BRINKLEY (left) clears a hurdle during Tuesday’s Panther II Invitational. The TMB boys took fourth place overall.

Big rebound for Panthers, who go back over .500

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

The Panthers bounced back from an ugly loss last week to edge Dawson-Boyd 4-3 on Tuesday.

TMB (4-3, 3-1 Camden) out-hit the Blackjacks 8-4, led by Aiden Snow’s two hits and two RBI. Jackson Kruse had a double, two RBI and scored a run, Carson Lanoue had a hit and reached base three times, and Taylor Squires, Connor Lanoue and Griffin Zick all had a hit and scored one run.

“The lineup was great,” TMB coach James Fultz said. “We didn’t help the opposing pitching, drew a handful of walks and took a handful of batsmen. Only scoring four runs is the one thing I can complain about — we left the bases loaded twice and left runners in scoring position in two other innings as well. But the guys played great; they really earned this win.”

Connor Lanoue was lights out on the mound, scattering four hits and striking out seven while walking just one in the completegame win to improve to 2-0.

“Connor was great on the mound today,” Fultz said. “He had all three pitches working and was in a great rhythm.”

D-B 020 001 0 — 3 4 0 TMB 300 010 x — 4 8 2 Lanoue (W, 2-0) and Squires. 2B: Kruse.

APRIL 17: LQPV 20, TMB 12

The Panthers were victims of two of their worst innings in years in a 20-12 homeopening loss to Lac qui Parle Valley last Thursday.

After a scoreless first inning, the Eagles erupted for nine runs in the second, fueled by TMB errors, hit batsmen, doubles and a home run.

“ Games like this, you take all the good stuff and hopefully carry it to the next game, and all the bad stuff you learn from it and leave it with the team we just played,” TMB manager James Fultz said. “The guys know we didn’t play well today, and luckily its only game six, so we have more chances to get better and improve in the areas we struggled with.”

But as bad the bleeding got, TMB’s offense provided a Band-Aid. The Panthers had a big inning of their own in the second, plating five runs as they started the clawing-back process. TMB loaded the bases multiple times, and time and time again, cashed in.

Brody Hauger singled with the bases juiced, scoring two runners to get TMB on the board; Aiden Sanow scored from third on a wild pitch; Brayden Marron walked to score another run; Taylor Squires knocked in two with a base hit. All that helped cut TMB’s deficit to 9-5.

PANTHER THIRD BASEMAN BRAYDEN MARRON hurls a throw to first to record an out against LQPV last Friday.

“Everything on the offensive side was good for us to see,” said Fultz. “We had some guys that haven’t had a ton of success at the plate this year make some solid contact and get rolling in the right direction.”

The Panthers kept clawing, too. They pushed across three more runs in their half of the third, cutting the lead to 9-8 on a run-scoring single by Connor Lanoue.

In the fourth, reliever Jackson Kruse pitched out of a bases-loaded jam, and TMB struck again in the bottom half of the inning. David Schuh tripled with one out and scored on a throw from home to first to retire a TMB batter.

So we had a game … until the fifth, when LQPV’s offense came back to life. The Eagles scored three in the fifth and put all the nails they would need for this coffin with a big eight-run inning.

TMB made five errors on the day.

“For us to win games, we need to keep the error number at two or less, and that didn’t happen today,” Fultz said.

Hauger, Sanow, Schuh, Kruse and Lanoue all had two hits, and Hauger drove in four runs. Sanow scored twice, and Hauger and Schuh both cross the plate two times.

On the mound, the Panthers used five pitchers, with Kruse getting the most work with 3-1/3 innings; he got the loss.

LQVP 090 038 0 — 20 16 1 TMB 053 103 0 — 12 12 5 Zick, Kruse (L, 2), Hauger (5), Sanow (6) and Squires and Carson Lanoue. 2B: Hauger. 3B: Schuh

Regional fishing outlooks available from Minnesota DNR in preparation for opener

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Anglers looking for local fishing information before the Saturday, May 9 fishing opener can check the regional fishing outlooks from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The outlooks provide details about fishing opportunities and conditions in different parts of the state, including for specific lakes, rivers and streams.

“Conditions at opener could vary significantly based on how far north anglers are fishing,” said Leslie George, northeast region fisheries manager. “Cold water and lingering ice can affect fish behavior and positioning, requiring different fishing tactics compared to warmer waters to the south. Even within a waterbody, temperatures can vary by several degrees.”

Anglers have many options in addition to fishing for the popular walleye. Back bays of lakes are great for finding abundant bluegill and crappie. Bass catch-andrelease fishing is now open and provides additional opportunity. Northern pike are almost always willing to bite, and Minnesota has all kinds of other native rough fish species like sucker species, freshwater drum and others that can provide a lot of action and good table fare.

The regional fishing outlooks include details about waters throughout each region and can be found on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/fishing/outlooks. html). Regional fisheries managers are available to discuss those outlooks with members of the media.

Community Ed. Schedule

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

THURSDAY, APRIL 23RD:

Speaker Kent Mollberg at HS Gym, 12:30pm Softball AB (DH) vs. Minneota/Canby at Tracy, 4:30pm Baseball A vs. Canby at Canby, 4:30pm Baseball C vs. Minneota at Minneota, 4:30pm Track A Meet at Worthington, 4:00pm Golf C Meet vs. Canby & YME at Tracy Golf Course, 4:30pm ECFE Night at Elem Gym, 5:00pm JO Volleyball 16s practice at HS Gym, 6:00am SW JO Volleyball Practice at HS Gym, 6:30pm SW MN UKAI at Tracy Kids World Gym, 6:30pm

FRIDAY, ARPIL 24TH:

Track C Meet at Tracy, 4:00pm Golf A Meet at Cottonwood Golf Course, 4:30pm Golf C Meet at Westbrook Golf Course, 4:15pm Softball C vs. Wabasso at Tracy Hwy 14 South, 4:30pm JO Volleyball 16s practice at HS Gym, 6:00am JO Volleyball 10/11/12 practice at HS Gym, 6:00pm

SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH:

State Speech at Park Center High School, TBD SW MN UKAI Tournament at HS Gym, 10:00am – 3:00pm SUNDAY, APRIL 26TH: FFA Chapter Banquet at HS Cafeteria, 5:00pm JO Volleyball 13/14 practice at HS Gym, 4:30pm TABA 1st & 2nd grade practice at Sebastian Park South, 5:30pm TABA 3rd grade practice at Sebastian Park North, 5:00pm TABA 4th grade practice at Sebastian Park North, 7:00pm TABA 6th grade practice at Hwy 14 South Field, 6:30pm

MONDAY, APRIL 27TH:

Elementary Band & Choir Concert at HS Gym, 7:00pm Baseball AB vs. MACCRAY at Raymond, 4:30pm Golf Varsity Tournament at Ortonville, 10:30am Track C Meet at Worthington, 4:30pm Softball C vs. Minneota/Canby at Tracy, 4:30pm

TUESDAY, APRIL 28TH:

Softball AB vs. KMS at Tracy Hwy 14 Fields, 4:30pm Softball A vs. RTR at Tracy Hwy 14 Fields, 7:00pm Track Varsity Meet at Pipestone, 4:00pm Golf C Meet at Canby Golf Course, 4:30pm Baseball A vs. MCC at Tracy, 4:30pm Baseball C vs. RTR at Tracy JH Field, 4:30pm Big Buddies to the Elem Schools during lunch

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29TH:

Big Buddies to the Elem Schools during lunch

THURSDAY, APRIL 30TH:

Baseball AB vs. KMS at Milroy Yankee Field, 4:30pm Softball A vs. LQPV at LQPV, 4:30pm Golf Varsity Meet at Renville, 4:30pm

School Activities & Community Education

TMB rolls to 12-2 home win over Blackjacks

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

After a slow start Tuesday, the bats came alive for the Panther softball team enroute to a 12-2 victory over Dawson Boyd.

After working out of a jam in the top of the first allowing only one run, Gretchen Lanoue settled in and kept the Blackjacks off the scoreboard for the next three innings.

The Panther bats were also kept quiet to start the game, as TMB was only able to garner one hit over the first three innings. But in the fourth, the Panthers found the sweet spot — and the scoreboard.

Braelynn Kirk led off the inning with an inside-the-park home run to deep center. Rosa Vang followed it up with a single and went to second on a Blackjack error. Alli Dolan doubled to bring Vang home.

“Braelynn got us going to start the fourth, and it seemed like that sparked the team and then everyone was having good at-bats,” TMB coach Karl Campbell said.

The Blackjacks hoped to slow down the Panther offensive attack with a pitching change, but it didn’t have the effect they had hoped for.

Lanoue reached on an error, Aliyah Loftness drew a walk, and a single from Bella Martinez loaded the bases for the Panthers. Piper Freeburg then drew the second walk of the inning to bring in a run.

The Blackjacks came back with two quick outs, but the Panthers weren’t done. Kirk — at the plate for the second time in the inning — drew a walk and Vang was hit by pitch. Dolan hit a single past the second baseman to score two more runs. Lanoue reached on another DB error and Loftness drove in a run with a single.

When the dust settled at the end of the inning, the Panthers had flipped the scoreboard and with a 10-1 lead.

Dawson Boyd wasn’t ready to go home yet and battled in the fifth. Two Panther errors and a hit batter scored a run for the Blackjacks, but that’s all they could muster.

In the sixth, Kirk once again started the offense with a single. A perfect sacrifice bunt by Rosa Vang sent Kirk to second. Dolan singled again, driving in Kirk, and she moved to third on two wild pitches. Loftness walked and Dolan scored on another wild pitch to end the game, 12-2.

“I was very happy with our outfield play,” Campbell said. “Offensive started slow the first three innings; I felt like we were pressing a little and just not having quality at-bats early.”

Lanoue went all six innings, giving up two runs and five hits and striking out two. The Panthers were led at the plate by Dolan with three hits, including a double, followed by Kirk with two hits, including her home run, and Martinez with two hits.

D-B 100 010 — 2 5 3 TMB 000 (10)02 — 12 9 2 Lanoue (W) and Freeburg. 2B: Dolan, Martinez. HR: Krik. HBP: Vang. SACB: Vang.

APRIL 16: TMB 6, MCC 5

A continuing rivalry between TMB and MCC had another big moment last Thursday in Slayton when the Rebels had the tying run at third with two outs. She was left there by starting pitcher Gretchen Lanoue as the Panthers prevailed 6-5.

“It was a back-and-forth game the whole way through,”TMB coach Karl Campbell said. “It seemed like we were hitting the ball well, but it was either right at a defender or they were making great plays the first half of game. We finally strung some things together offensively in the sixth to take the lead.”

Lanoue got the win and also collected a pair of hits. Bella Martinez and Avery Torgeson also had two hits apiece. Martinez, Lanoue and Rosa Vang each scored two runs.

ROSA VANG rounds third on her way to scoring a run for the Panthers on Tuesday.

“It was a good game by both teams,” Campbell said. “Gretchen pitched well, and our defense played well.”

TMB 020 013 0 — 6 12 2 MCC 111 020 0 — 5 8 3 Lanoue (W) and Freeburg. 2B: Lanoue. HBP: Vang, Freeburg.

Sports Flashbacks

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Excerpts from past Tracy newspapers April 26, 1956 — David Rolland, a junior at Milroy high school, is a threesport athlete, but the effort is beginning to tell on his nose. Last Friday, his nose was badly broken when he collided with teammate Donald Zwach while chasing a foul ball during the Milroy-Balaton baseball game. He was taken to Tracy hospital, where he spent till Saturday afternoon, and was out of school most of this week. David suffered a broken nose in the past basketball season. Previously, he broke it playing football.

April 28, 1966 — The Tracy Engineers blanked Cottonwood 3-0 in the season’s opener Sunday behind the air-tight pitching of Mgr. Dick Bosacker who allowed only one hit, a double, and chalked up 15 strikeouts. Jim Venard scored Tracy’s first run on an overthrow of third base after two errors and a fielder’s choice. Bruce Knigge, after walking, scored the second tally after the catch when Jerry Mickelson hit a long fly to right field.

April 22, 1976 — Errors continued to plague Tracy High School’s baseball team as the Scrappers committed a total of 10 in losing to Slayton here Tuesday afternoon. Tracy runs were scored on a Mike Eischens single, a John Lindstrom single, two errors, a fielder’s choice and a single by Tracy Nelson.

April 30, 1986 — Doug Neisess continued his streak of victories in the 100 meter dash, and a school record fell last week in Tracy Scrapper track action in two separate meets. the 400 relay team composed of Neisess, Richard Stanek, John Schaffer and John Apostol set a new school record in that event with a clocking of 43.3 seconds to earn first place.

April 24, 1996 — The Panther boys won their meet over Red Rock Central at Sanborn Friday. The girls finished second to RRC and won over Fulda. The boys edged RRC by I point 182-183 and the boys B squad won 193·230.

The boys varsity squad scores were Andy Rau 41 (medalist), Chris Ruppert 44, Brad Hengel 47 and Scott Zick 50. The B squad individual scores were Mike Erbes 47, Justin Peltola 47, Aaron Fritz 48 and Jay Strand 52. The girls’ team scores were RRC 187, T·M 218 and Fulda 255. Scoring for the T-M girls were Melissa Erbes 53, Heidi Peterson 54, Nadine Brandt 55 and Amanda Rau 56.

April 26, 2006 — Tracy/Milroy/Balaton softball girls overcame a stubborn effort from the Adrian Dragons to notch a 13-6 win at home Friday. After Adrian had scored three in the top of the second to take a 3-2 lead, the Panthers roared back with five in the bottom to claim a 7-3 lead. Ashlei Carpenter led the Panthers with four hits in five at-bats. Mariah Schelhaas and Casie Miller both had three-hit games. Miller had four RBI.

April 27, 2016 — Panther track teams placed fifth in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions in the 12-school Fulda Invitational, held last week in Slayton. Kendra Ludeman led the Panther girls with by winning the high jump and 200 meters. Taylor Schmidt was second in the pole vault. For the boys, Josh Kirk was second in the 100 meters and Caleb Lasley was third in the high jump. The TMB 4x100 relay team of Michael Munson, Spencer Smith, Lasley, and Kirk was third.

Recycling Today

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

April and May are traditionally regarded as the ideal months for springcleaning. However, adopting a consistent decluttering habit throughout the year proves to be far more effective in reducing clutter and alleviating stress. We encourage residents to regularly assess items you may no longer want or need, rather than postponing their removal. By planning to eliminate these items throughout the year, you can maintain a more organized living space.

Regularly removing unneeded items not only simplifies your environment but also enhances the ability of recipients to process these donations effectively.

We advise residents to contact our various partners in donation, waste management, and recycling beforehand to prevent overwhelming the system during the busy spring cleanup period. Many cities will soon offer designated cleanup days.

Here are some practical tips for residents to prevent accumulation of unwanted items in your home: Rather than relying on a single, extensive cleaning effort, consider dedicating 30 minutes each day to tidying up and performing quick resets to keep your home in optimal condition.

Instead of undertaking major purges, allocate just five minutes daily to manageable tasks, such as organizing a single drawer, clearing a surface, or deleting unnecessary emails and photos.

The “One-In, One-Out” Principle: To effectively manage the influx of new items, adopt a rule that necessitates the removal of one item — either through disposal or donation — whenever a new item enters your home.

Utilize brief intervals to eliminate expired, broken, or unused items, thereby simplifying the cleaning and organization process. Keep a few baskets or boxes readily available for items that will be leaving your home. Designate these for trash, donations, or specific recycling categories, such as Styrofoam or batteries.

Please remember that while decluttering, do not use curbside recycling pickup or drop-off sites for excess trash. Recycling programs do not accept the following items: plastic shopping bags, clothing or shoes, cords and tanglers, hazardous waste, batteries or electronics, shredded paper, Styrofoam, diapers or cat litter, yard waste, scrap metal or wood, bulky items (such as children’s pools or plastic storage containers), and especially no needles or medications.

You may be wondering why city cleanups do not offer cleanup of certain materials such as household chemicals or paint. This is because there are strict rules that the state sets for these types of items. Residents are allowed to transport their own items to our local Household Hazardous Waste facility in Marshall but for someone else to transport them requires many other steps for the person or business who is transporting them. The Marshall Household Hazardous Waste facility is open Monday-Friday from 8am to 4:30pm and every second Saturday of the month from 9am-2pm for your convenience.

If you are uncertain about how to dispose of specific items, please do not hesitate to reach out to us; we are here to assist you! Residents can also attend one of our upcoming free classes which will at the Marshall Lyon County Library. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle will be held at noon on May 8; composting at noon on May 15; and pring cleaning, moving and cleaning shop at noon on May 21.

For help with questions, please contact the Lyon County Environmental office at (507) 532-8210 or the Lyon County Landfill at (507) 865-4615.

Swedzinski: House Republicans propose historic tax cuts

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

House Republicans have unveiled a “North Star Comeback” package of bills that, together, would provide nearly $4 billion in tax relief.

The plan features $1 billion in one-time property tax relief, eliminates taxes on tips and overtime, and reduces car tab fees. It also lowers childcare costs and provides hundreds of millions of dollars for education at no cost to taxpayers through scholarshipgranting organizations.

State Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, said the package is built around three main components: protecting family budgets, making government work for Minnesotans, and building a world-class economy where businesses can survive and thrive. These proposals, Swedzinski said, reflect what legislators are hearing across the state as families, businesses, and local governments feel the pinch in today’s economy.

“People have suffered enough damage from the reckless spending and unnecessary tax increases enacted when there was oneparty control at the Capitol,” Swedzinski said. “Minnesota has become a more expensive place to live, raise a family, and operate a business, and many Minnesotans are falling further behind financially.”

Swedzinski said many of the proposals in the North Star Comeback are common-sense policies that Minnesotans broadly support. For example, several measures aimed at improving government are included, such as modernizing countyadministered public service IT systems and dedicating additional funding for fraud prevention. The proposal also expands safe schools funding so that, Swedzinski said, every student can learn in a secure environment.

Republicans have made efforts to advance some of the package’s components, only to have House Democrats block them. This includes one bill that would provide a combined $2.05 billion in tax relief for 66,000 Minnesota businesses – at no cost to the state – by conforming to the federal tax code, as well as a Republican proposal to provide $1 billion in property tax relief.

Swedzinski said property tax relief is crucial, especially after unfunded mandates imposed on local governments contributed to increases. He indicated it makes sense to use the current, shortterm $3.7 billion surplus to provide a one-time rebate to Minnesotans – especially seniors on fixed incomes – who are being stretched thin.

A bill (H.F. 4308) Swedzinski authored that would provide Minnesota ratepayers with $3.6 billion in relief on their energy bills over the next 10 years by repealing state mandates that drive up costs paid by consumers also was stopped by House Democrats.

“The House is tied, so we need at least one Democrat to get on board so we can pass these bills and make Minnesota more affordable,” Swedzinski said. “So far, that hasn’t happened.”

Panther Pride

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

TRACY AREA HIGH SCHOOL PANTHER PRIDES students for March included 60 students with had at least a 97% attendance rate, no discipline issues or cell phone violations and are passing all their classes. Last month’s sponsor was the Tracy Eagles Club. Submitted photo

Preacher’s Point

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

The Creation

Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

These are the first words of the Holy Bible. More than a statement, I believe this is God’s great take-it-or-leave-it verse, setting up the rest of Scripture.

The reason Genesis 1:1 sets up the rest of Scripture is that God wants us to take the Bible by faith, and the first verse of Scripture leaves us with no choice. Much of the Bible can be backed up by archaeological discoveries, ancient government documents, and written personal accounts, but with this verse, there are no eyewitnesses. We have to take God’s Word for it. You either believe it, or you don’t.

God deals with the world through faith. Salvation is through faith (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:1; Romans 1:16; and many other verses). The saved are to live by faith (Romans 1:17; Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).

How important is faith? Many people try to please God through their actions, choosing to do the right thing, performing some religious ritual, and the like, but God says that He cannot be pleased without faith. Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

God, with His first Words, describes the creation of the universe without using the words faith or believe, yet He establishes that a person must take God’s Word by faith, or not take it at all.

When we get to the New Testament, John provides more detail about creation. John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

A casual reading of these verses and of Genesis 1 makes the passage in John seem like a summary of the creation. As you read Genesis 1, you will read, “And God said…” nine times. God leaves no doubt that He spoke the universe into existence. But John 1 is more than a summary. John uses the word “Word” three times in verse one, and every time a capital W is used. He is telling us that He is not just talking about words that are spoken, but he is speaking of a person, he is speaking of God. Remember the phrase, “and the Word was God.” John also uses the phrase “and the Word was with God,” indicating that another person was present at creation. The fact that this “Word” is another person and that this “Word” is God establishes the doctrine of the Trinity. In Genesis 1:26, we read a conversation among the three persons of God about creating man in their image. Mankind is created in the image of God, and that image shows the three persons of the Godhead. We are made up of spirit, soul, and body.

But who is this Word? John 1:14 gives us the answer to that question. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

The only begotten of the Father can be none other than Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Word of John chapter one, and when we read in Genesis one, all those “And God said…” that created the universe, it was Jesus Christ doing the talking.

The creation of the universe is something that must be taken by faith. Either you believe the first chapters of Genesis and John, not to mention the dozens of other Biblical verses that speak on the subject, or you don’t.

What difference does it make if someone believes the Biblical creation story or not?

John emphasizes that Jesus is God and the Creator. If Jesus is not God, all worship for Him should stop. Why worship a man? If He is not God, then the Bible cannot be trusted because one of its main themes, the deity of Christ, is a lie. If He is not God, His death cannot save anyone; the eternal life He claims to give is an empty hope.

But if the Biblical account of creation is true, then Jesus Christ is God. If He is God, the blood that He shed can wash away your sins and grant you eternal life. If Jesus is God, then His Word is truth. If Jesus is God, then the guidelines the Scripture gives us for life are far more than good suggestions; they are the marching orders the Creator has given us to live by.

Whether or not we believe the Biblical creation story is proved by how much we obey the rest of Scripture. After all, if the creation story is true, then Jesus is God, and we should follow the Scriptures. If the creation story is not true, then Jesus is not God, and what difference does it make if we follow the Scriptures or not?

Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Take it or leave it.