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Owatonna People's Press
Tracy Granquist on road to recovery, recognized as Relay for Life honorary chair
“It is so nice to hear your voice.” Tracy Granquist has been hearing that a lot lately. Because, only five months ago, Granquist was doing all of her correspondence via email as she fought squamous cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer. Today, she is happy to report she is receiving clear scans, and on Saturday, she will share more of her story during the annual Steele County Relay...
Two juveniles transported from scene following rollover crash near Deerfield
On Sept. 15 at around 1:30 p.m., The Steele County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Owatonna Fire Department, Owatonna Police Department, Mayo Ambulance, Mayo Air Care, and North Memorial Air Care were dispatched to a single vehicle rollover around the 3600 block of 85th Avenue NW in Rural Deerfield Township. Upon arrival, responding units located one vehicle with extensive damage. The vehicle was occupied by five juveniles. Two of the five occupants were ejected from the vehicle and airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital and North Memorial Hospital due to their injuries. The other three occupants were not transported from the scene. Preliminary investigation suggests the single vehicle was travelling northbound on 85th Avenue NW when the driver lost control and went into the ditch and rolled. The incident is being reviewed by the Steele County Attorney’s Office.
Bethel Church resurrecting the Great Giveaway, where everything is free
For 75 years, the congregation at Bethel Church in Owatonna has made it their mission to help people find Jesus. Sometimes, that means showing the religious figure and his message through the acts and service of everyday people, and this weekend the church is hoping to accomplish exactly that. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Bethel Church will be bringing back the Great Giveaway — a popular event from 2010 that brought 1,000 people to the church in a garage sale style setting...
Tigers take down Panthers backed by home court advantage
The energy inside the Medford High School gym was electric Tuesday night, as the Medford student section roared throughout the Tigers’ volleyball match against NRHEG. The Panthers gave it their all, but they were no match for Medford, as the Tigers won the lone home match of their Homecoming week. The crowd was hyped up all throughout the Tigers’ 3-0 win. The Tigers came out of the deck swinging as...
Huskies pick up fourth tie of the season, doubling last season's amount
The 2024 soccer season for the Owatonna boys team is already more than halfway complete. Sitting at 2-3-3 before Tuesday’s home matchup against Rochester Century, the Huskies have been in every game and have had a chance to win every one. Owatonna competed in another tight matchup against Century Tuesday, as they picked up their fourth tie of the season. The Rochester Century Panthers scored the first goal of the...
NRHEG hosts cross country invite at Riverview Golf Course
The weather continued to be perfect for Gopher Conference cross country teams as clear skies once again was the setting for a cross country meet. This week was NRHEG’s turn to host their cross country invite at Riverview Golf Course. NRHEG’s Jacob Karl performed well in his home area as he placed fourth in the boys race Tuesday afternoon. Medford was the only area team to place in the official team scores, as they placed in sixth out of six full teams in both the...
Eagle Scout project gives KC Hall much-needed makeover
Between school and extracurriculars like soccer and choir, 16-year-old Logan Halverson already had plenty on his plate before embarking on the projects that’s taken up his weekends in recent months. Halverson, an active member of Boy Scout Troop 253, has lately spent much of his free time restoring the landscaping at Owatonna KC Hall. The project is his final step toward becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest ranking achievable for a scout. ...
PROFILES: Gail Zollner is a natural fit as Owatonna's 'mom'
It seems everywhere you turn in Owatonna, you're bound to run into Gail Zollner. The running joke in her household is there is always somewhere to go, something to do, and somewhere to be. The "semi-retired" is constantly busy, and it has become no surprise that people view her as a sudo-mother. Especially because, like most mothers in the world, Zollner doesn't do what she does for recognition; it's simply...
Taste of Steele County raises funds for women's scholarships
Two hours, a wide selection of foods and approximately 200 attendees — that was the recipe for this year’s Taste of Steele County. The annual culinary sampling treated guests to a veritable buffet of options Monday night at the Owatonna Eagles, ranging from hors d’oeuvres to desserts and drinks. Taste is a fundraiser organized by AAUW Owatonna, the local chapter of the American Association of University Women, which provides scholarships to local women and girls. ...
Federated names Mankato office building in honor of Fetters
During a dedication ceremony Tuesday, Federated Insurance named its office building located at 2000 Technology Drive in Mankato the “Jeffrey E. Fetters Building” in honor of its chairman, Jeff Fetters. Fetters will retire at the end of 2024, bringing to a close an impressive 45-year career with the company. The event, which was attended by the Federated Insurance Companies Board of Directors and executive staff, as well as Fetters’ colleagues,...
Owatonna man, wife face new charges of drug dealing
An Owatonna man charged just a week ago with selling a confidential informant over a quarter pound of psilocybin mushrooms has been hit with new charges for possession of a large amount of cannabis, while his wife has also been charged with selling psilocybin mushrooms. Steven Thomas Bessette, 43, was charged in Steele County District Court with three seperate felony counts of possession of cannabis flower, possession of cannabis concentrate and possession of edible cannabis products, on September 11. ...
Huskies win against Rochester John Marshall, place 3rd at Cougar Relays
A busy week proved a successful week for the Owatonna girls swim & dive team, which won its first home meet Thursday and finished high at a multi-team meet Saturday. The Huskies traveled to Mankato Saturday to participate in an invite at Mankato East, just two days after winning their first home meet of the year against Rochester John Marshall. The Huskies performed well at the invite, tying for third place with St. Peter out of seven teams. ...
Allina Health announces nursing layoff, schedule change coming Nov. 2
For the first time in 40 years, the Owatonna Hospital will be experiencing a layoff of floor staff come November — specifically of nurses. In a statement sent to the People’s Press, Allina Health — the parent company of the Owatonna Hospital — said they will be modifying the elective surgery schedule in Owatonna from five days a week to four days a week, starting Nov. 2, no longer having those surgeries on Fridays. ...
Memorial ride honors Hunter Frank, raises funds for veterans
It would’ve taken more than a light rain to dampen spirits at the Hunter Alexander Frank (HAF) Memorial Ride. “It’s a great feeling, seeing so many people come to support this,” said Brandon Flores, who started the annual tradition in his brother’s memory. Hunter Frank, son of Annette Duncan and Chad Frank, died in 2020 while deployed with the U.S. Navy in El Salvador. He was 20 years old. Hunter...
Huskies continue up and down pattern, pick up 2nd win in a row
The Owatonna Huskies girls soccer team has started its 2024 on a win two games, lose two games pattern, and its win against Chaska on Saturday continued that streak. After winning against Mankato East 2-1 at home last Thursday night, the Huskies returned to the Lincoln Soccer Complex Saturday afternoon to face off against the Chaska Hawks at home. The Huskies’ defense was once again stellar, winning 2-0 to put their record at an even .500 at 4-4. ...
Historic church eager to share its story in upcoming book
Several miles west of Medford, a small wooden church stands as a monument to one of the oldest congregations in Steele County. For 160 years, the congregation of Corpus Christi Catholic Church gathered for Mass every Sunday. Today, the historic church only opens its doors for special occasions, but its pristine white siding and well-kept lawn speak to the ongoing love that former congregants still harbor for the place of worship. ...
Newspapers serve as cornerstone of community business success and connectivity
Outside the People’s Press building on a warm day earlier this week, a group of a dozen or so excited individuals buzzed around the doors, chatting away and sharing stories and laughter in blue blazers. These people represented the Owatonna Chamber Ambassadors, and they gathered that day to help us celebrate our sesquicentennial, recognizing our role in the community for the past 150 years. The paper and the chamber have...
Owatonna couple asking for more accountability, stronger audits of group homes following daughter's neglect
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part two of a two-part series sharing the story of Corinne Sellers, a vulnerable adult who sustained severe injuries at a recent group home. Part one, detailing an incident that led to a criminal neglect charge of an employee at Corinne’s home, appeared in the Sept. 12 edition of the People’s Press. After bringing their 32-year-old daughter, Corinne, to the Owatonna Hospital with unknown wounds on her head, Joe and Deanna Sellers were quickly informed their vulnerable child had sustained second...
Panthers pick up first win of season against Crusaders
Spirits were high in New Richland on Friday night as the NRHEG Panthers football team celebrated teacher appreciation as the seniors gave their favorite teachers their away jersey to wear at the game. The seniors' love for their teachers translated onto the field as they played their heart out and came away with their first win of the season. They won against the Mayer Lutheran High Crusaders 38-15 at home. ...
Huskies win against New Prague in first section game of season
Being in a tough conference and a tough section, it can be difficult to start the season 3-0, which the Huskies haven't done since 2020. But that changed on Friday night. After wins against Hastings and Chanhassen to start the season 2-0, the Huskies traveled to New Prague to take on the Trojans. The game was the first section matchup for both teams, with the Huskies winning 19-7 to be at 3-0 on the season. ...
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