1. It’s been decades in the works, but a construction project on County Road 17 was finally approved and the project was mostly completed by November of 2024.  County Road 17 is often referred to as South Lakeshore Drive.  The project, first talked about in the 1980s, resurfaced under multiple county boards and county engineers.  It was current Pope County Engineer Brian Giese who finally got a project to the finish line.  In July, when the Pope County Board of Commissioners awarded the bid for the County Road 17 reconstruction project, Giese said the county and his department “worked hard to address all the public concerns on the project.  Work started just after Labor Day and it was completed in November.  
  2. In the 2024 Class 4A football state semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium, history was made: Linda and Bill Mills of Long Beach became the first husband-and-wife duo to officiate a state semifinal football game, during the matchup between Totino-Grace and Orono. A lifelong football fan, Linda always enjoyed the sport, particularly cheering on the Vikings and the Minnesota Gophers. Long before considering a role as an official, Linda frequently attended high school football games where Bill was officiating on the field. Three years ago, when Bill’s officiating crew needed an umpire, Linda’s athletic background as a former collegiate basketball player and extensive coaching experience in multiple sports at Minnewaska Area High School seemed like a natural fit. With some encouragement, she decided to give officiating a try.  Bill Mills has been officiating football games for nearly 30 years. His career began as a junior high football coach during his early teaching years at Villard and Minnewaska Area High Schools. After a few seasons of coaching, he transitioned to officiating. Now, in the fall, he and wife, Linda, spend their Fridays under the glow of the Friday Night Lights.
  3. The Pope County Sheriff’s Office, along with local law enforcement agencies placed a wreath on the front steps of the Pope County Courthouse April 15 in remembrance of Pope County Deputy Josh Owen.  The public joined them. The Pope County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the continued support from our community, and we are forever grateful,” it was stated by the Sheriff’s Office. April 15 marked the one-year anniversary of the tragic loss of Pope County Deputy Josh Owen, who was killed in the line of duty.  He was fatally shot while responding to a domestic dispute in Cyrus.  Pope County Deputy Nathan Brecht said Josh Owen’s sacrifice will never be forgotten. That same week, Pope County Deputy Josh Owen was awarded the Police Cross and Medal of Honor awards at the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association annual Awards Ceremony at the St. Cloud Convention Center.  Pope County Sheriff Tim Riley and Chief Deputy Nathan Brecht received the awards on behalf of Deputy Owen.  The Medal of Honor Award was also awarded to Pope County Deputy Brody Merrill and Starbuck Police Officer Alexander Olson. Pope County Sheriff’s Dispatcher, Nick Hollenbeck received the Meritorious Service Award.
  4. Smoke was pouring from the Starbuck Locker building and flames were shooting from the east side roof when Starbuck Firefighters arrived on the scene minutes after the call was made at about 12:45 p.m. Saturday during a busy Heritage Days weekend. The Starbuck Fire Department was soon joined by fire departments from Cyrus, Glenwood, Lowry, Villard and Hancock. Suffering extensive damage, the building had to come down.  Because the fire broke out on Saturday afternoon during Starbuck’s Heritage Days, the 5 p.m. Grand Parade route was altered slightly.   
  5. The lack of cold weather last winter turned out to be a top story of the year when Lake Minnewaska reopened in January and stayed open in areas for much of the winter.  Widespread rain, wind and unseasonably warm weather during January degraded ice conditions on Minnewaska and  throughout the states.  The warmer winter kept the ice from freezing enough to allow larger ice fishing houses and much of the lake was devoid of ice fishing at all. It wasn’t a typical winter in Central Minnesota or in Minnesota as a whole.