•School seeking pledges to keep childcare viable The Pope County community and surrounding areas are facing a critical childcare shortage.  Due to financial challenges, essential childcare services are in jeopardy, creating difficulty for families and businesses alike.  Minnewaska Area Schools, in collaboration with Lakes Area Enrichment Center (LAEC), is looking to provide a solution.  To address this crisis,… Read More

The Pope County area, as well as most of the state, endured some beautiful autumn days with warm temperatures and mostly sunny conditions.  This sunrise over County Road 18 on the south side of Lake Minnewaska was captured at the beginning of November before the rain and snow moved into the area last week.  Temperatures… Read More

Armful of Love committee members are preparing for the program that provides Christmas gifts for infants -18 years living in the household and a family holiday food package. The Pope County program was created to help relieve stressors that families may experience over the holiday season. Registration forms are available through the Pope County Family Collaborative,… Read More

The Starbuck City Council held a special meeting on Monday, November 18, to discuss the proposed 2025 budget. The council ultimately reduced the tax levy from 10% to 8.75%. Budget Highlights  and Expenditures City Clerk Joan Kerkvliet outlined key proposed budget changes for 2025, including a potential $150,000 allocation under the park fund for pickleball courts… Read More

Rolling Forks Vineyards, one of Minnesota’s premier winery and vineyards located on the beautiful shores of Lake Minnewaska, is thrilled to announce the hiring of Patricio Aravena as its new Head Winemaker and Vineyard Manager. Bringing a wealth of experience, creativity, and passion to the craft of winemaking, Aravena will spearhead the vineyard’s mission to… Read More

Glenwood Lions Club had another successful annual fall fundraiser to support their many local, regional and International Lions Club’s projects.   At the Club’s November 12th monthly meeting at Captain’s Bar and Grill, they conducted the cash Raffle ticket drawings using a Random Number Generator to select the winners. 184 Tickets were purchased from community individuals…. Read More

Musician Laura MacKenzie performs “Celtic Yuletide,” a celebration of holiday favorites, at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home “Commons” at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3.  With music both joyous and reflective, many of the selections have Celtic origins, arranged with traditional Irish and Scottish music and presented on a unique array of wind-powered instruments. The seasonal… Read More

Kicking off the giving season at Tom’s Food Market in Starbuck Friday night was Kent Aslakson donating $500.00 to the Salvation Army. Accepting the check was long time volunteer and bell ringer Wesley Torguson at the red kettle.

Two suspects face charges following their arrests in Glenwood last Tuesday morning. The Glenwood Police Department reported that Amanda Miller, 27, of Glenwood was arrested for child endangerment, keeping premises for a controlled substance, gathering, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance. Miller was taken to the Mills County Jail and held on $6,300… Read More