Students welcomed at open houses MAS students were prepared to come back to school this week when teachers and staff hosted open houses for returning students. Students and parents visited Minnewaska Area Elementary School during an open house on Wednesday. Students met with teachers and staff and had a chance to visit their classrooms and find… Read More

By Chip Rankin Superintendent of Minnewaska Area Schools As the summer days gradually shorten and we look forward to crisp fall mornings and a safe and successful fall harvest, I want to extend a warm welcome back to all our students, families, teachers, and staff. The start of a new academic year is always a time of… Read More

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon  on Aug. 26 certified the major political party candidates for president and vice president for the November 5, 2024 General Election. The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nominated Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz. The Republican Party nominated Donald J. Trump and JD Vance. The deadline for non-major political parties to file nominating… Read More

The Starbuck Area Chamber of Commerce last week presented a “First Dollar” plaque to Amy Camp, owner of the Nutcracker Café in Starbuck.  Amy and her husband recently purchased the restaurant that is located on Starbuck’s Main Street.  They also own and operate the Brooten Bakery.  From left are chamber members Dan Jahn of Peddler… Read More

“I think the Sinclair Lewis Writers Conference in Sauk Centre is one of the best values going in the Midwest. It allows aspiring writers to plug in for a day with well-known authors and fellow book lovers. You’ll learn a lot, and it’s downright fun.”        –Will Weaver One of the longest-running, most respected writers’… Read More

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds firearm and muzzleloader hunters who want to harvest antlerless deer in a deer permit area designated as antlerless permit lottery this hunting season to purchase their license by Thursday, Sept. 5. Hunters who purchase their license on or before this date are automatically entered into the lottery for… Read More

The population of older adults in the U.S. is steadily increasing, and people are living longer than ever before. September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to celebrate the positive aspects of aging and explore ways to enhance the wellbeing of older individuals. Healthy aging encompasses maintaining and improving physical, mental, spiritual, financial and social health…. Read More

Walk-In Access areas will be open for public use Sept. 1 through May 31, 2025, with the purchase of a $3 Walk-In Access validation. The program pays landowners to allow public access to their property and no additional landowner contact is necessary. This year, hunters and other people can access around 30,000 acres of private land… Read More

Ground broken on first HfH of Prairie Lakes home Sept. 3, 1964 – A “baby” tornado caused damage on several area farms when it blew through the area as part of a late summer storm. The tornado damaged out-buildings on three New Prairie farms. Minnesota Gov. Karl Rolvaag was given a bleak picture of the county’s farm situation… Read More

‘Cotton Blossom Singers’ to perform From the Pope County Tribune, Thursday, Sept. 4, 1924 The founder of Piney Woods School of Braxton, Mississippi and his student singers gave a musical treat to this community at the M.E. church Monday evening. The church was filled to capacity with people who had come to hear the “Cotton Blossom… Read More