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Bonnie Pearson Layton
Bonnie Pearson Layton was boron February 13, 1945, to Harold and Dorothy Pearson. As a young child, Bonnie moved with her parents to Ortonville, MN, where they had charge of The Ortonville Greenhouse. The family grew by two when Al and Dori were adopted, giving Bonnie a brother and a sister.
2 days ago


County Board approves clinical services with Woodland Centers
The Big Stone County Board met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Big Stone County Courthouse in Ortonville with all County Commissioners present for the meeting. Board members approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from their regular meeting on Oct. 6. They also authorized payment of bills. During committee reports, board members discussed information from recent meetings. Following committee reports, the Big Stone County Board received updates and
Oct 27


Ortonville council approves 2027 contract with UMVRDC
The Ortonville City Council met for their second meeting of the month on Monday, Oct. 19 at the Library Media Center will all members present. The meeting was brief as council member approved an Amendment of Lease of the Ortonville Community Center between the City of Ortonville and State of Minnesota, Department of Public Safety, acting for the benefit of the Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services. The lease covers approximately 1,500 square feet of offic
Oct 27


Marlton “Bud” DeNeui
Marlton "Bud" DeNeui, 101, of Ortonville, MN, and formerly of Clinton, MN, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Fairway View in Ortonville. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity-Mount Olive Lutheran Church 2.5 miles north of Johnson, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Reverend Donald Main will officiate the service. We will depart from the church at 1:00 p.m. for burial at Clinton City Ce
Oct 27
News


School Board approves two Referendum meeting sessions
The Ortonville School Board met for their monthly meeting on Monday, Aug. 24 in the Media Center. All board members were present for the meeting. The board accepted the following resignations: Kaitlyn Burdorf as Paraprofessional; Ben Johnson as Paraprofessional; Sara Fetters as Paraprofessional; Patty Pederson as Food Service employee; and Ashley Athey as Food Service employee.
The Ortonville Independent
Aug 26


It’s back to school for Ortonville students Aug. 27
As families wrap up summer plans and gather up school supplies, backpacks, and schedules, another school year is nearly here. Staff will return to Ortonville School for Back-to-School Week beginning Aug. 24, with students returning for the first day of classes on Thursday, Aug. 27. There is always excitement that comes with a new school year. New teachers. New classes. New activities. A clean building and fresh start. Back-to-School Week
The Ortonville Independent
Aug 21


MSHSL Board of Directors makes decisions for 2026-2027 school year
A new venue for the Girls and Boys Cross Country State Meets, a schedule adjustment for the Girls and Boys Basketball State Tournaments and continued dues credits to Member Schools were among the formal decisions made on Tuesday, Aug. 4, when the Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors met for the first of six in-person meetings during the 2026-2027 School Year.
The Ortonville Independent
Aug 13


Betty Weick Reflects on a Century of Faith, Family and Caring for Others
When Betty Weick is asked what it feels like to turn 100 years old, she doesn't make much of it.
“No different, really,” she said with a smile. “I can't say I feel any different because I am in good health.”
That simple answer seems fitting for a woman who has lived through nearly a century of change without ever seeking the spotlight. Instead, the lifelong Traverse County resident has spent much of her life caring for others as a wife, mother, Sunday school teacher, nurs
Jake Lillehaug
Aug 13


Blake Furhman 42 1/2 inch pike, Big Stone Lake
A 42 1/2-INCH PIKE was reeled in by Blake Fuhrman Saturday, Aug. 8, on Big Stone Lake while he was competing with the Border West Fishing Team in the Heart O’ Lakes Championship Fishing Tournament. The pike was the largest fish caught across the 15 lakes and among the 200 anglers competing Saturday. After the Border West anglers finished their fishing window from 7:30 a.m. to noon, they had to arrive in Battle Lake by 2 p.m. to finish the tournament and complete weigh-ins.
The Northern Star
Aug 13


Former Appleton prison sold to federal government for $495.6 million
A day after it was announced that a former private prison in west-central Minnesota would be used to house U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees, the company operating the facility announced the sale of the former prison to the federal government for nearly half a billion dollars.
Clarissa
Aug 13


Council briefed on Energy Report for Community Center
The Ortonville City Council met for its first meeting of the month Monday, Aug. 4, in the Library Media Center. Council member Ashley Berger was absent from the meeting. Lisa Graphenteen of the Ortonville Economic Development Association (EDA) and Kevin Ketelson of the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission (UMVRDC) were present to discuss the City of Ortonville’s Community Center energy assessment recommendations and potential funding resources.
Clarissa
Aug 13


Eighteen contestants vie for Miss Big Stone Lake Area
THE MISS BIG STONE LAKE AREA PAGEANT will be held Friday, Aug. 21, during Cornfest at Lakeside Park. Pictured left to right are Summer Rixe, Addison Brown, Selina Diekmann, Josephine Heck, Amelia Zinski and Liv Wollschlager. Inset, left to right, are Alexa Larson and Brianna Nelson.
Clarissa
Aug 13


Nine file as candidates for Ortonville School Board
The filing period for candidates seeking seats on the Ortonville School Board, Ortonville City Council and local township and municipal offices closed Tuesday, July 28. The General Election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The Ortonville Independent
Aug 3


Fellows takes reins as Ortonville Athletic Director
ORTONVILLE — Matt Fellows officially began his new role as Athletic Director for the Ortonville School District on Aug. 3.
The Ortonville Independent
Aug 3
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