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OHS Homecoming King and Queen
CROWNED KING AND QUEEN during the Homecoming coronation ceremonies on Sunday, Sept. 27, at the Ortonville high school auditorium, were King Jonas Henrich and Queen Sara Kirkeby. Jonas is the son of Jason and Heather Henrich and Sara is the daughter of Kyle and Kris Kirkeby.
5 days ago
Volleyball Bucs improve to6-0 with win over Underwood
The Border West Buccaneers improved their regular-season record to 6-0 with a four-set victory over Underwood on Thursday, Sept. 24, in Underwood. The Buccaneers won 25-20, 25-20, 16-25, 25-18. Border West took control early, winning each of the first two sets by identical 25-20 scores. Underwood answered with a 25-16 win in the third before the Buccaneers responded with a 25-18 victory in the fourth to close out the match. “We had an awesome game in Underwood,” Border West
5 days ago
Undefeated Border West tops Hillcrest Lutheran, 28-6
The Border West Buccaneers improved their regular-season record to 4-0 with a 28-6 victory over Hillcrest Lutheran Academy on Friday, Sept. 25, in Fergus Falls. The Buccaneers remain undefeated this season with wins over Stephen-Argyle Central, Hancock, Clearbrook-Gonvick and Hillcrest Lutheran. Border West built a 28-0 lead through three quarters and finished with 427 yards of total offense while holding Hillcrest Lutheran to 115. Border West struck first when quarterback
5 days ago
Minnesota’s First Hutterite Colony Established Near Graceville in 1956
It Happened Here, By Judy Beckman Welcome to a new series of local stories from the past. These stories will come from your questions. This newspaper gets inquiries from readers asking for details about a story that happened maybe years ago. Often, they can’t remember just when the incident took place, nor any of the details. Or, they know only some of the story. Our part will be to research the newspaper files to get the “rest of the story.” In 1956, Minnesota’s first Hutt
5 days ago
Free to Read
Still Serving
By Jake Lillehaug, September 20, 2026 Sunday morning started quietly on Big Mantrap Lake. The sun was beginning to rise above the trees as we climbed into the boat for one last trip around the lake. The first signs of fall were already showing along the shoreline, with patches of bright red and orange leaves catching the morning light. Somewhere across the water, a loon called. Then another answered. There are few sounds quite like the haunting call of a loon echoing acro
Jake Lillehaug
Sep 25
OHS Homecoming kicks off with Coronation Sept. 27
2026 OHS HOMECOMING ROYALTY are shown above. Queen candidates in front, left to right, are Sara Kirkeby, Alyssa Arndt, Brianna Nelson, Payten Haukos and Madilyn Sletten. King candidates in back are Sibrain Panama, Peyton Bauer, Jackson Hughes, Jonas Henrich and Bryson Karels. Homecoming Coronation is Sunday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. Admission is $2. Homecoming 2026 is next week and students and staff at OHS are preparing for a fun filled week of act
The Ortonville Independent
Sep 25
Still Serving
By Jake Lillehaug 8-27-26 The jersey was probably a little too big, but that didn’t seem to bother him. My son stood there looking at his name across the back of his first football jersey with a smile that made it obvious, this was a pretty big deal. At six years old, this will be his first experience playing football. For him, it was a jersey. For me, it was another reminder that summer is slowly giving way to fall. School is starting. Football fields are filling up. Dan
Jake Lillehaug
Aug 26
Blake's Take
By Clarissa Blake 8-18-26 Bravo the dog just turned three on Aug. 17. This is my dog who comes to work with me at the newspapers, puts in long hours at the office, and comes with me on most deliveries so our customers can receive their news and printing products in a timely manner. When I first moved back to Big Stone County to help my dad with the Northern Star and Ortonville Independent, I found a small house to live in and was living alone. My dad said, “You either need a
Clarissa
Aug 21
Verheul sets National Archery record, NFFA Championships
Local young archer earns place in national record books after years of practice, discipline and competition. Martin Verheul of Ortonville, son of Todd and Sara Verheul, has earned a place in the national record books after an outstanding performance at the 2026 National Field Archery Association National Outdoor Field Championships in Yankton, SD. Verheul recorded a score of 525 points in the Hunter Round, establishing a new NFAA national record in the Young Adult Male Bowh
The Ortonville Independent
Aug 21
Fun for all this weekend during 87th Annual Cornfest
BRAXEN BLAKE, son of Riley and Tayler Blake enjoyed his ear of corn during last year's Cornfest corn feed. Blake and his family will be present again this year for another corn feed. He welcomes everyone to join him at Cornfest this weekend Aug. 21-23, 2026. The Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 87th Annual Cornfest this weekend, Aug. 21-23, with a full slate of events for the whole family. All events will be held at Lakeside Park unless otherwise noted. Fr
The Ortonville Independent
Aug 21
Still Serving
By Jake Lilleghaug The automatic doors slid open as my kids and I walked hand in hand into Fairway View. We were only planning to make a quick stop. School is out for the summer, so they had tagged along with me as I dropped off a pin recognizing one of our American Legion members for 70 years of continuous membership. We had already honored him publicly during our Memorial Day program, but his commemorative pin had finally arrived in the mail. I figured putting on my Legion
Jake Lillehaug
Aug 13
Blake's Take
By Clarissa Blake I have always been a coffee drinker, and in recent years have added White Monster to the list. It started with egg coffee at the Cottage Inn with my grandparents in Big Stone City when I was about 10 years old. It came with a freshly baked caramel roll and what felt like half a container of sugar. If you don’t know what egg coffee is, it’s a whole raw egg mixed with the coffee grounds before brewing. It is a Swedish style of coffee that creates a smoother, l
Clarissa
Aug 13
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