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City of Ortonville receives MPFA funding for two projects
The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) has announced $88.6 million in loans and grants for 12 wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects in nine cities throughout the state. Investments will replace nearly 4,000 lead service lines in three cities, among other projects.
Sep 10
Miss Big Stone Lake Area Queens and Winning Essay
Heck's winning essay: Some places become special because of memories. Big Stone Lake Area is one of those places, a community filled with history, natural beauty, and people who care for one another. During holidays, celebrations, or even vacations, our town floods with curious eyes and eager hearts. Even the students who claimed to move far away from here, seem to always come back, but why? Its rich history, beautiful scenery, and close-knit community make Big Stone Area a
Aug 26
Council approves purchase of equipment for Fire Dept.
The Ortonville City Council met for their second meeting of the month on Monday, Aug. 17 in the Library Media Center. All council members were present for the meeting. Librarian Jason Frank on behalf of the Pioneerland board is requesting that Ortonville provide a three percent increase over the 2026 funding. For 2027 the budget request is $93,986. The increase will be spent on services, collection and programs to benefit your community, allow for hiring and retention of qu
Aug 26
Sports
Dinnel grandson to play football for Air Force Academy
Playing college football is a dream for many athletes. Playing college football for a military academy is not only a dream for some, but a huge commitment not only for the individual, but for their family and country. Henry Hauge graduated in 2026 from Lakeville High School in the Twin Cities. His mother, Denise Hauge, is a 1992 graduate of Ortonville High School, and the daughter of Gary and Diane Dinnel, long-time residents of Ortonville who now reside in the Twin Cities.
The Ortonville Independent
Aug 26
Cornfest Fun Run results, 5K and 10K
The 2026 Cornfest Fun Run featured 5K and 10K races, held in the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, with runners competing for the top overall spots in the men’s and women’s divisions. The race was held Saturday morning, Aug. 22. 10k 1st Place Winner; Mark Dorsett pictured above In the men’s 5K, Cadyn Vanderwal took first place with a time of 14:22. Chalmer Combellick finished second in 14:38, followed by Milton Xiquin in third at 16:48. Lily Lovgren led the women’s 5K wi
The Ortonville Independent
Aug 26
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
Border West Fishing Team Wraps Up Another Successful Season
The coach reported that the fishing team had another amazing year. The team finished their competitive fishing season with the Heart O’ Lakes Championship event, and they chose Big Stone Lake as the location to fish. Fishing hours were from 7:30 a.m. to noon. This created a very tight window to arrive in Battle Lake by 2 p.m., a risk worth taking to allow them more practice time on home water.
The Northern Star
Aug 13
Clinton Ball Field, Saturday Aug. 8
CLINTON BASEBALL FIELD WAS busy last Sunday, Aug. 9 with the amateur town ball tournament in full swing. Clinton field hosted three games on Sunday including the following stats: Dumont beat Clinton 7-3, Morris beat Madison 6-3, and Dawson beat Rosen 4-2. This coming Saturday, Aug. 15 Appleton field will host Morris against Dumont will play the winner of that game, on Sunday, Aug. 16 in Rosen for the championship.
The Northern Star
Aug 13
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
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
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
Two Trojan softball players named to All Conference team
TROJAN SOFTBALL TEAM AWARDS were handed out during the end of the year softball awards on Sunday, June 7 at the Ortonville School. Pictured left to right, are Alyana Nelson (Team MVP and Camden Conference All Conference), Emma Eastman ( Best Hustle Award), Alyssa Arndt (Most Improved), Addie Hartman (Golden Slugger Award) and Bailey Merritt (Golden Glove Award and Camden Conference Honorable Mention). Not pictured is Taylor Larson (Trojan Spirit Award).
The Ortonville Independent
Jun 26
Hunter Zahn to participate in Shooting Sports Championship
It has been quite the spring for Hunter Zahn of Ortonville. The 16-year old, son of Josh and Samantha Zahn, is a member of the Ortonville Trap Shooting Team as well as the Big Stone County 4-H Shooting Team.
The Ortonville Independent
Jun 26
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