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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
4 days ago


Arlen “Red” LaCombe
Arlen Edward LaCombe was born on January 24, 1930, at the family farm home near Big Stone City, SD. He was the son of Walter and Olive (Jacobs) LaCombe, and affectionately nicknamed, Red. He attended country school until his family moved to a farm near Ortonville, MN, and then attended Ortonville High School, graduating with the Class of 1948. Red farmed with his father. He was united in marriage with Ardell Bernette Agre on November 8, 1953, in Montevideo, MN. They were bl
4 days ago


Phyllis Ann (Melland) Seiler
Phyllis Ann (Melland) Seiler was born May 23, 1937, to Russell and Gunvor (Wichman) Melland of Jamestown, North Dakota. Phyllis graduated high school in 1955 and attended Concordia College for a year. On February 1, 1958, she married the love of her life, Raymon Seiler. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, hard work and fun. Prior to marriage, Phyllis worked as a dental assistant and as an aide on the maternity ward in Jamestown. Once married, she was bl
4 days ago


Janet "Jan" Elaine Nelson
Janet "Jan" Elaine Nelson, age 89, of Glenwood, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Glenwood Retirement Village under the care of hospice following a lengthy illness. A memorial service celebrating Janet and her late husband David will be held on Saturday, August 22, at 2:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton with Pastor James Rach officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at Clinton Ceme
4 days ago
The Ortonville Independent


Tamara “Tammy” Minder
Tamara “Tammy” Minder, age 63, of Estelline, S.D., passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at her residence in Estelline.
Clarissa
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


BSCB approves SW PIC Joint Powers Agreement
The Big Stone County Board met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 2 at the Big Stone County Courthouse in Ortonville with all commissioners present.
The Ortonville Independent
Jun 26


Susan Faye Goetsch
The Zahrbock Funeral Home announces the death of 74-year-old Susan Goetsch of Milbank, SD who passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the Milbank Hospital.
The Ortonville Independent
Jun 26


Stacy Brotzel
Nov 17, 1960 — May 25, 2026
The Ortonville Independent
Jun 26


Judith A. "Judy" (Kraayenbrink) Noll
Judith "Judy" Noll, 84 of Minnesota formerly of Watertown passed away on Monday, June 8, 2026 in Wyoming, MN.
The Ortonville Independent
Jun 26
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