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Local Election Results Reported for CGB Area
Voters headed to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, with all precincts reporting in local races. CGB School Board: Scott Mahoney (760), Nicole Fuhrman (732), Nicole Homan (720) and Kelsey Holtz (680) won the four open seats. Jodi Morrill received 637 votes. Theresa Diekmann received 925 votes in the special election.
10 hours ago
Ortonville Elects Three School Board Members, Rejects Two Referendum Questions
Voters came in full force for the General Election held Tuesday, Nov. 3, electing three new members to the Ortonville School Board and voting down two school referendum questions. In the Ortonville School Board election, Alicia Radermacher received 862 votes; Andy Strei had 682; Emily Sigler, 591; Meggan Karels, 448; Craig Danielson, 442; Travis Jorgenson, 420; Kathryn Melton, 324; Connie Rausch-Jurgens, 229; and Karley Teske, 225. Radermacher, Strei and Sigler will take the
10 hours ago
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
The Ortonville Independent
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
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
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
National Night Out draws community to Lakeside Park
KIDS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY to show off their firefighting skills by taking aim at a container during National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at Lakeside Park. This was the 11th Annual event which is held to build stronger community partnerships and for everyone to meet their public safety staff that keeps this area safe for kids and adults. National Night Out was hosted by the Big Stone County Sheriff’s Department and the Ortonville Fire Department.
The Ortonville Independent
Aug 13
Gertrude Goldsmith
Gertrude Goldsmith, age 101, of Big Stone City, S.D., passed away Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank, S.D.
The Ortonville Independent
Aug 13
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
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