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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
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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


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


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


Dorothy Gmiterko
Dorothy Gmiterko, age 95, of Ortonville, Minn., passed away Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, at Fairway View Neighborhoods in Ortonville.
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


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
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