Al Milgrom, the filmmaker who made the documentary “Singin’ in the Grain” has died at 98. Milgrom’s movie featured Minnesota's "Czech Triangle" (New Prague, Montgomery, Veseli and Lonsdale) and followed more than 40 years of the Eddie Shimota Band, including footage of the late Eddie Shimota Sr., his son, Eddie Shimota Jr., Jerry Minar and others from around the area. Milgrom was 96 when he came out with the documentary.

Two Le Sueur County officials submitted resignations during the Tuesday, Dec. 22 commissioners meeting. Darrell Pettis, full-time County Administrator will resign effective January 22, 2021. Joshua Mankowski, full-time
Environmental, Planning and Zoning Administrator in Planning and Zoning, will resign effective December 31, 2020. More on these resignations in the December 31 print edition of the newspapers.

A young woman’s cow painting just earned her some moolah.
Anna Prchal’s vibrant, acrylic painting of a purple cow claimed the People’s Choice Award--and $100--in the Arts and Heritage Center of Montgomery’s Celebrating Farmers and Agriculture window art contest.
The contest was made possible because of a grant from Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council and donations from the Bob and Mary Jo Loftus Foundation and Compeer Financial. Her painting, which she refers to as “Crazy Cow,” was displayed at...

Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason announced Thursday, a $300 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of subject(s) involved in a series of damaged and stolen road signs, that occurred in the recent past, in Lanesburgh and Montgomery Township of Le Sueur County.
Mason said in the past three weeks, on different occasions, his office received reports from citizens and township board representatives about damaged and/or stolen road signs.
An investigation showed the damage was intentional.

Students shop for gifts at school’s holiday store
Holiday shopping got a lot easier for Most Holy Redeemer (MHR) students.
The spirit of Christmas was alive and well last week at a shopping event where gifts came to the school. It was organized by MHR volunteer, Neaner Kriha, who continued a tradition started decades ago by retired teacher, Marian Tuma, and the CCW.
“It used to be called the Mission Penny Sale. This is the second year I’ve organized it. I don’t know what I’ll call it …"

Free help available for teens struggling with drugs, alcohol
Jeremy Gerres gets right to the point.
He’s a recovering addict.
Drugs and alcohol governed his life for many years. He knows the struggle, the pain, and the consequences.
Gerres opened Spirits at Rest, a drug and alcohol treatment center in Montgomery, earlier this year, but quickly identified a need for a program for adolescents.

Per Governor Walz, thanks to the hard work of Minnesotans over the last few weeks to keep each other safe, we are starting to turn a corner on COVID-19. But we’re not out of the woods yet. Today we announced a way forward that will bridge the gap to vaccination.
This plan will protect hospital capacity while prioritizing getting our kids back in the classroom and supporting Minnesotans’ quality of life.
Starting January 18, every elementary school in Minnesota may choose to operate in person with additional safety measures.

New Prague KC Hall - 411 4th Ave. SW, New Prague
Mon. December 14. 2020
12:30 - 5:30 pm
New Market Town Hall - 8950 230th St. E, Lakeville
9 am - 2 pm
Wed. December 16, 2020
Jordan Fire Station - 501 N. Varner St, Jordan
Thurs. December 17, 2020
10 am - 2 pm
To sign up for an appointment for either locations go to:
https://www.primarybio.com/r/scottcounty

A free food distribution for those in need of food or newly struggling to make ends meet due to the COVID-19 crisis is being held Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. (or while supplies last) at First Lutheran Church, 116 Inner Drive, Le Sueur, MN.
The event is being hosted by the Le Sueur Food Shelf (LSFS) and Le Sueur County Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) with food provided from the COVID Food Assistance Program (CFAP).

It’s a win-win situation.
Using a $10,000 grant awarded by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), the Montgomery Community Foundation (MCF) printed $10,000 in Monty Bucks that were distributed to people in need.
Tri-City United School social workers, local clergy, the local food shelf, and other individuals helped disperse the 400 $25 checks—for free—beginning in September.
Each recipient received a note explaining...
To see more on this story, pick up the December 10, 2020 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

Breakfast with Santa adapts during pandemic
Christmas time is family time, and TCU’s community education and early childhood programs promoted that Friday with the annual “Breakfast With Santa … at Night.”
The event, which has traditionally been held on Saturday morning, was changed to a Friday night, on December 4, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The contactless drive-thru event was held in front of TCU High School. Natalie Eckstein, TCU Early Learning Coordinator, said it was her department’s goal to...
 

Sheriff’s department donates decorated tree to family in need
The Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Department is making magic.
On Friday, Dec. 4, Sheriff Brett Mason and his staff delivered a fully decorated Christmas tree to a Le Sueur County family in need. “Project: Believe in the Magic of Christmas” was organized by Mason, The Mounted Posse, and The Sheriff’s Youth Project.

On December 9, 2020 at 6:02 am, Rice County deputies responded to the 5000 block of Hazelwood Ave in Webster Township, Northfield Ambulance and Northfield Fire/Rescue responded to a personal injury crash on CR 46 in Webster Township. 
Upon arrival, deputies located two vehicles involved with 2 victims.  The driver of a 2006 Audi A6, Miguel Angel Carreon Balderas, 27, of Owatonna was treated at the scene and transported to Northfield Hospital by ambulance. 

The Montgomery Volunteer Ambulance Service needs aid.
Last week, Thursday and Friday, it was taken out of service due to staffing shortages, which meant local emergency calls were answered by North Memorial Health out of New Prague.
According to City Administrator Brian Heck, previous staffing issues have been worsened by the pandemic.
“We were having issues with staffing before covid hit, but now we are in real tough shape,” he said during a city council meeting on Monday.

Due to the ongoing surge of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, Mayo Clinic Health System has temporarily suspended operations at the Belle Plaine clinic and will be temporarily suspending operations at the Mankato-Northridge, Le Sueur, Janesville and Waterville clinics as of Monday, Dec. 7.
The suspensions are necessary to reallocate staffing resources to other critical care needs in response to the COVID-19 surge. The closures are expected to last six weeks. COVID-19 testing is still taking place at the Belle Plaine Clinic.

Memories of past plays and musicals made up a gift to Tri-City United’s theater director last week.
Sarah Mejia, who teaches language arts, celebrated her 15th year as a director at TCU this year. On Tuesday night, November 24, she received a special one-of-a-kind quilt from her Class of 2020 theater students.
“The seniors wanted to do something special for me, so they put together t-shirts, and quotes, and got a drama mom to sew (a quilt),” she said.
To see more on this story, pick up the December 3, 2020 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.