Memorial Day is a reminder to us all: We owe everything - our freedom to go on walks, in town, on a gravel road or in the woods, worship as we want,- everything - to the patriots who sacrificed all for this great country.
At the Memorial Day program on Monday, Ed Keogh, Commander of the V.F.W. Post 5340, along with Steve Flicek of the Montgomery Area Veterans Honor Guard, and Corey Kotek, Commander of the American Legion Post 79, perform the Memorial Tribute.

Turn the tassles! Graduation Day was held Friday, May 24 for 128 Tri-City United seniors. Among pomp and circumstance in the high school gymnasium, the Titan Class of 2019 officially became alumni after receiving their diplomas. The ceremony was held with speeches, songs from the high school choir and band, and proud emotions by family and friends who packed the gymnasium. After the Titans were official graduates, they picked up their paperwork in the school's E-Cafe and were high fived by the school's teachers and staff.

This year’s Memorial Day program has new times. The church service at Most Holy Redeemer Church will begin at 8 a.m. The parade from the church to the American Legion Post 79 for the program begins at 8:45 a.m. The program at the Legion begins at 9:15 a.m.
The program will also include prayers by Father Victor Valencia and Pastor Jason Pollington, musical selections by John Grimm and the Montgomery Area Veterans Honor Guard, and the Tri-City United High School Choir and Rianna Doyle.

At the top of a gentle hill overlooking Hunt Lake, nestled along historically rich Dodd Road in rural Kilkenny, Dan and Ashley Reller decided to plant their dreams of owning their own vineyard and winery.
This weekend, after four years of hard work, the Rellers will share the fruits of their labor during a grand opening of their business, Vintage Escapes Winery and Vineyard, at 8950 Dodd Road. The tasting room will be open from noon until 9 p.m. on May 25.

A special city council meeting to discuss the 2020 budget in Lonsdale Monday became more than that when the mayor read the recommendation by its attorney on a cease and desist letter during public comments, that lead to council member Steve Cherney walking out in response.

The TCU High School Music Department filled its gymnasium with colorful music at the 2019 Spring Pops Concert on Friday, May 17.
Under the direction of Band Director Sarah Costello, Choir Director Tyler Frankhouse and Accompanist Robyn Menk, the students struck the right cords and hit the right notes for more than two hours of musical entertainment that showcased their talents.

After less than a year since it formed, the Montgomery Community Foundation is already donating money to make projects happen.
The Foundation made donations to two projects at its Spring Fling Social on Thursday, May 9 at the Rustic Farmer. The first $4,000 went to TCU’s Early Childhood for an outdoor learning area, which will be installed once construction is complete on the building renovations. The second $4,000 went to the Arts and Heritage Center for the restoration of the Montgomery Mural.

(3:29 p.m. This story has been updated with correct non-renewed contract totals from previous years.)
Every year at the end of April, the Tri-City United school board decides on a list of teacher contracts to not renew. This year was no different, yet more discussion and disconnect has come from the list as a result.
TCU Superintendent Teri Preisler said the need for non-renewal contracts is highly enrollment driven. If there are fewer students, that means there is need for fewer sections and less teaching staff.

Talk of larger classroom sizes for the 2019-20 school year came into question at the Tri-City United School board meeting Monday night.
"We have some major concerns about some of the staffing that we're hearing is going to be…and the sections allowed for next year," said parent Lisa Hoefs. "I voted yes for a referendum so that my children could maintain the awesome class sizes that we have. And having more than 26 in a class is very concerning."

Talk of larger classroom sizes for the 2019-20 school year came into question at the Tri-City United School board meeting Monday night.
"We have some major concerns about some of the staffing that we're hearing is going to be…and the sections allowed for next year," said parent Lisa Hoefs. "I voted yes for a referendum so that my children could maintain the awesome class sizes that we have. And having more than 26 in a class is very concerning."

After years of alleged closed door practices with its members, murky financial dealings, and anti-democratic processes, which, is the basis of a lawsuit against the Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS), the Receiver appointed by a Le Sueur County judge is shedding light on many of the details of LCHS.

A sold out audience attended the fifth official screening of the documentary “Singin’ in the Grain” at the New Prague High School auditorium on Sunday, May 5. More than 600 people gathered for the movie, which is about Czech heritage and music that covers more than 40 years of the Eddie Shimota Band.

After public comments and an about-face by a council member, the Lonsdale City Council is reweighing how and when to proceed with a new police department and City Hall project.
"There's really no point at having further discussions tonight. We discussed and that's where it's at," said Mayor Tim Rud to close out the city council special meeting that included public comments by community members on May 1.

Two sections of Highway 99 in Le Sueur and Rice Counties will be under construction beginning Monday, May 20 for resurfacing, drainage and safety improvements.
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), Highway 99 from Highway 13 to Highway 21 in Rice County will be detoured to Highway 13 and Highway 21 on Monday, May 20 as crews begin replacing culverts. The detour will remain in place until project completion in October.

Montgomery’s newest spring celebration, Czech May Day, will be held on Saturday, May 4 starting at 12 p.m. and lasting to 5 p.m.. It will be held at Heritage Park, which is located at the corner of Vine Avenue and First Street.
The event, called “Stavění Májky” will include the raising of the traditional Czech May Pole, music from the Czech Area Concertina Club, and a Ribbon Dance around the May Pole with Dale Ruhland.

The Le Sueur County Pioneer Power Association hosted its annual Swap Meet at its showgrounds near Le Sueur Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 26-28.
More than 800 vendors were registered for the meet, which is considered one of the largest in the nation.
Whether you were looking for antiques, collectibles, car and tractor parts, hardware, power equipment, toys, clothing, home-made candies and maple syrup or hand-crafted items, chances are someone had something you were looking for.