The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport measured two temperature records this past weekend, both on Saturday, Oct. 4. An all-time monthly record for highest low temperature was measured of 72 degrees from an observation history of 152 years.

Later in the day, it reached 91 degrees, which is the fourth time that has ever happened in the month of October. It was also the second hottest temperature recorded, second to Oct. 1, 2023, with a temperature of 92 degrees.

Students from around the greater area flocked to Tri-City United PreK-8 School’s back yard last Friday afternoon for the Montgomery Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization’s Ninja Warrior Family Night fundraiser.

This year featured a new, more ‘ninja-like’ course feature that had hanging rings, climbing wall, ladder hang, platforms, rope climbing, and foot course by Ninja Anywhere. There was also an inflatable course adjacent to it.

It’s been a couple of weeks now since Mayo Clinic Health System (MCHS) announced it would be closing a number of clinics in southern Minnesota, including here in Montgomery. Come Dec. 10, what will many people do?

I feel the answer to that question is whatever they are FORCED to do, not what is better for them.

When tragedy strikes close to home, it leaves a mark that, hopefully, never fades. The recent shooting at Annunciation Church and School has shaken Minnesotans to our core. Parents, teachers, neighbors, and all of us are asking the same question: how do we make sure something like this never happens again?

  Gov. Walz and many Democrats in the legislature have been quick to use this tragedy to focus on what kinds of guns should be banned and what new gun ownerships restrictions can be put in place. 

Early Sunday morning, a group of around 40 gathered at the Montgomery Sawmill to tour some classic structures.

The group consisted of members of Friends of Minnesota Barns (FMB). The nonprofit organization raises awareness about the loss of historic barns. According to the Minnesota Historical Society, an average of 1,300 historic barns are demolished each year in the state.

“We visit old, historic barns,” said Kathy McCann, FMB co-chair. “Most people in our group grew up on farms, or currently have barns, or just love barns.”

Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School exceeded their expectations again for their annual marathon fundraiser. The kids brought in $32,868.42 and will also receive a $25,000 matching grant from Bob Washa. See the full story in the Oct. 9, 2025, Montgomery Messenger! 

Only six total Tri-City United (TCU) runners competed in the New Prague Cross Country Invitational Thursday, Sept. 25 at Cedar Lake Farm.

The top runner on the day was senior Grant Fitterer who placed 11th in 18:09 in the boys race.

Sophomore Gabriel Coryell placed 32nd in 19:32. Freshman Graysen Moon placed 37th in 20:32. Eighth grader Patrick Duchene placed 41st in 21:03.

New Prague High School 1967 graduate and United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Dave Bruzek is being recognized in the Montgomery American Legion Post 79’s Thank A Living Vet display through Nov. 23.

Bruzek enlisted in the U.S. Air Force months before he graduated on his 18th birthday in March.

Meals on Wheels (MOW) in Montgomery is currently short on delivery drivers. MOW provides seniors and other groups of people with free or affordable and nutritious meals Monday through Friday each week.

Site Coordinator Mary Ross said, “The time commitment is one-and-a-half hours once or twice a month.” Beyond that, it is also a point of social contact for many people who have limited mobility.

If you have ever considered volunteering as a MOW delivery driver, now is the time. Contact Mary Ross at 507-479-1925 to inquire about volunteering.

Community Asset Development Group (CADG), out of the Twin Cities, has expressed a serious interest in creating a 43 unit apartment building to fall within affordable housing rules on the east side of Montgomery.

A parcel where it would reside currently owned by the city off the roundabout on 7th Street SE, just north of Elm Avenue SE, has been sitting vacant for some time and not earning any taxes.

“The site plan is pretty conceptual,” said Dave Pokorney, one of the two CADG partners. “We are just doing the financial modeling of approximately 43 units.”

Zuhrah Shriners, of Minnetonka, Minn., just wrapped up their fifth year of the 0.05K Camel Crawl, on Saturday, Sept. 13, in Montgomery.

Montgomery was the chosen town for the event where there are many that it could have been, giving the local economy and children a boost.

Tri-City United School District has created a website to better showcase the items they are asking for in their $39.9 million dollar bond to be voted on Nov. 4 this year. People can visit sites.google.com/tcu2905.us/ref25/home or go to the district’s regular website, tcu2905.us, and click on the link on the rolling front page banner.

It was a warm start to the Halfway to St. Paddy's Day celebration in Kilkenny on Saturday, Sept. 13 -- the first of the two-day event. 

Vendors were present all day with food, beverages, and merchandise, as well as there being live music and entertainment throughout the day. The parade was a favorite for kids, young and old. The day will finish off with the "World Famous Toilet Bowl Races," Power Wheels Kids Drag Races, and a fireworks at dusk.

Many moons ago the 74-year-old, soon to be 75, Ronald Prchal was given the nickname “Chubby” or “Chubs” by his father. “Between sixth and seventh grade I grew nine inches and 60 pounds,” said Chubby. “I got the nickname from my dad.”

Even his friends Wendy Vargo and Bob Krocak agree, no one knows him by his given name. “If you said Ron Prchal, people would ask you if he was related to Chubby,” laughed Krocak. Chubby’s younger brother, Ralph Prchal, said, “He used to be chubby, and now he’s not. He’s the skinniest of anyone (from his friends and family).”

A serious crash on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 11, left two vehicles, one towing a trailer with a vehicle on it, in disarray with at least one fatality, according to a press release by the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident happened at the intersection of Le Sueur County Roads 28 (320th Street) and 32 (211th Avenue) in rural Derrynane Township, about three miles north of Clear Lake (Lexington) at about 7:12 a.m. 

Mayo Clinic Health Systems (MCHS) shared a press release that announced that it will close several clinics by Dec. 10 of this year, transitioning care to nearby clinics.

Among the list of clinics being closed are Belle Plaine, Caledonia, Northridge (North Mankato), St. Peter, Wells, and Montgomery.