A Litchfield man was injured in an industrial accident in Meeker County on Wednesday. The sheriff’s department says at 10:33 a.m. Wednesday they received a report of a work-related injury at an egg production facility in the 31700 block of Highway 22 in Harvey Township. Meeker County Deputies, Litchfield Rescue, and Mayo Ambulance responded to the scene. They discovered 62-year-old Michael Redepenning of Litchfield had been accidentally caught in a machine, resulting in his lower leg being severed. Mayo Ambulance and rescue personnel stabilized Redepenning, then transported him to Meeker Memorial Hospital. He was then air-lifted to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.
ABATE of South Central Minnesota will have its 8th annual membership drive and fun run on Saturday (June 20) at the Bill & Kristi LaPlante farm – north of Darwin. It’s an opportunity for people to join the organization and learn more about ABATE.
John Dietel says it will begin at 10:30 a.m. and then the fun run takes place during the afternoon and the locations are kept a secret, but it will end back at the LaPlante farm – about 3 miles north on Highway 14 – and then look for the signs. He says they play games, enjoy a meal together and camping is available, but you need to bring your own power source.
Dietel says they are a non-profit organization and can accept donations which they use for things like their scholarship fund. He says a young riders training course is available.
Dietel says if you’d like more information about Saturday’s event, call Jen at 320-292-9219 and you can find information on the South Central ABATE Facebook page. He reminds people to be aware of motorcycles on the roadways – look twice, save a life.
June is Dairy Month and the Meeker County American Dairy Association has been busy promoting its products. The local dairy royalty has been attending several events and they have numerous parades to attend in the near future.
Meeker County Junior Dairy Princess Izzy Lahr, daughter of Jennifer & Larry Lahr, says the Meeker County dairy royalty will be in this evening’s Town ‘n’ Country Days parade in Paynesville, then the Atwater parade Saturday afternoon, the Hutchinson parade on Sunday, and the Valley Daze parade on June 27th in Eden Valley. She says they will be serving ice cream in Central Park in Litchfield on June 25th; and they helped with Cheeseburger Days earlier this month outside of the Fieldgate Cheese Store in Litchfield.
Lahr says her family raises 400 heifers south of Cold Spring, and her grandparents – Len & LeAnn Wagner – operate Wagner Dairy. She’s currently in the 10th grade and is hoping to eventually attend the University of Minnesota in St. Paul.
Lahr says she has 4 heifers and a cow that she shows, and due to the Meeker and Stearns County fairs over-lapping this year, she will be at the Stearns County Fair, and is also planning to be at the State Fair. She reminds everyone to eat their daily dose of dairy products.
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners has moved to approve of the purchase of a Lund 1875 Alaskan boat – including trailer and required options – from Little Crow Sports Center for $40,450. This is a 2026 budgeted item. In addition, the Sheriff’s Office applied for and received a Federal Boating Grant in the amount of $38,748, a portion of which is designated for this purchase.
The Board moved to approve of the 2026 State Boat and Water Safety Grant Contract. The grant is for $6,974 which will be used towards helping pay for salaries, supplies, equipment and any other expenses eligible under the grant program.
The Commissioners have approved of an interim use permit application to allow a temporary second dwelling for a blood relative for 15 years for Geoffery Canoyer at 24926 660th Avenue in Section 22 of Darwin Township. The Board moved to approve of the application for a conditional use permit for Jackson and Claire Triplett of Cokato to construct a 255-foot-tall telecommunications tower in Section 16 of Forest City Township.
Also during the Tuesday afternoon meeting, the Board approved of the Suicide Prevention Grant Coordinator subcontract with Sojourn Counseling. Brandi Schiefelbein, Mandi Pollock and Breanna Meyer presented a report on County Attorney Victim Services. U of M Extension officials introduced the 2026 Farm Family of the Year – Schiefelbein Farms of Kimball. Jennifer & Donny Schiefelbein were at the meeting on behalf of Schiefelbein Farms. A group of 4-H ambassadors also spoke to the Commissioners about a 4-H community project.
County Administrator Andrew Letson also provided an update to the Commissioners on the Strategic Plan and summarized the 2027 budget process as well as key issues.