Two people died as the result of a head-on crash on Highway 23 in Stearns County Monday afternoon. The Minnesota state Patrol says it was reported at 5:04 p.m. Monday east of Cold Spring. A Chevy Blazer driven by 52-year-old James Arthur Wilton of Fairchild, Wisconsin was eastbound in the westbound lanes and collided with a Volkswagen SUV that was traveling westbound. The VW was driven by 35-year-old Greg John Steil of Richmond. Both men were killed in the crash.
The Shepherd of Souls Area Faith Community has a lot of events coming up in the next few weeks. Several fish fries are scheduled.
Events Coordinator Monica Schreiber says the fish fry at the Church of St. Philip is coming up on March 21st from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – or until the fish is gone; the St. John’s fish fry will be at the Education Center – west of Cokato – on April 4th from 3:30-to-7 – or until the fish is gone; and the fish fry at the Church of St. Anthony will be on April 11th from 4-to-7 – or until the fish is gone. She says there will also be a sausage and pancake supper at the Church of Our Lady in Manannah on April 6th from 4-to-7, and there’s a spaghetti dinner this Sunday, March 2nd, from 11-to-1 at the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins which also includes a silent auction.
Schreiber says the St. Philip’s Church Gala will be coming up on April 25th at the Litchfield Eagles Club which includes a meal and music by the Stone Road band.
Schreiber says the 3rd annual Believe It Achieve It – a fundraiser for the School of St. Philip – was held on February 1st and was a huge success – raising over $17,000. She says next year’s event is already scheduled for January 31st. She says planning is already underway for the bazaars in the Shepherd of Souls Area Faith Community in the late summer and early fall with the car show for the St. Philip’s Bazaar in Litchfield reaching a special milestone, and Glen Everhart will be returning for provide musical entertainment.
The Litchfield School Board approved of adjusting the 2025-2026 budget last night. More than half a million dollars will be pared off of the next year’s budget.
Board Chair Alex Carlson says the fund balance has been strong, but due to projections, the belt will need to be tightened on future budgets and he praised the administration for having the foresight to have a conversation now about the future budgets. Business Manager Jesse Johnson did not specify where the cuts would be made, but had a very specific number of $514,399 and said specific items would be revealed when the issue comes back at the March 10th meeting.
The School Board also had a discussion about policies related to cell phone and personal electronic communication devices. No action was taken last night, but any changes to the policies will be included in the next student handbook.
The School Board approved of the 2025-2026 academic school calendar last night which will include a professional development day on November 26th – the day before Thanksgiving. The Board also approved of having just one meeting in March due to the spring break at the end of the month.
The Litchfield School Board approved of a resolution accepting donations, including $2,500 from Felling Trailers for the Middle School STEM class for 3D printer purchases; $500 from Towmaster for the Middle School STEM class for 3D printer purchases; and $200 from the Litchfield Lions Club for the 5th grade science trip transportation.
On Monday evening at 9:14, the Renville County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed followed by the sound of a crash. Responding units found a one-vehicle rollover crash which occurred in the 330th block of 820th Avenue – on the southern edge of Olivia in Troy Township.
The preliminary crash investigation revealed that a 2006 Pontiac Prix was driven by 27 year old Aaron Randgaard of Olivia. The vehicle was traveling westbound on 820th Avenue when it left the roadway, sheared off a power pole, and rolled. Randgaard was transported to the Olivia Hospital with serious injuries and was then air-lifted to St. Cloud. Randgaard was not wearing a seatbelt and alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.
Assisting at the scene were the Olivia Ambulance, Olivia Fire Department, Olivia Police Department, North Air Care, and the Minnesota State Patrol. The Renville County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash.
