The G.A.R. Hall and Meeker County Museum was closed over the holidays, but is back open. The normal hours for the museum at 308 North Marshall Avenue in Litchfield are Tuesday through Friday from 10-to-4 and Saturday from noon-to-4.
Museum Executive Director Danelle Erickson says the Civil War Roundtable is coming up on January 9th at 1:30 p.m. at the G.A.R. Hall. She says George Romano will be talking about Swedish inventor John Ericsson and his connection to the U.S. Civil War.
Erickson says you can find more information at meekercomuseum.org or on Facebook and Instagram. She says donations to the Meeker County Museum are welcome at any time.
The Finnish custom of melting tin will be demonstrated on Sunday during an open house in the Centennial Room in Cokato. The 25th annual event will be held to celebrate the New Year on Sunday from 1-to-4 p.m.
The Centennial Room is located at 175 4th Street Southwest in Cokato. Everyone is welcome to stop in and enjoy the demonstration in which tin is melted and then thrown into a cold bucket of water. The resulting shape is supposed to reveal what kind of year you can expect.
The tin is provided, but if you wish to keep your tin after the demonstration you will need to purchase it. It is also acceptable to bring in tin from previous years to be recast. For more information, call the Cokato Museum at 320-286-2427.
The Minnesota State Patrol responded to a 3-vehicle crash on Thursday afternoon at 4:10 at the intersection of Highway 12 and Highway 25 in Franklin Township in Wright County. A 2019 Chevy Silverado – driven by 23-year-old Evan Bradley Duske of Montrose – rear-ended a Kia which was stopped at the intersection and then that vehicle pushed into another vehicle. Duske was not injured. The 2018 Kia Sportage was driven by 47-year-old Sara Katherine Nelson of Cokato. She was taken to HCMC with non-life-threatening injuries. The Kia pushed into a 2022 Ford F350 which was also stopped at the intersection. The Ford was driven by 31-year-old Kyle Wayne Davison of Monroe, Washington. He was not injured.
DECEMBER
The “12 Days of Christmas News” series concludes today on KLFD with a look back at the top local news stories from the month of December. Despite a basically brown landscape during the first half of the month, bitterly cold temperatures gripped the region in mid-December, but the Candy Cane parade went on as scheduled on December 12th. The Litchfield Visitors Bureau held its annual Light up Litchfield contest and the Fieldgate Cheese store took first place.
A couple of special events took place at the Litchfield Opera House last month including a production of “A Christmas Carol” directed by Val Chellin December 13th, 14th and 15th; and the “1940s Christmas Radio Show” which starred Tim Nelson and members of his Los Angeles theater troupe and members of Litchfield Community Theatre on December 17th.
A 20-year-old Marshall, MN man (Jonah Nauman) was arrested on December 20th and charged with 1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct after contacting a 12-year-old girl on social media and meeting her twice – in Paynesville and in Grove City. A fire on December 21st occurred at a house on North Jupiter Street in Cosmos. 32-year-old Sarah Brinkman and two young children were able to escape and were treated at the scene for minor smoke-related injuries.
Also last month, the Meeker County Family Services Center was rebranded as the Meeker County Government Center; Ann Peterka and Rosie Chastek were named as the Grove City Area CARE volunteers of the year; and members of the Litchfield Area Writers Group released a new book titled “Home” – their 29th book since 1996.
NOVEMBER
The “12 Days of Christmas News” series continues today on KLFD with a look back at the top local news stories from the month of November. The general election took place on November 5th.
While Donald Trump won his second non-consecutive term at U.S. President, the election helped 3 Litchfield City Council members – Malinda Larson, Darlene Kotelnicki and John Carlson – return to the seats they’ve been occupying. Incumbent Alex Carlson, along with Stephanie Danielson and Tim Oster were elected to the Litchfield School Board; and Cheryl Van Ort, incumbent Paul Johnson and Darrel Sombke were elected to the Meeker County Board in Districts 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Scott Van Binsbergen of Montevideo was elected to the MN House to represent District 16A – the seat held by the retiring Dean Urdahl.
Dean & Karen Urdahl hosted an appreciation event at the Litchfield Opera House on November 10th with a buffet, and several people speaking about Dean’s 22 years in the MN House.
The Litchfield High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony on November 8th included the late William Michael O’Fallon from the class of 1952, Marcia Curtis Provencher from the class of 1966, Jon Lovald from the class of 1989 and Adam Stern from the class of 2001.
Also last month, 8 local residents traveled to Hartford, Alabama for the annual sister-city exchange trip; the Litchfield High School drama department presented “Footloose” and the Litchfield Christian Women’s Club held its last meeting after 53 years.
OCTOBER
The “12 Days of Christmas News” series continues today on KLFD with a look back at the top local news stories from the month of October. A couple of shootings in Willmar in October made statewide headlines.
On October 22nd, 25-year-old Ameer Matariyeh began shooting at his girlfriend from an apartment balcony in Minneapolis, then fled the city – heading west to Willmar – and, on the way – shot a Lake Lillian man – 25-year-old Peter Mayerchak – who survived his injuries. Matariyeh then ventured to the Prinsburg and Raymond areas at high rates of speed before circling back to Willmar where he shot and killed 55-year-old Jerome Skluzacek of New London during an attempted carjacking. He was eventually captured and arrested by Willmar and Kandiyohi County officers.
Another shooting occurred in Willmar on October 27th. A 17-year-old was shot and was flown to a Twin Cities hospital. The 18-year-old suspect was arrested.
A meal was organized on October 27th at the Litchfield Opera House to help victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the Southeastern United States. More than $6,000 was raised for Samaritan’s Purse during the fundraiser.
A long-time Litchfield public servant – Jim Swenson – passed away on October 12th. Swenson was a businessman and postal employee who served on the Litchfield City Council and Meeker County Board of Commissioners and numerous other community boards.
Also last October, a ground-breaking ceremony was held at the site of the Litchfield Area Recreation Center; the Litchfield High School Drama Dept. presented “Footloose;” the historic Ness Church celebrated its 150th anniversary, Highway 12 reopened between Darwin and Dassel after a summer improvement project; and a Halloween snowstorm dumped about 4” of snow in the Litchfield area.
SEPTEMBER
The “12 Days of Christmas News” series continues today on KLFD with a look back at the top local news stories from the month of September. A jury in Meeker County found 27-year-old Jaimee Traylor of Shakopee guilty of 3rd degree murder and 3rd degree sale of a controlled substance for the July 31st, 2023 death of a 60-year-old Litchfield man.
On September 14th, 46-year-old Jeffery Holmquist of Dassel suffered significant burns during a gas explosion in a fish house in the 70000 block of 178th Street in Collinwood Township. He was flown to HCMC where he later died.
70-year-old Mark Wood – long-time City of Litchfield attorney – passed away early in September. Also last September, Meeker Memorial Hospital began a partnership with St. Cloud Orthopedics; the Litchfield Chamber held its Fallin’ Into Fun Fest; and the 35th annual Pumpkin Patch Festival started at the Nelson Farm.
AUGUST
The “12 Days of Christmas News” continues today on KLFD with a look back at the top local news stories from the month of August. The Meeker County Fair was underway August 1st through the 4th.
Major country recording artists Diamond Rio performed in the grandstand at the Meeker County Fair on August 2nd and drew a large crowd. James Mickelson was the top prize winner in the fair frenzy raffle, winning $5,000.
The Songs of Summer Festival took place in Litchfield on August 16th – in a new location this year – Memorial Park. Lots of people braved the rainy conditions to hear the music of the Fabulous Armadillos. Also last August, the Wall That Heals was set up in Hutchinson August 22nd through the 25th – paying tribute to those who served, and those who lost their lives, in the Vietnam War.
JULY
The “12 Days of Christmas News” series continues on KLFD with a look back at the top local news stories from the month of July. The 68th annual Watercade celebration took place in Litchfield with new royalty crowned – Queen Addie Lundin and Princesses Kate Brekke and Maya Wuotila.
Three people were arrested early in July for an incident that occurred in late June as 50-year-old Galen Serbus of Olivia was hit by a vehicle, then stabbed and left by the side of a road just south of Litchfield. 20-year-old Aryianna Pillatzki of Pennock, 48-year-old David Pillatzki of Arco, MN, and 26-year-old Tre Ertl of Litchfield were arrested in connection to the crime.
A single engine plane was unable to stop at the end of a private runway in Lake Elizabeth Township in Kandiyohi County on July 6th. The plane entered a field and overturned. The 67-year-old pilot from Atwater received minor injuries.
The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office responded to a couple of bizarre incidents on July 25th as
53-year-old Jeremy Hirsch of Winsted was assisting family with yard clean up and attempted to burn a brush pile using an accelerant. The fire started and came back on him causing severe burns over a significant portion of his body. Hirsch was flown by LifeLink III from the scene in Dassel Township to Hennepin County Medical Center. Later that same day, 37-year-old Peter Mollema of Slayton was conducting fiber optic work in Ellsworth Township when he fell into a pit, landing on a grounding rod, which impaled his leg. Mollema was flown by LifeLink III from the scene to the St. Cloud Hospital.
A fire on July 10th destroyed a 50-by-50-foot building at the residence of David and Jodine Nieman on Stearns County Road 9 in Eden Lake Township. Also last July, Litchfield Community Theatre produced “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and State Representative Dean Urdahl was named by the League of Minnesota Cities as one of 25 Legislators of Distinction for 2024.
JUNE
The “12 Days of Christmas News” series continues today with a look back at the top local news stories from the month of June. There was no shortage of rain in any part of Minnesota in June with flooding in many parts of the state.
A 50-year-old Olivia man – Galen Serbus – was found stabbed by a road south of Litchfield on June 28th and was flown to HCMC with serious injuries. Two people were killed – 33-year-old Ashley Olson of Willmar and and 33-year-old Joshua Velez of Pennock – on June 6th in Kandiyohi County – north of Kandiyohi at the intersection of County Roads 8 and 26 when they went through a stop sign and were struck by a pick-up – driven by a 17-year-old Kandiyohi male.
The Litchfield High School Marching Band won numerous grand champion, first place and other awards during their parade season and the band members celebrated at the end of June with a cruise to the Bahamas. The Parade of Bands was held in Litchfield on June 11th with Milaca receiving the grand champion award and St. Michael-Albertville getting the peoples’ choice award.
Also last June, Litchfield Superintendent of Schools Beckie Simenson retired as of June 30th; Crow River Farms LLC was named Meeker County’s Farm Family of the Year for 2024 by the University of Minnesota Extension office; Mike Hamm was the top winner of $2,500 in the Lions raffle; and the first-ever Cam Shaft Special Car Show was hosted at the Litchfield Civic Arena by Miller Automotive and Simm’s Napa Auto Parts.
MAY
The “12 Days of Christmas News” series continues today on KLFD with a look back at the top local news stories from the month of May. A false alarm at Litchfield High School and Middle School on May 16th had many people believing that there was an active shooter in the facility.
Local law enforcement responded quickly and school district officials put their ALICE skills into place to get students evacuated to the Civic Arena and the Wagner Building. No one was in danger during the false alarm, but social media posts had many people convinced that there was actually an active shooter.
The Litchfield City Council agreed in May to sell the restaurant at the Golf Club to Colin & Drea Kuechle – with a $500 per month lease through the end of 2024, then a 20-year contract for deed for $290,000. The Kuechles decided to call the restaurant Prospects.
The body of a missing kayaker – Shane White of Overland Park, Kansas – was found in Nest Lake in Kandiyohi County – north of Spicer – on May 14th – 3 days after he disappeared. 89-year-old Donald Deleeuw of Cosmos died on May 4th in a car accident at the end of County-State-Aid-Highway 1 on the Meeker-Renville County line. 70-year-old Cary Hatcher of Hartford, Alabama passed away while on a tour in Europe on May 11th. She was a long-time member of the Litchfield-Hartford sister-city program.
Also last May, a new newspaper began operating in Litchfield – the Litchfield Rail.
APRIL
The “12 Days of Christmas News” series continues today on KLFD with a look back at the top local news stories from the month of April. The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an attempted abduction on April 3rd in Ellsworth Township.
The attempted abduction occurred as a 13-year-old was at the end of a driveway in the area of County-State-Aid-Highways 9 and 33. The victim reported that a man in a red Ford truck made the attempted abduction, but the victim was able to escape.
The Litchfield City Council approved of a 60-unit apartment complex at the address of 415 South Ramsey Avenue last April. The Council was also negotiating the possible purchase of the Golf Club restaurant at that time with Colin & Drea Kuechle.
The Chamber Serving the Meeker County Area presented its President’s Award last April to Randy Quitney – the long-time KLFD announcer and sports director who had retired at the end of March. The Chamber’s small business of the year award went to the Red Goat of Watkins, and the large business of the year award went to Central Counties Cooperative.
Also last April, the Litchfield Community Youth Theatre presented “The Spongebob Musical – Youth Edition,” Dean Urdahl’s film “Assault on Fort Ridgely” was released, and the final edition the Litchfield Independent Review was published – after 148 years in business.
MARCH
The “12 Days of Christmas News” series continues today on KLFD with a look back at the top local news stories from the month of March. A couple of retirements were announced last March.
Long-time KLFD announcer and sports director Randy Quitney retired from broadcasting on March 29th. State Representative Dean Urdahl announced last March that he would be retiring from the Minnesota House of Representatives after serving 22 years. He will be officially retired next month when his 11th term ends.
Mary Ellen Wells, who had been serving as interim CEO at Meeker Memorial Hospital, was named as CEO last March. Sparboe Farms became part of Opal Foods of Missouri last March. Litchfield native, 1991 Litchfield High School graduate, Stuart Groskreutz – son of Bob & Arlene – a reporter/photographer/editor with the Stillwater Gazette, received the Minnesota State High School League 2024 Outstanding Media Service Award in the print division on March 23rd during the State Boys Basketball Tournament.
Also last March – after a nearly snowless winter – a snowstorm which stretched from March 24th to the 26th, dumped nearly 2 feet of snow over parts of Central Minnesota. 26-year-old Miranda Castro of Litchfield was involved in a crash with a semi during that storm on March 25th on Highway 12 between Litchfield and Grove City and was killed.
FEBRUARY
The “12 Days of Christmas News” series continues on KLFD today with a look back at the top local news stories from the month of February. The Litchfield School Board selected Susan Burris as the new superintendent last February to replace the retiring Beckie Simenson – beginning July 1st.
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners approved of a moratorium for up to one year on a 4-to-1 vote (with Julie Bredeson opposed) on solar energy farms and wind energy conversion systems last February. Ridgewater College received a one-million dollar donation last February from the estate of the late Ray Johnson – owner of JMD Manufacturing of Willmar – to be used for scholarships for students in manufacturing programs.
The Wintercade Ice Fishing Contest was held in Litchfield on February 10th – at the Fire/Rescue Hall parking lot – due to unsafe ice conditions on Lake Ripley. Patrick Riley of Litchfield won the grand prize – a Bobcat UTV, and the event raised $19,000 which was donated to community organizations.
Litchfield native Evonne Young Fix was one of the honorees for the National Girls and Women in Sports Day Minnesota on February 7th. Eden Valley-Watkins senior Madison Price took first place in February at the District-7 American Legion oratorical contest in Willmar and advanced to the state competition in Anoka.
Also last February, Litchfield Community Theatre presented the play “Murder on the Orient Express,” and the 52nd annual Peanut Butter & Milk Festival took place with nine residents of Hartford, Alabama visiting Meeker County. There was no snow, so one of the traditional events – ski day at Powder Ridge – had to be cancelled as it was raining the day of the event, February 8th.
JANUARY
The “12 Days of Christmas News” series begins today on KLFD with a look back at the top local news stories from the month of January. Two juvenile brothers from New London died as the result of a January crash involving their UTV and a pick-up on Highway 9 by Sunburg.
15-year-old Will Dahl and his brothers – 11-year-old Harrison and 10-year-old Drew – were in the UTV driven by Will and were struck by a pick-up as they crossed Highway 9. The brothers were air-lifted to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Will died on January 9th and Harrison died a week later. Drew recovered from his injuries and was released from the hospital. A double funeral was held for Will and Harrison Dahl on January 22nd at Peace Lutheran Church in New London.
35-year-old Bryan William Demarais made his first appearance in Meeker County District Court on January 2nd and was charged with 2nd Degree Murder and two counts of child endangerment after shooting his wife – 29-year-old Kayla – numerous times at their home in Dassel Township on December 28th.
A fatal crash occurred in Stearns County on January 22nd. 41-year-old Cassie Mithaugen of Belgrade died in a head-on collision on Highway 55 in Crow Lake Township and a 3-year-old girl in her vehicle received non-life-threatening injuries. On January 29th, 75-year-old Michael Yanacheak of Willmar died after he was hit with a taser as he approached officers with a knife as they were attempting to evict him from his apartment after a court order.
The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office responded to Lake Jennie in Collinwood Township on January 25th when two anglers went through the ice in the same area of the lake. 64-year-old Steven Huebner of Hutchinson and 18-year-old Josiah Smock of Dassel were able to make it to shore, and deputies rescued a juvenile male the same evening who was lost in fog on the lake.
Also last January, the Meeker County Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance prohibiting the use of cannabis and cannabis-derived products in public places throughout the county; and the Litchfield School Board narrowed a list of 14 applicants for the superintendent position to 6.
