Local News

The Litchfield School Board had a brief meeting yesterday prior to a work session with Barb Dorn from the Minnesota School Board Association. Superintendent Susan Burris spoke to the Board about some upcoming events.

A school board candidate forum is coming up on Tuesday, October 22nd, in the Litchfield High School Choir Room at 7 p.m. The documentary “Letters to Eleanore” will be shown on October 23rd in the High School Commons at 6 p.m. Burris says it will feature Litchfield Middle School student Olivia Haralson. Burris also shared the latest enrollment numbers which show a total of 1,525 students in the Litchfield School District as of October 10th – down 4 students from the census taken on September 4th.

The student council representatives – Allie Kargas and Addie Zens – recapped events from homecoming week. They also told the Board that the Student Council is coordinating a blood drive on November 14th from 8-to-2 in the High School Gym.

Litchfield School Board Chair Alex Carlson also spoke yesterday during the meeting about some historical artifacts that had been donated to the Litchfield School District including some High School newspapers from 1931 and aerial photos of school district property from 1964.

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The Litchfield Rescue Squad calendar sweepstakes winners this week include:

Josh Bollman, Fu Goto, Don Konietzko and Del Steinhaus – all of Litchfield, and Mark Thompson of Eagan. Each of them will receive $20 from the Litchfield Rescue Squad.

The 2025 Litchfield Rescue Squad calendars are available at KLFD, Litchfield Building Center, Miller Automotive, Ramsey Printing and from any Litchfield Rescue Squad member.

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The Meeker County Board of Commissioners has approved of a consultant agreement with Bolton & Menk to complete the intersection control evaluation at the intersection of Highway 12 and County-State-Aid-Highway 34 on the east side of Litchfield. The intersection has been a concern due to a history of crashes and traffic delays.

The total estimated cost to update the intersection control evaluation is $38,660. MnDOT has agreed to pay for $19,330 of the cost. The remaining costs associated with the process will be split 60% for Meeker County or $11,598 and 40% – or $7,732 – for the City of Litchfield.

The Board heard an annual report from Treasurer Sharon Euerle who presented details on the duties performed in her office related to receipts, payables, payroll, investments, property taxes and vital statistics.

The Commissioners approved of a conditional use permit for a landscaping project for Craig Mackedanz at 22514 CSAH 14 of Darwin in Section 35 of Dassel Township within the Lake Washington Shoreland District; and approved of the final plat application for Wendy Johnson of Dassel for Wendall Junction in Section 28 of Dassel Township.

The County Board has approved of a resolution reappointing Melissa Voigt as County Assessor; and also – approved of appointing Lorlane Schmeling to the Economic Development Authority Board.

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The Small Steps Big Intentions Marathon of St. Philip’s School in Litchfield took place recently. The students collected $57,000.

Principal Andrea Dietrich says the goal was $70,000, but donations are still being accepted so they are hopeful that they will reach their goal. 5th grader Freya says they celebrated Fire Safety Week last week and members of the Litchfield Fire Department visited St. Philip’s School.

5th grader Cash says there will be an all-school rosary on October 24th starting at noon as October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the public is welcome to join the students at the school for this special event. He says they had a field trip last week to New Ulm.

Cash says St. Philip’s School has a costume shop set up at the Fieldgate Cheese Store on Saturdays this month from 10-to-2 and they even have costumes for pets. For more information about the events of St. Philip’s Catholic School in Litchfield, call 693-6283.

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