Local News

The Litchfield City Council approved of a couple of equipment purchases on Monday evening. A Bobcat track skidloader will be purchased for $53,000 and a John Deere tractor – snow blower – rotary broom will be purchased for $30,000.

Mayor Ron Dingmann says the Council also received information about the possibility of the Veterans Administration building a community-based out-patient clinic in Litchfield. He says they would need to find enough land to build an 18,000 square foot building with 124 parking spaces, and the city administration is in contact with them about what land might be available.

Mayor Dingmann says the Council also heard a request Monday evening from two members of the youth baseball association – Brandon Nagel and Travis Eichner – who would like to see lights installed at the Cal Ripken fields. He says no action was taken, but the Council advised them to also meet with the School Board and the city administration for a plan forward.

Mayor Dingmann says the Litchfield City Council also had a work session yesterday morning to talk about the 2026 budget and staffing prior to the final budget and levy being approved in December.

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The Litchfield City Council heard a request last night from a couple of Baseball Association members.  Brandon Nagel and Travis Eichner would like to see lights installed for the Cal Ripkin Fields.

Nagel says new lights would be very expensive to purchase and install, but there are some used poles that will be sold in the near future by Steffes Auctioneers that would make the project more affordable.  He says installing lights would make baseball more flexible for families and would create better opportunities for hosting tournaments.

The Council took no formal action on the matter, but encouraged the men to work with the city administration on the matter and to contact service clubs and the school board with their idea and to begin fundraising efforts as the city would likely share in half of the cost.

Council member Darlene Kotelnicki spoke to her fellow Council members about the Veterans Administration’s interest in possibly building a community-based out-patient clinic in Litchfield.  Also last night, the Litchfield City Council approved of the purchase of a Bobcat track skidloader and a John Deere tractor/snowblower/rotary broom.

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The Golden Fleece Lodge #89 Charitable Foundation is hoping to construct a log picnic shelter at South Park in Litchfield in the near future.  The Masons want to construct the pavilion with lumber from local trees.

Greg Langmo says one of their members left them with a generous donation that is to be used for the betterment of the community and they decided that South Park could use a shelter.  He says if anyone has a hardwood tree at their home that will need to be taken down, it could be used for the project and they are going to track where each donated log is placed in the shelter.

Langmo says monetary donations towards the project would also be appreciated which will help them enhance the facility with stonework, a fireplace and picnic tables and donations for the project can be sent to the City of Litchfield as the City is the fiscal agent.  He says it’s going to be an attractive, unique facility.

Langmo says they are hoping to maybe begin construction on the shelter by next fall, but for sure by 2027.  He says if anyone has a tree that they would like the Masons to look at or any other questions, they may call him at 320-894-5782 or Jim Ellingson at 320-699-0317.

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