Local News

The Litchfield City Council had a visit last night from Greg Langmo and Jim Ellingson from the Golden Fleece Masonic Lodge. Members of the lodge would like to work with the City in the construction of a timber frame picnic shelter at South Park.

The Council was also visited by Janaye Prieve and Shane Zeppelin of the Litchfield Visitors Bureau with an annual report. Prieve presented budget information and the Council approved of the 2025 budget. Zeppelin, who will be stepping down after 6 years as President of the Visitors Bureau, reviewed the promotions that the Bureau has implemented this past year.

The Council had a lengthy discussion regarding a request from the Planning Commission for the City to relax the restrictions that it put on the ordinance regarding cannabis sales. The Council wanted sales only in B4 areas with a 700-foot buffer around schools. The Planning Commission asked that B2 and B3 areas also be included with no buffer zones for schools. A resolution, supported by Council Member John Carlson and Mayor Ron Dingmann to go along with the Planning Commission’s proposal failed on a 2-to-3 vote. A resolution to keep the sale area restricted to B4 with a buffer around schools passed on a 3-to-2 vote with Council Members Eric Mathwig, Darlene Kotelnicki and Sara Miller in favor.

The Council also approved of replacing the roof at the old Rescue Hall, which is now used by the City for storage, with a sloped roof. Litchfield Building Center had submitted a quote for the project for $36,908.06. The Litchfield City Council also approved of the 2025 lease for the farm land at the municipal airport.

“The 1940s Christmas Radio Show” will be presented on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Litchfield Opera House. Tim Nelson is directing the musical play.

Nelson says there’s a cast of 14 – with half of the actors coming from his playhouse in California and the other half from Litchfield Community Theatre. He says it’s a feel-good, family Christmas show with 1940s music.

Nelson says he’s currently doing “A Christmas Carol” at the Rose Center Theater in Westminster, California on the weekends which is why the show in Litchfield was scheduled for a Tuesday evening. He says tickets are $10 which includes dessert and you can get them in advance by calling Jane Lind at 593-7830). You can also purchase them at the door.

The Kingery Family will perform at the Litchfield Christian Church on Thursday, December 19th at 6:30 p.m. The concert is sponsored by Paul & Pam White and a freewill offering will be taken for the Meeker Area Food Shelf.

Paul White says the concert has become a tradition in recent years – being held the Thursday before Christmas. He says the music of the Kingery Family should help people get in the Christmas spirit.

White says it’s a free concert, but freewill donations will be collected for the Meeker Area Food Shelf. He says the Food Shelf is able to buy about 4 times the amount of food through their distributors with the money they receive.

Cornerstone Church in Litchfield is starting a new ministry called Feeding Meeker in which anyone in need of a meal is welcome to the church this Wednesday from 5-to-7 p.m. Donations toward the program are also welcome.

Cornerstone Worship Director Colin Jensen says they want people to feel a sense of community, and the first 100 individuals or families will also receive a box of supplies to take home. He says they are also planning to have Feeding Meeker on February 12th and April 23rd.

Jensen says if anyone is willing to help by donating their time or some supplies toward Feeding Meeker, they may call Cornerstone Church at 593-7971. For more details about the program or about Cornerstone, go to cornerstonechurchmn.org.