On this day in music, March 4, 1966, John Lennon stated in an interview published by London’s Evening Standard newspaper that The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus Christ.” In the UK, his words didn’t raise many eyebrows but when they were published in America later that year – just prior to The Beatles’ third tour of the country – they angered Christian communities, who protested by picketing concerts and publicly burning the Fab Four’s records. Lennon later apologized for his controversial comments, saying that he had been misunderstood.
In 2019, 49-year-old Keith Flint – best known as The Prodigy’s flamboyant frontman – took his own life. Born in London, he began as a dancer with The Prodigy before becoming their lead vocalist on their third album, 1997’s The Fat Of The Land, which featured the group’s iconic hit “Firestarter.” Away from The Prodigy, he led his own punk band, Flint, and also owned a motorcycle racing team called Team Traction Control, which won four Isle of Man TT races and participated in the British Superbike Championship.
In 1974, ABBA released “Waterloo,” the title track and first single from their second album. When it won the Eurovision Song Contest, it made the Swedish group a household name, topping the charts in nine countries across the world, including the UK where it was also the quartet’s first gold single.
In 2009, Britney Spears embarked on her first concert tour in five years. Dubbed “The Circus Tour,” the artist’s 97-date itinerary began in New Orleans and proved to be an extravagant spectacle that featured the singer, dressed as a ringmaster, sharing the stage with a troupe of acrobats, magicians, dancers, and jugglers.
In 1967, The Rolling Stones topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the fourth time with “Ruby Tuesday.” Though it didn’t appear on any of the group’s UK albums – where it was released as a non-album double A-side single with the controversial “Let’s Spend The Night Together” – it was featured on the band’s US-only LP, Between The Buttons.
In 1963, The Beach Boys released “Surfin’ U.S.A,” the title track of the band’s second album. Rock‘n’roll icon Chuck Berry noticed that the tune, attributed to Brian Wilson, was remarkably similar to his 1958 hit, “Sweet Little Sixteen,” and successfully pursued the band for a publishing credit. Although it stalled at No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Surfin’ USA” spent 78 weeks on the chart and became the best-selling record of the year.
BORN ON MARCH 4
1944: Bobby Womack
1948: Shakin’ Stevens
1951: Chris Rea
1953: Emilio Estefan (Miami Sound Machine)
1955: Boon Gould (Level 42)
1963: Jason Newsted (Metallica)
1967: Evan Dando (The Lemonheads)
1968: Patsy Kensit (Eighth Wonder)
The Litchfield City Council held a public hearing on Monday evening to give property owners involved in the state historic building grant process a chance to address the Council with any of their concerns. After the hearing, the Council approved of a list of the buildings and the allocation amounts for each which is being based on the façade square footage.
Mayor Ron Dingmann says the Council approved of BCI Construction of Sauk Rapids to be the construction manager as the historic building façade improvements take place. He says the Council also hired Jamie McCarney to be the Office Lead, but referred the City Planner position back to the Personnel Committee to look further into the job description as they had very few applicants for that position.
Mayor Dingmann says the Council approved of a $10 per month rate per individual for the walking track at the Litchfield Area Recreation Center, and approved of allowing the senior card players to continue using the LARC free of charge as they were grandfathered in from the old Civic Arena meeting room. He says the Council also approved of 2026 rates for the Golf Course which increased about 6% in most categories and the Golf Course is operating at a deficit, but he sees it similar to other non-essential services like the city parks and other amenities that operate at a deficit.
Mayor Dingmann says Fire Chief Kurt Beckstrand and Rescue Chief Blake Tangen presented their annual reports to the Litchfield City Council on Monday evening. He says they had met earlier with the surrounding townships, and the Council approved of the contracts for fire and rescue services.
Meeker County Sheriff Brian Cruze has announced that he will run for reelection in November. He says serving this community has been a great privilege, and the trust that residents have placed in him is a responsibility he holds in the highest regard.
Sheriff Cruze says every day, he puts on the badge with a deep sense of gratitude and a commitment to serve. He says his guiding principle has always been clear: Leadership with Integrity, and he firmly believes law enforcement must be held to a higher standard and that starts with the leader of the agency.
Under his leadership, Cruze says the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office will continue to operate with professionalism and transparency this county both deserves and expects. He says the public trust is our foundation, and we strengthen that bond through open communication, meaningful community engagement and a shared commitment to keeping Meeker County safe, and when we work together, we build a safer and stronger community.
Sheriff Cruze says he’s incredibly proud of the men and women of the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office – their dedication and commitment to protecting the lives and property of everyone reflects the very best of Meeker County. He says it is truly a privilege to serve alongside and lead such an outstanding team.
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners had a visit from Great River Energy Project Manager Mark Strohfus regarding a115-kV transmission line project. A 70-mile transmission line is proposed to go from Willmar to Litchfield and Hutchinson.
Great River Energy, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, the City of Litchfield and Hutchinson Municipal Utilities are hoping to build the line. A certificate of need and route permit will be required from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission before the line can be built – a process that is expected to last a year – with approval expected by the end of 2027. The engineering process – including landowner coordination and easements – would last from 2027-to-2029, with construction expected from 2029-to-2031.
Existing lines were built in the late 1940s and early 1950s and need to be replaced. About 50 miles of the project will replace existing line and about 20 miles will be new line and will require new rights-of-way. The above-ground line will go from south of Willmar near Highway 71 then east through Winfield, Fahlun and Lake Elizabeth Townships in Kandiyohi County, then through Danielson Township and part of Greenleaf Township in Meeker County. The line will then split – with lines heading down to Hutchinson, and lines heading north to Litchfield and then up to Forest City Township. The line would be supported with steel poles – 70-to-90 feet high, embedded in concrete piers, with spans of 350-to-500 feet.
