ABATE of South Central Minnesota will have its 8th annual membership drive and fun run on Saturday (June 20) at the Bill & Kristi LaPlante farm – north of Darwin. It’s an opportunity for people to join the organization and learn more about ABATE.
John Dietel says it will begin at 10:30 a.m. and then the fun run takes place during the afternoon and the locations are kept a secret, but it will end back at the LaPlante farm – about 3 miles north on Highway 14 – and then look for the signs. He says they play games, enjoy a meal together and camping is available, but you need to bring your own power source.
Dietel says they are a non-profit organization and can accept donations which they use for things like their scholarship fund. He says a young riders training course is available.
Dietel says if you’d like more information about Saturday’s event, call Jen at 320-292-9219 and you can find information on the South Central ABATE Facebook page. He reminds people to be aware of motorcycles on the roadways – look twice, save a life.
June is Dairy Month and the Meeker County American Dairy Association has been busy promoting its products. The local dairy royalty has been attending several events and they have numerous parades to attend in the near future.
Meeker County Junior Dairy Princess Izzy Lahr, daughter of Jennifer & Larry Lahr, says the Meeker County dairy royalty will be in this evening’s Town ‘n’ Country Days parade in Paynesville, then the Atwater parade Saturday afternoon, the Hutchinson parade on Sunday, and the Valley Daze parade on June 27th in Eden Valley. She says they will be serving ice cream in Central Park in Litchfield on June 25th; and they helped with Cheeseburger Days earlier this month outside of the Fieldgate Cheese Store in Litchfield.
Lahr says her family raises 400 heifers south of Cold Spring, and her grandparents – Len & LeAnn Wagner – operate Wagner Dairy. She’s currently in the 10th grade and is hoping to eventually attend the University of Minnesota in St. Paul.
Lahr says she has 4 heifers and a cow that she shows, and due to the Meeker and Stearns County fairs over-lapping this year, she will be at the Stearns County Fair, and is also planning to be at the State Fair. She reminds everyone to eat their daily dose of dairy products.
Dryer Fire
On Tuesday night at 8:58, the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a fire at a residence in the 61700 block of 205th Street in Greenleaf Township. Meeker County Deputies, Litchfield Fire Department, and Mayo Ambulance responded to the scene. Deputies arrived and found that a gas clothes dryer inside the residence was on fire. The Litchfield Fire Department was able to remove the dryer from the residence and put the fire out. The owner, 80-year-old Kenneth Jensen was home and attempted to extinguish the fire. Mayo Ambulance arrived and treated Kenneth for smoke inhalation. The fire was contained to the dryer, the immediate area around the dryer, and the house sustained minor smoke damage.
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners has moved to approve of the purchase of a Lund 1875 Alaskan boat – including trailer and required options – from Little Crow Sports Center for $40,450. This is a 2026 budgeted item. In addition, the Sheriff’s Office applied for and received a Federal Boating Grant in the amount of $38,748, a portion of which is designated for this purchase.
The Board moved to approve of the 2026 State Boat and Water Safety Grant Contract. The grant is for $6,974 which will be used towards helping pay for salaries, supplies, equipment and any other expenses eligible under the grant program.
The Commissioners have approved of an interim use permit application to allow a temporary second dwelling for a blood relative for 15 years for Geoffery Canoyer at 24926 660th Avenue in Section 22 of Darwin Township. The Board moved to approve of the application for a conditional use permit for Jackson and Claire Triplett of Cokato to construct a 255-foot-tall telecommunications tower in Section 16 of Forest City Township.
Also during the Tuesday afternoon meeting, the Board approved of the Suicide Prevention Grant Coordinator subcontract with Sojourn Counseling. Brandi Schiefelbein, Mandi Pollock and Breanna Meyer presented a report on County Attorney Victim Services. U of M Extension officials introduced the 2026 Farm Family of the Year – Schiefelbein Farms of Kimball. Jennifer & Donny Schiefelbein were at the meeting on behalf of Schiefelbein Farms. A group of 4-H ambassadors also spoke to the Commissioners about a 4-H community project.
County Administrator Andrew Letson also provided an update to the Commissioners on the Strategic Plan and summarized the 2027 budget process as well as key issues.
On this day in music, June 17, 1971, singer-songwriter Carole King began a record-breaking 15-week run at the top of the US album charts with Tapestry. The hugely influential album, which remained on the Billboard 200 for nearly six years, marked a significant shift for King, who spent the first decade of her career behind the scenes as a songwriter for other artists. One of the best-selling albums of all time, Tapestry featured the chart-topping lead singles “It’s Too Late” and “I Feel the Earth Move,” plus such enduring favorites as “You’ve Got a Friend” (a No.1 hit for James Taylor) and “Where You Lead.” Long considered to be one of the greatest albums of all time, the multiple Grammy-winning LP was among the first 50 titles to be added to the National Recording Registry in 2003.
In 2022, thanks to an appearance in Netflix’s Stranger Things, Kate Bush’s 1985 single “Running Up That Hill” returned to the charts, hitting No.1 in the UK. The viral phenomenon, which peaked at No.3 in the US, also topped the charts in Australia, Switzerland, and New Zealand, among others, and was No.1 on Billboard’s Global Hits chart. The song’s success also broke several UK chart records – including the longest amount of time for a single to reach the top spot.
In 1978, “You’re the One That I Want,” a duet from the film Grease sung by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, began a nine-week run at the top of the UK pop chart, marking the longest stay at No.1 by any single that year. One of the best-selling singles of all time, worldwide, the song also hit No.1 in more than a dozen countries, including the US, Australia, and Israel.
In 1976, Blondie released their first single, “X Offender.” The song, which led the New York City band’s self-titled debut album, was originally titled “Sex Offender,” but was changed at their label’s insistence.
In 1978, with “Shadow Dancing,” Andy Gibb made US chart history as the first solo artist to have his first three singles all reach No.1. The song followed the success of 1977’s “I Just Want to Be Your Everything” and “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water.”
BORN ON JUNE 17
1946: Barry Manilow
1947: Gregg Rolie (Santana, Journey)
1957: Philip Chevron (The Pogues)
1958: Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys)
1969: Kevin Thornton (Color Me Badd)
1987: Kendrick Lamar