Owatonna People's Press

02/25/2025

For the second year in a row, the Huskies have two section wrestling champions in Blake Fitcher and Kaden Lindquist. And four more boys wrestlers finished second to secure their own trips to state.

For the second year in a row, the Huskies have two section wrestling champions after competing at the Section 1AAA individual tournament.

02/25/2025

The Cannon River Watershed Joint Powers Organization is in the midst of conducting the Upper Cannon River Watershed Risk Reduction Study in order to possibly change how flooding on the river occurs in the future.

Last year was the wettest on record for Faribault and surrounding areas, with flooding wreaking havoc on homes and property. By researching and studying floods, experts can learn and help

02/24/2025

The Huskies are state champions! It came down to the final rounds at the Class AA meet, and the Huskies delivered on the beam.

The Section 1AA gymnastics state meet came down to three teams in the final rounds, with Owatonna being one of them.

02/24/2025

UPDATED: The Owatonna girls basketball team finished second in the Big 9, winning 19 of its last 20 games in the regular seaosn.

After a slow start to the year, the Owatonna girls basketball team turned its season around and finished the season going 19-1 in their last 20 games of the regular

02/24/2025

The Homestead Hospice House’s property taxes have increased significantly this year, from around $600-700 to $55,000, as a result of the organization losing a tax exemption while the property went unused.

Despite a few hurdles ahead, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for the community members seeking to reopen the Homestead Hospice House.

02/24/2025

The Hometown Sampler is returning for its 31st year, with shows from Friday, Feb. 28 to Sunday, March 2 at the Little Theatre of Owatonna. Local bands The Gogs, Bad Tangerines, Turn the Page and Mile 5 — all mainstays of the concert series — will take the stage to dazzle fans and raise money for Community Pathways of Steele County.

A beloved annual concert series is right around the corner, offering a weekend packed with music and generosity.

02/23/2025

Bartlett, a standout on NRHEG's football team as a wide receiver and defensive back, signed his letter of intent to play for the Oles as a defensive back Thursday afternoon.

Owen Bartlett will be continuing his football career at the collegiate level not too far from NRHEG, as he’ll play for the St. Olaf Oles about an hour away.

02/22/2025

"We were relatively young so hopefully those girls gained some valuable experience," said coach John Worke. "As far as our seniors, I am very thankful. They were the ones that accepted the young players and made them feel part of the squad."

An unfamiliar opponent on the road in the section playoffs as a lower seed is a difficult hill to climb, and the Blooming Prairie girls basketball team had to do

02/22/2025

The group, which serves Freeborn, Steele, Rice and Waseca Counties, visited Owatonna on Tuesday, hosting a soil health winter workshop at Torey’s Restaurant. The event was targeted at area farmers who are interested in learning about how better agricultural practices can improve the quality of their soil.

“Don’t treat your soil like dirt.”

02/21/2025

After a nearly week-long break from action, the NRHEG boys basketball team scored the most points it has all season against Tri-City United, winning 75-56.

02/21/2025

The No. 6 seed Owatonna hockey team overcame its underdog status to beat No. 3 seed Rochester Century/JM Thursday night.

For the second season in a row, the Owatonna boys hockey team will play in the Section 1AA semifinals against a team from Lakeville. But the Huskies' opponent and their

02/21/2025

After nine years of being a business owner, Mike Schroeder is retiring.

His official retirement day is yet to be determined, and may depend on if someone comes forward interested in buying Mike's Marine & Small Engine Repair.

It took some convincing for him to move back to his hometown from Savannah, Georgia, but eventually Mike Schroeder caved and head back to Owatonna. In 2016, he planted deeper

02/21/2025

The success of United Way of Steele County’s 2024 community campaign called for a bit of pageantry at the organization’s annual celebration.

After a year of hard work, the UWSC campaign brought in $837,924 — exceeding its $815,000 goal.

The success of United Way of Steele County’s 2024 community campaign called for a bit of pageantry at the organization’s annual celebration.

02/21/2025

After more than a century in operation, the Owatonna Public Library was bound to have a bit of clutter in its attic.

However, while digging through storage in preparation for the library’s 125th anniversary celebration, staff discovered a couple forgotten treasures hidden amongst obsolete computers, seasonal decorations and miscellaneous junk.

After more than a century in operation, the Owatonna Public Library was bound to have a bit of clutter in its attic.

02/20/2025

When recalling the late Jerry Deetz, friends and family use the same word again and again — success.

Deetz passed away Feb. 9 at 91 years old, leaving a legacy in the community through the many local causes and organizations he supported.

When recalling the late Jerry Deetz, friends and family use the same word again and again — success.

02/20/2025

This week's SouthernMinn Scene Editor's Choice picks include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Little Theatre of Owatonna.

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives. Tickets online. Shows 7:30 p.m.

02/19/2025

Junior Madelyn Harvey was recognized as BP's ExCEL award nominee, while seniors Ella Smith and Bo Zwiener were recognized as the school's Triple A award nominees. Zwiener eventually went on to be named the Region 1A winner.

Three Blooming Prairie student-athletes were recognized on Friday, Feb. 14 in between the school's girls and boys basketball games.

02/19/2025

It was Senior Night for the Owatonna girls basketball team Tuesday night against Albert Lea, but toward the end of the game, its seniors were not playing, as a blowout in the Huskies' favor had them sitting and watching the JV players take the court.

It was Senior Night for the Owatonna girls basketball team Tuesday night against Albert Lea, but toward the end of the game, its seniors were not playing, as a blowout