HAYFIELD – What does an athlete do when his or her passion is taken away? Hayfield junior Nora Bamlet became the team manager, and then she worked harder than she ever had before. After missing last softball season with an ACL and meniscus tear sustained during basketball season, Nora is back in the lineup for the Vikings and the catcher has emerged as one of the top hitters in the area. After socking two dingers and driving in six runs in Hayfield’s first game of the season, Nora has stayed hot as she is hitting .500 with three homers, a double and 11 RBIs in four games. “I would say she’s o ..read more

Gary L. Boettcher, 82 Gary Lynn Boettcher, 82, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024 at Prairie Manor in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. Gary was born February 3, 1942 in Austin, Minnesota to Edward and Madeline (Paulson) Boettcher. He graduated from Austin High School in 1960 and completed his schooling at the Austin Vocational School. Gary honorably served in the US Air Force from August 1961 to July 1965. Gary’s devotion to his family was unwavering. He married and raised his son and two stepdaughters in Austin Acres, where he resided until his retirement from the Local ..read more

PUBLIC NOTICE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT #492 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX ABATEMENT REQUEST NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the School Board of ISD #492 will hold a public hearing on May 13, 2024 at 5:30 pm in the AHS Annex Recital Hall, 205 4th St NW, Austin, MN Austin, Minnesota to consider a tax abatement request from David Hillier Revocable Living Trust and Turtle Creek/Lance Pogones, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 469.1813 and 116J.993 through 116J.995. The request is to abate 100% of the School District’s portion of real estate taxes related to the building improvements on the subject p ..read more

A man who allegedly threatened another with a gun as part of an ongoing dispute has been charged with several counts over the incident in Mower County District Court. John Bradley Shea, 42, of Austin has been charged with seven counts, four of which are felonies including threats of violence and fourth degree assault of a peace officer. He’s also facing gross misdemeanor charges for fourth degree assault and obstructing the legal process-interfering with a peace officer. Finally, he’s been charged with a single misdemeanor of fifth degree assault. According to the court report, Shea was arres ..read more

The Mower County Humane Society is currently attempting to raise funds that will allow it to add onto its outdoor cat area. The Humane Society has raised around a third of the estimated $70,000 to $72,000 needed to build on to the “catio,” which when completed will give the cats more space to explore but also help volunteers with their chores. “It’s not so much of an expansion overall,” said Humane Society President Jay Lutz, who added that this expansion was never really planned, but rather it just kind of came up. “We need some extra space when we’re cleaning kennels.” One of the Mower Cou ..read more

City Council approval means pool likely to open on time The Austin City Council on Monday night agreed to the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department’s request to begin taking bids for repairs on the Austin Municipal Pool. With the current paint peeling and chipping in places, these repairs will focus on repainting the main pool and the diving well. Total estimates put the cost at around $123,001. According to Director Jason Sehon, the only outside costs will come from a sandblasting company at around $44,779. All other work, including the painting, will be done in house by city employees. T ..read more

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is waiving vehicle permit fees at all 74 state parks and recreation areas on Saturday, April 27. This “Free Park Day” is one of four days each year on which the DNR waives the requirement for a vehicle permit at state parks and recreation areas. The four fee-free days are spread out over the year, giving folks an opportunity to visit a state park for free in each season of the year. “Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are great places to make memories with loved ones,” said Ann Pierce, director of the DNR Parks and Trails Division. “Spring ..read more

St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin invites everyone to a Continuing Education Day in its Fellowship Hall from 9-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 25.  The program is free, and will cover topics of special interest in an ever-changing world. Here is the schedule for this informative morning: • 9-10 a.m.: What’s New in IT, AI, Scams and Other Tech Topics, presented by Dick Flisrand • 10-10:30 a.m.: Coffee and Rolls • 10:30-11:30 a.m.: The Power of Music Therapy, presented by Emma Evans-Peck, board-certified music therapist and neurologic music therapist from the MacPhail Center for Music in Aus ..read more

Bob Johnson, left, was the first place winner of the Austin Daily Herald’s March Madness contest and a gift certificate of $50 for Otomo’s Towing. Meanwhile, Leanne Poshusta was the third place winner of our March Madness contest, winning a $25 Dairy Queen gift card. Dick Poshusta accepted for Leanne. The post In Your Community: First and third place March Madness winners named appeared first on Austin Daily Herald ..read more

The post In Your Community: March Sweepstakes winner named appeared first on Austin Daily Herald ..read more