Community
Monty Vikdal promoted to captain
Aug 5, 2026
When Monty Vikdal was deciding where to hold the ceremony marking his promotion to Captain in the US Navy Reserve, he had several options.
“I considered traveling to Washington D.C. to do this in front of the National Archives,” he said during the Aug. 1 ceremony. “I considered traveling to...
New scholarship honors friends’ love of animals
Aug 5, 2026
The Greater Lake City Community Foundation has received donations to establish an endowed scholarship in honor of Dr. Barbara Follstad and Henry Ubbens.
Dr. Follstad graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1960 with a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. She was one of the two women in her...
Once left for dead, South Troy Wesleyan Church will mark its 170th anniversary
Aug 5, 2026
Those old country churches carry so much history.
South Troy Wesleyan Church, the little white, wood-frame building along Highway 63 near Zumbro Falls, dates to 1882.
Pastors and church leaders have come and gone. Milestones were celebrated, memories were made.
But one of the best stories is how...
Vulture committee meets in lakeside tree
Jul 29, 2026
Photographer Ben Threinen submitted this image of “a kettle or comittee of 40 [vultures meeting] to discuss life and food on Lake Pepin.” The meeting tree stands alone on a small peninsula near Central Point.
U.S. Hwy. 63, County Hwy. 15 expected to reopen this week
Jul 29, 2026
The intersection of U.S. Hwy. 63 and Wabasha County Hwy. 15 south of Lake City is expected to reopen this week, according to Wabasha County Engineer Dietrich Flesch. Traffic has been detoured since early June to allow for the removal of bluffside to improve sightlines and safety at the intersection...
Golf tourney to raise money for St. Elizabeth Community Development Foundation is Aug. 14
Jul 29, 2026
St. Elizabeth’s Community Development Foundation (CDF) will hold the sixth annual Jim Abbott Golf Tournament, held on Friday, Aug. 14, at Coffee Mill Golf Course.
“The community event honors the legacy of Jim Abbott, a dedicated leader and friend whose contributions helped advance local...
Great River Homes golf event raises $24,000
Jul 29, 2026
The community came together on Friday, June 5, 2026, for the 34th annual Tom Peyla Golf Fundraiser and Dinner hosted by Great River Homes, Inc. at Lake Pepin Golf Course in Lake City. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, golfers, donors, and community supporters, the event raised $21,000 toward...
SMIF offers $10,000 grants to small communities
Jul 29, 2026
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is currently accepting applications for its Small Town Grant program. Towns, or native nations, with populations of 10,000 or less in SMIF’s 20-county region are eligible.
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public institutions and units or agencies...
How Steve Heitman and Impact Motorsports Promotions transformed local fairgrounds racing
Jul 29, 2026
At age 14, Steve Heitman took the wheel in his first demolition derby – the event where drivers ram into each other until only one vehicle remains operational. Heitman has spent 45 years behind the wheel and he continues to shape the local motorsports scene to this day.
As founder and lead...
Superb weather for retracing the steps of Sarah the Lamplighter
Jul 29, 2026
The Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) group walk on July 22 can boast superb weather as the group learned about lamplighter Sarah Kimm as they walked her path placing lamps on the river as she would have done every day for 37 years.
As reported in The Graphic by Sarah Ziebarth, Sarah Kimm lit lamps placing...
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