The Dodge County Board last week proclaimed the county a “Purple Heart County” at the request of Veterans Services Director Todd Nelson.
Dodge County has a long history of stepping up and serving the country in the military services, Nelson said. From the Civil War recruits who signed up at Wasioja to today’s members of the volunteer armed forces, the Dodge County communities have strong ties to the military.

Nathan K. Goodwin, age 97 of Austin, passed away Monday, Aug. 12, 2019 at St. Mark’s Living in Austin after a long battle with cancer.
Nathan was born on Feb. 9, 1922 in Austin, the youngest of three children of Nels and Nellie Goodwin. Nathan graduated from Austin High School and went on to attain an Associate degree.

I remember about seven years ago, I was at the urgent care with my mom. I don’t remember what I was there for, some sort of illness or sports injury, but that doesn’t matter. 
What matters is I looked up at the TV in the waiting room and saw nothing but pure sadness as the news broke that a shooting had occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School, less than 100 miles from my parents' home in Rhode Island. 

I was smothered in patriotism at the Steele County Free Fair last week.
U.S. President Donald Trump has been caught showing his love for America by embracing the American flag. I got a little wrapped up in America on opening day of the fair.
I was part of the Blooming Prairie Honor Guard that participated in opening ceremonies of the Steele County Free Fair last week.

The DCI has a new Sport Editor as Alex Neuhring began in his new role on Monday.
Nuehring is replacing Chris Schad, who left the paper at the end of the spring sports season.
Although this will be his first time working for the DCI full-time the Rochester native has knowledge after interning in the summer of 2017.

Dodge County Wind, LLC, has sent a request to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to withdraw its route permit application for the 345 kilovolt high-voltage transmission line for the Dodge County Wind Project.The request was because of the “significant interconnection costs” associated with one of the positions.

I remember about seven years ago, I was at the urgent care with my mom. I don’t remember what I was there for, some sort of illness or sports injury, but that doesn’t matter. 
What matters is I looked up at the TV in the waiting room, and saw nothing but pure sadness as the news broke that a shooting had occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School, less than 100 miles from my parents' home in Rhode Island. 

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan last week  announced that the State of Minnesota was awarded a $2.5 million grant to implement a groundbreaking, evidence-based social-emotional learning curriculum in middle schools across the state.

With about a month before the first day of school, the Kasson-Mantorville School Board approved a number of different personnel items during its board meeting last week.