Byron Public Schools have announced the hiring of two new building leaders at Byron High School. 
The moves came after former high school principal Steve Willman resigned at the end of the school year  to take a new position in Rochester. 

The Dodge County Planning Commission gave its approval to the revised county Comprehensive Plan last week following a public hearing.

An elderly man riding his bicycle died after being run over by a construction truck in Mantorville.
Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose identified the victim as Darrel Faulkner, 81, of Mantorville. He was killed instantly in the crash around 7:26 a.m. Wednesday.

A Christian music heavyweight ended up bringing church to the fair in Albert Lea last Friday night.
It was a welcome sight at the Freeborn County Fair as Casting Crowns brought church to the fair and packed in a large grandstand crowd. What made it even more extraordinary is that this was the first time the Freeborn fair, which has been well-known for its concert offerings for decades, offered a Christian concert. 

From the time I got picked up in Bloomington by my first publisher to visit St. James, there has been one thing that has constantly told to me. 
There’s only two seasons in Minnesota winter and road construction season. 
After living in Minnesota for more than two years I have realized that it’s completely true. 

Arletta M. Bungum, 88, of Sargeant, Minn. passed away at her home on July 27, 2019.Arletta was born July 23, 1931 in Sargeant, Minn. to Theodore and Marvel (Stayner) Knutson. On Feb. 14, 1948, Arletta married Victor Bungum and they had nine children together. Arletta began her career outside the home by working for Semcac in Dodge County. She then worked as a ward clerk for Olmsted Medical Center and later at Rochester Methodist Hospital.

The Yankowiak family of Claremont has been named Dodge County’s “2019 Farm Family of the Year” by the University of Minnesota.The Yankowiak farm was originally purchased by Anton and Agnes Yankowiak when they emigrated from Poland in 1920. Their son, Anton F. and his wife, Dorothy, purchased the farm in 1939. Today, the farm is owned by Don and Joan Yankowiak, who purchased it in 1969, nine years after they were married.

Throughout the course of a school day, many different staff members interact with students and sometimes families in a number of different ways. 
One of the things that many of these people noticed, whether it was school employees, or outside people is the fact that there are many children in Dodge County who are in need of school supplies. 

Moenning Meats of Dodge Center will be making their first appearance at the Steele County Free Fair next week, showing off their latest product line, “Sweet Swine, Bacon that’s pig-licious.”
As you might have guessed, that’s chocolate-covered bacon.