Two Dodge County sheriff’s deputies have been honored for their efforts in saving the lives of two residents.
Sheriff Scott Rose presented deputy Mark Dyshaw and Sgt. Jeff Espinosa with lifesaving awards at the annual Holiday Party for the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office in Kasson Feb. 17.

Leif Elijah Haugland, 36, of Owatonna, pleaded guilty recently to one felony charge, after being accused of being in a bus crash in Dodge County.

In 2013, the West Concord Fire Department, helped get passengers off Highway 56, due to a major storm.
Six years later, and they had to do it again, after a historic blizzard made its way to Southeast Minnesota, closing down Highway 56 through Dodge County.
Aside from Highway 56 being closed down, Highway 57 between Kasson and Mantorville was also closed over the weekend.

Robert D. Gasner, 88, of Ellendale, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019 at New Richland Care Center. He was born Nov. 26, 1930 in Deerfield Township, the son of Christ and Mabel (Dartt) Gasner. Robert graduated from Owatonna High School in 1949. He worked on the family farm after graduation and then served in the U.S.

 
Imagine driving down the road, and all of a sudden you realize that you can’t drive any further, due to white out conditions.
That was the reality for many drivers over the weekend, during one of the biggest snowstorms in recent memory.
Luckily for many of the drivers, in the area, there was a warm place to go.

Dodge County offices will be closed until noon on Monday, Feb. 25 due to the dangerous driving conditions.  County offices will open at 12 p.m.

Deputies have been working all day rescuing stranded motorists - some who had been stuck on their cars since last night.  We've had plows, tow trucks and squads stuck throughout the day.  The county will be pulling plows at 4pm for the night.  Most roads in Dodge County are impassable!  Heavy winds to continue thru midnight or later.  Please stay home and stay safe!
 
Sheriff Scott Rose

Most people have heard the old saying “a dog is a man's best friend.”
That saying is completely accurate.
I met my best friend when I was still living in St. James when I was covering a clear the shelter event at the local animal shelter.
A couple of my buddies that volunteer at the shelter were there helping with the event and one of them said that they were going to foster one of the puppies.

Every year the Minnesota Newspaper Association holds a statewide college newspaper competition recognizing the most outstanding work by college journalists.
This year being crowned the winner of the General Excellence Award was the Echo, the college newspaper at Rochester Community and Technical College.