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.

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement released late last month details the potential impacts of a wind farm that touches Steele, Dodge and Olmsted Counties.

The Byron community was in shock last week when they heard the news that the beloved Bob’s Smoke Stack Ribs would be closing its doors permanently.
The news came on Facebook, when the company announced that they would be closing the business effective Sunday.
The post explained that the decision wasn’t a easy one but due to ongoing health issues for the owner Bob Lewis it was one that needed to be made. 

JoJo Wright had been working in the assembly area at McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing when he decided to give a new program that would train him as a welder a try.
He started the program early this year and after four weeks he was OSHA safety certified and had a certificate in welding. Today, he has advanced further and is now working as a supervisor on the line.

Blooming Prairie High School student Madelaine Stoen talked briefly to those attending last Friday’s Dodge County Relay for Life activities about her experiences as a cancer survivor.

Patrick C. Gorman, 65, of Ardmore, Okla., and formerly of Tempe, Ariz. and Owatonna, passed away on July 24, 2019 after experiencing a major stroke on July 16.
Patrick’s wish was to donate his body for research and tissue donation and has been fulfilled.

Ronald “Ron” Henry Fisher, age 68 of Blooming Prairie, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Methodist Campus.
Ron was born July 13, 1951 in Owatonna, to Paul and Marion (Wangen) Fisher. On July 21, 1979, he married Judy Lester at Geneva Lutheran Church. Together they had four daughters.