Dodge County Community Foundation (DCCF) has found the perfect way to introduce itself to the community: prioritizing immediate and recognizable community contributions.
The foundation has its origins in county government, where Dodge County staff conceived of the idea of a community foundation while drafting its comprehensive plan in 2018. County staff identified funding gaps which could benefit from non-governmental solutions.

The future of the Kasson feed store was unknown when CHS announced on June 5 that it planned to either sell or close the Kasson elevator after this year’s harvest.
The same announcement included closures for grain elevators in Ostrander and Wykoff; the company closed elevator operations in Claremont and Byron last year.

Add nearly $30,000 in unpaid rent to the list of money reportedly owed by the owner of a local child care center.
Jillaine Mertens, of Hamel, operated Creative Stars Academy I and Creative Stars Academy II, which provided child care for families in Rochester and Kasson, respectively. The Kasson location was 301 Mantorville Ave. S, Suite 400.

The Kasson-Manorville School Board put off a vote on whether to to explore an operating levy referendum this fall following a presentation Monday night of results of a community survey.
Now decisions are expected to be made as part of a special school board meeting on June 29.
Superintendent Beth Giese said the board essentially has two options.

A man living in Kenyon appeared Tuesday in Dodge County District Court, where he’s been charged with multiple felonies after an alleged sexual assault.
Scott Peder Olson Jr., 39, faces one count each of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, domestic assault by strangulation and fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
He was released from custody in lieu of $25,000 conditional bond.

A Kasson woman has been criminally charged after accusations of domestic assault.
Yasmeenah Nee Dancil, 31, faces one count of domestic assault by strangulation, a felony, and one misdemeanor count each of domestic assault and fifth-degree assault.
She was scheduled to make her initial appearance Wednesday in Dodge County District Court.