Submitted Photo
The Valguna’s immigrated from the Philippines to Minnesota in 2018 and moved to Kasson in 2023. Darwin (left), Phoebe Ruth, Darleen, Neriah Rose & Arzen Hope

A bank in Claremont will soon be Blaze Credit Union, after the pending purchase of the Luminate Bank®—Claremont branch was recently announced.

The League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) has named state Sen. Carla Nelson (Rochester) as a 2026 Legislator of Distinction. The honor is awarded to state lawmakers each year who show strong leadership and support for Minnesota cities.

First District Congressman Brad Finstad and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson were in Owatonna last week to discuss issues shaping the future of agriculture at an agribusiness luncheon. Finstad is a member of the agriculture committee and the chair of the Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee.

STAFF PHOTO BY TOM MURRAY
Dodge County residents attended an Xcel Energy open house on the proposed PowerOn Midwest transmission line.

Two Triton school facilities are officially sponsored by local businesses. They are the East Gym, which is sponsored by Heritage Bank and the Performing Arts Center, which is sponsored by Welsh Equipment.
The 10-year deals were unanimously approved at the July 20 school board meeting and include annual payments of $13,500 for the East Gym and $8,000 for the Performing Arts Center to the school district for signage of their sponsorship.