City of Gibbon passes budget for 2026
by Doug Hanson The Gibbon City Council set a 2026 budget at $1,142,148.51. One of the main increases for next year is the required paid leave law for employees. A motion by the Council set the City’s share of the leave at 50 percent with the employee paying for the other 50 percent. The Human…
Read MoreDemar Curtis Barfknecht
Demar Curtis Barfknecht, age 90 of Gibbon, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at the Bayside Manor in Gaylord. Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Friday, September 5, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon. Pastor Steven Bauer officiated. Burial followed in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Gibbon. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m.…
Read MoreClassifieds September 10
REAL ESTATE SALES Commercial Shop and Storage: This lot includes 2 buildings with ample storage and work space. Located on the south side of New Ulm, MN. 13248 Co Rd 25 New Ulm, MN 56073. $249,900. 49.68 Acres of CRP Land in Brown Co: Contracted for 3, 8, & 9 years. Owner to received yearly…
Read MorePortner serving United Farmers Cooperative for 50 years
by Michael Mattison It isn’t often that you find a person that has enjoyed five decades at the same place of employment but that is exactly what Leon Portner has found. It all started back when he was in high school when he started a part-time job with what would eventually become United Farmers Cooperative.…
Read MoreThe Conklin Hill Corn Maze is open
There’s something special about fall in a small town, and this year, Conklin Hill gets to add to it’s excitement by bringing in some fall flair. It’s no longer only sledding at Conklin Hill. With the land tiled, tilled, and planted comes the first ever, Conklin Corn Maze. The Winthrop zip code design of ‘55396’…
Read MoreLearn some history about Winthrop while relaxing downtown
Part of the Second Street project last year was to put in four swings on the north side of Second Street across from Winthrop Area Clinic. It is a beautiful spot to sit down and relax. But it is also a place where you can learn a little bit of history about the City of…
Read MoreFirebirds cruise with second-half point explosion
by Michael Mattison Defense reigned supreme in the first half as the GFW Firebirds football team would lead by two points at halftime, but GFW’s offense came to life in the second half as the Firebirds defeated Lac Qui Parle Valley 44-6. The first quarter was a defensive battle with neither team able to find the…
Read MoreClassifieds September 3
REAL ESTATE SALES Commercial Shop and Storage: This lot includes 2 buildings with ample storage and work space. Located on the south side of New Ulm, MN. 13248 Co Rd 25 New Ulm, MN 56073. $249,900. 49.68 Acres of CRP Land in Brown Co: Contracted for 3, 8, & 9 years. Owner to received yearly…
Read MoreGun shots lead to arrest
Gun shots in the early morning hours on Friday led to the arrest of a Winthrop woman. At approximately 5:20 a.m. on August 22, 2025, the Sibley County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of loud music coming from a residence on the 300 block of South Redwood Street in the City of Winthrop, according to…
Read MoreKamm crowned Miss Lafayette
Zelli Kamm (right) was crowned Miss Lafayette on Friday evening with Emma Herrley crowned Lafayette Princess. Turn to page 2 for more photos of the Lafayette festivities. Photo by Michael Mattison
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