Area News
Lafayette City selects new City Clerk
by Doug Hanson There was plenty of interest in the job opening for a new city clerk for Lafayette. Current City Clerk Sandy Burger announced her retirement several months ago. In July, ads were running with information on the position. Details of the position were handed out to 15 people and seven returned their applications. The…
Read MoreNew GFW school open for business
For more photos of the opening of GFW’s new facility for the first day of school, check out the September 10 issue of the Winthrop News.
Read MoreJohnsons receive Century Farm recognition
by Michael Mattison The Johnson Family is celebrating 100 years on the family farm and were recognized as a Century Farm by Farm Bureau at both the Sibley County Fair and the Minnesota State Fair this year. It all started on February 6, 1925, when Maritz and Marie Johnson brought a farm just north of…
Read MorePlanning continues on water tower location
by Doug Hanson The City of Gibbon continues to do its research into the best location for its new water tower. A site near the former South 80 Ballroom on the east end of 11th Street has been the leading site for the 100,000-gallon tower. City Administrator Dana Lietzau has been asked by the City…
Read MoreCity 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 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 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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