JANUARY 2020

2 — Brown County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an ice fishing house that went through the ice on Lake Hanska. No one was in the ice house, but recent warmer weather have created unsafe ice fishing conditions.

2 — Keegan Witte was born 3:07 p.m. at the New Ulm Medical Center, making him the first baby born at this facility in 2020. His parents are Kim Mindell and Shawn Witte.

4 — Ali Bernard, a former Olympic wrestler and New Ulm native, led a dozen girls wrestling practice at the high school.

9 — The Minnesota Main Street assessment of downtown New Ulm was presented during a Hot Topic Lunch event. The top comments received on the assessments were related to vacancies and deterioration of downtown.

10 — Brown County Public Health Director Karen Moritz said the flu cases spiked before the holiday season last year, which is relatively early for the season and is starting out worst than last year, but better than the 2017-2018 season. At this point in the flu season, 753 people were hospitalized in Minnesota for the flu this season with 16 flu deaths in the state.

13 — By a 3-2 vote with one abstaining, the Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) board of education proposed to close the Fairfax school beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. A public hearing on the closure proposal was set for Feb. 4.

14 — The New Ulm Economic Development Authority agreed to allocate funds to continue the Homebuyers Assistance Loan and Small Business Incentive Grant programs in 2020.

17 — Predicted snowfall hit late Friday morning and continued through the day. By 2 p.m. all roads of New Ulm were partially or completely covered by snow.

20 — Two fatal car accidents occurred, one in New Ulm and one in Nicollet. Both accidents were car vs. semi crashes. The first was on Highway 111 in Granby Township and involved a 17-year-old form St. Peter. The second accident was two hours later at the intersection of Highway 14 and Nicollet County Road 37. Naomi Sue Peterson, 45, of New Ulm died at the scene.

21 — A 23-year-old man from North Mankato died in a crash on Highway 14 in the Courtland Township. This is the third fatal accident in the region in two days.

21 — The New Ulm City Council set opening bids for the Hermann Heights portion of the RENU project.

22 — President of the U.S. Highway 14 Partnership and member of the Mankato City Council Karen Foreman emphasized the need for a plant to fix U.S. Highway 14 after the second fatal accident on the same stretch of the road in two days.

26 — St. Paul’s Lutheran School held a dedication service and open house Sunday for the new expansion and renovation project. The project began in April 2019 and concluded before Christmas.

27 — A truck went through the ice on Lake Hanska days after the Hanska Fire Department Fishing Tournament. The truck went through the ice near where an ice house went through on Jan 2.

27 — Arline Klinger was honored with the Farm-City Hub Club Service to Agriculture Award.

27 — Former District 88 teachers toured Emerson Union, the former New Ulm High School and Junior High building. The building recently became a 49 apartment building after a rehabilitation and historic preservation project.

29 — Retired New Ulm Fire Fighter Bryan Miller helped two occupants out of a residence at 711 S. Valley Street after noticing a house fire. Firefighters arrived on scene shortly after and contained the fire to the kitchen.

29 — The New Ulm Economic Development Authority agreed to provide $125,00 for the Recreation Center improvement project. The project came in higher than anticipated.

30 — Fairfax City Council approved resolution to offer zero-charge utilities for the Middle School in Fairfax if the school board decides to keep the school open this fall.

30 — Martin Luther College (MLC) starts a new capital campaign to increase enrollment as demand for teachers and pastors in WELS congregation increase.

30 — The World Health Organization declares global emergency over the outbreak sparked by a new virus in China that has spread to more than a dozen countries.

FEBRUARY 2020

3 — Several hundred people attended the GFW to hear the district’s proposal to close the Fairfax school building and give testimony.

4 — The New Ulm City Council voted to move forward with a Recreation Center design option and authorized construction documents be prepared.

4 — Nurse practitioners Christie Vogel, Valerie Folkens, Kristina Carlson and Ashley Schmitt who worked for Mayo Clinic Health System in Springfield and Lamberton have been hired to serve to serve the same facilities for Allina Health. New Ulm Medical Center hosted the four nurses at a special event at the Best Western to celebrate Allina acquiring the new hospital locations.

6 — Minnesota Department of Transportation seeks funding from the U.S. Department of transportation for to advance funds for Highway 14.

7 — Projekt New Ulm group starts with mission to pump more life into downtown New Ulm.

8 — First-time entrepreneurs were able to receive free business consulting during a special consulting cafe at the New Ulm Public Library.

10 — The GFW School Board rescheduled a decision to close a district school building.

10 — Area snowfall reports from last weekend varied from 12.5 inches to 8.5 inches.

15 — The River Valley Dutchmen Snowmobile Club Hillclimb was held at Golden Gate Campground. It was the first hillclimb in years due to a lack of snow.

18 — The future of New Ulm’s downtown holiday garland were the subject of a city council work session. Members of the public were invited to voice their opinions on the garlands. A petition with 3,500 signatures was circulated to keep the garlands during the holiday season.

18 — The New Ulm City Council authorized an application for an EDA grant for a Career and Technical Education Center. The New Ulm Public School wants to create a regional Career and Technical Center in New Ulm to retain and add to the city’s workforce.

19 — U.S. Rep Jim Hagedorn announced his being treated for cancer. He was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer has received care and immunotherapy at Rochester’s Mayo Clinic.

21 — Narren kicked off Fasching by laying seige to City Hall and kidnapping Mayor Robert Beussman.

22 — Fasching celebration continued a the New Ulm Library and at the Best Western.

22 — The 2nd Annual Arctic Plunge was held in front of the Lamplighter. Nearly 20 teams lined up to jump into an outdoor pool to raise money for the New Ulm Fire Department, Humane Society, Committee Against Domestic Abuse and the Food Shelf.

24 — A special GFW school board meeting to consider closing the Intermediate school in Fairfax ended in a 3-3 tie. Another board meeting was set for Feb. 28 to decide the issue.

25 — The DFL and GOP held caucuses. These were the first causes held in Brown County since Minnesota moved to a presidential primary.

28 — Gov. Tim Walz visited Nicollet to announce a funding plan to complete the final expansion of Highway 14. He said the highway impacted many in the regions and these type of expansions projects were at the heart of what legislators do.

28 — The GFW school board voted to close the Fairfax intermediate school at the end of the school year by a 4-2 vote.

MARCH 2020

3 — The Brown County DFL favored Joe Biden by nearly two-to-one margin over Bernie Sanders in the presidential primary.

3 — Brown County Commissioners approved the purchase of six body cameras for County Jail staff.

4 — The Cottonwood River surpassed its forecasted crest in New Ulm reaching 14 feet. Cottonwood Street was closed later in the day.

5 — New Ulm Middle School went into a soft lockdown after a threatening note was discovered.

5 — New Ulm Medical Center was named one of the Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the United States.

6 — Highway 14 expansion from Nicollet to New Ulm speeded through the House Transportation Committee.

7 — Over 6,200 people attended Bock Fest at Schell’s Brewery. Temperatures were usually high, leading to the Cottonwood River flooding. The annual Bock hunt was cancel because of the flood.

10 — A $34 million settlement with survivors of clerical sex abuse in the New Ulm Diocese was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

10 — A bipartisan Senate bill to finish U.S. Highway 14 upgrades and safety improvements passed a senate hearing. A Senate bill authored Sen. Nick Fentz (DFL-North Mankat) and co-authored by Sen. Gary Dahms (R-Redwood Fall) was sent to other committees before reaching Senate floor.

10 — The New Ulm Economic Development Authority (EDA) received an offer from Ericksen Construction and Development to purchase the remaining eight lots in Milford Heights First Addition for $30,000.

10 — Public Health Director Karen Moritz urged people to take preventative measures regarding coronavirus disease.

11 — Oak Hills Living Center entered a lock down over concerns of the coronavirus. The World Health Organization declared the global coronavirus crisis a pandemic.

12 — In response to COVID-19 Martin Luther College extended spring break until March 22.

13 — Minnesota State High School League announced the remainder of the Basketball season was canceled due to the COVID-19 virus.

13 — President Donald Trump and Gov. Tim Walz declare state of emergency regarding the COVID-19 virus.

13 — New Ulm Medical Center through Allina Health placed new restriction related to COVID-19. Under the new restriction sick people are not allow to visit patients at the hospital and all patients are limited to two visitors per day.

15 — District 88 closed to students March 18-27 with distance learning implemented following order from Governor Walz.

16 — The New Ulm Community Center held the last on-site senior dining during the COVID-19 pandemic.

17 — Brown County Commissioners and the New Ulm City Council passed state of emergency declarations because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

17 — The St. Patrick’s Day March of the Irish parade permit was rescinded at the last moment. In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak the parade was blocked. The longest continuous St. Patrick’s Day celebration continued privately for the 55th year in New Ulm.

17 — The Minnesota House and Senate passed a bill to fund the final 12 miles of Highway 14 between Nicollet and New Ulm.

18 — New Ulm Diocese suspended all public masses in Catholic churches until at least March 31 in accordance with coronavirus guidelines.

23 — Sleepy Eye Medical Center sought face mask donations amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

24 — The Minnesota Department of Health shows Brown County continues to have zero confirmed cases of COVID-19. Renville County has one, Nicollet has three and Blue Earth five.

24 — Construction of the German Park amphitheater begins. Trees were marked for removal and light posts were taken down.

25 — Gov. Tim Walz ordered Minnesota residents to stay at home for two weeks except for essential needs. The stay-at-home order begins at midnight.

25 — Jefferson Elementary School offered a curbside homework packet pickup. The packets include workbooks and lesson plans for students durning distance learning.

27 — The New Ulm Economic Development Authority provided emergency relief for businesses impacted by COVID-19 pandemic through the creation of $250,000 in grants for qualified businesses.

30 — Martin Luther College President Mark Zarling was diagnosed with COVID-19. He was the first person in Brown County confirmed with the virus. It is assumed he contracted the virus traveling on college business.

30 — Hermann Heights retaining wall experienced another blowout during the weekend rain storm. This was the largest blow was one of the largest but smaller ones have occurred in the last few weeks. The wall is schedule to be replaced this summer.

31 — The Minnesota Department of Health notified local health officials that Brown County had two confirmed cases of COVID-19.

APRIL 2020

3 — A 68-year-old, John O’Neill from Bird Island, recovered from COVID-19 and donated blood for anti-bodies testing.

3 — Congressman Jim Hagedorn hosted a telephone town hall to address COVID-19 concerns. He gave an update on congressional action related to the pandemic.

4 — The family of 3-year-old Eva Berle held a socially distanced birthday parade. A line of vehicles drove past the house on State Street. Birthday parades would become the norm over the next few months.

5 — New Ulm Medical Center’s mask drive came to a close, but new donations were accepted.

6 — Brown County COVID cases grew from two to five over the weekend.

7 — New Ulm extends the declaration of emergency related to COVID-19 until May 19.

7 — Benny Seifert entertained the residents of Garden Terrace with big-band music with accompaniment from a music machine. Seifert played the horn section from the back of a minivan in the Garden Terrace parking lot. Residents watched from their balconies.

7 — Frank H. Hoffmann Jr. of Sigel got a unique visitation memorial. A drive-by memorial and visitation were held outside Carl’s Corner in Essig.

7 — Janet J. Dempsey, 92, died at Oak Hills Living Center. Dempsey had a significant impact on the New Ulm community as a long-term kindergarten teacher at St. Mary’s. Over the years she and her husband Terry fostered 15 children together and hosted foreign exchange students.

8 — Sleepy Eye Economic Development Authority offers a loan payment suspension program and business grants to local businesses.

9 — New Ulm Medical Center set up a new drive-up lab service to minimize the number of patients coming into the hospital.

10 — Brown County recorded its first COVID-19 death, one of seven new deaths statewide. Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said that globally the total cases were over 1.6 million and 96,000 deaths.

14 — Oak Hill Living Center resident Erna Zahn turned 112 years old and continues to show remarkable health. This makes her the oldest person in Minnesota.

16 — German Park amphitheater has been dug up by work crews. The new amphitheater will replace the earthen terraces with concrete and include two new ramps.

17 — Web Construction finished pouring the first concrete footing at the New Ulm German Park amphitheater.

18 — The Minnesota Baseball Association (MBA) held a closed meeting regarding the delay of amateur baseball in Minnesota due to COVID-19. New Ulm was scheduled to host the 2020 Minnesota Amateur State Tournament.

22 — Early Childhood Family Education and Washington Learning Center conducted a kindness tour. A bus full of teachers drive around the county visiting the homes of preschool students but maintained social distance.

23 — Minnesota schools will remain closed through the end of the academic year by order of Gov. Tim Walz. Walz, a former teacher and coach, said he took “no joy” in keeping schools closed.

23 — The Eagles United Booster Club provided each member of New Ulm High School’s graduating class with a special class of 2020 yard sign.

25 — For many high school students, prom night was canceled but many still put on their best formal wear and got prom photos.

26 — Pastor Thomas Charles Walter Henning, 88, died at Lutheran Home in Belle Plain. Henning served at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church from 1962 until 2000.

27 — Demolition and excavation of the Hermann Heights retaining wall began. The demolition is the first step in reconstructing a new wall system.

28 — Brown County Commissioners unanimously approved the sale of Marktplatz Mall parcels.

MAY 2020

2 — Next week is Teacher’s Appreciation Week, but with students no longer in class the teachers at St. Paul flipped the script and showed their appreciation for parents who have become part-time teachers during COVID-19.

3 — The Kasota stone retaining wall at Hermann Heights Park is no more. Construction crews began removing the wall Monday, April 27 and had them all removed by Saturday in time to start the installation of the news stones.

5 — American Artstone Company announced the appointment of Nick Meyer as President.

9 — Friday, May 8 was Childcare Provider Appreciation Day and now more than ever the country is seeing the crucial role childcare providers have in shaping the future.

9 — Mindy Kimmel, candidate for Minnesota House 16B was unanimously endorsed by the Minnesota DFL.

12 — The New Ulm Public Library was booked solid Monday, taking orders for contactless pickup.

13 — New Ulm Medical Center staff, Allina Health EMS, New Ulm police and fire, and county Sheriff’s deputies gathered at 12:25 p.m., by New Ulm Medical center to observe the flyover by Minnesota National Guard in recognition of those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic response.

15 — Traffic in New Ulm Friday evening never looked better. The New Ulm Autofest hosted a Car Cruise that began in the former Target parking lot, traveled north to the Law Enforcement Center, to the New Ulm Medical Center and the New Ulm Fire Departments.

19 — Firefighters from Sleepy Eye, Springfield and Comfrey responded to a house fire Saturday afternoon a mile north of Leavenworth. Sleepy Eye Fire Chief Ron Zinniel said a fire call was received at about 2 p.m. Saturday at 31130 185th St. Zinniel said the second story of the home was on fire when firefighters arrived.

19 — A weather-induced equipment failure led to a major power outage Sunday night. Approximately 918 electric customers were without power for nearly three hours.

19 — The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flood warnings for the Cottonwood River at New Ulm and above Springfield Monday. The river forecast is based on observed precipitation of 2 to 3 inches over the past 48 hours.

19 — New Ulm Bus Lines is planning a “School Bus Cruise” to give a salute to honor all the students, teachers, administrators and support staff in New Ulm.

23 — Downtown restaurant and bar owners discussed ways Friday to safely reopen downtown Minnesota Street, which included the option of closing the street to vehicle traffic.

25 — Mark Zarling, president of Martin Luther College from 2007 to 2020, is retiring this summer.

27 — Brown County commissioners unanimously approved a request to continue free Heartland Express bus rides until July 1 Tuesday. Action came on a motion by Commissioner Dean Simonsen, seconded by Commissioner Tony Berg to continue free rides due to anticipated continued need due to the COVID pandemic.

28 — Bavarian Blast 2020 has officially been canceled. The Board of Directors of Bavarian Blast decided to postpone the annual festival during a meeting Tuesday.

28 — New UIm City officials and downtown business owners finalized a plan for reopening bars and restaurants in the downtown by temporarily closing parts of Minnesota Street.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tim Walz has allowed restaurants and bars to open with outside seating and a 50 patron limit.

30 — New Ulm High School’s held it’s graduation ceremony Friday. It was the 135th graduation from the school and the first to be held online for social distancing. Graduates and their families were able to stream the ceremony starting at 7 p.m. from the school’s website.

JUNE 2020

1 — The Cathedral High School (CHS) class of 2020 graduated Sunday. This was the 98th class to graduate from CHS. Due to the continued need for social distancing, the graduation ceremony was recorded for YouTube.

1 — Peaceful demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd gathered at the Center and Broadway. The protest began at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and gather to over a dozen people.

2 — Restaurants and bars were legally allowed to reopen for onsite service, Monday. Restriction limit establishments to outside service with no more than 50 patrons. Patrons were also required to have a reservation before being seated. Restaurants with outdoor patios space such as Lamplighter and Green Mill were able welcome patrons back.

8 — Fr. Shawn Polman and Fr. John Hayes were ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of New Ulm by Bishop John M. LeVoir on Saturday, June 6 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm.

10 — Jefferson Elementary’s 4th grade teachers spent 2 days earlier this week riding around on a school bus to visit and say goodbye to their 4th grade students.

12 — Herbie the Hedgehog and Gerty the Goose teamed up to push up a donation for the German Park Amphitheater. Herbie recruited Gerty from Goosetown to ensure this fundraiser was a citywide effort. Currently, $945,000 in cash and pledges has come in for the amphitheater. Park and Recreation Director Tom Schmitz said money is coming in every day for the amphitheater.

20 — The music returned to the Grand Center of Arts and Culture Friday night. Jeremy Polan and Lantz Dale played the Grand’s back patio with food and drink served by Lamplighter.

They were the first musical act to play at the Grand since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March.

24 — Courtland’s skyline will temporarily feature two water towers. The town’s new water tower went up Monday but has not been connected yet. The old water tower, built-in 1938 will continue in service until the new tower is fully online.

25 — New Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) Schools Superintendent Jeff Horton of Duluth hit the ground running Wednesday, revealing his administrative staffing plans at a special board meeting in the Gibbon Primary School gym.

July 2020

2 — Ever since COVID-19, anytime Fitness teacher Jillian Wilfahrt has been taking her morning exercise classes to different locations. Tuesday the class visited the parking adjacent to New Ulm City Hall. Wilfahrt said the outdoor group workouts are a way to let friends see each other while keeping socially distance.

2 — In light of the 4th of July holiday, Brown County Public Health is encouraging anyone to follow the COVID-19 guidelines set by the state and local businesses.

6 — The Fourth of July festivities continued despite concerns of COVID-19. Several traditional Independence activities were canceled in light of the pandemic. In New Ulm, the July 3 Riverside Celebration and July 4 Turner Hall Music in the part events were called off, but the New Ulm Battery did the fire of 13 rounds from their cannon at the New Ulm Cemetery. Cambria officially canceled its parade and fireworks, but a group of locals held an impromptu parade featuring a dozen golf carts and lawnmowers decorated by American flags.

8 — The 2020 Amateur Baseball State Tournaments will come to New Ulm in late August following a 3-2 split decision from the New Ulm City Council. The council was formally asked for permission to use Johnson and Mueller Park for the three-weekends of the tournament during the Tuesday meeting.

11 — Brown County COVID-19 cases continue to climb in recent days, reaching 43 on Friday, up three from Thursday.

11 — Highway 68 from Highway 15 to just west of Blue Earth County Road 45 (south of Courtland) will be closed beginning Monday, July 13 for repairs to the mudslide that began on June 29.

15 — After brief discussion Tuesday, Brown County Commissioners unanimously approved filing a Proof of Claim in the Purdue Pharma LP Bankruptcy regarding ongoing opioid litigation.

15 — Brown County has now reached 51 cases of COVID-19, an increase of 21 cases since the start of July.

16 — The New Ulm Human Rights Commission issue a formal response to the increase in hate speech at the Art Wall. The Commission unanimously agreed to submit a letter to the City Manager and New Ulm Park and Recreation requesting the elimination of hate speech at the art wall to become a greater priority.

18 — Bavarian Blast and the Brown County Fair are canceled, but the festival food is still being served at the fairgrounds. The Brown County Fairground is hosting Fair Food Vendors all weekend.

23 — The Courtland Fire Department quickly extinguished a fire in an old animal fat tank at the Hanska Farmers Cooperative (HFC) feed mill in Courtland.

25 — Brown County commissioners will consider approval of COVID-19 Business Relief Grant eligibility and program guidelines Tuesday, July 28.

Brown County received $3,083,468 in Coronavirus Relief Funds. Of that allocation, federal guidelines included setting aside 10% of that amount to assist businesses adversely impacted by the Coronavirus.

25 — The 2020 Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournaments will not be played in New Ulm this year. The New Ulm City Council unanimously voted Friday to rescind a July 7 decision to host the tournaments.

30 — A special groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Reinvest New Ulm (RENU) Recreation Center Project, Wednesday. The Rec Center project was the largest of the RENU projects approved by voters during a special referendum in 2016.

AUGUST 2020

4 — The New Ulm community showed up in full force to celebrate George Glotzbach’s 89th birthday. The surprise celebration was held for him in front of his home on Cottonwood Street.

6 — The New Ulm High School FCCLA Parliamentary Procedure team was recently notified that it earned a gold medal at the national level of competition.

6 — The Most Rev. John M. LeVoir has resigned as bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm due to health reasons, the diocese announced today. Pope Francis accepted his resignation effective Aug. 6, 2020. Bishop LeVoir, 74, who was appointed bishop of New Ulm on July 14, 2008, is now considered a retired bishop. A typical retirement age for a bishop is 75.

10 — One of New Ulm best remembered teachers, Charlotte “Jibbie (West) Anderson died Wednesday, July 29 at Oak Hills Living Center. Anderson will be remembered best as a teacher and a volunteer in the New Ulm community.

11 — The Heart of New Ulm (HONU) recently launched a new action team: The Brown County Chemical Health Action Team (CHAT). The countywide team is comprised of representatives from Brown County Family Services, New Ulm Medical Center, police departments, area schools, probation, Brown County Public Health and community members.

13 — Dozens of bricks crashed onto the Minnesota Street sidewalk Wednesday evening after dislodging from the parapet of a three story apartment building on the corner of 1st. South and Minnesota. The incident occurred sometimes before 6:30 p.m.

14 — This will be City Council President Charlie Schmitz’s last year on the New Ulm City Council after 12 years. During Tuesday’s Primary, Schmitz was unable to get the necessary votes to advance to the November General Election. The next council president will be either Larry Mack or Andrea Boettger.

15 — The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the Brown County Free Fair, but to be fair to 4-H clubs, animal judging went ahead this week, concluding on Friday. The 4-H barns were open this week, but only to the 4-H exhibitors, immediate families and volunteers. Everyone who entered the area had their temperature screened and masks were required for all.

20 — Logan Roy Anderson, 19, 80354 330th St., Madelia, was transported to North Memorial Hospital by North Memorial Air Ambulance, with a suspected neck or spinal injury, as a result of a diving accident in Lake Hanska Wednesday. The Brown County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at 3:28 p.m. reporting an injury sustained when a person dove from a pontoon into shallow water, at the south landing off Brown County Road 6.

26 — Oak Hills Living Center resident Audrey Scholtz celebrated her 100th birthday twice Tuesday. First, about a dozen immediate family members celebrated with her in an outdoor visit. Then, her grandchildren did a window visit.

SEPTEMBER 2020

2 — New Ulm Area Catholic Schools return to school. NUACS welcomed students back after a five-month absence.

7 — 65th annual Godahl Day celebrated despite COVID-19. The event was scaled back, however, due to the coronavirus.

10 — Candidates for city, state office sketch out views. Larry Mack and Andrea Boettger took part in the League of Women Voters candidate forum. Paul Torkelson and Mindy Kimmel discuss issues at LOWV forum on Thursday.

10 — $22 million for Highway 14 was approved. A $22 million grant for the four-lane expansion of Highway 14 from Nicollet to New Ulm was approved.

13 — The Family Video store in New Ulm announces closure. A liquidation sale began over the weekend after 11 years operating in New Ulm.

14 — The Park and Recreation Commission unanimously recommended approval a tobacco-free policy.

15 — George L. Glotzbach dies peacefully at his home Tuesday. Glotzbach was a tireless promoter and lover of New Ulm.

18 — Brown County COVID-19 cases spike. Brown County Public Health confirmed 17 new COVID-19 cases in the last three days. There were six new cases confirmed Friday, six new cases confirmed on Thursday and five new cases confirmed Wednesday, according to COVID-19 situation updates posted on Facebook.

20 — Dozens of motorcycle riders swarmed to the Flying Dutchmen Motorcycle Club over weekend for the annual fall Flat Track races.

21 — A new $200,000 community endowment fund has been established in honor of Dr. James and Jane Seifert. The endowment fund was established by the Seiferts’ children.

24 — District 88 School Board received an update by Superintendent Jeff Bertrang on health conditions related to COVID. Bertrang says plans are working. Schools mulling hikes in athletic memberships.

24 — Mindy Kimmel hosts Zoom forum on child care; says daycare availability critical to COVID-19 recovery.

27 — Friends turn out for Logan Anderson benefit. A fundraiser on behalf of the mother of a 19-year-old Madelia teen who suffered a severe spinal cord injury at Lake Hanska Aug. 19 drew 60 golfers and more than 100 silent auction donations to the Madelia Golf Course Saturday.

28 — Three Lafayette Area Ambulance emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and the daughter of a Lafayette man who suffered a cardiac arrest were honored for their lifesaving efforts at the Lafayette Fire Department Monday.

Minnesota State University, Mankato, student Bridget Kavan and Lafayette Area Ambulance EMTs Nick Klingler, Ashley Juracek and Mark Dick received the South Central Minnesota EMS System Lifesave award for “outstanding effort and teamwork resulting in a CPR save” on July 16.

30 — New Ulm is famous for its Oktoberfest celebration, but due to COVID-19, things were different this year. With no safe way to host large gatherings, venues scaled back celebrations to meet the standards.

OCTOBER 2020

3 — Oktoberfest begins over the weekend, with the rain and pandemic being unable to stop activities. A craft and vendor show kept downtown Minnesota Street active on Saturday, and a few venues were able to host live music to keep the tradition going for another year.

6 — Lisa Fischer, who has served as the Ward 2 city councilor since 2012 stepped down after Tuesday night meeting on Oct. 6.

6 — Brown County commissioners expressed unanimous support Tuesday for building a recycling storage facility at the Brown County Sanitary Landfill. Grant money would be available to cover costs.

8 — New Ulm High School’s tenth-grade Health class take impaired driving class. This annual tradition at the high school was set up outside this year in the school parking lot instead of the gym.

8 — Week 2 of Oktoberfest begins with a low-key Friday due to COVID-19.

10 — A corn dryer fire at the Robbie Gieseke farm in New Sweden Township drew seven fire departments on Saturday.

11 — Bishop LeVoir is given a fond farewell. A drive-by farewell for Bishop John M. LeVoir of the New Ulm Diocese was held at Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Sunday. LeVoir announced his resignation as bishop of Diocese of New Ulm in August.

12 — Brown County records third death from COVID-19. The weekend saw a spike of 18 positive cases in Brown County.

14 — Sleepy Eye Public Schools online student numbers drop. More students returned to in-person classes.

15 — Local group holds peace rally at Center and Broadway Thursday. The event was sponsored by New Ulm Forward, Equity for New Ulm and the Human Rights Commission. The event was a chance to put aside differences and stand together for peace.

16 — Phase 2 of three-phase project begins for amphitheater in New Ulm. $1.87 billion infrastructure bonding bill recently approved by Minnesota House and Senate included $300,000 grant to the City of New Ulm for a permanent shade structure in the German Park amphitheater.

19 — After 42 minutes of closed session negotiation Monday, the Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) school board directed Superintendent Jeff Horton to negotiate a purchase agreement with a Burnsville company to buy the former Fairfax Middle School.

20 — Brown County Public Health Director Karen Moritz told Brown County commissioners on Tuesday that her department was seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases among school-age children; says most transmission is happening outside of school building.

20 — The New Ulm City Council authorized a change order for up to $300,000 for the German Park amphitheater project, to include a shade structure system, on Tuesday.

22 — Absentee ballots rolled into Brown County Auditor/Treasurer’s Office. Voters were urged to vote early.

22 — District 88 Superintendent Jeff Bertrang announced 14 students tested positive for coronavirus since start of school; says transmission not occurring in school.

22 — With COVID-19 cases on campus on the rise, MLC issued a statement in consultation with Brown County Public Heath that they immediately carries out all protocols of individual testing, isolations and quarantines.

26 — A rare mammoth tusk fossil was found in New Ulm and unveiled at the Riverside History & Nature Learning Center for inspection by Minnesota Science Museum experts. The tusk was found on Sept. 25 by Dalton Demarais at a gravel site near New Ulm High School. The tusk was about 5 feet in length and weighs 50 pounds.

26 — New Ulm Forward received the 2020 Human Rights Award for advancing human rights on Monday from the Human Rights Commission. The annual award recognizes a person or persons, community organization, or business in the New Ulm area, who has contributed significantly to the advancement of human rights.

27 — Martin Luther College sent students home and began switch to distance learning in response to COVID-19 cases on campus.

28 — Brown County Public Health reported two new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the county to 335.

28 — Citizens Bank Minnesota announced an agreement to acquire Ornsby State Bank in Ornsby. Ornsby State Bank will merge with and into Citizens Bank Minnesota.

29 — The New Ulm Medical Center announces that it will be analyzing COVID-19 tests in house with new equipment that Alina Health added in all of its regional hospitals.

30 — After more than 30 years of serving Thanksgiving meals to friends, families and strangers, the Community Friends Thanksgiving meal event announced it would not be held this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

NOVEMBER 2020

2 — New Ulm Police officers Chris Moellenhoff and Eric Gramentz were promoted by Brown County District Court Judge Robert A. Docherty on Monday. Moellenhoff was promoted from investigator to senior investigator, while Gramentz was promoted from corporal to investigator.

2 — A Winthrop woman in her early 20s was airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) Monday after authorities found her with multiple gunshot wounds on the 300 block of West 3rd Street early Monday morning. The Sibley County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a call about an assault involving a firearm on 3rd Street in Winthrop at 12:18 a.m. Monday.

3 — Michael Vogel, Justin Roiger, Sarah L. Groebner, and Lori Groebner won seats on the District 85 school board Tuesday.

4 — Andrea Boettger defeated Larry Mack in the race for city council president in New Ulm. New Ulm voters Tuesday voted for three of the five council seats, including city councilor-at large/council president. The other two council elections were uncontested. First Ward City Councilor

4 — Rep. Paul Torkelson appeared to be heading to another strong win in the House District 16B race. With nearly 78 percent of the precincts reporting, the six-term Republican held a commanding 66% to 33% margin over DFL challenger Mindy Kimmel of New Ulm.

4 — Brown County COVID-19 cases spike. Since Halloween, the county has seen 57 new cases of the virus, bringing the total COVID cases to 422 as of Tuesday.

5 — COVID-19 claimed its fourth Brown County victim. Brown County Public Health said that the person was in their 90s.

5 — The COVID pandemic silenced another musical tradition in New Ulm. There would be no new members inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (MMHF) in 2020.

5 — Sibley County authorities identified the 23-year-old Winthrop woman reported to have been shot multiple times early Monday, Nov. 2, as Jessica Holtz of Winthrop.

6 — Brown County hit 500 COVID-19 cases after 38 new lab-confirmed cases were announced Friday.

8 — COVID-19 cases continued to climb in Brown County, with 35 new cases reported by Brown County Public Health as of Sunday. This brought the total to 570 confirmed cases.

8 — Updates to Hermann Heights Park are complete, including the retaining wall, new parking lots and relocation of Monuments Street’s entrance. The new entrance to Hermann Park is located further west on Center Street to improve safety.

9 — The New Ulm Park and Recreation Commission weighed the options of developing neighborhood parks in the Upper Cottonwood/Dacotah West subdivision and other parts of the community during a work session. The Upper Cottonwood/Dacotah West subdivision is one of several areas in New Ulm that is underserved by neighborhood parks.

10 — The New Ulm Public Schools received a $100,000 grant from the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to establish a Career Technical Education (CTE) Center. The CTE Center will provide students and adults with education in the areas of manufacturing, machining, construction, automotive repair, small gas engines and autobody repair. Construction education would include training for plumbing, electricians and carpentry work.

11 — Gov. Tim Walz issued a new emergency executive order restricting social gatherings, to prevent further spread of COVID-19. The restrictions put in during this time limited the number of people at bars and restaurants and the hours of operation, but many establishments were already following similar guidelines.

13 — COVID-19 ramps up in Brown County, putting strain on hospitals and staff. Brown County up to 693 total cases as of Nov. 13.

14 — The ISD 88 Foundation and its Alumni Committee announced the inductees into the 2020 ISD 88 Hall of Fame. Theodore R. Fritsche (deceased), Donald Mathiowetz, Marison Gislason Obernauer (deceased) and Henry Somsen, Jr. (deceased) were the inductees.

16 — Brown County Public Health reported 65 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day amount to date, on Monday, Nov. 16.

17 — Brown County commissioners unanimously approved a $10,100 Influenza Project 2020 grant Tuesday to enhance influenza vaccination coverage as a critical part of the COVID-19 response work.

18 — Superintendent Jeff Bertrang announced that New Ulm Schools would shift to distance learning for all grades beginning Nov. 30.

18 — Eric Warmka is New Ulm’s new Ward 2 city councilor. He was unanimously appointed to the position by the City Council during their regular meeting Tuesday. Warmka was appointed to complete the remaining two years of former Ward 2 councilor Lisa Fischer who resigned Oct. 7.

20 — Brown County reports four deaths from COVID-19 in past two days. The death toll rose to 10 at this time.

23 — New Christmas decorations went up in downtown New Ulm. Wreaths were placed on every light post on Minnesota Street from 4th North to 1st South.

23 — COVID-19 cases climb over weekend in Brown County; 102 new cases over the weekend, 49 on Monday.

24 — The New Ulm Public Utilities Commission (PUC) denied the 10-year contract extension with Heartland Consumer Power District (HCPD) to supply energy and demand to New Ulm Public Utilities.

27 — Mayor Bob Beussman and his wife Cheryl lit the tall pine Christmas tree outside New Ulm City Hall Friday. The tree lighting usually takes place after the New Ulm Parade of Lights. While that event had to be cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tree lighting ceremony went on as planned.

DECEMBER 2020

1– Brown County commissioners unanimously approved updating its tobacco ordinance, raising the minimum age for sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old, Tuesday.

3–Former Doctor Martin Luther College President Lloyd Huebner passes away at the age of 95. Less than 24 hours later, his wife Inez passed away. The two were married for nearly 70 years and spent 30 years in New Ulm.

4–Approximately 6.3% of Brown County’s population confirmed to have had COVID-19. The county infection total was 1,590 at this time.

8–Sleepy Eye City Manager Bob Elston announced that Chasing Our Tails, Inc., which advertises itself as a global leader in pet treat development, manufacturing and sales, reached an agreement to purchase the Seneca Foods Corporation packing plant in Sleepy Eye. The plant was formerly owned by Del Monte.

11–Courtland Fire Department delivers baby boy late Thursday afternoon on rural farm in Cambria. Beau Spencer Yarger was the baby born to Katie and Leon Yarger.

14–New Ulm Medical Center announced to serve as regional hub for COVID vaccine.

15–The New Ulm Medical Center received its first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday. The vaccine was stored in the medical center’s subzero freezer.

15–New Ulm Police Officer Clifton Lerud was sworn in by the Honorable Judge Robert Docherty in Brown County District Court Monday.

16–Way of the Cross is named to the National Register of Historic Places, joining New Ulm’s Hermann Heights Monument, Turner Hall and the Wanda Gag House. The Way of the Cross has been part of New Ulm for 116 years.

17–Alliance Bank donated its former Courtland branch bank to the City of Courtland Wednesday.

19–Brown County Fairgrounds hosts first-ever Drive-Thru Holiday Lights and Santa visit to large turnout.

19–The annual New Ulm Area Christmas Bird Count was conducted. There were 36 species observed with a total population of 2,645. The highlight was the sighting of 48 trumpeter swans.

23–A monolith object was found on a farm west of State Highway 4 on the south edge of Sleepy Eye. The column was made of wood and wrapped in aluminum foil. It was likely designed to mimic the stainless steel monoliths found in other remote places around the globe in recent months.

27–A Brown County Jail inmate flooded a jail cell and living pod causing damage to ceiling tiles and soaking offices.