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THUMBS DOWN Heavy June rains leads loss of home The high volume of rain and debris on the Minnesota River combined to create a dangerous situation at Rapidan Dam. Dead trees in the water effectively clogged the flow of water through the dam, forcing it to erode through the western bank. On Monday, Blue Earth officials stated the dam was in imminent risk. It turned out the dam structure was not in danger, it was the home on the western bank. The house belonged to the Hruska family, who also operated the Rapidan Dam Store. The erosion of the bank near the house eventually led to the ...

Gun sanity briefly prevails at the U.S. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Friday issued the kind of ruling that would once have been viewed as so obvious as to be unnecessary: Yes, the court said, judges have the constitutional authority to deny firearms to defendants who are under domestic-violence restraining orders. The court was only able to reach this rational conclusion by ignoring its own “originalist” mantra and considering the question in the context of current (as opposed to colonial) America. That speaks volumes about the unworkability of originalism. The case comes out of Texas but has special relevance in Missouri. In ...

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THUMBS UP State BMX will attract riders and visitors It is a great weekend for bicycle enthusiasts, especially those who participate in BMX competition. On Sunday, the River Valley BMX track in New Ulm will host a state qualifier. Races start at 11:25 a.m. Sunday. It is anticipated several hundred riders, ranging in age from toddlers to 60-year-olds, will participate in the races. The BMX qualifier brings in riders and families from across the state and it is a great way to show off New Ulm to the larger biking community. THUMBS UP Junior Pioneers Park shelter is complete After ...

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THUMBS UP George’s Ballroom sign will be preserved The historic George’s Ballroom is expected to be demolished as part of a redevelopment plan in September, but at least one part of the building will be preserved. The iconic sign hanging off Center Street will be preserved and incorporated into the new building. Members of The Coldwell Banker Commercial (CBC) Fisher Group that is redeveloping the site confirmed the sign will be saved during a recent Chamber of Commerce event. The Fisher Group has been seeking public input about how the site should be developed and one of the ...

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THUMBS UP Take advantage of Memorial Day events It is Memorial Day Weekend, a time for remembering those we have lost over the years. Many area communities are holding special Memorial Day programs on Monday. In New Ulm, Memorial Day observance begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday with a parade starting at the City Cemetery and traveling down Cemetery Avenue. At 10 a.m. the Memorial Program will begin at the Soldiers Rest section of the cemetery. THUMBS DOWN Beware of start of road construction Memorial Day weekend may be the unofficial start of the summer season, but it is also the ...

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THUMBS UP Graduation Time Graduation season is upon us. Several college and high school graduation ceremonies are scheduled for week, with others scheduled for next weekend. Sleepy Eye High School’s graduation was Friday. Cathedral High School of New Ulm will hold their graduation ceremony Sunday. River Bend Education District will hold a graduation Tuesday. New Ulm High School’s graduation is Friday, May 24. Minnesota Valley Lutheran and Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s will each hold graduation ceremonies Sunday, May 26. These graduating classes include hundreds of students from the ...