An enormous, powerful, and deadly winter storm overtook much of Minnesota December 22-24. An abundant and powdery snowfall ending on Thursday December 22, 2022, set the stage for a long-lasting and brutally cold regional ground blizzard. The virtually impossible conditions on nearly all exposed roads in between cities and towns severely impeded holiday travel.
The region received 5″-9″ inches of snowfall, followed by 40+ mph winds with subzero temperatures lasting several days.
Photos taken 12/26
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On May 3rd, 2022, the Sleepy Eye Police Department received a report from Olmsted County Human Services. A mandated reporter provided information regarding former Trinity Lutheran Pastor Nathan Luong having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a juvenile female member of Trinity Lutheran Church (Sleepy Eye, MN). The Sleepy Eye Police Department conducted a 7 month investigation with cooperation from Trinity Lutheran Church and the Southeastern/Southwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA. Throughout this investigation the Sleepy Eye Police Department submitted evidence to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension DNA Lab for testing. Based on DNA evidence and interviews conducted by the Sleepy Eye Police Department, Nathan Van Alfred Luong (DOB: 3/24/1986) has been charged with 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and is currently being held in Brown County Jail.
The Sleepy Eye Police Department believes there has only been one victim in this case. If anyone else has been victimized by Nathan Luong, they are encouraged to contact Investigator Shawn Bohnen at Sleepy Eye Police Department or their local police department.
Luong served as pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church from September 2018 to February of 2021.
Cross Country All-Conference: Noah Christensen, Raul Rodriguez, Jake Heinrichs
Volleyball: Bella Hoffmann, Allie Labat (Honorable Mention), Jaci Domeier
Volleyball Academic All-Conference: Bella Hoffmann, Abby Schwartz, Emily Helget, Lacey Mathiowetz, Jenica Schroepfer
Academic All-State: Bella Hoffmann, Lacey Mathiowetz, Abby Schwartz, Emily Helget,
Cheerleading Letter Winners: Josie Helget, Maria Schwartz, Alexa Pelzel, Hana Zeig, Sam Ibberson. Missing: Annika Nosbush, ,Nora Hoffmann, Ella Pollard, Kailey Nelson.
Volleyball Letter Winners: Front row: Emily Helget, Bella Hoffmann, Allie Labat, Sam Ibberson, Addie Hoffmann. Back row: Jenica Schropfer, Reese Hoffmann, Amelia Schwartz, Jaci Domeier, Lacey Mathiowetz, Jaci Domeier, Abby Schwartz.
Football Letter Winners: Owen Weiss, Tucker Haala, Hayden Zarn, Kaleb Weiss, Talan Helget, Brandon Tauer, Dylan Moldan. Missing: CJ Surprenant, Mark Anderson, Brandon Braulick, Wyatt Pollard, Kaden Ryer, Jon Petermann, Kameron Kosak, Riley Rutscher, Jack Windschitl.
Football All-Conference: Talan Helget, Jon Petermann, Owen Weiss (Honorable Mention) Kaleb Wait, Hayden Zarn (Honorable Mention)
Academic All-Conference: Brandon Braulick, Jon Petermann, Mark Anderson, CJ Surprenant, Brandon Tauer, Owen Weiss. Missing: Jack Windschitl
Volleyball Team Award Winners: MVP-Bella Hoffmann, Most Improved-Addie Hoffmann, Leadership-Abby Schwartz
Cross Country Letter Winners: Jake Heinrichs, Kendrick Henry, Nico Nosbush, Noah Christensen, Austin Vee, Anton Pyan, Levi Hagen, Raul Rodriguez, Derek Wales, Annika Nosbush, Ellen Windschitl, Elle Kyllonen, Helen Fischer, Teresa Fischer, Millie Lax
Conf Runner of the Year- Noah Christensen -Section and State Runner- Noah Christensen
Academic All-Conference: Helen Fischer, Ellen Windschitl, Elle Kyllonen, Annika Nosbush,
Football:
- Player of the year- Bradon Tauer
- Most Improved- Dylan Moldan
- Charlie Hale- Tucker Haala
- Lineman- Owen Weiss
- Leadership- Kaleb Wait
- Defense- Hayden Zarn
- Offense- Talan Helget
Cross Country:
- Most Improved- Jake Heinrichs, Helen Fischer
- Leadership-Noah Christensen, Elle Kyllonen
- MVP-Noah Christensen, Elle Kyllonen
The Sleepy Eye Holiday Lights in Motion received a $500 donation from the Brown County Rural Electric Association via their Roundup program. Trust Board President Lynnae Pelzel (second from right) presents check to Holiday Lights in Motion board members Laurie Hammerschmidt, Mike Suess and Andy Pelzel.
by Duncan McGreggor
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The Sleepy Eye Fire Department (front row, from left): Logan Zuhlsdorf, Al Windschitl, Ron Zinniel, Jeff Zinniel, Shawn Heiderscheidt, Shane Martinka, Josh Wersal, Kyle Borth, Colton Borth and Aaron Schauman. Middle Row: Leon Steffl, Todd Riess, Alex Bruggeman, Tyler Heiderscheidt, Scott Krzmarzick, Brad Hoffmann, Jesse Como, Scott Maurer, Kevin Hoffman and Scott Braun. Back row: Keaton Borth, Jason Helget, Jeff Mathiowetz, Ross Fischer, Dan Schottenbauer, Dylan Wersal, Mike Suess, Nick Martinka, Jesse Fischer, Mike Tauer and Brandon Hanson. Missing Tom Braulick and Aaron Bruggeman.
Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land
Home fire escape planning and practicing
It is important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different.
Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure that someone will help them!
Smoke alarms
Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger. Smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom, outside of the sleeping areas (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of your home. Do not put smoke alarms in your kitchen or bathrooms.
Choose an alarm that is listed with a testing laboratory, meaning it has met certain standards for protection.
For the best protection, use combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that are interconnected throughout the home. These can be installed by a qualified electrician, so that when one sounds, they all sound. This ensures you can hear the alarm no matter where in your home the alarm originates.
Destiny Dittbenner earns Champion for the Introductory Metal Division in the Minnesota State Fair Ag. Technology Competition with her toolbox.
Sleepy Eye FFA had a great Minnesota State Fair with Lucia Martinez showing this Commercial Beef Heifer and earning 3rd place overall and for Beef Herdsmanship.
Sleepy Eye FFA wins the first Chapter Demonstration Competition at the 75th Anniversary of FFA at the Minnesota State Fair. Pictured l to r: front, Chloe Howe, Noemi Rodriguez, Daniel Armstrong, Kyle Capacia. Back, Jacob Mellen, Antonio Ruiz, Adam Johnson, Conor Strong.
Adam Johnson (left) places 5th Individual Overall in the Minnesota State Fair Crops Competition while Carson Uecker (right) is the Champion State Fair Crops High Point New Exhibitor. The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter was the Winner and the High Point Chapter for 2022.
By: Chloe Howe, Chapter Reporter
The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter was once again well represented at the State Fair in 2022. Lucia Martinez showed livestock at the fair. Nine members participated in the new Chapter Demonstration Competition. 11 members participated in the Ag. Technology Competition. 134 members entered 542 crop exhibits for the MN State Fair Crop Show.
The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter earned the first place Premier Chapter Award for the Minnesota State Fair Crop Show with a total of 2238 points. Jackson was awarded 2nd place with 924 points. This was the 13th year that Sleepy Eye has won the Minnesota State Fair Crops Competition in the past 15 years.
The Crop Show Exhibitors earned the following placings:
- Carson Uecker was the State Fair Crops High Point New Exhibitor at the Minnesota State Fair Crop Show.
- Top Ten finishers for High School Individuals were: Jacob Schultz- 3rd Place, Jon Peterman- 4th Place, Adam Johnson- 5th Place, and Jasmine Peterman- 10th Place.
FFA Beef Show:
- Lucia Martinez: 3rd place overall Commercial Beef Yearling Heifer and 3rd Place Beef Herdsmanship
FFA Ag. Technology (Mechanics):
- Destiney Dittbenner: Champion Intro Metals Project with her Toolbox
- Other Competitors included: Winsten Nienhaus, Isaac Lendt, Morgan Hoffmann, Jessy Lozano, Enrique Flores, Kyle Capacia, Lily Kallevig, Marcus Martinez, Jade Sellner, Adam Johnson
- The chapter placed 5th overall in the Ag. Technology Contest.
FFA Chapter Demonstration Competition:
- Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter was the Grand Champion Winner with their Safety Carnival earning a $1500 premium. The nine members presented farm safety demonstrations for this competition.
3rd Generation Show Family at State Fair:
- The Nelson/Marti Family was recognized for this honor as the kids (Josh and Isaac Nelson), mom (Jill Nelson), and grandpa (Floyd Marti) all showed for FFA at the Minnesota State Fair.
Congratulations to the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter on their accomplishments at the Minnesota State Fair!
