Jordan Marotz, daughter of Todd and Jodie, was crowned the new Miss Sleepy Eye at the annual coronation held March 22nd at the Orchid Inn.
Princesses crowned included Laura Pelzel, daughter of Steve and Lynnae, and Becca Schmitz, daughter of Tony and Lisa.
Schmitz was also the recipient of the Candidate Scholarship.
Marotz replaces out-going queen Bethany Berkner.
After a two year battle with cancer, Julie Schmitt passed away March 19 at her home in Comfrey. Julie spent much of her life serving others including those in the community of Sleepy Eye as Chamber Director and Emergency Medical Technician.
Julie will also be remembered fondly as the host of SAM 107.3 Community Accent Host.
Visitation will be on Sunday, March 22nd from 3 to 7 pm at the Sturm Funeral Home, Comfrey and will continue on Monday at the church from10 to 11am. Service will be held at the New Hope Lutheran Church, Comfrey on Monday, March 23rd, 2015 at 11:00 am.
Her infectious smile and positive energy will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Julie is pictured above in November of 2013 with Agnie Gode after receiving the Bridging Brown Co. Bridge Builder of the Year award.
Jon Kopacek scored a spectacular goal in the opening round of the state high school hockey tournament…the hustle play….not only made ESPN Top Ten plays of the day but was the #1 play.
Sleepy Eye EMT Sharon “Boots” Remus was recognized as KEYC Jefferson Good People Award
Chamber Board members pose with the Haala Industries owner. (front row, from left): Caleb Siefkes, Jodie Marotz, Scott Haala, Dave Haala, Steve Haala and Brian Mathiowetz. Back row: Jill Berdan, Nancy Windschitl, Brad Mathiowetz, John McGee, Deb Moldaschel, Mike Petersen and Trista Barka.
The Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce honored Haala Industries at a reception held the morning of Oct. 21st as the Manufacturer and Technology Business of the Year. Haala Industries is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. The local company employs approximately 30 employees including some that have been with them for 20-30 years.
The current owners of the company include Dave Haala, Steve Haala, Scott Haala, Jodie Marotz, Brian Mathiowetz and Caleb Siefkes.
WATCH Tody in America: Haala Industries feature video AT http://youtu.be/KsnQkFsycrw
Scott, Dave and Steve Haala with their awards.
The Sleepy Eye Amabassasors with Haala Industries include (back row:) Nancy Windschitl, Kurk Kramer, Judy Beech, Jim Broich, Dave Vosbeck, Ron Petersen, Greg Gangelhoff and Mark Kober.
Mayor Broich proclaims it Manufacturing and Technology Week.
The Brown Co. Sheriff has arrested a Springfield man and charged him with second degree murder for the death of a 23-year-old woman (Amber Lechuga) whose remains were found in a burning minivan near Sleepy Eye September 25th.
Miguel Vasquez, 26, is expected to be charged Friday afternoon.
Brown Co. Sheriff Chief Deputy Jason Seidl said the suspect called 911 on Sept. 25 to report an auto accident and assault along Highway 4 south of Sleepy Eye. When police arrived they found the man partially clothed and smelling of gasoline, and the minivan engulfed in flames. The man told police he had been struck in the head and doused with gasoline. He suffered minor burns.
Law Enforcement and the Sleepy Eye Fire Department later found the remains of Luchuga in the van.
OFFICIAL BROWN CO. NEWS RELEASE
Date of Incident: 09-25-2014
Time of Incident: 2133 hours
Location of Incident: South of Sleepy Eye (approximately 3 ½ miles south on Highway 4 near the Cottonwood River)
Names, Ages, Address of Person(s) involved:
Amber Elena Lechuga 22 20 ½ East Central, Springfield Deceased
Miguel Angel Vasquez 26 20 ½ East Central, Springfield Arrested
Details of Incident: On Thursday October 2, 2014 the Brown County Sheriff’s Office received Nuclear DNA results from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension that identified the remains found in the van in the reported traffic accident/assault as that of Amber Elena Lechuga. The cause of death was determined to be homicide.
As a result of the investigation by the Brown County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Miguel Angel Vasquez was arrested on the charges of Murder in the Second Degree (MnSS 609.19 subd 1(1)) in the homicide death of Amber Elena Lechuga.
Miguel Angel Vazquez was arrested without incident in Sleepy Eye on Thursday October 2, 2014 at approximately 1615 hours.
A copy of the Criminal Complaint can be obtained from the Brown County Court Administrator’s Office.
Miguel Angel Vasquez is scheduled to appear in Brown County Court on Friday 10-03-2014 at 1600 hours on the charges.
Sleepy Eye ONLINE has chosen to omit some details of the crime. Here are some links to the complete story if you would like to read more:
According to the New Ulm Journal, 23-year old Amber Lechuga of Springfield has been identified as the the victim of the possible homicide which took place south of Sleepy Eye, by the Cottonwood River on September 25th.
The Brown Co. Sheriff Department has yet to release names involved in the incident, but the Journal reported name confirmation of the burned body found in a van via the father of the victim.
Date of Incident: 09-25-2014
Time of Incident: 2133 hours
Location of Incident: South of Sleepy Eye (approximately 3 ½ miles south on Highway 4 near the Cottonwood River)
Names, Ages, Address of Person(s) involved:
The names of the individuals involved are being withheld at this time.
Details of Incident:
On Thursday September 25, 2014 at approximately 9:30 p.m. the Brown County Sheriff’s Office and the Sleepy Eye Police Department responded to a 911 call about a car accident and assault south of Sleepy Eye. The Sleepy Eye Fire Department also responded to the scene to extinguish a car fire involving the vehicle involved in the reported accident. Human remains were found in the vehicle. An injured individual at the scene was taken to the Sleepy Eye Medical Center and later transferred to Hennepin County Medical Center where that individual was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The Brown County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are investigating the incident with assistance from the Sleepy Eye Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, Sleepy Eye Fire Department, Sleepy Eye Ambulance and the Minnesota Fire Marshal.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy on the deceased individual to determine cause and manner of death. Once family notification has been made that information will be made available. Additional information will be released as the investigation progresses.
