Community

Mike and Sandy Jones are not natives of Blooming Prairie but they are products of small communities just a tad to the south near the border with Iowa.

Pair of transplants hailed in BP

They are not natives of the small, progressive southeastern Minnesota community of Blooming Prairie, but they say it feels like it. Mike and Sandy Jones, two transplants from Leroy and Adams, will be recognized as the Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce's Citizens of the Year for 2019. A...

American Legion Post 52 and Auxiliary presented two $500 scholarships to Lucas Zellmer and to Jennifer Koudelka. American Legion Commander Karl Luiken is at far left and Legion Auxiliary President Suzy Thorson is at far right. Randy Zellmer, second from left, accepted for his son Lucas. Jennifer is second from right.

BP Legion announces 2 scholarship winners

Blooming Prairie's American Legion Post 52 and Auxiliary have once again donated two $500 scholarships to two college students. Recipients in 2019 are Jennifer (Jen) Koudelka and Lucas Zellmer. Legion Commander Karl Luiken and Suzy Thorson, president of the Auxiliary presented the checks to...

Police tape sealed off this property on East Main Street in Blooming Prairie early Tuesday morning, Jan. 1, New Year's Day. The Blooming Prairie Fire Department was summoned to a residence just east of Blooming Prairie at 3:30 a.m. The home owner, Kenneth Zylstra, was not home at the time.

New Year’s Day fire burns house to ground in BP

A man facing several medical problems is now staring at another challenge—finding a new place to live. Ken Zylstra of Blooming Prairie has lost everything after fire swept through his residence early on New Year’s Day. Twenty-four Blooming Prairie firefighters, assisted by firemen from Ellendale...

Rachel Hansen, owner of Rachel's Hair LLC, of Blooming Prairie was a queen for the day on her last day of working at Rachel's Hair last Friday, Dec. 21.

Rachel's Hair sold to associate

Rachel's Hair LLC of Blooming Prairie has been sold. Rachel Hansen, store owner in Blooming Prairie the past 10 years, has sold her salon to associate Emily Allison. She has been a cosmetologist for 16 1/2 years. Allison has worked the past year-and-a-half in Rachel's salon. Allison, a graduate of...

Jamie and Gene Linse and son Henry pose with two mules owned by Dwight Smith, rural Austin. Smith was giving rides at the Hudson Linse fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 22.

Friends, family raise funds for little boy with big heart condition

The words of Jamie and Gene (Geno) Linse were almost the same. "I have no words for it; it's just awesome how people come together for the little guy,” remarked Gene. "I don't know what to say; it's great," countered his wife Jamie. Jamie and Gene are the parents of 20-month-old Hudson Linse, who...

It was an emotional time for the Harberts family as the Best Ever Christmas surprised them with a holiday miracle Dec. 22 in Blooming Prairie. Amy Simon wipes tears away from Jaxon Harberts’ face while tears overcame Jaxon’s father, Brandon, during the surprise party. Dr. James Midboe (with the red Santa hat) of Savage, co-founder of the non-profit group, says the Harberts story is an inspiration for everyone.

Best Christmas Ever for Harberts family

A bowling party at Bunkie's Grill & Lanes of Blooming Prairie turned into a giant-sized Christmas present opening party for Jaxon Harberts and his father Brandon on Saturday, Dec. 22. It was the Best Christmas Ever, a non-profit 501-C3 organization, that brought more than 100 gifts for Jaxon...

Santa Claus stopped by the Blooming Prairie Elementary School recently and took time to say “hello” to Jaxon Harberts, a graduate of the school last year. Jaxon is recovering from injuries suffered in a car crash last Sept. 7 that claimed the lives of his mother and sister.

Father and son trying to put lives back together

It was a day that changed the lives of seventh grader Jaxon Harberts and his father Brandon forever. The day was Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, the fourth day of a new school year. Jaxon was a passenger in his mother's car, carrying the two of them and his sister Emerson on their way to school in Blooming...

Jones reflects on his career of running BP

After holding the position for nearly two decades, Blooming Prairie City Administrator Mike Jones will finally get a chance to step away for good next month. Jones had planned to retire a few months ago, but ended staying on in a part-time capacity as the search to find his successor dragged on....

Third District Steele County Judge Joseph Bueltel presented graduation plaques to Steele Waseca Drug Court graduates of the DWI Track program. Brandon Oreskovich is at left and Jamison Allen is at right.

First graduates honored in DWI Track program

The first two graduates of the Steele Waseca Drug Court DWI (driving while intoxicated) Track Program were honored at a special ceremony on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 19. Graduating from the special DUI track program were: Jamison Allen and Brandon Oareskovich, both of Owatonna. "I don't have the...

Rick and Robin Christensen show off some of their snowmen they have on their Christmas lighting display at their residence in rural Blooming Prairie.

Christmas lights spread the joy

It's all about spreading the joy of Christmas. That's the way Rick and Robin Christensen of rural Blooming Prairie feel about their Christmas light display they have provided for public enjoyment the past four years. "It's Jesus' birthday," Rick says about the reason for having a Christmas lighting...