Tree walk voting begins now
The annual Chamber of Commerce/Lake Benton Area Historical Society Tree Walk begins this week. Stop in at the Heritage Center to vote for your favorite tree, now until Friday, Dec. 14.
Local snowfall reports don’t align with official reports in first snowfall
The first winter storm of the season hit the area last week, beginning with freezing fog on Thursday and Friday and ending with several inches of snow to dig out on Sunday.
By Shelly Finzen
lbvjeditor@gmail.com
If you are dreaming of a white Christmas in southwest Minnesota, you will most likely get your wish. The first major snowstorm of the season hit over the weekend, leaving inches of snow across the region.
Official reports from the National Weather Service show that Marshall received between six and seven inches, while Brookings, South Dakota only received two inches. Hendricks, Lake Benton and Tyler are reported as having between two and three inches. Locals have something different to say about the situation, however.
For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.
Filed under Community |There is time for landowners to get in on a potential wind energy project
Danell Herzig of NextEra Energy spoke to approximately 50 area landowners about a potential wind energy project coming to Lincoln County.
By Shelly Finzen
lbvjeditor@gmail.com
Calling all area land-owners! A new wind energy project will potentially come to Lincoln County and there is still time for landowners to get in on the project. Representatives of NextEra Energy spoke to a group of approximately 50 area landowners on Tuesday evening at the Lake Benton Community Center.
According to Danell Herzig, NextEra of Juno Beach, Florida, would like to develop up to a 110-megawatt wind farm in the area, but time is of the essence. “We must be commercially operational by 2020,” Herzig stated.
For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.
Filed under Community |Snow emergency parking ordinance will be enforced council says
Mayor Bob Worth signed the last of the paperwork to complete the Small Cities Grant at Monday’s City Council meeting. Lake Benton residents can now begin the application process.
By Shelly Finzen
lbvjeditor@gmail.com
The City of Lake Benton met for their regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 3. Police Chief Tony Sievert was on hand to talk to the City Trustees about parking concerns and the weekend’s snowstorm. According to Sievert, the city’s ordinance gives community members 24 hours after a snow emergency is declared to move all vehicles off city streets. There are a few residents who are not removing their vehicles and they are creating problems for the City Maintenance Department when clearing city streets. “Our ordinance allows us to tow the vehicles at the owners’ expense,” Sievert stated. City Administrator/Clerk Eileen Christensen stated that this has been an ongoing problem with certain community members.
For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.
Filed under Community, Government |‘Tis the season for song
Eric Fish (left) and Noah Greer, both of Lake Benton, were among the performers in Saturday’s Lake Benton Opera House Christmas Show. Due to the snowstorm, the evening performance was cancelled. Options are being explored to add another performance in December. Watch the Valley Journal for further updates.
Celebrating the season with holiday open houses
ExpressWay welcomed customers with free cookies and coffee, as well as the turkey drawing and a drawing for a free pizza.
Gail Hovland shared her tasty cookies with visitors for the Gail’s Gourmet Cookies/PLEXUS open house. While there, visitors could purchase a bag of their favorite cookies.
Despite threats of winter weather, the Lake Benton Public Library put out a tasty spread of cookies, bars, hot cider and coffee for their visitors. Several community members stopped by to chat and enjoy the library.
Elementary students to perform at Diner’s Club
The Diner’s Club $3 Meal and Christmas Party will be Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Lunch Box Café at 11:30 a.m. Following the home-cooked meal, the Lake Benton Elementary School children will provide a Christmas program and the entire group will play Bingo.
For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.
Filed under Community |First Responders and Fire Department to be sponsored at next Lions breakfast
The Dec. 2 Lions Club Benefit Breakfast will benefit the Lake Benton Fire Department and the Lake Benton First Responders. Come and enjoy a great meal and show your support for two worthy organizations.
By Shelly Finzen
lbvjeditor@gmail.com
The Lake Benton Lions Club will sponsor two vital Lake Benton organizations for the next breakfast benefit. The Lake Benton First Responders and the Lake Benton Fire Department will be the recipients of the net proceeds from the next benefit. A bake sale and silent auction will also be part of the benefit.
For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.
Filed under Community |Lake Benton Diners’ Club begins meeting next week, RSVP Friday
The first Diners Club $3 meal will be held Thursday, Dec. 6. The students of Lake Benton Elementary School will provide the entertainment.
By Shelly Finzen
lbvjeditor@gmail.com
During the Nov. 19 meeting, the Lake Benton City Trustees officially dissolved the agreement between the City of Lake Benton and Lutheran Social Services for the Lake Benton Senior Dining program. This was the final step in the community establishing their own program, The Diners’ Club, which begins Monday, Dec. 3.
The biggest change to the program is that the meals will now be prepared locally by The Lunch Box…
For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.
Filed under Community |Opera House Christmas Show Saturday
The Lake Benton Opera House will present its 22nd annual Christmas Show on Saturday, featuring talent from throughout the area. Among the performers will be (from left) Noah Greer of Lake Benton, Elizabeth Voit of Ghent and Alexis Christensen of Lake Benton.
By Mark Wilmes
tributeeditor@gmail.com
Around 50 performers and crew from throughout the area will present the 22nd annual Opera House Christmas Show on Saturday. Tickets are $11 for general admission; seats available at the door. The show will feature solos, duets and group numbers of a variety of holiday favorites.
Each year, scores of past Opera House performers from various past shows gather to close out the Opera House schedule with this holiday production.
For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.
Filed under Community |