Agricultural producers and handlers who are certified organic, along with producers and handlers who are transitioning to organic production, can now apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic and Transitional Education Certification Program (OTECP) and Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), which help producers and handlers cover the cost of organic certification, along with other related expenses. Applications for OTECP and OCCSP are both due October 31, 2022.

By Joanne Bergman The Murray County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter presented some statistics in regard to the Primary Election held the previous Tuesday. Murray County mailin precincts averaged a turnout of 36.5% of registered voters. Poll place voters averaged 19.07%. The average voter turnout for the State of Minnesota was near the Murray County average of 24.99%The decision to hold mail in elections is up to the governing leadership of each precinct. A precinct must continue throughout an entire voting cycle once the decision has been made. The contest in Commissioner District 4 found Jackie Meier and Blake Heironimus in the lead over Stacy Wendorff. They will vie for the seat in the November 8th General Election.

Things did not get any easier for Hadley as they matched up against the No. 1 seed Milroy Irish in the Region 13C semifinals as Hadley fell in a thrilling 3-game series. Here is the series recap: Game 1 Wednesday at Milroy MILROY 1 HADLEY 0 Game 1 of the Region 13C semi-final round had Hadley traveling to Milroy at the Irish Yard to take on the Number 1 seed, Irish. It was the battle of the dueling Pirates starting pitchers as both teams had their play-off draftees start the series off. Milroy threw Windom ace, Collin Lovell whereas, Hadley threw Windom starter, Luke Gilbertson. Both starting pitchers would have almost identical stats for the game and they both went the distance. Both teams went blow by blow with Milroy coming out in top.

Brian Joseph Peterson passed away to be with his Savior, surrounded by his family on Monday, August 1, 2022 at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD as the result of a motorcycle accident at the age of 49. Brian was born on November 24, 1972, in Mitchell, SD to Delbert and Marie (Luebke) Peterson. He grew up in Mt. Vernon, SD and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1991. He then attended SDSU, where he met his future wife, and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing in 1995. Brian was united in marriage to Angi Hennrich on July 26, 1996 in Mitchell, SD. After their marriage, they moved to Rochester, MN for a year before moving to Kasson, MN. Brian worked at St. Mary’s Hospital as an RN before attending Mayo School of Health Sciences, where he earned his Master of Nurse Anesthesia Degree. Following his graduation in 2003, he and Angi moved to Slayton, MN where Brian worked at the Murray County Medical Center and where they raised their four children. Brian was a devoted father and loving husband. He loved spending his time with his family and many friends and never turned down an invitation for fun. He enjoyed coaching his kids’ baseball and basketball teams, spending time at the lake, and playing disc golf with his dog, Jovie. He especially loved riding his motorcycle. He looked forward to his annual Sturgis and Cabo vacations, visiting local breweries, and meeting new people. He had a special zest for life that will be missed by those who know and love him. Brian was a member of Lake Sarah Baptist Church in rural Slayton, MN.

Dorothy Kathleen Klingenberg, 79, of Chandler, MN passed away peacefully on Monday, August 1, 2022, at Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, MN. Dorothy was born to Geurt and Catherine Van Roekel on February 19, 1943, in Ruthton, MN. At the age of three, her family relocated to their farm near Chandler. Dorothy was a long-time member of Chandler Reformed Church and attended Chandler public schools.

By Kathy Schwartz, Murray County Master Gardener Garden centers are getting rid of trees, shrubs, and perennials at reduced prices. There is time for roots to establish before frost. Do not buy plants that are exceedingly rootbound.

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, Slayton, MN. Pastor Darby Lawrence.

By Arnold Krusemark We had a rather heavy rain the other day. The crops sure needed it.

Monday, August 15: Chicken Fried Steak and Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Italian Blend, Dinner Roll w/Margarine, Dessert, Lowfat Milk. Tuesday, August 16: Ham, Cooked Cabbage, Carrots, Dinner Roll/Margarine, Dessert, Lowfat Milk.

GOOD NEWS By John Stenen Years ago, when a great wind storm blew against the newly built Golden Gate Bridge, it blew the structure twelve and a half feet out of line. However, the architect of the bridge said it was built to go as far as eighteen feet out of line and weather the storms without difficulty.