A little seventh grade team from Tri-City United Middle School’s robotics club called the Circuit Surfers (3589A), consisting of AJ Munguia, Landon Ballman, Colton Claffey, Jake Goettl, and Vincent Carpenter, has qualified for the VEX V5 Robotics World Championships to be held April 25-27, 2026, in St. Louis, Mo. at the America’s Center.
    “The VEX Robotics World Championship is a gathering of the top 588 Middle School Teams from all around the world,” said Robotics Head Advisor Jeff Ballman. It’s a first-ever honor the club has ever received, according to Jeff Ballman.

A law that was on the books in Minnesota since 1942 was repealed by the Minnesota State Legislature for 2026.

Minnesota Statute 97B.318, which stated “During the regular firearms season in the shotgun use area, only legal shotguns loaded with single-slug shotgun shells, legal muzzle-loading long guns, and legal handguns may be used for taking deer. Legal shotguns include those with rifled barrels,” was effectively repealed as of Jan. 1, 2026.

    A law that was on the books in Minnesota since 1942 was repealed by the Minnesota State Legislature for 2026. 
    Minnesota Statute 97B.318, which stated “During the regular firearms season in the shotgun use area, only legal shotguns loaded with single-slug shotgun shells, legal muzzle-loading long guns, and legal handguns may be used for taking deer. Legal shotguns include those with rifled barrels,” was effectively repealed as of Jan. 1, 2026. 

    The Tri-City United (TCU) boys track and field team placed second in the Belle Plaine Indoor Triangular Saturday, March 21 at Myers Field House at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
    The Titans scored 32.5 points to place behind champion Belle Plaine, who scored 107.5 points. Glencoe-Silver Lake placed third with 27 points.
    TCU had three champions and a pair of runner-up finishes.
    The 4 x 200-meter relay team won the race in 1:42.56. Relay runners were not provided as of print time.

    The Tri-City United (TCU) girls track and field team won three of the four field event championships and five other titles in the Belle Plaine Indoor Triangular Saturday, March 21 at Myers Field House at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
    Juniors Louise Stock and Kaitlyn Hartwig each won two titles helping the Titans place second to a very strong Belle Plaine team. The Tigers won the event with 88 points. TCU followed with 69 points and Glencoe-Silver Lake placed third with 12 points.

    TCU Titans youth wrestling wrapped up its 2025–26 season with 17 wrestlers competing at the MN/USA State Folkstyle Tournament, marking the culmination of months of hard work on the mat.
    The Titans youth wrestling program, which serves wrestlers in grades PreK-6th from the Tri-City United communities, began its season in November with 94 registered wrestlers, the most in program history. 

    I am writing in response to the article regarding the fire and ambulance services in the January 22 issue. My aunt, Frannie Kohout, always said it is never too late to say thank you, and I would like to offer mine.

(Feb. 23, 2026)

    The St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade in Le Center was largely unaffected by the historic March 14-15 blizzard until Saturday evening after about 5 p.m. when snow started falling, well after the parade.

    Child’s Play Theatre owner, and physical education teacher at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School (MHRCS) and Holy Cross Catholic School in Webster, Andy Velishek, was honored this past week with receiving the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence’s (CSCOE) February Saintly Services Halo Award.

    Tri-City United Middle School’s 7th grade black boys traveling basketball team went 4-0 in Minneapolis on Saturday, March 14, beating Minneapolis Phelps by two. This gave them the Minnesota Youth Athletics Association’s (MYAS) title of being the 7th Grade Tier 3 Tournament State Champions.
    The team played in nine tournaments this year, competing in 29 games for the season where they ended up 20-9. Head Coach John Schmiesing said, “At the end of the season, MYAS has our team ranked 25th out of all 7th grade teams in Minnesota.”

Kathryn Malone, age 96, of Montgomery, died Monday, March 16, 2026, at Traditions of Montgomery. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery on March 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. 

Arrangements are being completed by Boldt Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Faribault.

    Minnesota Business Professionals of America (BPA) held their annual state leadership conference this past weekend, March 5-7, at the Minneapolis Hyatt Regency with more than 1,200 students competing in different categories. 
    Tri-City United High School’s BPA club had 10 students compete at state, of that were two that qualified for national competition to be held in Nashville, Tenn., from May 5-10. 

"Happy Holidays!" That was John's signature greeting, and whenever he spoke it, he instantly filled the room with warmth and cheer. His presence made everyone feel welcome, a true reflection of the joy and kindness he shared with all who knew him.

John Joseph Radermacher, age 72, of Le Center, MN, passed away on March 13, 2026, at his home.

Le Center's Laynee Blashko was crowned Miss Shamrock for the 2026 St. Patrick's Day Festival at the coronation ceremony on Friday, March 13. Marissa Schroeder of Le Center was crowned Miss Irish Rose and Sierra McCabe of Cleveland was crowned Miss Leprechaun.

The parade and other festivities on Saturday afternoon went by without any issues from the impending blizzard. 

Look for the full story in the March 19, 2026, Montgomery Messenger.

    Music students from Tri-City United High School participated in the Section 2AA Solo and Ensemble Contest last Wednesday, March 4. 
    The school’s jazz band and the Encore choir both received the highest rating, a superior, at the contest.