CAPTURING 2024
It was a year of happiness and heartache, much like every year.
The top 10 stories covered by the Steele County Times in 2024 ranged from politics to legal trouble – in one case, a combination of the two issues.
There were hundreds of other important stories that appeared in our pages over the past 52 weeks, so you’ll find a more comprehensive list of our work on the inside pages of this edition as well as next week’s edition.
Our choices for the top stories of 2024 are:
No. 1 – BIG RETIREMENTS
State Rep. John Petersburg, R-Waseca, stepped away from the Minnesota Legislature after 12 years. As a member of the Transportation Committee the entire time, he was instrumental in completing the expansion of U.S. Highway 14 between Owatonna and Dodge Center. While serving on the Tax Committee, the AG2School Credit passed, helping communities considered “ag land heavy” get school bonds approved. Petersburg’s retirement prompted five political newcomers to pursue the seat; Tom Sexton, a Republican from Waseca, defeated DFL candidate Edel Fernandez, of Owatonna. Sexton will be sworn in Jan. 14, the first day of the 2025 legislative session.
Owatonna Mayor Tom Kuntz served the city for 20 years in that capacity, a position he said he had never considered until approached in 2003. In the two decades since, he oversaw a city that has built its business and industry base, built a new high school, built a new clinic and hospital – and continues to grow. Kuntz has been an unwavering cheerleader of Owatonna, a role Mayor-elect Matt Jessop plans to continue. He defeated three other candidates to claim the top spot and will be sworn in at the Jan. 7 city council meeting. Both Kuntz and Jessop are Owatonna natives.
Jeff Fetters worked for Owatonna-based Federated Insurance for nearly 45 years, serving as chairman since 2012, before retiring at the end of 2024. Under his leadership, the company’s growth doubled, but his community outreach was also remarkable. Federated donated $22 million to the new Owatonna High School construction project; Fetters and his late wife Marty served as co-chairs of the company’s annual fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters, the largest private charity event in Minnesota. In 20 years, it has raised more than $57 million. Nick Lower is the new chairman of the board.
No. 2 – NEW COUNTY LEADERS
It was a busy April at the Steele County Administration Building, with two high-level departures.
County Administrator Scott Golberg retired after 43 years with the county. He had been the administrator since 2017. His successor, Renae Fry, was hired in June.
County Attorney Julia Forbes announced her departure after a year in the role. A month later, county commissioners approved Robert Jarrett to fill the seat. He plans to continue “the robust justice programs serving the area,” including the Steele-Waseca Drug Court and the Third Judicial District’s Veterans Court.
The directors of two renamed departments settled into their roles. Jennifer Mueller leads the property tax and elections department – formerly known as the auditor’s office, and Candi Lamarr is the new director of the finance/treasurer.
No. 3 – OLIVIA FLORES
The 18-year-old OHS senior was killed when a former Minnesota State Trooper broadsided the car in which she was a passenger on May 18 at a busy Rochester intersection. The driver, Shane Roper, 32, of Hayfield, now faces multiple felony charges in district court, as well as a wrongful death lawsuit filed in federal court. Flores, an active member of many youth groups, would have graduated just three weeks later.
No. 4 – CHRISTIAN FAMILY CHURCH
The Owatonna-based church, which has a second congregation in Edina, has been at the center of several claims of sexual abuse involving minors and men associated with the church. Luverne Zacharias, a former pastor and teacher at a school affiliated with CFC, was sentenced to a year in jail for sexually assaulting a student for years. Another woman also came forward with allegations against a second church member, claiming months of sexual contact when she was 16 and he was 34. A member and ad hoc helper at the Edina church who had access to children was discovered to have been convicted of first-degree sexual abuse of two children in Oregon. Lead pastors Tim and Cherrie Peterson were allegedly told of all of the cases, but did not contact law enforcement. They deny the claims.
No. 5 – HOSPICE HOUSE RETURNS
The Homestead Hospice House recently reached its fundraising goal of $850,000 to reopen the site for at least a year.
The facility closed in July 2023, citing a decline in labor force and patient numbers. That left Steele County without a residential hospice facility for the terminally ill to live their final days with dignity. A fundraising drive was initiated with the support of Seasons Hospice in Rochester.
A portion of the money raised – $350,000 – will cover start-up costs, including equipment, technology and staff. An additional $500,000 must be raised each year to continue operations.
No. 6 – STATE OF THE STATE
Months before the rest of the country knew his name, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in March brought the spotlight to Owatonna – specifically, to the new Owatonna High School, which had opened to students the previous fall.
In his address, which has only been delivered outside of the Capitol chambers a few times in the past, Walz’s speech told the story of how the community, including taxpayers, businesses and nonprofits, came together to create something for future generations.
No. 7 – ELLENDALE LAWSUITS
What started as enhanced city code enforcement in the city of Ellendale has devolved into multiple lawsuits and the resignation of a city council member.
Rural Ellendale resident Dan Petsinger was cited multiple times for alleged violations of city codes on a vacant lot he owns in town; one of them is also at the heart of a lawsuit between Petsinger and Metronet Communications.
Petsinger has disputed the violations for months; the city has requested a court order to make him comply. In return, Petsinger is suing the city, city council members and some city staff. The cases continue to wind their way through the legal system, and monthly city council meetings have become – and remain – contentious.
No. 8 – HONDA TO OWATONNA
The city’s pledge to commercial growth got a big boost with the announcement of Marthaler Honda’s decision to build a dealership on the north side of Owatonna.
The company was located in Albert Lea for many years. The new facility is expected to open in late spring of 2025, with a state-of-the-art service facility and multiple EV chargers.
No. 9 – COLD CASE ARREST
More than 50 years after Mary Kathleen Schlais was murdered, the man accused of killing her as she hitchhiked in rural Wisconsin was arrested in Owatonna.
Jon Keith Miller, now 84, was arrested after DNA found at the scene of the homicide led to him. Investigators worked with a team of genetic genealogists from Ramapo College in Mahwah, N.J., to identify potential suspects. Court documents say the DNA was “pretty much a 100% match” to Miller, who allegedly confessed.
He pleaded not guilty in a court hearing last week, and remains in custody in Dunn County, Wis., in lieu of $1 million bond.
No. 10 – BP BUSINESS BLAZE
An explosion and fire on March 29 destroyed Cedar Crest Construction Company in Blooming Prairie and caused significant damage to neighboring Dairy Queen.
Allen Nolt lost not only the building, but a truck and two work trailers full of tools. A skid loader and a lift were also heavily damaged.
As of last week, a new building is up; work on the interior continues, but Nolt said it’s been business as usual for his crew since about a week after the fire. Another business next door allowed Cedar Crest to operate out of its office.
Though flames did not spread to the Dairy Queen, much of the equipment inside was ruined by smoke and heat, necessitating an earlier-than-planned – and more extensive – remodel and addition. It has also reopened for business.