Sarah Beth Petersen sat quietly at the defense table in Fillmore County District Court on Monday afternoon, March 31, 2025, dressed in a black suit and surrounded by a small group of supporters, including her twin sister, Samantha Petersen – the woman now charged with the deaths of two Amish children. Judge Jeremy Clinefelter sentenced Petersen to 90 days in the Fillmore … [Read more...]
Ostrander City Council Backs Fiber Internet Expansion, Updates City Policies
The Ostrander City Council gathered for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Stephanie Start called the meeting to order with all council members present, including DJ Start, Dan Hellerud, Jimmie Dean and Lyn Massey-Mills. City Clerk Wendy Brincks was also in attendance. A major topic of the evening centered around improving internet access … [Read more...]
Ostrander Council Reviews Audit, Approves Drag Race Return, and Considers Chicken Ordinance
By Zech Sindt The Ostrander City Council convened for its regular meeting on March 4 at 6:30 p.m., with all council members present except for Dan Hellerud. Mayor Stephanie Start presided over the session, joined by Council Members DJ Start, Jimmie Dean, and Lyn Massey-Mills. City Clerk Wendy Brincks was also in attendance. The meeting opened with the presentation of the … [Read more...]
Ostrander Council Greenlights Lawn Mower Purchase, Reinstates Utility Late Fees, and Prepares for Uff Da Day
The Ostrander City Council held its regular meeting on February 4 at 6:30 p.m., with all members present. Mayor Stephanie Start presided over the meeting, joined by council members Dan Hellerud, DJ Start, Jimmie Dean and Lyn Massey-Mills. City Clerk Wendy Brincks was also in attendance. One of the first matters on the agenda was an equipment upgrade for the city’s maintenance … [Read more...]
A New Chapter Begins: Ostrander City Council Convenes for 2025
By Zech Sindt The City of Ostrander rang in the new year with a productive city council meeting on January 7 at 6:30 p.m. All members were present, including the newly elected mayor, Stephanie Start, Council members Dan Hellerud, DJ Start, Lyn Massey-Mills, newly-elected Jimmie Dean, and City Clerk Wendy Brincks. With a full agenda, the council tackled a variety of … [Read more...]
Judge Upholds Key Charges, Allows Evidence in Samantha Petersen Fatal Crash Case
By Zech Sindt The district court in Preston has issued a ruling in a tragic case that has gripped the community, partially granting the defense’s motions while paving the way for a settlement conference and possible trial. The case involves Samantha Jo Petersen, who faces 21 charges stemming from a September 2023 crash that killed two children and injured two others when her … [Read more...]
Ostrander Council Plans for 2025, and Santa is Coming to Town!
By Zech Sindt The Ostrander City Council held its final meeting of 2024. Despite council member Lyn Massey-Mills’ absence, the meeting, held on December 5 at 6:30 p.m., saw a full agenda quickly tackled by the members present: Dan Hellerud, DJ Start, Vernon Thompson, Mayor Pam Kunert, and City Clerk Wendy Brincks. People’s Services, City Maintenance, and the Fillmore County … [Read more...]
Ostrander Council Grapples with Rising Truck Prices, Approves Liquor Licenses, and Addresses Sewer Rate Increase
By Zech Sindt The Ostrander City Council convened for their monthly meeting on November 7 at 6:30 p.m. All council members were in attendance, including Lyn Massey-Mills, Dan Hellerud, DJ Start, Vernon Thompson, Mayor Pam Kunert, and City Clerk Wendy Brincks. The acquisition of a new truck for the city dominated the discussion, a topic that has been a recurring theme … [Read more...]
Wolf’s Den Hurricane Helene Relief Drive a Success, But More Aid Still Needed
The Wolf’s Den in Ostrander held a Hurricane Helene Relief Drive on October 13. Everything gathered at the relief drive was taken to Parrotsville, Tenn., near the North Carolina border, to help victims of Hurricane Helene. The Wolf’s Den Owner, Lynne Dempewolf, says she felt the need to do the relief drive after watching the news and seeing some posts on social media about … [Read more...]
Ostrander Phase 2 Infrastructure Improvements Now Complete
By Zech Sindt This month’s Ostrander City Council meeting took place on October 1 with all councilmembers present, including Lyn Massey-Mills, Dan Hellerud, DJ Start, Vernon Thompson, Mayor Pam Kunert and City Clerk Wendy Brincks. The meeting was short and to the point. Nothing major happened over the last month. One local resident had her basement flood due to a … [Read more...]