Meet the New West Concord Liquor Store Manager

Kim Gruber is the new manager at the West Concord municipal liquor store. She started the new position on June 23rd. Kim and her husband Harry live near Faribault on a small hobby farm with some …
Emily Burshem

Miss West Concord Candidates 2025

Jaiden Baumgartner, daughter of Travis & Amy Baumgartner. Jaiden is involved in volleyball, student council, Link Crew, SMV, and is a community volunteer. Jaiden is sponsored by Ellingson. Emily …

Donation From Estate Launches Ballfield Improvement

A donation from the estate of K.D. Nelson of West Concord is the trigger to launch an upgrade the support shed at the softball field in town. The current shed was built by the West Concord High …

Museum Musings

I’ve loved berries and berry picking for as long as I can remember. As a child, summer meant a succession of wild and tame berries that I enjoyed picking and especially eating. It seemed to me that …
More Local News
I was born to be a farmer, it was in my blood from birth. I probably got that from my father. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else for the rest of my life. It was the greatest vocation you could …
As we enter the summer season and experience the longest daylight hours of the year, this is a good time to consider our dependence on the sun for daily life. Our modern conveniences of electricity, …
We’ve hit the point in the summer when things start to turn hot and sticky. Which also means that we’ve hit the beginning of the county fair season. While the people living in the cities tend …
Obituaries
Richard L. Thissen
Richard L. Thissen died unexpectedly at his home on July 9, 2025. He was born on January 13, 1944, at the Waseca Hospital to Irene (Cahill) Thissen and Ignatius Thissen. The family of six children …
Michael N. Andersen
Michael N. Andersen, age 81, of West Concord died Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester. Mike was born December 19, 1943, in West Concord to Norman and Hazel (Sivert) Andersen. …
Maddox Roger Erler
Maddox Roger Erler, beloved son of Kevin and Taylor (Ellingson) Erler, passed away peacefully in the arms of his family on Saturday, July 5, 2025, just days before his 4th birthday. Born on July …
Kay “Katie” Katherine Hanson
Kay “Katie” Katherine Hanson, 84, of Dodge Center, MN passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at Mayo Clinic St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester, MN. Kay was born on April 22, 1941, in Leader, MN …
Gerald "Gerry" Henry Fahning
Gerald "Gerry" Henry Fahning, 93, of Dodge Center, MN passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Mayo Clinic St. Mary's Campus in Rochester, MN. Gerry was born on October 30, 1931, in …
Community
Have you ever heard the expression “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason”? This terse admonishment essentially is saying, “Hey! You need to do more listening and less talking.” …
I was on the farm north of West Concord in the 1980’s and I remember well, highway 56 being closed in 1984 from town south to highway 14. I don’t remember exactly how long it was closed but it …
Community
The foundation of a strong school is built on a dedicated staff, engaged families, and a supportive community. As your superintendent, one of my top priorities is to ensure that we continue moving …
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