No Snow but A Street Full of Snowmobiles

More than 30 snowmobiles of all ages, makes and models lined both sides of the street alongside the Corner Bar on a snowless February 1st.

The show must go on. There was no snow on the ground February 1st, the day of the Goodhue-Bellechester Railriders annual vintage snowmobile show. Of course that meant there would be no trail ride but …

Former Church Becomes Goodhue Sanctuary

Marc and Brittany Huneke with daughters Aribella and Otillie. The Hunekes purchased the former St. Luke's Church building and began renovations one year ago. They recently added a son, Anton to their family and hosted an open house to view the 2 apartments constructed in the church basement.

Members of the Goodhue community curious about the renovation of the former St. Luke’s Church building were treated to an open house Sunday, January 12, 2025. The event showcased the two newly …

Schwartau Elected to Honorary Life Membership in the Minnesota State Agricultural Society

Chuck Schwartau accepting his honorary life membership to the Minnesota State Agricultural Society board

St. Paul, Minn. – At its 166th annual meeting, the Minnesota State Agricultural Society board, Chuck Schwartau of Goodhue, Minn., was elected to honorary life membership in the Society. Schwartau …

Bellechester Tavern Expands Space

The Bellechester Tavern, located at 616 Main Street, recently opened an expanded customer area inside the bar. The newly renovated space was added to the bar in the 1960’s and used for a walk-in …

SEMCAC Announces Recent Individual Artist Grant Awards

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. The …

Shop Local for your Valentine's Delights!

We all know, living in small towns, that "things" are usually cheaper if we go to a larger town to purchase what we need. But do we factor in the cost of driving to Rochester, Minneapolis, or any of …

Minnesota Produce Farmers Asked to Complete 2025 Grower Questionnaire

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is calling on produce farmers who have never completed the Grower Questionnaire, or who have not filled it out since 2022, to complete the 2025 edition. …

More Local News

Food and Mood

We are all familiar with the concept of “comfort food.” When you want to celebrate, or you want to introduce some happy experience into a day that has been challenging then you may be choosing a …

A Minnesotan:

There is nothing I fear more on this earth than geese… well maybe snakes, but geese are the more immediate threat. Because here in Minnesota geese are everywhere. Geese are at the park, in the …

Alcohol Consumption; Vitamin D essential; Covid vaccine news

It seems the way we think about alcohol consumption may be on the verge of a major shift. According to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and a recently released report, alcohol is now officially …

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Obituaries

Lorraine Evelyn Hinsch

Lorraine Evelyn Hinsch, beloved mother and grandmother, died on February 7, 2025 at the age of 93. Lorraine was born on December 13, 1931 to Maynard and Henrietta (Stehr) Meincke. She grew up on …

Abram (Abe) Alvin Baerg

Abram (Abe) Alvin Baerg, 84, of Goodhue, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. He was born on July 28, 1940, in Delft, Minnesota to Alvin and Anna (Krause) Baerg. He …

Don "Swannie" C. Swanson

Donald “aka Donnie or Swannie” Clarence Swanson, 94, passed away peacefully at home Thursday, January 23, 2025, surrounded by the love and care of family. Donnie was born November 3, 1930, in …

Lois Brinkman

Lois Brinkman, 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at her home in Lake City. Lois was born on January 24, 1936 to John & Alma Hinck in Red Wing, MN. She was baptized in Christ …

Michael Wayne Jones

Michael Wayne Jones, 73, of Goodhue, died peacefully on Sunday December 15, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 7, 1951, in Keosauqua, Iowa to Hubert and Hazel …

Goodhue-Bellechester Messenger February 2025

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Community

Bellechester City Council Meeting - December 18, 2024

Bellechester City Council Meeting Minutes December 18, 2024 @ 6:00 PM Call the meeting to order. Meeting is recorded, and the recordings belong to the City of Bellechester. Pledge to the …

Pastors Corner

I read a lot of books about God, Jesus, faith, pretty much anything theological I can get my hands on. I know, that’s a shocker coming from a pastor, right? Because of all that reading though, …

Choosing a Camp: A Simple Guide for Parents

Living in the age of information, it can feel like options for everything are abundant, perhaps even to a paralyzing degree. There are dozens of subscription services you can sign up for, everything …

Community

Multigenerational Farm Transition Retreats Available for Farmers

Multigenerational Farm Transition Retreats are available for Minnesota farmers considering farm transition or succession plans. These retreats are offered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture …

Troop 76 Meets a Legend

How many people do you know who have actually met a former President of the United States? Well, since former President Jimmy Carter recently passed away at age 100, I was asked to share a story …

Barrel Hut Open For Business

Looking for a household item, a necessity, a novelty or a gift? You may not need to go farther than downtown Goodhue to find what’s on your list. The Barrel Hut is a new business located in the …

People work inside the TikTok building in Culver City, Calif., in March 2024.

‘For You’: What to know about news on TikTok

A social media researcher explains how to analyze your news feed in terms of content, circulation and consumption.

Congress has the authority to spend the nation's money. Presidents try to get around that limitation.

Congress, not the president, decides on government spending − a constitutional law professor explains how the ‘power of the purse’ works

Congress has the authority to control government expenditures. Donald Trump is the latest president to try to get around that power, as he slashes government programs and staff.

Smart ways to budget your tax refund

(BPT) - Tax season is here, and many Americans are eagerly awaiting their tax refunds. While it might be tempting to splurge on something fun, there are other clever ways to use this extra cash to …

Make Your Car Your Valentine: Mercury Insurance Advises How to Save on Auto Repairs

(BPT) - Regularly Showing Your Car Some Love Can Save on Auto RepairsValentine's Day is the perfect time to show your trusty vehicle some love, and maintaining it is the best and most cost-effective …

Beyond the classroom: How schools are getting creative to help struggling families

Chalkbeat reports on how teachers are looking out for the tens of thousands of migrant and/or homeless families across New York City whose children often lack essential items needed for school.