A 56-year-old West Virginia man pleaded guilty on Feb. 4 in federal court in Minneapolis to mailing an explosive device to a resident of Houston, Minnesota, in July of 2009. Appearing before United States District Court Judge John Tunheim  Mark Steven Anderson, of Marmet, West Virginia, specifically pled guilty to one count of mailing an injurious article. He was indicted on Aug. 18, 2009.

For the complete story, see the Feb. 10 issue of The Caledonia Argus.

Although all is quiet this winter at Whispering Hills Girl Scout Camp, located in Yucatan Township, news that the 800-acre facility near the Houston-Fillmore county line will not be sold off, as previously thought, was well-received this week. For the complete story, see the Feb. 10 issue of The Argus.                                                                                                                        Photo by Charlie Warner 

Caledonia Area High School will be observing Snow Days next week. The Snow Days Royalty, shown above, was selected by the student body. The Snow Days Queen and King will be chosen from this group of “snow lovers.” They are, in front from left, Levi Schmitz, Angela Augedahl, Shannon Doering and Travis Frank. In the back, Doug Welscher, Rachel Bauer and Royal Sonsalla. Not shown, Cassy Messner. The Snow Days Coronation and “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” competition will be held Thursday, beginning at 2 p.m. in the auditorium. Dress up days include: Monday- Retro Day- pick a decade to dress like and wear old jerseys and uniforms from the past; Tuesday- Beach/summer day- dress like you’re going to the beach; Wednesday- Dodge ball/twin day- dress like your team or grab a twin for the day; Thursday- Crazy color day; Friday- Stoplight day- wear red if you are in a relationship, green if you are single or yellow if you have crush. Friday will also be “Kiss-O-Grams Day,” as it is the last school day before Valentine’s Day.                                                Photo by Charlie Warner

Jane Hayes, who has been a hair stylist in Caledonia for the past 38 years, will be closing her shop Feb. 5.                                             Photo by Charlie Warner

“I’ve had some very loyal customers for the entire time I’ve worked in Caledonia. Some of them, I did their hair and later on did their children’s hair,” noted Jane Hayes, owner of New Image Hairstyling of Caledonia.

Veteran football coach Carl Fruechte, shown here giving instructions to Casey Bauer during the 2008 State Championship game is taking a two-year leave of absence.  

Houston County officials met with State Rep. Greg Davids last week to discuss possible state bonding help for the construction of the Justice Center. Pictured with Davids are from left, Mark Schiltz, Casey Bradley and Larry Connery.                                 Submitted photo

Houston County approved a request for the county to apply for a Federal American Recovery and Investment Act Grant that will improve communications between counties in Southeast Minnesota. Public Health Nursing Director Deb Rock brought the request before the board during the Jan. 26 meeting. 

Students in grades 5-8 in Caledonia schools participated in the District Spelling Bee at Caledonia Area Middle School/High School Auditorium on Tuesday, Jan. 26. The fifth through eighth grade students participating in the bee spelled through six rounds with a total of 65 words from the official national spelling word list.  The top winners were first place- Emily Hagerott  (at right), second place- Tristin Ott (at left) and third place- Alyssa Meiners (center).
The students who represented St. Mary’s were Lydia Melde, Derek Vonderohe, Sophia Augedahl, Tanner Gran, Brandon Tornstrom and Ben Loging. 
Students representing St. John’s were Mariah Schroeder, Bryan DeWitt, Erin Schultz, Gavin Schroeder, Carson Coffield, Kelby Paus and Andy Houdek. 
Participating students from Caledonia Area Elementary and Middle School were Alyssa Meiners, Brianna Sand, Sierra Olinger, Tristin Ott, Casey Scanlan, Emily Hagerott, Mason Ashbacher and Josh Betz.
The words were pronounced to the students by St. John’s teacher Andy Wehausen.  The other judges were Jane Morken, Caledonia Area Elementary interim principal and Lee Grippen, retired elementary teacher.  The District Spelling Bee was coordinated by middle school teacher Janelle Field-Rohrer and Sherri White, media/enrichment director.
Emily will advance to the Regional Spelling Bee in Rochester on Feb. 16.  The Regional bee is hosted by the Southeast Service Cooperative Service.                 Photo by Jill Hahn