Dundas Oktoberfest

The Dawns Corner Bar Car Show and Cruise-In, which was as part of Dundas Oktoberfest events last weekend has been rescheduled to Sunday, September 27th, 11 AM - 4 PM. The Cruise-In event was …

2026 Rice County Farm Family of the Year

REDWOOD FALLS — Families and growers from across Minnesota were represented as the University of Minnesota honored them in the 2026 Farm Family of the Year ceremony at 1:15 p.m. Thursday, August 6, …

Dundas Growth Years in the Making: Mayor Says Planned Development Fueled by Long-Term Vision

Dundas’ recent burst of housing and commercial activity may look like rapid growth from the outside, but Mayor Glenn Switzer says it is anything but sudden. In an interview this week, Switzer …

Centennial Banquet and Annual Meeting

The Rice County Historical Society’s 2026 Fall Banquet and Annual Meeting will be held on Friday, October 22, at the Inn at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault. The banquet will begin with time …

Local Feast! Marketplace on Saturday, November 7

Gather at the Mayo Civic Center for a true celebration of the people who produce our region’s finest locally-produced and sourced foods and beverages. Local Feast! Marketplace on Saturday, November …

Why Asian Lady Beetles Show Up Every Fall in Minnesota

According to the University of Minnesota Extension, these beetles are officially called multicolored Asian lady beetles (Harmonia axyridis). They were brought to the United States from Asia years ago …

Victorian Funeral at the Alexander Faribault House

You are cordially invited to experience death and the Faribault House like never before. Join the Rice County Historical Society for a Victorian Funeral at the Alexander Faribault House (12 1st …

More Local News

Apples and Healthy Weight

You have heard the rhyme, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But what does an apple really do for you? Does any apple work, or only certain kinds? A few answers can be found here. …

Farm Girl Chatter

Well folks, it’s that time of year again. Fall is creeping around the corner, which means harvest is coming, cattle work is picking up, and before we know it, we’ll be wondering where the heck …

Can Eggs Help with Osteoperosis?

Osteoporosis: Bone loss tends to sneak up on you. You wake up a little shorter, your back complains after simple chores, or a small stumble turns into a fracture you never saw coming. Osteoporosis …

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Obituaries

Cathie Jo Spaulding

Cathie Jo Spaulding, age 66, of Faribault, Minnesota, passed away on September 29, 2026. Cathie was born on February 26, 1960, in River Falls, Wisconsin, to Milburn “Red” and Marlys Jackson. …

Elizabeth "Betsy" A. Thomas

Elizabeth “Betsy” A. Sauber Thomas, age 79, died unexpectedly on Monday, October 5, 2026, at her lake home on Big Bass Lake, Remer, MN. She was born to Arnold and Ethel Schmitz Sauber on …

Phillip L. Forshee

Phillip L. Forshee, age 73, of Dundas, MN, passed away September 14, 2026. Phil was a man who always put his family first. The close relationship he shared with his daughters, wife, and siblings …

Gary David "Cecil" Hutton

Gary David "Cecil" Hutton, 74, of rural Kenyon, died Monday, August 24, 2026, at his home. Cecil was born February 18, 1952, to Cecil and Marian Hutton in Northfield, Minnesota. He grew up on the …

Daniel Joseph Pumper

Daniel Joseph Pumper, age 70, of Northfield, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Friday, August 7, 2026. Daniel was born on February 3, 1956, in Northfield, Minnesota, to Joseph Francis James …

Dundas Messenger September 2026

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Community

Second half property tax payments due Oct. 15

Rice County second half property taxes for real/personal property are due Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. Payments can be made in person via cash, check or money order at the Property Tax & Elections …

County Attorney’s Office rolls out public-facing portal providing quick access to criminal case records

As part of its mission to support crime victims and seek justice for our community, the Rice County Attorney’s Office created a public-facing portal, providing public information and …

Learn About Stopping the Spread of Invasive Species at Upcoming Webinar

Join the Cannon River Watershed Joint Powers Organization as they host the first session of the virtual learning series Land to Lake Lectures. Invasive species can quickly take over natural areas, …

Community

Rice County Public Health flu shot clinics open to public

Rice County Public Health has scheduled the following public flu vaccination clinics in Rice County. Both trivalent and high dose flu vaccine will be available. Registration for flu vaccine is …

Board OKs preliminary levy that includes more than $1.5M in cost shifts

The Rice County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a preliminary 2027 levy and budget with the levy 8% higher than this year, largely due to funding shifts from the state and federal …

Highway 56 and Goodhue County Road 9 Converted to Four-Way Stop Sept. 21

DENNISON, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation converted the intersection of Highway 56 and Goodhue County Road 9 into a four-way stop on Sept. 21 as a way to reduce vehicle …

Most privacy cases against businesses share one problem

Clym reports California fines for consumer privacy violations hit $17.1 million in 2026, driven by opt-out issues, especially in cases against major companies.

68% of small business owners are open to AI in payroll, but only 11% trust it to take over

OnTheClock reports that 68% of small business owners are open to AI in payroll, but only 11% trust it fully, concerned about errors and responsibility.

How to get an FHA loan for a mobile home or manufactured home

Neighbors Bank reports that FHA loans can make buying manufactured homes more affordable, offering lower down payments and flexible credit requirements.

Cargo theft losses have more than doubled ahead of the holiday rush

Videoloft reports cargo theft losses have doubled in Q2 2026, reaching $304.6 million, driven by organized crime targeting valuable goods during the holiday rush.

79% of company execs say employees work around their AI governance policies

Zapier reports that 79% of executives say employees bypass AI governance policies, despite 91% claiming such frameworks exist, highlighting a governance gap.