extended sports coverage for the B-B-E community brought to you by the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper in Brooten, MN. (Address: P.O. Box 250, Brooten) http://www.bonanzavalleyvoice.com. Please submit feedback in writing to the address posted above. **This is Minnesota's oldest varsity high school sports blog. We hope to keep it going into the future!
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Natural gas leak...and rain
A natural gas leak occurred mid-afternoon on Thursday in Brooten. The area affected is the Park Street and Western Avenue intersection neighborhood. Please stay away from this area! You are not helping by driving by as a gawker. Additional information is posted at the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper: BrootenNaturalGasLeak.
On a brighter note, it's raining! It was raining quite heavily at about 4 p.m. today. We need it.
Here's a video featuring the end of Elrosa's game against Spring Hill:
The Saints won 10-4 over their neighboring division rivals.
On Friday, the Elrosa Saints are set to host Starbuck in an exhibition game. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m.
Have you paid your property taxes? For small businesses, this is especially a big deal to do. Don't forget! Friday, May 15 is the due date in Stearns County.
This post is "late to the party" but I wanted to get it out the door even if it's at the last minute.
Business Open House TODAY in Belgrade!
The flower, plant, gift and rock shop called Earthy Elements opened at The Shed in Brooten. Ashley Zimmerle, owner of Earthy Elements, expanded her business last summer after she founded it in 2022. The next step in her business journey was a recent move to Main Street Belgrade. This took place while an expansion in another business is taking place at The Shed (located on Highway 55 East in Brooten)...on the weekend of Valentine's Day, Zimmerle moved her business to 303 Washburn Avenue, Belgrade, to The Boosters building on the north end of main street.
The next step Ashley's got in store is a business open house on Saturday, March 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at her new location. The Earthy Elements open house features flower, plant and prize giveaways. Easter lilies and bulb garden plants. FREE coffee samples. To-go bracelet make and take packes for $15 also available. You're invited to stop by and see the new space in the Booster's building.
An exciting business Open House is coming to Belgrade on March 28
This is one you'll want to mark your calendars for! Last spring (2025), the flower, plant, gift and rock shop called Earthy Elements opened at The Shed in Brooten. Ashley Zimmerle, owner of Earthy Elements, expanded her business last summer after she founded it in 2022. The next step in her business journey was a recent move to Main Street Belgrade. This took place while an expansion in another business is taking place at The Shed (located on Highway 55 East in Brooten)...on the weekend of Valentine's Day, Zimmerle moved her business to 303 Washburn Avenue, Belgrade, to The Boosters building on the north end of main street.
The next step Ashley's got in store is a business open house on Saturday, March 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at her new location. The Earthy Elements open house features flower, plant and prize giveaways. Easter lilies and bulb garden plants. FREE coffee samples. To-go bracelet make and take packes for $15 also available. You're invited to stop by and see the new space in the Booster's building.
Ashley is excited for upcoming special events and holidays including Easter (just on the horizon) and also B-B-E's prom (Saturday, May 2). Soon after prom is Mother's Day, and that's soon followed by the Memorial Day weekend. Ashley got off to a great start with Early Elements expanding in Brooten, and her business will continue growing on main street Belgrade. Today, I learned she'll be able to work hand-in-hand with Mary Solbreken and Rustic Designs Flower Farm of Burbank Township. That's another terrific small business we can be proud of right in our backyard!
In sports news...
I lost track of the late-winter college basketball games. The last I was plugged in to that, Abby Berge's MSU-Moorhead Dragons team was in a tight ball game in the NSIC playoffs. Berge is a 2023 B-B-E graduate and was a junior for the Dragons.
In the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference playoffs, the University of Minnesota-Morris Cougars lost on a buzzer-beater to Bethany Lutheran in the UMAC championship game. B-B-E's Kaden Pieper, also a 2023 graduate, was a junior on that squad. He ended up as the team's second-leading scorer for UMM, who should compete for a conference title again next year. They were regular season runners-up in the UMAC this year with an 8-4 record.
As for spring sports, I know of B-B-E's Gannon Walsh (Class of 2022) playing for the University of Minnesota-Crookston men's golf team. He's currently ranked 58th in the NCAA Division II Central Region. As a team, Walsh's Golden Eagles is ranked No. 11 in the Central Region. UM-Crookston's spring season begins next Monday and Tuesday at the NSIC Preview in Smithsville, Missouri.
Here's a video featuring tip-off and the opening minute of the playoff game at Underwood:
Sunshine is gaining strength, but it's still cold out! and CHICK DAYS in Regal is underway
The full sunshine feels incredible today, even as the temperatures hover in the upper single digits across the Bonanza Valley area.
The Belgrade city council meets tonight, and their meeting agenda can be found at the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper's editor's blog: https://lifeinbonanzavalley.blogspot.com.
It's time to advertise CHICK DAYS in Regal!
Jerry Fischbach, the kind-hearted, down-to-earth Regal Elevator owner, is promoting Chick Days for the 2026 season. Regal Elevator is now offering discounts on all chicks and chick feed. Supply your own eggs! Call for livestock feed AND pet feed at Regal Elevator; phone number 320-243-4220. Website: http://www.regalelevator.com.
Very serious Highway 55/Highway 71 accident east of Belgrade (VIDEO, UPDATES)
The icy roads appear to be a major factor in a serious accident between a flat-nosed Cintas uniform truck and a semi tractor and trailer east of Belgrade. The accident took place shortly after 8 a.m. on Tuesday, February 24. For approximately a half hour leading up to the accident, rain fell across the area while ambient temperatures hovered around 23-24 degrees.
Click over to the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper website to see video from the accident scene and read additional details: Highway71Belgradeaccident.
The roads are awful right now! Not to mention sidewalks plus in-town streets and intersections. Please travel lightly. Your odds of being in an accident are considerably higher than normal right now at 9 a.m.
Here's a second video recorded at the accident scene this morning:
Please pray for the safety of our emergency responders.
BREAKING news on Tuesday afternoon: the game against A-C-GC tonight has been cancelled. This is due to an error on A-C-GC's part with their regular season schedule. That's what I know. The game will not be made up. So please spread the word: there's no home game tonight in Brooten. It's now an "off" night.
It has been all hands on deck in Belgrade, as an alleged shooting took place on School Street on the far eastern edge of town. A video posted at the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper website has more: BelgradePoliceResponse.
Here's another video recorded at about 12:45 p.m. today:
This video (above) was recorded near the Crow River Township Hall.
Saturday night update: law enforcement officers have successfully resolved the situation. The newspaper web article has been updated with additional information. We can all say a prayer of thanks that no loss of life has occurred. Also, it's a great reminder to show gratitude towards law enforcement for the multiple situations their jobs put them in harms way.
Coming tonight: a new blog post featuring girls' basketball and wrestling news. I haven't been able to catch up to anything regarding the Section 5A individual wrestling tournament in Canby.
Beyond that, there's lots of other catching-up to do!
Tuesday morning update:
In the first round of the Section 6A volleyball tournament, Pelican Rapids defeated Rothsay last night in a 3-0 sweep. The Vikings are 8-17 overall heading into Wednesday's second-round match against our team. The playoff opener for the Jaguars is Wednesday, October 22 at 7 p.m. in Brooten. Please pass the word!
If the Jaguars (20-6) defeat Pelican Rapids, they will host a Section 6A quarterfinal match on Friday, October 24 at 7 p.m. That match would feature the Jaguars playing either Wheaton/Herman-Norcross or Park Christian. Those two teams play eachother on Wednesday at Wheaton Area high school. On September 4 in a non-conference match, W/H-N traveled to Fargo to Park Christian and won 3-2.
Here's a video from the early units of the Belgrade August Fest parade on Saturday:
In this video, you can see the outgoing Belgrade Royal Ambassadors nearing the end of their final parade.
Here's a video featuring a glimpse of the Stearns County Fair last Friday afternoon:
The weather featured sweltering, muggy heat on Friday at the fair. It was pretty gross all day and into the evening.
And back to Belgrade's August Fest...
Here's a video from the Friday night street dance just after Mid Flight began playing:
I heard that the Belgrade VFW had a "pretty good" weekend overall at August Fest. I'll speak a little on their behalf and say "Thank You" to all those who came out and supported the VFW through the chicken feed, Friday's street dance and Saturday's Belgrade Brawl.
GAME NIGHT! In Morrison County and in Wildcat Country (VIDEO, UPDATES!)
Two road games of differing complexions are set to play out tonight. Both should be entertaining for fans!
First, I want to share the Belgrade City Council meeting agenda, which is posted at the newspaper's editor blog: https://lifeinbonanzavalley.blogspot.com. The council meets tonight at 6 p.m.
Tonight's basketball action on the road...
The B-B-E Jaguars girls' basketball team (18-7 overall) travels to Royalton to conclude their regular season. The Royals are undefeated with a 24-0 record. They recently locked up the Central Minnesota Conference title alone with just tonight's game left. They also have a non-conference game before the Section 6AA playoffs begin. In Section 6AA, the Royals are currently ranked No. 2 out of 16 teams.
The B-B-E Jaguars boys' basketball team has a short trip south for a border battle against New London-Spicer. GAME UPDATES to follow this evening as I am able to post. Fingers crossed!
Here's a video from last Friday with the varsity game getting underway after the National Anthem was played...
Game updates to follow!
Update from Morrison County...
First off, that was quite a road trip! I think I'm mostly spoiled with mostly 25 to 45-minute long road trips (usually)...this seemed to take forever! There's only about 18 routes you can use to get from Brooten to Royalton. It was great to finally arrive at Royalton high school, where they have convenient parking and great facilities to take in basketball games.
In the JV game, the Jaguars trailed 18-13 at halftime. Final: Royalton 40, B-B-E 30. According to game reports, the Jaguars were ice cold from the floor.
In the C-squad game, the Jaguars won 38-36 in a thriller! They trailed 35-31 with 2:35 to go.
Varsity updates...the girls' basketball team trails 25-18 with 3:28 to go. Coach Anderson just called a timeout.
Halftime: Royalton 28, B-B-E 21. The Jaguars have shot poorly for the latter 15 minutes of the half.
In the second half...the game has gotten out of hand! It is very, very physical. This is a rivalry game, and it is showing. B-B-E's shots are just the bare inch off on most tries. They are gutting it out. You want the game to be done, and get the playoff march underway!
ANNOUNCEMENT: B-B-E schools is 2 hours late for Wednesday, February 19. Also! A note: the Jaguar Coffee Club at the elementary school is cancelled for Wednesday, February 19. Please pass the word!
At 9 p.m., we are leaving Royalton. More to come in a new blog post, including final scores from both varsity games.
Incredible day for Day III of the Belgrade August Fest (VIDEOS)
With absolutely incredible weather with full sunshine, very little wind and temperatures in the low 70s today, the Belgrade August Fest is on Day III with a marvelous set of activities underway on Saturday. The Walk-Run was held at the high school and sponsored by the B-B-E Music Boosters. Other activities took place on main street and the nearby area. The August Fest kids pedal pull drew a terrific level of interest. The Car and Truck show had a nice collection on display on the north end of main street.
Here's the finish line of the August Fest Walk/Run event:
B-B-E track and field head coach Trish Thieschafer (B-B-E Class of 1996) was in the trio of adults shown in that video. The Walk/Run event was set up on the west side of the high school.
Here's a video featuring action in downtown Belgrade:
Tonight is a BIG TIME street dance in Belgrade featuring the Mason Dixon Band playing from 8 p.m. to around midnight. Additional coverage is posted to the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper website: https://shorturl.at/eW1lY.
Remember the community worship and meal on Sunday! That starts at 11 a.m. with worship and a pulled pork sandwich meal to follow at noon. Everyone is invited!
Sunday update...Farming and Richmond are playing for state tournament seeding at Watkins today. First pitch was at 11 a.m. The Royals beat Pearl Lake 6-5 yesterday, while the Flames beat St. Martin 5-4 earlier in the afternoon. Crazy! Back-to-back one run games in the region tournament.
After a lightening of the load for the news and sports departments of the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper, activities are going to ramp back up at full speed starting tonight. A frantic pace will follow for the coming weeks all the way into the Christmas break at the end of 2023.
Click over to the newspaper's website to read a summary of the Santa Day events coming to Belgrade and Brooten on Saturday, December 9! Short link: https://tinyurl.com/58habbyh.
Two more winter varsity sports teams get into competition today! The B-B-E/Paynesville Pirouettes dance team travels west to Minnewaska Area high school with the National Anthem to be performed at 5:55 p.m. with the meet to follow starting at 6 p.m. The B-B-E Jaguars wrestling team travels east to Melrose high school, where action begins at 2 p.m. for the Sauk Centre-Melrose Early Invite. The wrestling team will be road warriors throughout the entire month of December, as they do not wrestle at home until January 5. In the preseason Guillotine rankings, B-B-E sits at No. 2 in the first poll of the top 12 teams in Class 1A. This is remarkable! The Jaguars were 21-7 last year with a fourth-place finish at the state tournament.
Also, the B-B-E Jaguars girls' basketball team travels north to Pine River-Backus high school for a key Sub-Section 5A-South battle.
This weekend has a pile of activities...that spread across both Saturday and Sunday. It will be busy!! One of them is an event I look forward to every winter. It is near and dear to my heart...this would be the Norway Lake Lutheran Historical Association Advent worship at the old log church in Arctander Township. You can read more by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/hemu2wrn. At that web article, you can watch the worship held there on November 27, 2022! Technology can be a wonderful thing when used for the right purpose!
Here's a video featuring guests at the old log church visiting outside in the strong sunshine we had that day about one year ago...
In that video, you can hear me having a conversation with a former neighbor...Sara (Knutson) Gardner, who is from the Pennock area now and a wife and mom...she's a 1997 graduate of B-B-E high school and was a good friend of my sister, Dawn.
Have you been able to spend time researching and studying your family's roots? It's valuable to learn about the pioneer days when our families settled down here in west central Minnesota.
Check for updates in a new blog post after 6 p.m. tonight!
Front pumps go offline at Coop's Corner...gas still available! C-store open as usual
The front fuel pumps at Coop's Corner in Belgrade have gone offline. This was a planned event as they are set to go through a major pump and island project throughout the month of September. Gas will still be available at Coop's Corner for purchase at pumps located on the south side of their building. What will be sold is E-10 fuel (87 octane) and premium gas. This will not affect any services in the C-store or at Magnifi Financial. This project was announced on page one of the August 31 issue of the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper. More to come later.
The Bonanza Valley Voice website has been updated with three new web articles, including one opinion piece and two web stories featuring the Belgrade August Fest and the Kandiyohi County Fair. Click on over and check them out: https://www.bonanzavalleyvoice.com.
May you have a wonderful day and wonderful weekend as we continue enjoying all that life offers us in the Land of Rocks and Cows! No better place to be in my opinion.
Now it's time to make tracks to the county fair in Willmar!
Belgrade city council, B-B-E school board meets tonight
The Belgrade city council meets in regular session tonight. The full meeting agenda can be found at the newspaper's editor's blog by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/4yn6647y. It is also great to see that the Belgrade Royal Ambassador program will have two ambassador candidates running plus three junior ambassador candidates. The Belgrade Royal Ambassador program is on Saturday, August 13 following the grand parade.
The B-B-E school board meets at 7 p.m. tonight at the elementary media center in Brooten. Items on the agenda include discussion of the long-term facility maintenance plan and also policy revisions stemming from the 2023 Minnesota Legislative changes. That last item will be very interesting to take in. I am hopeful that St. Paul is not going to mess with our school district to the point that we have to protest what is coming. *Update on Tuesday: the policy revisions adopted include a point that clarifies parents' rights to know what is being taught in the school's curriculum.
Also! Remember that the Elrosa Saints open the division playoffs on Saturday at 11 a.m. on their home diamond against neighboring Greenwald.
Purse bingo night is tonight - tickets still available! (VIDEO)
This has been advertised in recent newspaper issues...they have more tickets to sell!! You can Venmo them payments and get yours ordered! The Belgrade Commercial Club is a major partner and supporter of our school activities.
*Here's a video from the last purse bingo held in Belgrade on May 6 of this year:
Belgrade Commercial Club Purse Bingo!
Purse Bingo is back again this fall! Join the Belgrade Commercial Club on Friday, November 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Belgrade VFW! Doors open at 6 o’clock. The cost to play is $40.00. Please sign-up and pay in advance by stopping by Kensington Bank or Magnifi Financial. You can also send a venmo payment to their Venmo account @belcommclub. Please put your full name and purse bingo as the subject. Lastly, you can contact a Commercial Club member or private message them on Facebook. You must be signed-up to guarantee your seat. Walk-ins are welcome if seats are available. Don’t forget your daubers! They look forward to spending a fun ladies night out with all of you!
The band Custom Made performed while the Belgrade Co-op and Queen Bees of Paynesville served a wonderful pulled pork sandwich meal at the city park shelter. The playground and shelter and outdoor seating area was filled with people. Goat Ridge Brewing of New London was also on hand serving craft beer. The 2022 Belgrade August Fest celebration is officially underway!
Video from the concert is uploading.
*Here's video from songs performed near the end of the concert tonight:
More to come. I've got updating to do at the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper website.
In sports news...
A web article on the Elrosa Saints amateur baseball team has been posted at the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper website. You can read it by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3AiqOEe. The web article includes a video from the Richmond game in which B-B-E Class of 2017 graduate Derek Wiener clubbed the game-winning RBI on Sunday.
You can click over to the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper website to watch a video of the Belgrade Memorial Day parade (short link): https://bit.ly/3Qac3sW.
REMEMBER! Today is playoff baseball day! Yes, more playoff baseball for fans in Jaguar Country! The B-B-E Jaguars baseball team plays at 2:30 p.m. today in the elimination bracket final of the Section 6A tournament. They face defending state runners-up and defending Section 6A champion New York Mills. *THe game will be aired on Smooth Magic 107 FM of Glenwood. You can listen to it on 107.1 FM or on their website: https://kmgk1071.com.
The Belgrade Commercial Club is making a big push to sell more Purse Bingo tickets for their upcoming fundraiser. It has been advertised on the back page of the last two Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper issues. You can read more here: https://bit.ly/3y8X38d. Included is a video from February 2020, which seems like a long, long time ago.
*Here's a couple videos featuring boys' shot put attempts last Monday at the B-B-E high school sports complex:
And the other:
It will be a few more days until we get spring sports resumed...winter hasn't let up yet.
Tonight we have the Belgrade city council meeting plus the B-B-E school board meeting, with the latter taking place at the high school. Busy, busy, busy!
