George Lashinski of Sobieski, recently traveled to Poland with his five daughters, two granddaughters and his son-in-law. The family went to see the land Lashinski's grandfather Bernard Lashin-ski and his wife Polega emigrated from in 1884.

While there, the group, found the town of Sobieseki. See more in Tina Snell's Morrison County Record feature story.

The Leszczynski Castle in Poland was visited by the Lashinski family of Sobieski. The Polish name is spelled a little differently, and although the Lashinskis of Morrison County think the castle belonged to their ancestors, they aren’t sure.

Nasal mist vaccine for the H1N1 flu virus will be offered free at the Milaca public schools campus in Milaca this Saturday, Nov. 21 for Milaca and Princeton school children in kindergarten, first and second grades.

Mille Lacs County Public Health is administering the vaccine and it is strictly voluntary to have the vaccination, says Mille Lacs County Public Health Director Janelle Schroeder. See more in Joel Stottrup's Princeton Union-Eagle story.

Elk River is taking steps to have the water tower on Jackson Avenue placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Elk River Utilities Commission voted 3-0 Tuesday, Nov. 17 to pursue a grant to pay a consultant to prepare a National Register nomination for the 89-year-old water tower.

The consultant’s fee is expected to be about $5,000. The utilities commission can apply for up to $7,000 under the “Fast Track” Legacy grant program through the State Historic Preservation Office. See more in Joni Astrup's Star News story.

A man accused of beating his girlfriend’s cat so badly it had to be euthanized has been sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Ryan Jason Wolcott, 24, of Maple Grove was also sentenced to up to two years of probation. Wolcott was charged in Dakota County with felony animal cruelty in April. He was also charged with animal abandonment in connection with the disappearance of three other cats belonging to his live-in girlfriend in Eagan. See more in Erin Johnson's ThisweekLive story.

The Minnesota Thunder’s financial situation is leading the National Sports Center (NSC) to look at a possible future that doesn’t include a professional soccer team.

Barclay Kruse, the NSC’s chief communication officer, said this morning (Friday, Nov. 20) that the Blaine sports facility is still under contract with the Minnesota Thunder.

See more in ABC Newspapers story by sports editor Jason Olson.

Minnesota Thunder player Ricardo Sanchez, middle, kept the ball away from the visiting Whitecaps defenders during the season opener at the the National Sports Center in Blaine.

(Photo by Jason Olson)

Hosanna! Lutheran, the Lakeville mega-church that made headlines this month with its pending decision to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, isn’t alone.

Community of Hope in Rosemount, which was launched in 2002 by four local congregations, ended its ELCA affiliation on Nov. 1. See more in ThisweekLive.

The impending retirement of longtime Anoka County Medical Examiner Dr. Janis Amatuzio is prompting some changes in the medical examiner’s office.

While Amatuzio has not yet made her retirement official, it is expected to take place sometime before the end of January 2010, according to Jerry Soma, Anoka County division manager for human services. See more in Managing Editor Peter Bodley's ABC Newspapers story.

On the heels of the failed levy referendum earlier this month, the North Branch school board, last week, moved through a lengthy discussion of another attempt in 2010.

There was agreement that an operating levy is needed. That agreement was not as complete, however, when it came to making a decision that night to direct administration to move ahead with a referendum in 2010. See more in Editor MaryHelen Swanson's Post Review story.

The eyes of World War II veteran Chester Hoeft, 88, of Princeton, grew watery on Veterans Day last week as he gazed at the glass-enclosed wooden case that stood two feet away.

Inside the case were duplicates of nine medals he had earned while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, the bulk of his service in Europe. See more in Joel Stottrup's Princeton Union-Eagle story.

Caley House Director Suzie Spain and Princeton VFW Commander Loren Papesh present the medals to World War II veteran Chester Hoeft.  (Photo by Joel Stottrup, Princeton Union-Eagle)

One suspect was arrested by Coon Rapids Police last night  (Thursday, Nov. 19) in connection with the armed robbery of KleinBank, 3070 Coon Rapids Blvd., the morning of Nov. 17.

The 21-year-old Little Canada resident is allegedly the white male who was involved in the robbery. See more in Editor Peter Bodley's Coon Rapids Herald story.