Alec Hamilton
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Sr Producer for Morning Edition @wnyc. Fan of public water fountains. Always trying to play Maná on the air. bsky.app/profile/alecchamilton.bsky.social
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Articles by Alec Hamilton
Cannon Falls, Randolph 2026 election results from local races to state-wide elections
Steve Carlsen is one of two new Cannon Falls City Council members after winning one of the two, four-year seats available. The other four-year seat was won by current council member Diane Johnson. Submitted photo Election Night was busy as the Cannon Falls and Randolph areas, as well as Minnesota as a whole, made their voices heard on a crowded slate of races from local government and school boards to governor and the U.S Senate.
Cannon Falls, Randolph enjoy a great two days for Halloween
Cannon Falls and Randolph families could not have asked for much better weather last Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31, as they celebrated Halloween. It was perfect conditions for the Cannon Falls Chamber of Commerce’s Trick-or-Treat Trot Friday evening in the downtown. The next day was actually Halloween and it was welcomed with equally good weather as ghosts, goblins, ghouls and all sorts of characters explored the towns in search of candy. Check out submitted Halloween photos below:
Preliminary election results from local races to state-wide elections
Below are the preliminary election results as of midnight of Election Day from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s election website. Check back for more complete results later Wednesday. Randolph Schools asked district voters to approve an operational levy referendum with a $450 per pupil increase in funding, which would provide about $390,000 each year in funding for 10 years. The increase would still put Randolph as the lowest among area schools.
Cannon Falls girls soccer falls to top-seeded Esko 2-0 in state quarterfinals
Cannon Falls Bomber girls soccer played in the Minnesota State High School League’s Class A state quarterfinals Thursday evening, Oct. 29, in Spring Lake Park where they fell to top-seeded Esko 2-0. The Bombers battled Esko to a scoreless tie in the first half but ran out of gas in the second half under a relentless Esko attack. Cannon Falls knew heading in it would be their toughest test of the season. “We were tired the second half. The first half we dug deep.
Randolph football's season ends after going 1-1 in sections
Randolph Rocket football’s season came to an end Saturday afternoon, Oct. 31, with a 56-12 loss at the No. 2-seeded Goodhue Wildcats (8-2) in the Section 4AA semifinals. This followed a first-round section playoffs win where the No. 6-seeded Rockets traveled to Rush City on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and blew out the third-seeded Tigers 30-14. It was the second consecutive season where Randolph traveled to Rush City as the lower-seeded team in the playoffs and came away with a blow out win.
Cannon Falls football blows out Central 38-7 in section semis; Bombers have rematch with Goodhue for section championship
Junior Trey Schoenfelder returns a punt 94 yards for a touchdown to put the Bombers up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. Alec Hamilton / Cannon Falls Beacon Cannon Falls Bomber football (8-1) blew out the Central Area (Norwood-Young America) Raiders (3-7) 38-7 Saturday afternoon at John Burch Park in the Section 4AA semifinals. Central was the No. 4 seed and beat No. 5 Maple Lake (3-6) last Tuesday, Oct. 27, 21-6. The Bombers are the top seed in the section and received a first-round bye.
PHOTOS: Wins over Lourdes, Pine Island
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Cannon Falls volleyball advances to Section 1AA semis with sweeps of Lourdes, Pine Island
Junior setter Libby Sampson racked up 32 assists, 10 digs and a pair of kills in the sweep of Pine Island. Alec Hamilton / Cannon Falls Beacon Cannon Falls Bomber volleyball is headed to the Section 1AA semifinals Thursday evening, Nov. 5, at the Rochester Civic Center after sweeping both Rochester Lourdes and Pine Island last week in the section playoffs. The Bombers (17-10) are the No. 4 seed in the Section 1AA playoffs and hosted the No. 13 Rochester Lourdes Eagles (9-18) on Monday, Oct. 26.
Owl pellets and period equity: What's happening at NYC's public libraries this November
Halloween is in October, but that doesn’t mean the spookiness has to stop in November. The New York Public Library is doing a pay-what-you-want Friday the 13th "Library After Hours" event at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building in Bryant Park. It’s 21 and older only, and the theme is horror, superstition and mystery.
Caitlyn Smith celebrates new album release with Pachyderm performance
Decorated singer/songwriter and Cannon Falls native Caitlyn Smith celebrated her recent album release, titled “Peace in My Mind,” with an intimate performance at the famous Pachyderm Studios the evening of Oct. 15. About 50 people, including friends and family of Smith, filled the studio, located just outside Cannon Falls, as she played the new album from top to bottom and talked about the inspiration and story behind each song.
Cannon Falls City Council approves final plat for data center development
The Cannon Falls City Council approved the final plat for the data center development as part of its consent agenda during its Oct. 6 meeting. Then at the Oct. 20 meeting, the council approved upgrades for Cannon Falls TV Cable Access’ Cablecast system despite opposition from council member Lisa Zimmerman. Catch up on both meetings below as the city council continues to move quickly through its fall agendas.
Cannon Falls volleyball gets No. 4 seed for sections, Randolph wins section play-in game
The Section 1AA volleyball playoffs are officially underway with the Cannon Falls Bombers receiving the No. 4 seed while the Randolph Rockets are the No. 18 seed and already beat the No. 15 St. Charles Saints 3-2 (25-11, 25-17, 19-25, 19-25, 16-14). Both teams next play on Monday, Oct. 26, at the high seed. The Rockets travel to Dodge Center where they will take on the No. 2-seeded Triton Cobras (24-4) and the Bombers host No. 13 Rochester Lourdes (9-17).
Cannon Falls senior Livia Tennessen makes individual state for fourth consecutive year
Cannon Falls senior Livia Tennessen is heading to the Minnesota State High School League’s Class A individual state girls’ tennis tournament for an incredible fourth consecutive season. This year she won the singles Section 1A championship after going to state the last two years as part of a doubles team with Sophia Nerison. She last went to state in singles as a freshman in her first trip.
Cannon Falls Bomber football edges out Triton, earns top seed in section playoffs
Cannon Falls Bomber football wrapped up a tremendous 7-1 regular season Wednesday night by edging out the Triton Cobras (3-5) 32-28 on the road. The Bombers had already secured the top seed in Section 4AA prior to the game since the rest of the section played Tuesday night. Cannon Falls receives a first-round bye by being the No. 1 seed and will next play the winner of the No. 4 Central Area Raiders (2-6) and No. 5 Maple Lake Irish (3-5) on Saturday, Oct. 31 (Halloween).
Meet your Cannon Falls School Board candidates: Luke Winchell
There are three, four-year Cannon Falls School Board seats up for election this November and the three current board members holding those seats are running unopposed. Board Chair Clinton Sjoquist, Jodi Strain and Luke Winchell are all running for reelection with no other candidates running. Despite them running unopposed, the Cannon Falls Beacon still sent all three candidates questionnaires to give voters the opportunity to learn more about them.
Randolph Rocket football shuts out Lake City 48-0 in regular season finale
Randolph Rocket football closed out the regular season in style Tuesday night at Klahr Field with a 48-0 blowout of the Lake City Tigers. The Rockets jumped on the Tigers early as they scored on their first two offensive plays and led 29-0 at the end of the first quarter. The win boosted Randolph to 2-6 overall in the regular season and 1-3 in the Southeast Central District-Black Division.
Meet your Cannon Falls School Board candidates: Clinton Sjoquist
There are three, four-year Cannon Falls School Board seats up for election this November and the three current board members holding those seats are running unopposed. Board Chair Clinton Sjoquist, Jodi Strain and Luke Winchell are all running for reelection with no other candidates running. Despite them running unopposed, the Cannon Falls Beacon still sent all three candidates questionnaires to give voters the opportunity to learn more about them.
IMAGES: Semifinal revenge over Albert Lea
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Making history: Bomber girls soccer wins first section championship, state appearance in program history Original
Cannon Falls girls soccer continued making history Wednesday evening in Austin when the Bombers won the program’s first-ever section championship with a 1-0 victory over the Fairmont Cardinals. They will now make the team’s first trip to state after building toward this the last four seasons. “It feels great, we’ve worked so hard for this,” said Cannon Falls senior Ava Hernke. “I joined the team in eighth grade and we’ve just been working up and working up and this was our year.
Meet your Randolph School Board candidates: Leah Radman
There are three open seats on the Randolph School Board and five candidates running to fill them. Current school board members Regina Wernimont and Cory Lorenzen are not running for re-election, which accounts for two of the seats, while the third belongs to Leah Radman, who is running for re-election. The other four candidates are Jacob Friedrich, Randy Schock, Cody Tix and Amanda Walker. All three seats are for four-year terms from January 2027 to January 2031.
Meet your Randolph School Board candidates: Jacob Friedrich
There are three open seats on the Randolph School Board and five candidates running to fill them. Current school board members Regina Wernimont and Cory Lorenzen are not running for re-election, which accounts for two of the seats, while the third belongs to Leah Radman, who is running for re-election. The other four candidates are Jacob Friedrich, Randy Schock, Cody Tix and Amanda Walker. All three seats are for four-year terms from January 2027 to January 2031.
Meet your Randolph School Board candidates: Amanda Walker
There are three open seats on the Randolph School Board and five candidates running to fill them. Current school board members Regina Wernimont and Cory Lorenzen are not running for re-election, which accounts for two of the seats, while the third belongs to Leah Radman, who is running for re-election. The other four candidates are Jacob Friedrich, Randy Schock, Cody Tix and Amanda Walker. All three seats are for four-year terms from January 2027 to January 2031.
Meet your Randolph School Board candidates: Cody Tix
There are three open seats on the Randolph School Board and five candidates running to fill them. Current school board members Regina Wernimont and Cory Lorenzen are not running for re-election, which accounts for two of the seats, while the third belongs to Leah Radman, who is running for re-election. The other four candidates are Jacob Friedrich, Randy Schock, Cody Tix and Amanda Walker. All three seats are for four-year terms from January 2027 to January 2031.
Randolph Rocket football edged out by Central at home 14-6
Randolph Rocket football returned home last Wednesday, Oct. 14 after a rough road trip where they traveled to and lost at Dover-Eyota and Caledonia. The Rockets hosted the Central Area (Norwood-Young America) Raiders and fell in a close game 14-6. The Rockets are now 1-6 heading into their regular season finale, which is at home on Tuesday night, Oct. 20, against the Lake City Tigers, who are also 1-6. Randolph moved the ball well against Central but both teams struggled to finish drives.
Cannon Falls girls tennis finishes as Section 1A runners-up; senior Livia Tennessen advances to state in singles
Cannon Falls Bomber girls tennis was edged out by Lake City 4-3 in the Section 1A team championship last Monday, Oct. 12, in Rochester. It was a familiar refrain for the Bombers who have come oh-so-close to team state the last several years. “I think it’s four years in a row and I think it’s maybe five out of the last six years that we’ve gotten second place,” said head coach Paul Norstad. “Lake City is a very talented team, I think we got them a week ago, last week we beat them.
Firebird Floor Coating is ready to go in Cannon Falls
Cannon Falls has a new, locally-owned floor coating company in Firebird Floor Coating. It is owned by Chris and Diana Albrecht and Matt Summers. Not only do they aim to provide a service, but also play an important role in the Cannon Falls community while giving back. The Albrechts have lived in Cannon Falls for a decade after moving to town in 2016. Chris worked for Interstate Building Supply as their kitchen and bath designer for a decade before semi-retiring about a year-and-a-half ago.
From the Editor's Desk: Election letters that raise new points will not run in the Oct. 29 edition
We value and welcome diversity of opinion and aim to provide an open forum for responsible discussion of important issues in our community. To aid that process, we lay out the following guidelines for submission of election-related letters and commentary pieces. The last submissions related to a particular political campaign will be published no later than the week prior to Election Day (Oct. 29 issue). Related to this, letters that raise any new issues/talking points will not run in the Oct.
Cannon Falls football blows out Austin on the road 74-40
Cannon Falls Bomber football traveled to Austin last Wednesday, Oct. 14, where they blew out the Packers in the first half and finished with a 74-40 victory. The Bombers improved to 6-1 with the win and have just one regular season game left on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Triton against the 3-4 Cobras. Cannon Falls scored 43 first-quarter points against Austin and added 19 more in the second quarter for a 62-18 halftime lead.
Cannon Falls girls soccer gets revenge on Albert Lea to advance to section championship
Cannon Falls Bomber girls soccer (10-3-2) is headed back to the Section 2A championship match for the second consecutive season after getting some good, old fashioned revenge with a 4-2 win over the Albert Lea Tigers (5-11-1) Tuesday night. They are now one game away from the program’s first section championship and trip to the state tournament.
Cannon Falls soccer teams host playoff double header; Bomber girls get blowout win, boys fall in penalty shoot-out
The Cannon Falls girls and boys soccer teams hosted a playoff double header last Tuesday, Oct. 13, for the first round of the Section 2A playoffs. The Bomber girls, who are the No. 2 seed, blew out No. 7 Wings United 9-0 in the first match which started at 2 p.m. They were followed by the boys who were the No. 4 seed and hosted No. 5 St. Peter. The two teams were tied 3-3 after regulation and overtime before going into two rounds of penalty kicks where the Saints walked it off.
Cannon Falls School Board sets preliminary levy & approves superintendent goals for 2026-2027
The Cannon Falls School Board approved setting its preliminary 2027 levy at its maximum amount during its Sept. 21 meeting. This is primarily a procedural decision for school districts, city governments and counties across Minnesota as once the preliminary levy is set, the final levy cannot be set higher than that number. So most entities set the preliminary levy at its maximum, allowing them flexibility to then move the number down with the final levy.
Rooted in the Region: Lorentz Meats evolves & grows while still doing things the right way
Lorentz Meats has been a Cannon Falls institution since Ed and Mary Lorentz bought Bremer Brothers Meat Market in 1968. For close to the next 30 years, they ran Lorentz Meats and Deli while also doing custom exempt meat processing for area farmers. Then in 1997, their sons Rob and Mike bought the business from their parents and Lorentz Meats has rapidly evolved ever since, starting with the building of a new, 10,000 square foot processing facility outside of Cannon Falls in 2000.
Meet your Cannon Falls City Council candidate: Diane Johnson
There are four Cannon Falls City Council seats up for election this fall: a pair of two-year terms and a pair of four-year terms. Running for the two-year terms are current city council members Chad Johnson and Lisa Zimmerman, as well as newcomer Jim Hoffman. Running for the four-year terms are Steve Carlsen, David Alvstad and current city council member Diane Johnson. The Cannon Falls Beacon sent out identical questionnaires to all the Cannon Falls City Council and mayor candidates.
Rooted in the Region: Ferndale Market aims to preserve & collaborate while continuing to innovate
Ferndale Market began as a turkey farm in 1939 when Dale Peterson moved to the Little Cannon River Valley from North Dakota and started raising turkeys. That tradition continues today under John Peterson – Dale’s grandson –, John’s wife Erica and the extended Peterson family which is in its third generation.
Meet your Cannon Falls City Council candidates: Steve Carlsen
There are four Cannon Falls City Council seats up for election this fall: a pair of two-year terms and a pair of four-year terms. Running for the two-year terms are current city council members Chad Johnson and Lisa Zimmerman, as well as newcomer Jim Hoffman. Running for the four-year terms are Steve Carlsen, David Alvstad and current city council member Diane Johnson. The Cannon Falls Beacon sent out identical questionnaires to all the Cannon Falls City Council and mayor candidates.
Meet your Cannon Falls City Council candidates: David Alvstad
There are four Cannon Falls City Council seats up for election this fall: a pair of two-year terms and a pair of four-year terms. Running for the two-year terms are current city council members Chad Johnson and Lisa Zimmerman, as well as newcomer Jim Hoffman. Running for the four-year terms are Steve Carlsen, David Alvstad and current city council member Diane Johnson. The Cannon Falls Beacon sent out identical questionnaires to all the Cannon Falls City Council and mayor candidates.
Meet your Cannon Falls City Council candidates: Chad Johnson
There are four Cannon Falls City Council seats up for election this fall: a pair of two-year terms and a pair of four-year terms. Running for the two-year terms are current city council members Chad Johnson and Lisa Zimmerman, as well as newcomer Jim Hoffman. Running for the four-year terms are Steve Carlsen, David Alvstad and current city council member Diane Johnson. The Cannon Falls Beacon sent out identical questionnaires to all the Cannon Falls City Council and mayor candidates.
Meet your Cannon Falls City Council candidates: Jim Hoffman
There are four Cannon Falls City Council seats up for election this fall: a pair of two-year terms and a pair of four-year terms. Running for the two-year terms are current city council members Chad Johnson and Lisa Zimmerman, as well as newcomer Jim Hoffman. Running for the four-year terms are Steve Carlsen, David Alvstad and current city council member Diane Johnson. The Cannon Falls Beacon sent out identical questionnaires to all the Cannon Falls City Council and mayor candidates.
Meet your Cannon Falls mayoral candidates: Jacob Kostrzewski
One of three men – Jesse Lines, Mitchell Headline or Jacob Kostrzewski – will be Cannon Falls’ new mayor in 2027 after Mayor Matt Montgomery chose to not run for re-election this fall. After the filing deadline there was another candidate, Matthew Wilson, but he announced on Oct. 2 that he was no longer running for mayor.
Meet your Cannon Falls mayoral candidates: Mitchell Headline
One of three men – Jesse Lines, Mitchell Headline or Jacob Kostrzewski – will be Cannon Falls’ new mayor in 2027 after Mayor Matt Montgomery chose to not run for re-election this fall. After the filing deadline there was another candidate, Matthew Wilson, but he announced on Oct. 2 that he was no longer running for mayor.
Cannon Falls Library held candidate forum for CF city council, mayoral candidates
The Cannon Falls Library held a candidate forum on Saturday, Oct. 3, for the Cannon Falls city council and mayor candidates running in the upcoming election. The first hour was for the city council candidates running for either the two open four-year terms or the two, two-year terms.
Meet Your Cannon Falls mayor candidates: Jesse Lines
One of three men – Jesse Lines, Mitchell Headline or Jacob Kostrzewski – will be Cannon Falls’ new mayor in 2027 after Mayor Matt Montgomery chose to not run for re-election this fall. After the filing deadline there was another candidate, Matthew Wilson, but he announced on Oct. 2 that he was no longer running for mayor.
Cannon Falls hosts annual cross country invitational with Randolph in attendance
Cannon Falls boys and girls cross country hosted their annual invitational at the Cannon Valley Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Oct. 6, with four teams in attendance including Randolph. Also racing were Zumbrota-Mazeppa/Kenyon-Wanamingo and South St. Paul. Neither Bomber team had enough runners to register a team score but Randolph finished second for both the boys and girls varsity.
Cannon Falls Bomber football holds off Goodhue in potential section championship preview
Cannon Falls Bomber football held off the Goodhue Wildcats 36-30 Friday night at John Burch Park in a back-and-forth matchup that is a likely preview of the Section 4AA championship game. With the win, the Bombers improve to 5-1 while the Wildcats drop to 4-2 and each team has two games left. “What an amazing football game!” said Cannon Falls head coach Dan Meyers. “We opened up with a big scoring play on the second play of the game, then went back-and-forth with a tough Goodhue team all night . . .
IMAGES: Cannon Falls girls soccer vs. PIZM
• Don’t name-call and attack other commenters. If you’d be in hot water for saying it in public, then don’t say it here. • Don’t spam us. • Don’t attack our journalists. Let’s make this a platform that is educational, enjoyable and insightful. Email questions to ahamilton@orourkemediagroup.com.
Cannon Falls girls soccer earns No. 2 seed for section playoffs, hosts Wings United Tuesday in double header with the boys
Cannon Falls girls soccer earned the No. 2 seed in the Section 2A playoffs and will host No. 7 Wings United (2-14) on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. in a double header with the Bomber boys who are also hosting a home section playoff match. The Bomber girls finished their regular season with wins over Wings United and Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa. Here senior Lola Christianson chases down the ball before scoring Cannon Falls' first goal against PIZM.
IMAGES: Lates Battle for Byllesby -- Volleyball Edition
• Don’t name-call and attack other commenters. If you’d be in hot water for saying it in public, then don’t say it here. • Don’t spam us. • Don’t attack our journalists. Let’s make this a platform that is educational, enjoyable and insightful. Email questions to ahamilton@orourkemediagroup.com.
Cannon Falls volleyball beats Randolph in Battle for Byllesby
The latest edition in the Battle for Lake Byllesby took place in Randolph Monday night, Oct. 5, as Randolph Rocket volleyball hosted the Cannon Falls Bombers. The Bombers emerged victorious 3-1 (25-13, 25-17, 20-25, 25-16) in what would be a busy week for Cannon Falls. Emma Templin led the Bomber offense with 15 kills, seven digs and three ace serves while Libby Sampson racked up 37 assists, eight digs, five ace serves, three ace blocks and three kills.
Goodhue County Board sets preliminary 2027 budget, levy; county’s use of Statewide Affordable House Aid funds adjusted
The Goodhue County Board of Commissioners approved the 2027 preliminary budget and levy at its Sept. 15 meeting. The board approved a 2027 budget of $110,084,806 and a preliminary levy of $51,447,431, which is an increase of $3,185,927 from 2026 according to Andrea Benck, assistant to the County Administrator. That is a 6.6% increase in the levy from 2026 to 2027. Benck originally presented a proposed 2027 preliminary levy of $51,939,431, which would have been an increase of $3,677,927, or 7.62%.
Goodhue County board sets preliminary 2027 budget, levy
The Goodhue County Board of Commissioners approved the 2027 preliminary budget and levy at its Sept. 15 meeting. The board approved a 2027 budget of $110,084,806 and a preliminary levy of $51,447,431, which is an increase of $3,185,927 from 2026 according to Andrea Benck, assistant to the County Administrator. That is a 6.6% increase in the levy from 2026 to 2027. Benck originally presented a proposed 2027 preliminary levy of $51,939,431, which would have been an increase of $3,677,927, or 7.62%.
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