Star Tribune
Two small central Minnesota banks merge, increase lending limit to $6.2M
Two central Minnesota banks are merging to bolster the size and resources of the community institutions.
First State Bank of Sauk Centre and Little Falls-based Pine Country Bank will operate as Pine Country Bank, per a Monday announcement. Regulatory authorities have already approved the merger, which will complete in January.
“We’d be considered an agricultural bank,” said Rob Ronning, CEO of Pine Country Bank. “It makes up the largest portion of our portfolio.”
Ronning said the merged bank’s lending limit will likely increase from $4.1 million to $6.2 million. As of June 30, Pine Country Bank had assets of $244 million and First State Bank had assets of $157 million.
Holding company MidCountry Acquisition, based in Minneapolis, owned and operated both banks and drove their merger.
“They were just looking to get more efficient,” Ronning said of MidCountry’s motivation to combine the financial entities.
Pine Country Bank — which began in 1927 as the Royalton State Bank — has branches in Little Falls, Rice and Royalton. First State Bank has locations in Sauk Centre and downtown Minneapolis. Pine Country has 40 employees while First State employs 15 staffers.
Last week, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half a percentage point. Ronning is optimistic about the impact of that on the banking industry.
Alexandria’s pain was felt throughout Hopkins High School’s gymnasium.
The Clemson commit left because of a right shoulder injury after a Raiders basket pulled them within 48-43 with 12:25 remaining. He returned two minutes later with the lead down to one at 50-49. Thompson made a difference defensively as the Cardinals scored six unanswered points, but writhed in pain every time he touched the ball on offense. He exited for good with 8:53 remaining.
Three days later, Alexandria dropped an 81-76 decision to No. 5 Sauk Rapids-Rice (3-0) without the services of Thompson.
Records through Wednesday, Dec. 11. Teams are Class 4A unless noted.
1. Cretin-Derham Hall (3-0). Last week’s ranking: No. 1
2. Hopkins (3-0). Last week: No. 3
3. Orono (Class 3A, 2-0). Last week: No. 7
Three Minnesotans are among the roughly 1,500 granted clemency Thursday by President Joe Biden in the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.
Clemency is the term for the power the president has to pardon, in which a person is relieved of guilt and punishment, or to commute a sentence, which reduces or eliminates the punishment but doesn’t exonerate the wrongdoing.
Those pardoned Thursday had been convicted of nonviolent crimes such as drug offenses and turned their lives around, White House lawyers said.
Here are details spelled out by the White House for each of the three Minnesotans and a woman from western Wisconsin:
Kelsie Lynn Becklin, 38, Falcon Heights: Becklin pleaded guilty to a nonviolent offense at age 21. After successfully serving her sentence, she furthered her education and recently completed a Ph.D. program. In addition to her graduate program research and academic writing, she mentors previously incarcerated individuals who also seek to pursue higher education. She is also an active volunteer in her community. “Friends and professors attest to her work ethic, dedication and genuine care for others.”
Sarah Jean Carlson, 49, Coon Rapids: Carlson pleaded guilty to a nonviolent offense and received early termination of her probationary sentence. Since then, she has furthered her education and worked in addiction counseling at a faith-based rehabilitation center. Carlson also volunteers in her local community and at her church. “Community members emphasize that she goes above and beyond to help as many people in crisis as possible.”
Lashawn Marrvinia Walker, 51, of Minneapolis: Walker pleaded guilty to nonviolent drug offenses in her 20s. She received early termination of her probationary sentence for her exemplary probation record. Since then, Walker has worked in the healthcare field, is an engaged parent, and regularly assists others in her community, including during the holidays when she helps serve dinner at a retirement home. “People in her community describe Ms. Walker as caring, good-hearted, and responsible. They also note her willingness to meaningfully help others.”
The list also includes one person from western Wisconsin:
The start of the 2024-2025 girls basketball season has been topsy-turvy.
We are still two weeks away from Christmas and there are only seven unbeaten teams remaining in the top two classes. They are: New Prague (4-0) and Sartell-St. Stephen (4-0) in Class 4A, and Austin (4-0), Mahtomedi (2-0), Marshall (6-0), Monticello (4-0) and Rock Ridge (4-0) in Class 3A.
Class 2A Providence Academy, led by junior standout Maddyn Greenway, climbs into the No. 1 spot after beating its fourth Class 4A school. The Lions own victories over No. 2 Maple Grove, No. 13 Eastview and No. 20 Lakeville North. Greenway’s three-point shooting led a dramatic comeback from a nine-point deficit late in the second half in a 82-75 victory over Maple Grove.
No. 5 Hopkins suffered its first loss, falling to Eastview 68-61 as it learns to play without 5-9 senior guard Tatum Woodson, their floor leader. She is sidelined because of a knee injury suffered in a 64-62 victory over Class 3A’s top team, No. 7 Benilde-St. Margaret’s.
Records through Wednesday, Dec. 11. Teams are Class 4A unless noted.
1. Providence Academy (Class 2A, 8-0). Last week’s ranking: No. 2
2. Maple Grove (4-1). Last week: No. 3
3. Wayzata (4-1). Last week: No. 4
