October 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11, Issue 10)
October 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11, Issue 10)
Headlines are provided below. Click to read each story in the newsletter.
Law Enforcement Memorial
A dedication several years in the making was held on September 11 by the Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation of SE MN. In 2024, work was done to level off the main floor of the memorial as pervious pavers were installed in the shape of the Memorial Foundation logo, which is shaped like a forget-me-not flower made up of five badges or patches symbolizing the five levels of American law enforcement, municipal, county, state, federal, and military police. Flagpole installation for the US, Minnesota, and Thin Blue Line flags. Pathways lead visitors throughout the peaceful garden area of the memorial space. The program culminated with the thin blue line being lit for the first time on the obelisk. Several landscaping companies donated over 200 plants and labor to place them on the main floor of the memorial.
There is still more to do; visit the website link below for more information. In the meantime, this beautiful space is a peaceful setting to honor and remember our fallen officers. Thank you so much to all that have supported this endeavor.
Learn more about the memorial.
Sentence to Service
Detention Deputy Jeremy Danielson
The Sentence to Service (STS) program is a valuable program coordinated by the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office to assist city, county, township, school districts, state and nonprofit entities throughout Olmsted County. The STS program is an alternative sentencing for the courts that puts carefully selected, nonviolent offenders to work on community improvement projects. Supervised by STS crew leaders; Detention Deputy Jeff Coe, Detention Deputy Jeremy Danielson and Detention Deputy Kaitlin Bain.
Benefits
The STS program provides benefits to:
- Courts by creating a good sentencing option that may be used as an alternative to jail.
- Corrections system by reducing jail crowding and reserving space for dangerous offenders who require incarceration.
- Offenders by providing them with a positive way to repay the community for offenses.
- Taxpayers by improving public parks and other areas.
- Non-profit agencies who receive thousands of hours of assistance with labor-intensive projects.
Where
STS operates throughout Olmsted County, and its projects vary widely depending on the season. In the summer months, projects include litter pickup at local township festivals, lawn care, and our biggest projects each year, the Olmsted County Fair. Sixty percent of our projects come from the county parks. STS is the leading providers for campfire wood, trail development, and various projects best suited for the quiet months of the parks.
The table below illustrates the number of hours completed for the various agencies thus far in 2025.
|
Agencies |
Hours |
|---|---|
|
Local Non-Profit |
314 |
|
Olmsted County Fair |
1062 |
|
Local Townships |
356 |
| Law Enforcement Memorial/Soldiers Field |
529 |
| Sheriff's Office |
398 |
| Oxbow Park |
3603 |
| Graham Park |
1341 |
| Government Grounds |
1591 |
| City of Rochester |
766 |
| Chester Woods |
1669 |
| Adult Detention Center |
59 |
Dollar Benefit
If STS workers were actually paid an hourly wage of $15, the estimated dollar benefit of their labor would be around $200,000.
2025 STS Highlights:
In early spring, we assist the parks with control burns. The whole unit smells like a bon fire in the month of April.
To keep the invasive species Buckthorn under control, STS operates the brush
mower through the woods.
Trimming trees at Oxbow Zoo in February.
It was super cold!
Monthly Snapshot: Olmsted County Estimated Savings through STS
|
Location |
STS Hours | Estimated Savings at $15/Hour |
|---|---|---|
|
ADC |
59 | $885 |
|
Chester Woods |
1669 | $25,035 |
|
City of Rochester |
766 | $11,490 |
|
Government Grounds |
1591 | $23,865 |
|
Graham Park |
1341 | $20,115 |
|
Oxobow Park |
3603 | $54,045 |
|
Sheriff's Office |
398 | $5,970 |
|
Law Enforcement Memorial/Soldier's Field |
529 | $7,935 |
|
Local Townships |
356 | $5,340 |
|
County Fair |
1062 | $15,930 |
|
Local Non-Profit |
314 | $4,710 |
| Total County Savings |
$175,320 |
Dates of Interest
October 1
Dover City Council Meeting
October 5
Pleasant Grove Township Meeting
Quincy Township Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
October 6
Elmira Township Meeting
High Forest Township Meeting
Oronoco Township Meeting
October 7
Olmsted County Board Meeting
Salem Township Meeting
October 8
Eyota City Council Meeting
Rochester Township Meeting
October 12
Cascade Township Meeting
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Orion Township Meeting
Rock Dell Township Meeting
October 13
Byron City Council Meeting
Marion Township Meeting
New Haven Township Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
October 19
Eyota Township Meeting
Kalmar Township Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
October 20
Pine Island City Council Meeting
October 21
Farmington Township Meeting
Haverhill Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
Oronoco City Council Meeting
October 22
Eyota City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Fire Meeting
Olmsted County Township Assoc Meeting
October 26
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Dover Township Meeting
Viola Township Meeting
October 27
Stewartville City Council Meeting
Senior Administration
Sheriff
Kevin Torgerson
Director - ADC
Samantha Reps
Captains
David Adams
Andy Danielson
Macey Tesmer
Chief Deputy - LEC
James Schueller
Captains
Jon Jacobson
Kelly Lee
Ryan Mangan
Tim Parkin
Chris Wallace
Executive Assistant
Laura Collins