Victoria Gazette - Victoria Moments

BIG FISH, LITTLE GIRL. The little girl who caught the biggest fish (a 6.245 lb northern) at the Victoria Ice Fishing Contest is Aurora Ross of Victoria. Aurora (center) won a Strikemaster Ice Auger donated by the Glen Lake Animal Hospital.

Andrew Heger, Victoria Fire Chief

Victoria, Minnesota

CAKE EATER CLASSIC COMEBACK. The Chanhassen Storm 8A boys basketball team recently won the Cake Eater Classic title on January 27th in Edina. They did it by knocking off three of the top teams in the state in their division in Osseo Maple Grove (60-55), Wayzata (55-40), and Eden Prairie (55-51). But their biggest accomplishment came in the championship game by overcoming an early 21-4 deficit to "storm" back for a convincing 68-59 victory over a tough Farmington squad. The team is wrapping up their final season of travel basketball and is currently 19-11 on the season.

Left to right: Keaton Boll (Victoria), Leo Klehr (Victoria), Braden Barger (Victoria), Carter Van Holland (Carver), Josh Och (Victoria), Mitchell Fix (Victoria), Grant Muffenbier (Victoria), Everette Foudray (Victoria), and Peter Weisman (Chanhassen).

Paul Fix

Victoria, Minnesota

A VERY PRECIOUS LITTLE TREE TO ENJOY. We grow at our own pace in our own places. Our environment asks us to arrange and fit in our spaces. In broken environments, we grow on.

Janie Jasin

Author of The Littlest Christmas Tree

Victoria, Minnesota

HOCKEY CHAMPIONS AT OSSEO-MAPLE GROVE. The Chaska Chanhassen Stormhawks Squirt A team was crowned champions in the OMGHA Squirt Extravaganza A division on December 30th, 2018. After going 3-0 in pool play, including a 5-1 win over Osseo-Maple Grove (ranked #9 in YHH staff ratings), they pulled out a win in the semifinals 1-0 against Osseo-Maple Grove Crimson (ranked #4 in YHH staff rankings) with a goal in the third period. They again faced Osseo-Maple Grove White, this time in the championship and after falling behind 2-0 after the first period, battled back and won the game 6-3 to claim 1st Place!

Front: Goalie Grant Atterson. Middle (l-r): Blake Kennedy, Ryan Spalding, Haley Box, Kalen Balliet (Victoria), Logan Smith (behind, Victoria Elementary School), Paxton Lee (Victoria Elementary School). Back: Gavin Anderson, Jack Kultgen, Carson Uhlenkamp, Holden Palmquist, Wyatt Florek, Peter Vidmar, Nolan Warner (Victoria), Zachary Markwell. Head Coach is Doug Warner (Victoria). Assistant Coaches: Chad Lee, Nick Smith, Dan Kennedy.

Amy Balliet, Team Manager

Victoria, Minnesota

GUARDIAN OF SMALL BUSINESS AWARD. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Minnesota announced the presentation of its Guardian of Small Business award to Senator Scott Jensen (R-Victoria/Chaska) for his votes in support of small businesses in the Minnesota State Senate. With 10,000 members statewide, NFIB is Minnesota's largest small-business group.

"As a practiciing physician who operates my own clinic, I understand firsthand the struggles that small business owners face," said Senator Jensen. "Too often, government imposes unnecessary barriers on small business that limit growth and job creation. I will continue to support policies that promote and encourage the success of local mainstreet businesses."

Senator Jensen received a 100% rating from the group for his votes during the 2017-2018 sessions of the Minnesota Legislature, including support for legislation signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton (DFL) that resulted in a significant small-business property tax reduction, a significant increase in the estate tax exemption that particularly helps family farms, and a much needed 25% reduction in health insurance premiums for those on the individual market.

Further, Senator Jensen supported critical legislation that preempts local units of government from enacting minimum wages higher than the state's, and from imposing other new mandates on local employees.

"Senator Jensen is a real friend of small business, and we are happy to announce that he has earned the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award," said Mike Hickey, NFIB Minnesota State Director.

Joel Hanson, Communications

Minnesota State SenateSt. Paul, Minnesota

CHRIS BASO of Victoria has joined the Minnetonka Business Center of Principal Financial Group. He will serve as a Financial Services Representative, Principal Securities Registered Representative, and Financial Advisor. He will be working with individuals and businesses to help build plans and strategies to help achieve financial goals.

Baso has more than 12 years working in the insurance and financial services industry, most recently serving as Regional Marketing Manager (Life and Annuity Wholesaler) at United Life Insurance Company, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The Minnetonka Business Center is located in Minnetonka. Principal helps people and companies build, protect, and advance their financial wellbeing through retirement, insurance, and asset management solutions that fit their lives.

Maureen Neumann

Principal Financial Group

Minnetonka, Minnesota

MORE VICTORIA MOMENTS IN PAPER EDITION.

JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME

Waconia 952-442-2121