Cancer Benefit

About 1,300 people attended Saturday's benefit for former Steele County Fair secretary Jim Gleason, who is battling cancer. Team Gleason released a statement, saying, "It was very special for Jim to see so many people that he knew, and, even if he couldn't come up with the names of those with whom he talked, or had difficulty finding the right words to say, Jim hopes that it is communicated to all just how much their support meant to him."

The Owatonna girls' basketball team raced to a 47-18 halftime lead on their way to a 69-48 win over Rochester John Marshall Friday night. More importantly, the packed gym helped raise $2,750 for the American Cancer Society on the Huskies' Coaches Versus Cancer night. Youth night and the pep band added to the festive atmosphere for what may have been a preview of the opening round of the section playoffs later this month.

Owatonna High School basketball and hockey teams have announced cancer fundraising nights to help out local families. Boys' hockey will host 'Stick it to Cancer' Tuesday, January 30 to help Brian "Red" Wencl. Boys' basketball will have its 'Coaches Vs. Cancer' event Friday, February 2 to assist Jim Gleason.

Tackle Cancer Night hits home hard for the Medford Tigers with a player on the roster recently diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma.

It was only a few years ago that Matt Ratzloff was on the diamond at Dartts Park. The 2013 Owatonna grad is battling leukemia in Rochester.

On a winter night in January the Steele County Blades junior hockey team and Owatonna's Youth 1st program hosted Stick it to Cancer Night.