Portraits in Steele | Page 28
Although that may not be Blooming Prairie in the background, it is the city’s 2019 police officers lined up in the front of a team photo slightly altered by the agency. From left: Chief Greg Skillestad, Rick Ellingson, Craig Helgeson, Corporal Jake Peterson, Sergeant Mark Lang, Matt Miller, Shane St. John, Aaron Friesen and Dan Peach. (Photo courtesy of the Blooming Prairie Police Department)
Unique situation informs coverage, outreach for Blooming Prairie Police Department By BRIDGET KRANZ bkranz@owatonna.com
Around Christmastime, Blooming Prairie Police Department Chief Greg Skillestad takes on another role — Santa Claus. Holding court in the city council chambers, he and fellow officers help pass out sweets and meet with
area families during the agency’s Holiday Open House. Having just celebrated its fourth year, the event used to take place within the
department itself before it outgrew the space — with decorations so dense they even became somewhat of a hazard to those on duty.
