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Good Neighbor: Helping just in her nature BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Her energy, work ethic, generosity and willingness to step up are some of the reasons why three key pillars of the community stepped up to nominate her for the Good Neighbor of the Year. The 2026 Neighbor of the Year is Tracy Colbeth, who has lived in Hugo for 22 years with her husband, Jason. They have two adult children, Jason Jr., 36, and Nicole, 32. “Tracy has been a good neighbor to many and the Hugo community,” Lion Katie Riopel explained. “Three pillars
of our community felt she should be recognized for her behind-the-scenes work and helping others.” Hugo Fire Chief Jim Compton Jr., Hugo Legion Auxiliary Unit President Marcy Brake and Hugo Legion SAL Squadron Leader Bill Juergens are those “pillars,” who felt Colbeth was worthy of the Good Neighbor title. When Colbeth got the call from Riopel to let her know she was selected she says she almost didn’t answer and was shocked. “After I hung up, I called my husband said, ‘you are never going to believe this,’” she recalled. “It was a little
shocking … I do what I do not for the recognition. I do it because that’s my heart.” Colbeth’s work ethic is demonstrated in the fact that she currently works three jobs. She has been the manager of Sally Beauty Supply for 34 years; she has been a waitress at Beartown in White Bear Lake for 16 years; and for the past four years, she has run her own Scentsy business. About three years ago, she was inspired to join the Legion Auxiliary. Her son has been a member of the U.S. Air SEE LONGTIME HUGONIAN, PAGE 2
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The Hugo Lions have selected Tracy Colbeth as the 2026 Good Neighbor of the Year. Colbeth has lived in Hugo for 22 years.
Persistence pays off: Hugo man claims Golden Spike after years of searching BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
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Minnesota High School Rodeo Queen Pearl Overby barrel races at Dead Broke Arena in Hugo
Minnesota State High School Rodeo Finals rides into Hugo
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This weekend, being dead broke will be a good thing. Dead Broke Arena in Hugo
“In the equestrian world, the term ‘broke’ used to refer to a wild horse—you train them, you work with them to the
is hosting the 2026 Minnesota Rodeo High School State Finals at 7 p.m., Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13. Events start at noon on Sunday, June 14.
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BY LOGAN GION STAFF WRITER
Each summer, Tim Sullivan has followed the clues, explored the parks and searched for the Golden Spike only to fall short. After years of narrowing the gap between himself and the hidden rail spike, he finally solved the mystery before the other searchers. “I’m new to medallion hunting,” he explained. “I’ve gone out to look for the Spike for the past five or six years and I’ve gotten closer every year.” Sullivan grew up in White Bear Lake. He graduated from White Bear Lake Area High School in 2002 and built a home in Hugo in 2018. Each year, he says the “mystery” of the hunt has compelled him to search. “I like the hunt. I like solving the clues,” he said. “It also is a way to learn more about the community and the parks that we have. I have visited every single park in the city, and I never would
have ever had a reason to do that other than the spike.” Appearing for the first time in 2006, Hugo’s Centennial Year, Spike continues to commemorate the city’s early years as a railroad town. In 2006, Spike was an authentic rail spike; since then, it’s been a plastic tent peg painted gold by none other than Spike’s official painter: Galen Carlson, president of North Country Auto Body & Mechanical in Hugo. Some years, Sullivan has gotten his children to help him search, but this year he mostly searched solo, although honorable mentions go to his friend and classmate, Dan Werner, who was with him when he found the Spike and his neighbor Adam Bartos, who he confided too. “Me and him (Adam) did some scouting together and he was the person that I discussed my thought process with,” Sullivan said. “He was the only person I trusted