Mike and Pauline Wangen appeared before the regular Lanesboro School Board meeting May 11 to ask for a conditional use permit of a 16’x48’ section of school property along the river above the dam. The Wangens are interested in starting a small business renting out waterbikes, which need to be in six inches or more of water for the propellers. According to Pauline Wangen, the … [Read more...]
Will Houston have Christmas decorations next year?
Last Christmas, Houston City Council decided not to have their long-used, well-worn wreaths hung on the city light posts. Many citizens commented on the lack of decorations; as a result, the Hometown Pride group took a look at the tired wreaths to see if they could be restored. Marlene Schultz attended the city council meeting on May 9 and shared the possibility of replacing … [Read more...]
New phones for Houston schools
At their May 5, regular meeting, the Houston School Board approved a new phone system update for the school with a monthly cost of $2,400. This is a bit over $100 in additional cost. Internet-based phones will be installed throughout the school’s buildings. Josh Norlien expressed concern about phone service during power outages, but the school has battery backups for some … [Read more...]
Valley High Golf Club under new ownership
The only 18-hole golf course in Houston County opened April 1, 2022, under new ownership. Jim Wieser, Bill Schmitz, Scott Iverson, and Dave Bubbers were able to play a round of golf on their new course that day; the next day it snowed, forcing them to cancel a college golf tournament scheduled on the course. April’s weather hasn’t been very cooperative for the new owners … [Read more...]
Food truck hearing at Lanesboro City Council
The Lanesboro City Council began their regular monthly meeting with a hearing on permitting food trucks in the city. Many local restaurant owners filled the room and spoke of their concerns to the council. Hal Cropp of the Commonweal Theatre expressed his concern that the requirements of a 50-foot distance from a brick and mortar restaurant and the limitation of only two … [Read more...]
R-P Community Education revamped
At their regular monthly meeting April 20, the Rushford-Peterson School Board heard the plan for a new direction for Community Education. With a deficit of $78.047 for Community Education, which needed to be repaid to the general fund, it was time to make a change. Superintendent Jon Thompson presented the plan to the board. Community Education will be integrated with the … [Read more...]
No fooling—The Creamery and Nordic Lanes are under new ownership!
On April 1 Dean and Kim Mierau and Tony and Jessica Heiden officially opened the doors of The Creamery and Nordic Lanes in Rushford, as the new owners. Jessica quipped that April Fool’s Day was a good day to take over — if it didn’t work out, they could just say it was all a joke. The couples are not going to be claiming it was a joke; they are off to a great start in their … [Read more...]
City of Rushford Village values PWD Trenten Chiglo
At their April 19, 2022 meeting, the City of Rushford Village council members found it necessary to close their meeting to discuss pay and benefits for Public Works Director Trenten Chiglo. Chiglo had been offered a job elsewhere and had submitted his letter of resignation. Upon learning Chiglo was open to counteroffers, the council decided to do their best to retain a valued … [Read more...]
Houston Food Shelf revamped
Laurie LeGrande visited the Houston City Council meeting April 11 to share what she called “the most positive, uplifting news” about the local food shelf. LeGrande, who has run the program for the last eight years, thanked the council for allowing the food shelf to use the city-owned former ambulance building. During COVID, a table was set up near the door and staff … [Read more...]
Houston Schools ponders best use of recent building purchases
Houston Schools recently conducted a survey of students, parents, staff, and community members to gather input on the best use for the former ABLE building and St. Mary’s Catholic Church. A total of 208 people responded. St. Mary’s was seen as a location for extracurricular activities such as dance, one act play, musical rehearsals, lego robotics, and STEM activity space. … [Read more...]
