What started out as a fun-filled Labor Day weekend ended in tragedy for Spring Valley couple Tom and Kim Mosher. As part of their family tradition, Kim, her sisters and their children spent much of the weekend at Forestville State Park. Tom spent the day enjoying a motorcycle ride and then he and his son-in-law Emery Swartzentruber joined the family around 4 p.m. Just over … [Read more...]
Outpouring of support following Chatfield fire
It’s been a month since an early morning fire at a two-story apartment complex at 815 Grand Street in Chatfield. Breaking out just after midnight on November 27, the fire displaced eight families and left the building in ruin. While the initial aftermath left the residents scrambling, they say the overwhelming support from the community of Chatfield was unforgettable. Fifteen … [Read more...]
USDA funding available to help low-income individuals and families buy or repair homes
USDA Rural Development has funding availabile for very low- and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. The Direct Home Loan program offers financing to qualified very-low and low-income applicants that are unable to qualify for traditional financing. No down payment is required, and the interest rate could be as low as one … [Read more...]
HomeHelpMN deadline extended
SAINT PAUL, MN – Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho has announced that the application period for HomeHelpMN has been extended until August 17, 2022, at 5 p.m. HomeHelpMN provides $109 million in federal assistance for homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage or other homeownership-related expenses due to factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program … [Read more...]
It takes a village to keep a community safe
The Preston Police Department recently implemented a new program to protect the town’s residents and businesses. The department is creating a database of surveillance cameras in private homes and local businesses to assist the department in case of a crime or an emergency. The project is new to the area and is completely voluntary. “Just like it takes a village to raise a kid, … [Read more...]
USDA accepting applications to help low-income individuals and families buy or repair homes
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for very low- and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. The Direct Home Loan program offers financing to qualified very low- and low-income applicants that are unable to qualify for traditional financing. No down payment is required, and the interest rate could be as low as one … [Read more...]
USDA funding available to help low-income individuals and families buy or repair homes
USDA Rural Development has funding availabile for very low- and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. The Direct Home Loan program offers financing to qualified very-low and low-income applicants that are unable to qualify for traditional financing. No down payment is required, and the interest rate could be as low as 1% … [Read more...]
Recycle your Christmas trees twice!
Johnny and Liz Micheel, who live on a farm between Rushford and Money Creek, are interested in those dried up Christmas trees that everyone will soon be taking down. The Micheels raise goats and have found that the goats love Christmas trees! If you’d like to help give the goats a treat, you can bring your trees to the Rushford City compost site and leave them near the sign for … [Read more...]
Recycling 101 Hazardous Waste Day collection guidelines
By Drew Hatzenbihler Solid Waste Administrator With the cooler weather it means it’s time for another Fillmore County Hazardous Waste Collection. This year’s event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. While life is starting to look more like it did in 2019, things will still look a bit different at this year’s hazardous waste collection. Guidelines … [Read more...]
State grants for Hokah and La Crescent
ST. PAUL – State Representative Greg Davids (R-Preston) announces that the cities of Hokah and La Crescent are among the 32 recipients of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) grants. “I congratulate these cities and the department for working together in securing these grants,” Davids said. “This … [Read more...]
Canton family loses everything in devastating house fire
“You hear about people having fires and getting out with just the clothes on their back. We didn’t even have that,” Jamie Knutson said. He and his family lost their home in Canton to a house fire in the early morning hours of September 10. As it happened around 3:30 a.m., the family members were still in their pajamas and didn’t have time to grab anything on the way out. Due … [Read more...]
Habitat for Humanity to build twin home in Chatfield
Two Rivers Habitat for Humanity, which includes the counties of Olmsted, Steele, Waseca, Dodge and Wabasha, announced that they will build a twin home on a lot in north east Chatfield. The lot with a house was purchased at a tax forfeited auction several years ago. Often these houses can be repurposed but in this case it will need to be torn down. Before the house is … [Read more...]
Home improvement loans available for low income homeowners
Semcac, a Community Action Agency serving southeastern Minnesota, has funds available through Minnesota Housing for housing rehabilitation loans for eligible homeowners in Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona counties. This loan is a 0% interest rate loan (no monthly payments) with a 15-year term or a 10-year term for … [Read more...]
Home improvement loans available for low income homeowners
Semcac, a Community Action Agency serving southeastern Minnesota, has funds available through Minnesota Housing for housing rehabilitation loans for eligible homeowners in Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona counties. This loan is a 0% interest rate loan (no monthly payments) with a 15-year term or a 10-year term for … [Read more...]
Dispose holiday greens and Christmas trees correctly to protect Minnesota’s trees
Invasive pests use festive foliage to hitchhike into Minnesota Holiday greenery brings joy and delight, but is there a humbug lurking in your décor? Trees and boughs can provide diseases and invasive species the perfect ride into our landscape. Pests of concern include elongate hemlock scale, a small insect established in the eastern U.S. where many decorative Fraser firs … [Read more...]
