At the September 12 Harmony, Minn., City Council meeting, City Engineer Brett Grabau, from Stantec, reviewed the feasibility report for the proposed 2024 street and utility project. Three areas had been previously identified, using the 2012 Pavement Management Plan. The areas were Fourth Street North, Snake Alley, and Main Street alleyway. The total estimated project costs were … [Read more...]
A Successful Steam Engine Days
Mabel Mayor Adam Wilder announced at the September 13 Mabel, Minn., City Council meeting that all 5,000 buttons were sold at Steam Engine Days, “Not sure when the last time they did that.” Wilder expressed his thanks to all the groups, Toot & Whistle, Historical Society, Business Association, Mabel Lions, all the volunteers, the Queens, noting, “Everything went great.” He … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board Looks at MCA Results and Enrollment Decline
At the September 13 school board meeting, board members,Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Mark Johnsrud, Katie Priebe and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, principals Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson, Rinnea Kreter, administrative assistant and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Also present were Student Senate members Kiera Kobs and Mary Halvorson. Board … [Read more...]
Teens and Depression — a Back-to-School Concern
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – With many teens heading back to school, peer pressure and academic expectations are once again a reality. These added pressures can cause ups and downs during what can be an already tumultuous time of life. For some teens, though, the lows could be more than just temporary feelings. They could be symptoms of depression. Depression is one of the most … [Read more...]
Houston County Begins 2024 Budget Process
Chairperson Dewey Severson called the Houston County Commission’s regularly scheduled September 5 meeting to order at 9 a.m. Severson led his colleagues and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The board unani-mously approved the meeting agenda noting one change to the consent agenda, and the minutes from the August 22 commission meeting. Commissioner Robert (Bob) Burns … [Read more...]
Houston High School Class of 1968
The Houston High School Class of 1968 celebrated 55 years with a reunion at the Houston Legion on Friday, August 4, 2023. After a delicious lunch, they toured the newly established Houston Museum with Shelley Jerviss. Pictured left to right: Steve Skree, Jude Sather Ledebuhr, Karen Sherry Nelson, Patsy Skadsen Wiste, Peggy Corey, Kathy Runningen, Susie Strong Carpenter, … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council Approves “Filthy Fifty” Street Closure
Lanesboro, Minn., resident Tom Pursell addressed the city council about the issue of flavored tobacco at their September 5 meeting. Pursell asked them to consider the results of a survey taken of Fillmore County teenagers by the health department along with other studies and statistics before the council makes any decisions about an ordinance regarding flavored tobacco. … [Read more...]
College News
Spring Honors List Luther College: Isabelle Berg, Chatfield; Nicole Schultz, Fountain; Sarina Stortz, Mabel; Jasmine Schueler, Rushford; Noah Woxland, Rushford; Kelsey Bratland, Spring Grove; Wyatt Murphy, Spring Grove; Amelia Solum, Spring Grove South Central College: Payton Benson, Lanesboro Winona State University: Emily Barth, Chatfield; Sabina Boettcher, Chatfield; … [Read more...]
Sheriff DeGeorge Returns to Discuss Ostrander Contract
By Patrick Andrews Sheriff John DeGeorge spoke before the Ostrander, Minn., City Council the evening of September 5 after concerns were raised over the steep price hike the city faces to continue its police contract services. Ostrander, which lacks a police department of its own, contracts with Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office for two hours of daily police service. Going … [Read more...]
Preston Adopts 2024 Preliminary Levy
The Preston City Council adopted the preliminary 2024 levy with an increase of 5.84% at their September 5 meeting. The preliminary levy is set at $1,201,705 with an increase of $66,301 from the 2023 levy. When the final levy is adopted in December it can be reduced but not increased. The preliminary numbers are used for property owner valuation notices. City Administrator … [Read more...]
Spring Valley Class of 1955 68th Reunion
The Spring Valley Class of 1955 celebrated their 68th class reunion on June 21, 2023, at the VFW club room in Spring Valley. Dinner was served at noon. They invited the classes of 1954 and 1956 to join for the dessert bar and beverages at 1:30 p.m. to reminisce. Several had replied they were unable to come. Darlene (Freimark) Jordahl and Anna Mae (Costello) Christenson … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Pours Over Budget
At the September 5 meeting, the Rushford Village Council once again reviewed expected expenditures for 2024. Also discussed were additional projects and needs. The council needs to set the preliminary budget and levy by the end of this month. City Clerk Mary Miner noted many communities automatically set the preliminary levy at 10% higher than the previous year, even though … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Sets Public Hearing for Hemp Ordinance Revisions
At the September 5 meeting of the county board, two issues dominated the board’s time, discussion of recommended changes to the Hemp Ordinance and the 2024 budget. Chairman Larry Hindt was absent. Revisions and clarifications to the ordinance that was adopted on May 23 are proposed to make it consistent with Minnesota legislation (Statutes 151.72 and 342). The ordinance will … [Read more...]
Fountain Addresses Nuisance Complaints
Nuisance complaints continue to roll into Fountain City Hall. At the September 6 meeting, the city council discussed the ongoing complaints and how to deal with them. “It’s the same old, same old,” said City Clerk Mary Tjepkes. “Noise complaints.” Mayor Tammy Danielson wants to investigate further with the League of Minnesota Cities and determine the difference between a … [Read more...]
What’s New at Applefest?
Organizers have added two new events to the 75th annual Applefest schedule, September 15-17 in picturesque La Crescent, Minn. The festivities light up the town on Thursday, September 14, with the first-ever Torchlight Parade. Entries will line up at Veterans Memorial parking lot and travel through downtown La Crescent, ending in the Crucifixion parking lot. The parade is … [Read more...]
