As I glance out the window and write this column, my world is awash in a sea of white. As a counterpoint to winter, seed catalogs are spread out across the dining room table. The colorful illustrations of tempting veggies and favorite flowers are a sharp contrast to all that white. Dishes made with frozen roasted pasta sauce and canned pears with cinnamon basil or fennel fronds … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2017
Fillmore County Police Reports ~ February 6, 2017
Chatfield Police Department Jorge Torres Jr., 39, Waseca, Minn.; 6/12/2016, Domestic Assault – Commits Act with Intent to Cause Fear of Immediate Bodily Harm or Death, Fine $1,000 (stay $700 until 1/18/2018), Total Fees $390. Local Confinement – 90 days (stay 80 days for one year). Credit for time served: three days. Start remaining jail time February 18 - will get credit … [Read more...]
Fillmore County District Court ~ February 6, 2017
On January 23, Johnie Lynn Bellock, 54, of Rushford, appeared before District Court Judge Matthew J. Opat. Bellock is charged with two felonies; Burglary - 1st Degree - Dwelling - Occupied - No Accomplice Present, and Burglary - 2nd Degree - Dwelling. The first carries a maximum criminal penalty of 20 years in prison, a $35,000 fine, or both, the second a maximum criminal … [Read more...]
Athlete of the Week ~ Coranda Vickerman
Conservationists honored at MASWCD convention
By Jeanette Serfling Administrative Assistant Andrea and Jeff Eickhoff and Ruth and Norman Eickhoff were honored at a luncheon at the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s (MASWCD) Annual Convention, which was held in December in Bloomington where Outstanding Conservationists from across Minnesota were recognized and competed for the title of … [Read more...]
The benefits of trees and windbreaks
By Rick Grooters Resource Conservation Technician Whether we live in town or on a farm, everyone should be concerned about the welfare of our trees. We may be inclined to take our trees for granted. Trees are major contributors to our quality of life. Our trees combat global warming by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. Trees reduce air … [Read more...]
Fillmore SWCD offers internship opportunities
By Donna Rasmussen Administrator Since 2010, the Fillmore SWCD has been host to one or two summer interns each year. Beginning in 2012, those interns have been hired through the Conservation Corps Minnesota Conservation Apprenticeship program. Conservation apprentices serve alongside a natural resource professional in a Minnesota Soil and Water Conservation District … [Read more...]
Water quality work just got a whole lot bigger for the Root and Upper Iowa River basins!
By Jennifer Ronnenberg Water Management Coordinator The Root River One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) was approved in December 2016 by its 13-member policy committee, following approval by the MN Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR). The Root River 1W1P Policy Committee was formed in 2015 for the preparation of one of the state’s first comprehensive watershed scale … [Read more...]
Minnesota Buffer Law
By Rick Grooters Resource Conservation Technician and Anne Koliha Engineering Technician In the summer of 2015, Governor Dayton signed into law a new buffer initiative aimed at enhancing the protection of Minnesota’s waters. The buffers are to protect our water resources from erosion and runoff pollution. The buffers are to be installed by November 1, 2017 on all DNR … [Read more...]
Fillmore SWCD 2017 forestry field day theme is “Using fire for vegetation management”
The Fillmore SWCD 2017 Forestry Field Day will be held Wednesday, July 26 at Forestville State Park. This year’s theme, “Using fire for vegetation management (without calling 911!)”, will cover topics such as comparing a site that has been burned on a regular basis with one that has not, the permitting process, creating a firebreak, how woodland burning differs from grassland … [Read more...]