During the December 9 city council meeting, the city of Whalan approved the transfer of ownership of the city’s municipal electric system to MiEnergy Cooperative effective January 1, 2025. Present at the regularly scheduled Whalan meeting were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Thore E. Johnson and Sheila Higbe. Councilmember Owen Lewis attended the meeting … [Read more...]
MiEnergy to Take Over Whalan Municipal Electric System
After reviewing election results, including the question on the ballot regarding Whalan’s municipal electric system, the city of Whalan will be transferring ownership of its municipal electric system to MiEnergy Cooperative effective January 1, 2025. Present at the November 12 Whalan City Council meeting were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Thore E. Johnson, … [Read more...]
Whalan Discusses Ballfield Improvements
Following the regularly scheduled monthly city council meeting on October 14, 2024, the city of Whalan held a special meeting to discuss two separate topics and to hear from city residents about each topic. Present at the October regular council meeting were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Owen Lewis, Thore E. Johnson, Sheila Higbe and Kim Berekvam. City … [Read more...]
Whalan City Council to Hold Public Hearing
During the September 9 regularly scheduled Whalan City Council meeting a date was set for a public hearing for the Short-term Rental Ordinance as well as a discussion of an upcoming ballot item. Present at the meeting were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Owen Lewis, Thore E. Johnson, Sheila Higbe and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also … [Read more...]
Whalan Approves Short-Term Rental Ordinance
After many months of hard work by the Planning and Zoning Committee, the Whalan City Council approved a short-term rental ordinance during it’s August 12 meeting. Present at the regularly scheduled council meeting was Mayor David Hallum, along with council members Owen Lewis, Thore E. Johnson, Sheila Higbe and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also in … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Class of 2024 Honors Hunter Bergo’s Legacy
The words “always be humble and kind,” from the Tim McGraw song “Humble and Kind,” are words that mean so much to so many people but for Hunter Bergo’s family, friends and classmates those words have become a source of strength, resilience and especially remembrance. Born on November 30, 2005, Hunter was just 10 years old when he passed away in an ATV accident near his home … [Read more...]
Whalan Lutheran Church Celebrates 150 Years
You are invited to come and rejoice with the congregation of the Whalan Lutheran Church in Whalan, Minn., as they celebrate the sesquicentennial of the church on July 21, 2024. Church service will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch in the church hall. As an added bonus Brad Boice will entertain the crowd at 2 p.m. Commemorative items will also be available for purchase … [Read more...]
Whalan to Host Good ‘Ol Days Celebration
The city of Whalan will soon be hosting its Good ‘Ol Days Celebration once again and everyone is invited to come and visit and meet friends and neighbors of Whalan past and present. This good news was announced at the Whalan City Council meeting which was held on July 8 at the Whalan Town Hall. Present at the regularly scheduled council meeting were Mayor David Hallum, along … [Read more...]
Whalan Nearing Decision on Municipal Electric System
After months of discussion the city of Whalan is getting closer to making a final decision on the future of the city’s municipal electric system. Present at the June 10 regularly scheduled city council meeting were Mayor David Hallum, along with council members Owen Lewis, Thore E. Johnson, Kim Berekvam and Sheila Higbe. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also in … [Read more...]
Improvements Made at Lanesboro Cemetery
For many decades the first thing visitors would notice while driving into the Lanesboro Cemetery was the same – 11 large pine trees providing not only shade, but offering solace and peace as well. Over the past several years as the condition of the trees deteriorated, it was time for the Lanesboro Cemetery Association Board of Directors to make a decision on the future of the … [Read more...]
Whalan to Hold Special Hearing on Municipal Electric System
Present at the May 13, 2024, regularly scheduled city council meeting was Mayor David Hallum, along with council members Owen Lewis, Thore E. Johnson, Kim Berekvam and Sheila Higbe. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also present. The agenda was approved with the addition of Gravel on Deep River Road under New Business. Minutes of the regular meeting held April 8 and … [Read more...]
Shannon Kochie Teacher of the Year 2024
A person never knows what the day might bring. That was certainly true for Shannon Kochie, a third grade Humanities teacher at Caledonia Elementary School on April 30, 2024. Kochie was not feeling quite up to par that morning and contacted Superintendent Craig Ihrke to request a substitute teacher. Knowing that all the plans were in place to surprise Kochie later that … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Area Community Foundation Hosts Annual Banquet
There was community spirit in the air during the Lanesboro Area Community Foundation (LACF) annual banquet held on April 7, 2024. The banquet, which was held at the Lanesboro Community Center, is an annual event that the city of Lanesboro and the surrounding area have come to look forward to with anticipation each spring. Highlights of this year’s banquet included speaker … [Read more...]
Whalan Council Receives Expungement Request
The Whalan City Council received an expungement request from a former city employee who pleaded guilty to embezzlement of public funds and theft by swindle in 2022. Present at the regularly scheduled council meeting was Mayor David Hallum, along with council members Owen Lewis, Kim Berekvam, Thore E. Johnson and Sheila Higbe. City Clerk/Treasurer Theresa Grossell attended … [Read more...]
A Day for the Birds at Good Earth Village
It would be difficult to find a better way to spend a sunny March day than time spent at Good Earth Village (GEV) near Spring Valley, Minn. Add to that a delicious lunch, and a speaker as knowledgeable and witty as Al Batt and you have a trifecta. The Lunch and Learn event, held at Good Earth Village (GEV) on Tuesday, March 19 was titled “Birding with Batt,” giving a hint … [Read more...]