The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recognized Houston County Public Health nurse Mary Zaffke on December 12 with the Betty Hubbard Maternal and Child Health Leadership Award. Presented annually since 1990, the award honors the legacy of Betty Hubbard, a founding member of the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Committee and a lifelong advocate for the health of mothers … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School Receives “Clean” Audit and Approves 6.7% Levy
The Spring Grove School received a clean audit from CLA and approved a 6.7% tax levy during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, December 15. The regular school meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the school library. The board held its annual Truth in Taxation hearing prior to the regular school board meeting. During the required presentation led by Senior … [Read more...]
The Lights Shine Brightly in Harmony
On Sunday, December 14, all were invited to Harmony’s Cancer Memorial Park to remember those who have lost their battle with cancer and those who are fighting the fight. The 20-foot spruce tree in the park will shine brightly every evening throughout December in remembrance of those who have lost their lives and to honor those who are battling cancer. The group explains the … [Read more...]
Houston County Commission Tables Spring Grove Law Enforcement Contract
The Houston County Board of Commissioners spent considerable time discussing the proposed law enforcement contract with the city of Spring Grove during its regular 9 a.m. meeting on December 16. The board ultimately tabled the item to allow time to hear back from Spring Grove officials and to gather answers to the commissioners’ questions regarding the impact of the agreement … [Read more...]
Caledonia Council Ends Year with Library Update and 2026 Levy Approval
The Caledonia City Council completed all its business for the year and unanimously voted to cancel the regularly scheduled council meeting on December 22, 2025. The next council meeting will be held on January 12, 2026. Mayor Jeremy Leis called the December 8 meeting to order at 6 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present were Bob Klug, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, … [Read more...]
Mabel Sets 3.01% Levy
On December 10, the Mabel City Council held its annual Truth in Taxation hearing during the regularly scheduled city council meeting. The council meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mayor Adam Wilder. After the Truth in Taxation hearing, the council adopted the city’s 2026 budget and set the levy at 3.01%. City Clerk Karen Larson had hoped she could get it below 3%, but … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton Joint Board Meeting
During the second quarter of each school year, the Mabel-Canton School Board hosts a joint board meeting with the Mabel and Canton city councils. This year, the joint board meeting was held on Tuesday, December 2, at the Mabel-Canton High School. The joint board meeting is an initiative implemented during Superintendent Gary Kuphal’s tenure at M-C. At the end of each joint … [Read more...]
Caledonia Town Hall Addresses State of Rural Healthcare
The city of Caledonia held a town hall meeting on Tuesday, December 2, at 6 p.m. in the city auditorium to discuss the state of rural healthcare following Mayo Clinic’s announcement that they would be closing its Caledonia clinic at the beginning of December. City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson welcomed attendees and explained why the city hosted the forum. “With so … [Read more...]
Houston County Commissioners Vote Down Proposed Solar Ordinance
At the December 2 Houston County Commission meeting, the board considered a proposed ordinance aimed at regulating commercial solar projects. The ordinance failed to pass, with Commissioners Kurt Zehnder, Bob Schuldt, and Greg Myhre voting against it, and Commissioners Cindy Wright and Eric Johnson voting in favor. If the ordinance had passed, the board would have needed to … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Welcomes Four New Teachers
Spring Grove School District is excited to introduce four new teachers who have joined the Spring Grove community this year: Ethan Papenfuss, Dana Langworthy, Brett Gulbranson, Erin Woods, Jeannine Hisel, and Laura Moen, a group united by their dedication to students and their love of learning. Ethan Papenfuss Growing up near Spring Grove, Ethan Papenfuss always … [Read more...]