At the May 5 meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners, the board Chairman Greg Myhre called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. The board approved the agenda and the minutes from the April 28 regular meeting, with Commissioner Kurt Zehnder abstaining. There was one public comment from Justin Gartner of The Towers, LLC, regarding action item No. 3: the approval or denial … [Read more...]
Something for Everyone in Fillmore and Houston Counties
In the far southeast corner of Minnesota, there are two events that are sure to please everyone, Trout Days in Preston and SEMBA (Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association) Bluegrass Festival in Houston. Both events take place May 15 through May 17. At Trout Days, the first thing to know is that attendees will not go hungry. There is so much to select from that there is a … [Read more...]
Beware: Counterfeit Car Seats on the Rise
Counterfeit car seats can seriously injure – or even kill – our most vulnerable children. The problem is growing, and WinnMed in Decorah, Fillmore County Public Health, and Houston County Public Health are actively working to raise awareness and reduce the risk. All three organizations have Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) who have completed a three- … [Read more...]
Fruechte Recognized for Impact Beyond the Field
Caledonia’s head football coach, Carl Fruechte, received the 2026 John Gagliardi Legacy award on April 19 from the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation. The ceremony was held at the Huntington Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota. “Carl Fruechte has so much respect and admiration across the entire Minnesota High School football community. He develops … [Read more...]
Your Money is Hard at Work in Houston County
The phrase “Your money is hard at work” may be overused, but during the April 28 Houston County Commission meeting, it became immediately clear that taxpayers in Houston County can rest assured that their money is well spent. With only one new business item listed on the agenda, there was time for two presentations. The first was a University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension … [Read more...]
Caledonia Council Gets First-Quarter Financial Update
Finance Officer Stephanie Mann presented the city’s first-quarter financials for review at the April 27 Caledonia City Council meeting. She announced that she and City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson will be meeting with the auditors during the first week of May, possible Thursday, May 7. She expects that the audit report will be presented to the council at the second … [Read more...]
M-C School Board Names Mike Harvey as New Superintendent
The Mabel-Canton School Board approved hiring Mike Harvey as the school’s new superintendent at its April 21 school board meeting. According to his LinkedIn profile, Harvey is currently the CTE Construction teacher at Goodhue Public Schools in Goodhue, Minn. He has been employed in that capacity since August 2024. Before returning to teaching, he served as superintendent at … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School Board Approves Revised Budget
The Spring Grove School Board unanimously approved the revised 2025–2026 revenue and expenditure budget at its April 20 meeting. District Accountant Tanya Elton presented the board with a new report formatted to make it easier for board members to see where the costs are coming from. Elton reminded the board that she is pretty conservative. She underestimates revenues and … [Read more...]
4 to 1 Vote: Mine Density Ordinance Restored in Houston County
The Houston County Board of Commissioners restored the mine density ordinance to its original wording at the board’s April 21 meeting. According to the agenda, the board was tasked with approving or denying a text amendment to the zoning ordinance on mine density standards for Burns & Hansen, P.A., on behalf of Cory and Jackie Baker, Scott Hatleli and Cindy … [Read more...]
Plan Your Perfect Dog-Friendly Getaway
The year’s Visit Bluff Country magazine honors our furry, four-legged friends. We encourage you to go out and experience the vibrant rural communities of historic Bluff Country with your dog. Whether you are planning a day trip, an overnight stay, a weekend adventure or a weeklong trip, the Visit Bluff Country magazine is your must-have resource for all things interesting, … [Read more...]