If you have a child in kindergarten through second grade, now is the time to sign them up for the 4-H Cloverbud program. According to a 4-H promotional piece, “The purpose of the 4-H Cloverbud Program is to support the positive development of children in grades K-2 as they explore their world, discover possibilities, build self-esteem, and practice the basic social skills … [Read more...]
Grand Meadow Locker Prepares to Open Retail Store
Nick and Rachel Berken, owners of Grand Meadow Locker, are putting the finishing touches on a major remodeling project that will expand the longtime Main Street meat locker into a retail destination for the community. The business, located at 124 Main St. S. in Grand Meadow, has been owned by the Berkens for six years. Since purchasing the building, the couple said they have … [Read more...]
Caledonia Sets Preliminary Tax Levy of 9.98%
The Caledonia City Council adopted Resolution 2026-13, setting the preliminary levy for taxes payable in 2027 at the council’s September 28 regular city council meeting. Finance Director Stephanie Mann once again emphasized that it cannot go up, but it can go down before it is finalized at the December 14 city council meeting. After “tightening the budget,” the preliminary … [Read more...]
Houston County Township Officers Association Holds 65th Annual Banquet
Brownsville resident Richard Cordes, the self-proclaimed Houston County history detective, shared his research on the 1860 Brownsville double homicide in memory of the two victims, mother and daughter, Anna Sofia Hanke and Pauline Hanke, at the Houston County Township Officers Association (HCTOA) 65th annual banquet on September 23 at the Four Seasons Community Center in … [Read more...]
Houston County Declares State of Emergency and Sets Preliminary Tax Levy
The Houston County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency for damage resulting from the September 19 severe storms at the September 22 regular commission meeting. Sheriff Brian Swedberg, filling in for Emergency Management Director Mark Olson, said, “On Friday night, we had a considerable amount of damage throughout the county, with only six townships and the … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School Board Sets Proposed Property Tax Levy and Truth in Taxation Hearing
The Spring Grove School Board met September 21 in the school’s learning resource center, where members approved several routine business items and heard updates from district administrators. Chairperson Stephanie Jaster called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Other board members present were Ashley Olson, Rhan Flatin, Kelly Rohland and Jaster. Lisa Myhre and Mariah Klug were … [Read more...]
Miken Sports’ All-American Story Started in a Garage
Senior Director BUL (Brand Business Unit Leader) Slowpitch Mike Rommes sat down earlier this month to share the story of Miken Sports located in Caledonia, Minnesota. Mike Snow and Ken Prieve co-founded the company in 1992 in Hartland, Wisconsin, as a small garage prototyping shop for custom composite materials. The name MIKEN was created from the founders’ first names. … [Read more...]
Caledonia Council Weighs Proposed 12% Levy Increase
Caledonia City Council members reviewed the city’s proposed 2027 budget and tax levy in detail during their regular meeting on September 14. Finance Officer Stephanie Mann reminded the council that the preliminary levy will be set at the September 28 city council meeting because it is due to the county by the end of the month. She also noted that once the preliminary levy is … [Read more...]
Houston County Seeks Budget Reductions Ahead of Setting the Preliminary Levy
The Houston County Board of Commissioners discussed department budget proposals with Sheriff Brian Swedberg and County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski at the September 15 commission meeting. A 14% levy is almost $2.5 million more. Commissioner Bob Schuldt said that it is tough everywhere. “It is a matter of needs and wants, and we really need to figure out what is a need and a … [Read more...]
M-C School Board Sets Preliminary Levy and Truth-in-Taxation Hearing
At its September 15 meeting, the Mabel-Canton School Board set the preliminary levy at the maximum level and set the Truth-in-Taxation hearing and final levy certification for December 15 at 6:01 p.m., prior to the regularly scheduled school board meeting. The board was reminded that the levy cannot increase, but it can be reduced when the official levy is set in … [Read more...]