The Spring Grove School Board unanimously approved by roll call base construction bids totaling $2.4 million at its October 21 regularly scheduled meeting. Chad Pike, Senior Project Manager at Kraus-Anderson Construction Company, reviewed the bids in detail before the board voted. He noted that the bids went out as planned this fall, with bids due at the beginning of … [Read more...]
Houston County Attorney Jandt Resigns; Meiners Appointed as Environmental Services Director
At the October 22 meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners, the board unanimously accepted the resignation of County Attorney Samuel Jandt effective January 4, 2025. At the same time, the board accepted the reassignment of Amelia Meiners from the position of Interim Environmental Services Director to probationary, full-time Environmental Services Director, effective … [Read more...]
A Journey of Strength and Hope Through Breast Cancer and Pregnancy
Pregnancy is often a joyful time for families, and that was certainly true for Kirsten DeJarlais Snell, her husband Paul, and their two children, Kendall, age 4 ½, and Gable, age 2 ½. The family was eagerly anticipating the arrival of their newest member. The Origins Story Kirsten, 36, refers to the beginning of her breast cancer journey as the “origin story.” At 35 … [Read more...]
The Sound of Enthusiasm Fills the Music Room at St. Mary’s
Meet the energetic new music teacher at St. Mary’s School in Caledonia, Molly Graff. She comes from a family of teachers. In fact, she is the fourth generation of teachers in her family and the second-generation music teacher. Her mother recently retired from teaching music. “It holds a special place in my heart that my great-great-grandma was a teacher, and then both of my … [Read more...]
Discover a Fall Tour Crafted Just for You
Harvest season is upon us, and the landscape is ablaze with fall. With perfect weather for a tour, there’s no better time to explore the three wineries, two distilleries, and four breweries that call Fillmore and Houston Counties home. A one-of-a-kind tour crafted just for you makes exploring the vibrant farming communities of Bluff Country a breeze. Before you embark on … [Read more...]
M-C Moves Forward on Bond Referendum
The Mabel-Canton School Board met in regular session on October 15, with all members present. The board unanimously approved moving forward with a bond referendum not to exceed $8.94 million. Sue Peterson of ISG and Jason Peterson of Kraus-Anderson were on hand to review the results of the survey, the costs, and financing so the board could make an information decision. The … [Read more...]
Zenke Inc. Awarded Contract to Replace 1970s Stormwater Pipe
The Caledonia City Council approved the proposal from Zenke Inc. to replace 400 feet of stormwater pipe, during its meeting on Monday, October 14, 2024. According to a staff report from Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug, the proposal entails removing 400 feet of rusted and deteriorating metal culvert pipe and replacing it with 48-inch HDPE pipe. This work will involve … [Read more...]
Commissioners Interview for Position of Houston County Environmental Services Director
Lydia Gaunitz and Amelia Meiners interviewed for the position of Environmental Services Director on October 15 during the regular meeting of the Houston County Commission. The candidates were asked 10 questions and had 45 minutes to respond to all of them. The questions covered various topics, including the role of the director, their leadership style, and their skill set. … [Read more...]
Up Up and Away!
Plan to attend the annual Caledonia Balloon Rally from October 18-20 where ten hot air balloons are scheduled to launch from the field behind the Caledonia Middle School/High School at 825 N. Warrior Drive. The Caledonia Balloon Rally planning committee is excited to invite everyone to this year’s event, which has been a beloved tradition in Caledonia since 1990. The balloon … [Read more...]
A Creative Approach to Achieving Work-Life Balance
Balancing work and life is a challenge many women face, but Courtney Bergey Swanson has found her path through creativity. For many women, juggling responsibilities like childcare, sick kids, and figuring out dinner – beyond frozen chicken nuggets – can be overwhelming. “It’s a huge balance,” Courtney emphasized. Courtney lives in Rochester, Minn., with her husband James, … [Read more...]