The Caledonia City Council met in regular session on Monday, October 27, at 6 p.m. at city hall. Mayor Jeremy Leis called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. As is customary, Financial Officer Stephanie Mann reported that she continues to “tweak all the time and getting answers on things” regarding the 2026 budget reminding the council that the levy will … [Read more...]
Houston County Public Health and Human Services Director Retires
At the October 28 meeting of the Houston County Commission, the board recognized retiring Public Health and Human Services Director John Pugleasa with a round of applause and thanked him for his nine years of service to the residents of Houston County. Chairman Eric Johnson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. He led his fellow commissioners and the audience in the Pledge … [Read more...]
The Leiding Family Farm Legacy
On a crisp fall day just outside Fountain, Minn., the hum of harvest activity fills the air at the Leiding family farm. While Todd Leiding was busy tuning up equipment for the season, his wife Stacy Leiding and her mother Shirley Fingerson graciously sat down to share the story of a multi-generational family farm rich in history, hard work, and heart. The Leiding family … [Read more...]
Houston County Commissioners Hold Regularly Scheduled Commission Meeting
The Houston County Board of Commissioners held its regularly scheduled meeting on October 21, 2025. Chairman Eric Johnson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners present included Cindy Wright, Eric Johnson, Kurt Zehnder, Robert (Bob) Schuldt, and Greg Myhre. The meeting agenda, minutes from the October 7 board meeting and … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton Receives Clean Audit Report
Riley Knutson with Smith Schafer presented the Mabel-Canton school’s financial summary for the school year ending June 30, 2025, at the October 21 school board meeting. Board members present included Jason Marquardt, Dustin Tollefsrud, Traci Livingood, Amber Tripp, and Mark Weidemann. Diane Wilder was absent. Knutson announced that the school received an unmodified “Clean” … [Read more...]
Three Generations of Exceptional Service and Dedication in Caledonia
For 50 years, Wiebke Tire has kept Caledonia and the surrounding communities moving, on the road and in the fields. Now entering its third generation of ownership, the business continues to thrive under Chad Wiebke, who works alongside Jon Kruse and a dedicated crew of five: Greysen Prouix, Hunter Augestine, Jim Hauser, Garrett Waldenberger and Gerald Schroeder. Although … [Read more...]
Bonnie Haugen: A Woman of Many Hats
Fillmore County resident Bonnie Haugen wears many hats – wife, mother, grandmother, regenerative grazing dairy farmer, steward of the land, speaker, volunteer, advocate, educator, and more. This story begins with a recent highlight in Haugen’s life before looking back on her many accomplishments as a grazing dairy farmer. Among her life’s memorable moments, being invited to … [Read more...]
National Co-Op Month – AcenTek: Building a Better World Since 1950
October is National Co-op Month. A time to celebrate the many ways cooperatives strengthen their communities, something Ace Telephone Association, doing business as AcenTek, has exemplified since its founding. From the beginning, AcenTek has been guided by cooperative principles and a deep commitment to its members. From day one until today, AcenTek’s commitment has been to … [Read more...]
Caledonia, the First City in Minnesota with an Official Song
At the October 13 Caledonia City Council meeting, Mayor Jeremy Leis signed a proclamation recognizing the song “Caledonia,” written and recorded by Dougie MacLean, as Caledonia’s official song. The song was selected in honor of Caledonia’s founder, Captain Samuel McPhail, a settler and pioneer of Scottish ancestry. Councilmember John Rauk, who proposed the idea of having an … [Read more...]
Eitzen City Council Breezes Through Meeting Agenda
Mayor Jeff Adamson called the October 14 meeting of the Eitzen City Council to order at 6:09 p.m. Present at the meeting were council members Doug Meyer, Mitch Lange and Mayor Adamson. City Clerk Steve Schuldt was also in attendance. A motion was made by Councilmember Meyer to approve the minutes from the September 9 city council meeting. The motion was seconded by Lange … [Read more...]