On September 11, Dustin John Severson, 36 of Spring Valley, appeared before District Court Judge Matthew J. Opat. Severson is charged with three felonies; Possess Ammo/Any Firearm - Conviction for Crime of Violence, Assault - 2nd Degree - Dangerous Weapon, and Terroristic Threats - Reckless Disregard Risk. The first carries a maximum criminal penalty of 15 years in prison … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation awards $192,500 in COVID-19 Response Grants to small towns
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently approved 22 grants through its Small Town Grant: COVID-19 Response program totaling $192,500 to support towns of 10,000 or less in SMIF’s 20-county region. The Small Town Grant program was launched in 2017 to support smaller communities which often lack sufficient financial resources to help them grow and address … [Read more...]
Four-way stop installation planned in Spring Valley at Hwy 63-16 intersection
Motorists using the intersection of Hwys 63 and 16 in Spring Valley will soon encounter a new four-way stop, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The signs being installed will include flashing LED lights around the signs, which will be placed in each direction. The intersection includes Hwy 63/16 to the west, Fillmore County Road 1 to the north, Hwy 16 … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeking applications for Early Care and Education Wrap Around Grants
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), is currently accepting applications for its Early Care and Education Wrap Around Grant program. This special grant program will help fund early care and education wrap around services for children birth to age eight from underserved populations impacted by the … [Read more...]
Eight Minnesota schools receive National Blue Ribbon School Honors
September 24, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today recognized eight Minnesota schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. “Congratulations to this year’s National Blue Ribbon School awardees,” said Secretary DeVos. “It’s a … [Read more...]
Fillmore and Houston County Police Reports
Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office Cindy Romero Boettcher, 41, Preston, Minn.; 9/7/2020, Speeding (70/60), Fine $40, Total Fees $130. Domanick Mitchell Bushman, 23, Howard Lake, Minn.; 9/3/2020, Driving After Revocation, Fine $200, Total Fees $290. 9/3/2020, Stop Sign Violation, Fine $50. 9/3/2020, No Motor Vehicle Insurance - Owner, Fine $200. 9/3/2020, Registration … [Read more...]
Work begins on fiber project in rural Harmony
Rural residents of Harmony may have noticed an increase in trucks and workers along Highway 139. The increase in traffic is due to the installation of fiber for Harmony Telephone Company. In January, Harmony Telephone Company was announced as a recipient of a ReConnect Program award totaling $5.4 million. Harmony Telephone Company is using the combination $2.7 million loan … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeking applications for Inclusive and Equitable Communities Grant
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), in partnership with Region Nine Development Commission (RNDC) and SE MN Together, is currently accepting applications for its Inclusive and Equitable Communities Grant program. Nonprofit organizations, units of government or public institutions in SMIF’s 20-county region are eligible to apply. Requests of up to $20,000 will be … [Read more...]
Larry N. Eaton
Larry N. Eaton, age 79, of Sumter, S.C., and previously Houston, Minn., passed away September 18, 2020. He was born June 8, 1941, to Henry and June Eaton, the oldest of seven children. He was a 1959 graduate of Houston High School. He married Carolyn Hargrove on March 8, 1964. They had four children and later divorced. Larry worked for his dad in the plastering/stuccoing … [Read more...]
Margaret Ann Winch
Margaret Ann (Olson) Winch, 93, of La Crosse, died Thursday, September, 24, 2020, at Hill View Health Care in La Crosse. Margaret was born on April 23, 1927, to Viggo and Tilda (Finreng) Olson in Houston County Minn. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the Houston Stone Church. Margaret graduated from Houston High School in 1945. She went to earn an … [Read more...]