Deb Graf fondly calls her home the tiny house on the prairie, because she felt like a pioneer when she drove into Mabel with her house pulled behind a pickup truck. Graf “settled” on a flat plot of land east of town to begin a new chapter in her life. In the fall of 2016, Graf took a job as the band and elementary music instructor at Mabel-Canton Schools. “They needed … [Read more...]
USDA announces funding availability to help low-income individuals and families buy or repair homes
USDA Rural Development has funding available for very low- and lowincome individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. “Our housing staff will work one-on-one to ensure quality customer service for all applicants,” said State Director Brad Finstad. “To help prepare would-be buyers for this exciting step, USDA requires applicants to take a … [Read more...]
MiEnergy Cooperative members give $5,300 in local donations
MiEnergy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Trust Board met in March and elected to donate $5,300 to the following local organizations: • $800, Minnesota food shelves in Racine, Rushford, St. Charles and Wykoff ($200 per food shelf), to provide food for households in need as part of Minnesota FoodShare Month. • $500, Chatfield Fire Department, Chatfield, Minn., to help purchase … [Read more...]
Recycling 101 Four tips for Household Hazard Waste drop-off
By Drew Hatzenbihler Solid Waste Administrator It’s that time of year again; the snow is melting, the sun is shining (for the most part), and the days are getting longer. That’s right! It’s time for Household Hazardous Waste Day in Fillmore County! This year’s collection event is Tuesday, May 1 from 12-5 p.m. With that day quickly approaching, I thought it would be timely to … [Read more...]
MDA reminds Minnesotans to use pesticides and fertilizers with care
ST. PAUL, MN - Spring is here and many Minnesotans will be thinking about their lawns, trees and gardens. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) urges the safe use of pesticides and fertilizers in your yards and gardens by following all label directions. Pesticide and fertilizer labels specify how to use products … [Read more...]
Top 10 things to do when hiring a contractor
BURNSVILLE, MN, April 24, 2018 – Spring was a long time in coming, but now that it’s here, people are going to be more anxious than usual to tackle construction projects. Whether it’s a remodel, an addition or a design-build, many consumers will turn to professional contractors to bring these jobs to completion. Better Business Bureau® of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) … [Read more...]
New DMV system is “driving” Minnesotans crazy
The new MNLARS (Minnesota Licensing and Registration System) has been riddled with problems, despite nearly 10 years of preparation and $100 million in expenses. Many deputy registrars have had difficulty processing applications and Minnesotans have been unable to obtain car titles and tabs in a timely manner. According to Kurt Reicks, Deputy Registrar for the DMV in Fillmore … [Read more...]
Is Kingland’s May referendum extortion?
By Bob Rowe Wykoff, MN In my opinion the notification that the community of the Kingland School District received about the upcoming vote for an $8.2 million referendum, basically amounts to extortion. Vote the way we want or we’re going to cost you more money. On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Kingsland District residents must make the choice to vote “yes,” costing themselves $17.5 … [Read more...]
Trehus earns DFL endorsement for State Representative to serve Fillmore and Houston Counties
Thomas Trehus, Spring Grove School Board member and fifth generation Houston County resident, received his party’s endorsement to run for a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives this November. Local delegates of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota endorsed Trehus in Rushford on Saturday, April 7. “I would be honored to serve the communities of Fillmore and … [Read more...]
Letter about President Trump’s executive order to review welfare programs … To the Editor,
The executive order that the President signed aligns with the administration’s “Principles of Economic Mobility.” It would create an accountability system for local, state and federal governments. It would also empower the private sector and local communities to create and administer local solutions to poverty. This is exactly what agencies like Semcac already provide. Our … [Read more...]