The Harmony City Council received an update on the Dairyland Power project at their March 9 meeting, from Chris Giesen and Mike Bubany. The EDA recommends that the city provide water and sewer services to the site. Giesen noted that a state grant may help with some of the costs for that. The total costs for the entire project to the city are projected to be $630,000, but … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Lanesboro Historical Museum welcomes new director
Jon Willford gave a report for the Lanesboro Historical Museum at the March 1 Lanesboro City Council meeting. Sandy Webb has been the museum director for 10 years now, but is stepping down to retire and will transition out of the role. “She’s done a tremendous job,” Willford noted. “We’re really fortunate for a small community to have such a great museum.” Dan Rooney was hired … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central to continue with four-period days in 2021-22
At the February 23 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad asked the board if they would like to continue with the four-period days at the high school in the upcoming school year or change back to eight-period days. For the last seven or eight years, the high school had operated with eight periods in their school day, but that was switched to four … [Read more...]
Hobby: A lifelong love of woodworking keeps Paul Klockeman busy
It all started in high school when Paul Klockeman’s shop and industrial arts teacher, Richard Wildgrube inspired him to develop an interest in woodworking through a class called Building Trade. Truthfully though, it was probably already in his blood. Although he never met him, Klockeman believes his grandfather was a carpenter as well. His father did some woodworking and a … [Read more...]
Lanesboro school’s enrollment numbers continue to grow
At the February 18 Lanesboro School Board meeting, Superintendent Matt Schultz updated the board members of the district’s current enrollment numbers. When he started working at the district in 2016, the school had 333 students. With more students being added on a regular basis during this school year, he anticipates that the 2021-2022 will open with over 400 total students … [Read more...]
Harmony council approves quote for splash pad project
At the February 9 Harmony City Council meeting, four quotes were received for the splash pad project, two of which came in lower than the engineer’s estimate of $59,489.50. The lowest bid was from Generation X in the amount of $43,915. Council member Jesse Grabau asked if it would be wise to approve the quote without knowing what the final quotes for all components of the … [Read more...]
Lanesboro makes progress with proposed rural taxing district
The Lanesboro City Council met via Zoom on February 1 and opened their meeting with a public hearing to discuss the proposed Rural Taxing District. The Planning and Zoning Commission had provided a proposal to the council which they reviewed. Lanesboro resident Phillip Haug asked why his property was not included as he has 40 acres on the back of it that are essentially … [Read more...]
Mark Holmen joins Lanesboro school board
The Lanesboro School Board opened their January 21 meeting by seating re-elected board members Christine Troendle and Sarah Peterson and new board member, Mark Holmen. The board meetings will continue to be held on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the elementary library. Merchants Bank of Lanesboro was approved as the district depository and Fillmore County … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central School Board welcomes new member
The January 26 Fillmore Central School Board meeting opened with the oath of office for returning board members Jim Love, Deb Ristau, and new board member Aaron Janssen. The board officers for 2021 were set with Craig Britton as the chairperson, Jennifer Pickett as the vice-chairperson, Deb Ristau as the clerk, Shelly Topness as the vice-clerk, and Sue Sikkink as the … [Read more...]
New Harmony council members sworn in
The January 12 Harmony City Council meeting began with the swearing in of new council members Jesse Grabau and Domingo Kingsley. City Attorney Greg Schieber conducted the oath of office. The new sound system was set up in the council meeting room at the community center for the evening. The system consists of microphones and speakers to allow all who attend the meeting to hear … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Board approves 2021 tax levy
The December 17 Lanesboro School Board meeting opened with Truth in Taxation. Several members of the public were present at the meeting which took place in the gymnasium to allow for social distancing. Several large bills and extra expenses that the school incurred this year made it necessary to increase the levy from last year. One of the bills was for a large amount of … [Read more...]
Gabby Kinneberg takes over as new Preston EDA director
When Gabby Kinneberg started her new job as the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Director just over three years ago, she never expected it to take her where she is today. On December 14, she added EDA Director to her existing titles. For the rest of December, she will spend time training with Cathy Enerson, the outgoing EDA director. Enerson, who has worked with the … [Read more...]
Lanesboro tax levy lower than last year’s
A Truth in Taxation hearing was held at 6 p.m. preceding the December 7 Lanesboro City Council meeting, which took place via Zoom. The property tax levy was set at -0.6% less than the previous year, essentially keeping it flat. Mayor Jason Resseman noted that he appreciated the efforts put forth by the various committees to keep the levy so low. Lanesboro resident Ceil Allen … [Read more...]
$87,000 raised for Harmony splashpad
Sandy Strozyk attended the December 8 Harmony City Council meeting to present a giant check in the amount of $87,000 to the council for the splashpad project. $31,723 was raised earlier this year and another $19,128 was raised on Give to the Max Day. Funding was also received from various organizations including the Lions Club, SMIF, Harmony Area Community Foundation, Fire … [Read more...]
Spring Valley woman crafts through pandemic
Linda Kruegel has enjoyed sewing and crafting for most of her life. As a child, she and her family lived with her grandma who was a quilter and a sewer. “I remember a good many days of sitting underneath the quilts while she and her sisters and friends were quilting,” she said. During Linda’s junior year of high school, she made her own wedding dress as a school home-ec project … [Read more...]