The Lanesboro City Council meeting took place via video conference on June 1 and opened with a public hearing to consider a set back requirement variance request from Brian Roelofs. The Planning and Zoning committee had already approved it and recommended that the council do the same. There were no comments or questions from the public and the variance was approved. Chris … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Fillmore Central seniors graduate with outdoor ceremony
“I’m very happy that we were able to have a revised graduation and everyone was able to wear their cap and gown and come up on the podium to receive their diploma,” Principal Heath Olstad said at the May 26 Fillmore Central School Board meeting. After canceling the original graduation ceremony due to COVID-19, there were concerns that the seniors would miss that milestone event … [Read more...]
Harmony Council discusses COVID-19 hardships
At the May 12 Harmony City Council meeting, the council discussed a letter received from a Harmony business owner about the cost of liquor licenses when many small businesses are facing financial hardships due to COVID-19. Mayor Steve Donney pointed out that around a third of the year’s business has been or will be lost during the stay-at-home order. As an ordinance would have … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council reviews COVID-19 closures
At the May 4 Lanesboro City Council meeting, the council reviewed the closures of public spaces. Council member Tom Smith made a motion that the campground bathhouse and visitor’s center bathrooms be re-opened. Mayor Jason Resseman noted that there was a recommendation from the governor that those type of facilities be open to allow recreational activities. The council approved … [Read more...]
COVID-19 strands missionary in Honduras
When Bonnie Davids traveled to the Nueva Esperanza, or New Hope school, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, for a mission trip, the Preston native had no reason to expect that it would be any different from her previous visits. This was Davids’ seventh mission trip to the school, and she was looking forward to ministering to the students and their families again. She arrived in Honduras … [Read more...]
Lanesboro school facility project underway
The Lanesboro School Board met via phone conference on April 16. The agenda was approved along with the minutes of the February 20 regular board meeting. The board reviewed and approved the monthly revenues and expenditures for both February and March as they did not meet in March. The construction project bills from February and March were also approved. Board member … [Read more...]
Harmony hires new city administrator
Devin Swanberg attended his first council meeting as the new city administrator for the City of Harmony. Due to COVID-19, the council met in the gymnasium of the community center instead of the regular meeting room to allow for social distancing. Fillmore County Assessor Brian Hoff conducted the Local Board of Appeals and Equalization via phone conference. There were no … [Read more...]
Dybing fills in as interim Lanesboro council member
Former Lanesboro council member Tom Dybing accepted a request from Mayor Jason Resseman to fill in for council member Autumn Johnson as her military deployment has been extended. At their April 6 council meeting, which was held via video conferencing, the council approved Resolution 2020-17 allowing Dybing to fill Johnson’s seat. Brian Hoff from Fillmore County led the Local … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central moves to distance learning
“We’re going to go by all the state mandates and directives,” Principal Heath Olstad said at the March 24 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, about moving to distance learning. The board met via video conferencing. Olstad noted that the distance learning plan would be on the website later that week and that teachers were working very hard to get it ready. Dean of Students … [Read more...]
Harmony council meets new deputy
The Harmony City Council met on March 10 at 7 p.m. Council member Tony Webber was not present. Deputy Jason Harmening introduced Sam Judd to the council. Judd is the newest hire to the Harmony Police Department and is also working with the Chatfield and Preston Police Departments. The consent agenda was reviewed and included a 3.2 beer off-sale license for Kwik Trip and a … [Read more...]
Farm Babe Michelle Miller encourages students to speak up for agriculture
In celebration of National FFA Week, the Rushford-Peterson FFA chapter hosted Michelle Miller on February 27 in the high school auditorium. Miller, also known as the Farm Babe, is an internationally and nationally known speaker and columnist who is passionate about educating consumers about how their food is produced. Members of the public attended the presentation along with … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council approves dump truck purchase
At the March 2 Lanesboro City Council meeting, Public Works Director David Haugen presented several options for replacing the city’s dump truck, which included purchasing a used truck, refurbishing the current one, or having a new one built. He was not able to find a used single axle dump truck for sale and the tandem axle used trucks available won’t fit in the shop. The cost … [Read more...]
Construction begins at Lanesboro school
At the February 20 Lanesboro School Board meeting, Superintendent Matt Schultz informed the board that construction has begun on the facilities project. A project meeting is planned to be held the following week. Schultz noted that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is pushing for legislation making Earth Science a required credit for high school. The class is currently offered at … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central enters negotiations with new superintendent
At their February 25 meeting, the Fillmore Central School Board approved a motion to enter into negotiations with Heath Olstad for the position of superintendent. Olstad will continue to serve as the high school principal, and the position of K-6 principal will be posted. Thanks were extended to Mrs. Biel, Ms. Lindstrom, and Mrs. Woellert for organizing the Breakfast Club … [Read more...]
Fillmore County dairy farmer visits Washington, DC for signing of USMCA
“It was a tremendous honor to be selected. I think it’s once in a lifetime,” David Scheevel said. On January 29, Scheevel had the opportunity to be a part of the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA in Washington, DC. He is optimistic about the agreement and what it means for the farming industry. “I see benefits for not just dairy farmers, but all … [Read more...]