Financial consultant Mike Bubany and EDA coordinator Chris Giesen updated the Harmony City Council about the Dairyland project at the February 11 council meeting. The council had been planning to approve the agreement approvals necessary to move forward with establishing a TIF district along with the business subsidy agreement, but Dairyland Cooperative asked the city to table … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Fillmore County Public Health hosts Healthy Bluff Country Summit
Fillmore County Public Health recently hosted the Healthy Bluff Country Summit on January 28 and 30 at the Fillmore County Office Building. Health Educator Brenda Pohlman and Director of Nursing for Public Health Jessica Erickson led the Summit. The purpose of the event was to discuss the current and future state of health in Fillmore County and provide information for the … [Read more...]
LPU member threatens resignation over wastewater treatment plan project
Lanesboro Public Utilities Commission member Don Bell read a letter to the council stating his ongoing opposition to the wastewater treatment plant project. “There have been a lot of missed opportunities and bad decisions,” he said, adding that the city has been warned by both the DNR and FEMA not to build the plant in a flood plain as planned. “We have a collective … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central sets 2020 board assignments
At the January 27 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, the board elected the board officers and set the committee assignments for 2020. Ross Kiehne was elected as chairperson, Craig Britton as vice-chair, Deb Ristau as clerk, Jennifer Pickett as vice-clerk, and Sue Sikkink as treasurer. Britton and Shelly Topness were appointed to the Community Education committee, Pickett to … [Read more...]
Lanesboro fills empty school board seat
At the January 23 Lanesboro School Board meeting, Sarah Peterson was sworn in as the newest member of the board. Peterson will fill the empty seat until the next election. Dave Lawstuen was elected as the board chair, Steve Snyder as the vice chair, Chris Troendle as the clerk, and Steve Storhoff as the treasurer. The board meetings will continue to be held on the third … [Read more...]
Wykoff Coffee Company serves up memories with coffee
It all started with a cup of coffee. One night after a concert in La Crosse, where they were living at the time, Rich and Barb Bottorff decided to stop by a coffee shop. To their surprise, the place was packed. “I looked at Barb and I said, ‘You know what? This is a good business to be in,’” Rich explained. When the former Bank Haus building in Rich’s hometown of Wykoff came up … [Read more...]
Robotics clubs growing in local schools
Robotics clubs are popping up in local schools, and students are benefiting with skills that can take them beyond high school into the work force. The Kingsland school district started their club in 2011. The team is known as the TEKnights and is affiliated with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an organization that works to create and nurture … [Read more...]
Some Like It Hot is one-stop shop for wedding food
“Together we create their dream cake,” Suzanne Gardner said. Gardner owns and operates Some Like It Hot Cakes and Catering in Spring Valley. Originally named the Victorian Gourmet, Some Like It Hot offers a unique experience for brides and grooms who are in the process of planning their perfect wedding. When couples visit her shop to pick out a cake, they can choose several … [Read more...]
Lanesboro couple celebrates 60 years of marriage
It was practically love at first sight. Bob and Lori Kellner first met in November 1958 when he drove a group of his friends to a dance at the Playmor Ballroom in Rochester. One of them had invited Lori to join them, and she immediately noticed the handsome driver. “I remember wishing I could be the one riding in the front seat,” Lori laughed. She didn’t get to do that, but she … [Read more...]
Harmony council begins search for new city administrator
The Harmony City Council reviewed a contract with Joel Dhein for the interim city administrator position. Dhein proposed starting on February 5, which would allow for some overlap time before current city administrator Jerome Illg’s resignation goes into effect on February 14. Several of the council members questioned whether that would be enough time for him to learn the … [Read more...]
Lanesboro council revisits Westview Drive issues
At the January 6 Lanesboro City Council meeting, the council continued its discussion on the possibility of having Westview Drive declared a city street. The city has been maintaining the road for some years now and due to a drainage issue, may need to do some work on it. All of the landowners on that road have signed a petition allowing the change except for David Landro, who … [Read more...]
Urban Artifacts creates new from old
It all started with a dining room table. About 15 years ago, Martin and Kathleen Rinnhoffer were in the market for a new table, but they couldn’t find an authentic wood one that they liked. So instead, they purchased an old wooden table, and Martin refinished it himself in their garage. That was all it took for the couple to catch the creative bug. After that first project, … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central board approves levy
A Truth in Taxation hearing was held at the December 19 Fillmore Central school board meeting. The board reviewed the 2019 payable 2020 levy request and the current budget. The proposed levy came to a total of $1,453,179.43 which is a -12.90% difference from last year’s. The levy was approved. Dean of Students Chris Mensink reported that the matinee and evening K-6 holiday … [Read more...]
JLD Enterprises, LLC enters second year of business
When Jim Davis bought his snow removal and lawn care business in September of 2018, he jumped in with both feet. That winter was unusually intense with a blizzard in late February and another big snowstorm in April, bringing him lots of business removing snow. The following spring and summer were very wet, which provided him with an abundance of lawn care work. “It was a good … [Read more...]
Harmony resident raises concerns over splashpad location
Harmony resident Samantha Grabau brought her concerns over the proposed location of the splashpad to the Harmony City Council at their December 10 meeting. Grabau’s home borders the trailhead park and, while she supports the idea of building a splashpad in Harmony, she has doubts about the trailhead being the best location. She noted that there is already an increase in traffic … [Read more...]