The Harmony City Council held a special meeting on January 27 to discuss a recommendation from the Harmony EDA. The meeting was well attended by residents of Harmony. At the January 20 EDA meeting, the board discussed the possibility of an amended ordinance regarding a conditional use permit for retail variety stores. They had begun considering the matter in the fall of 2021, … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Fillmore Central sets 2022 committee assignments
At the January 25 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, the 2022 board committee assignments were approved with no changes from last year. Deb Ristau and Shelly Topness will continue to serve on Community Education, Jennifer Pickett on Continuing Education, Sue Sikkink and Topness on Meet and Confer, Craig Britton on MSHSL/Three Rivers Conference, Pickett on the Special … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School in dire need of bus drivers
At the January 19 Lanesboro School Board meeting, Superintendent Matt Schultz updated the board on the school’s transportation situation. He noted that the district may be losing a driver soon and there is no one available to replace him. The school has been struggling to find enough bus drivers as it is for regular school transportation and events and losing one will have a … [Read more...]
Harmony Council awards refuse and recycling contract
Representatives from Harter’s, Richard’s Sanitation, and Hanson Waste Removal were present at the January 11 Harmony City Council meeting to discuss contract options with the council. At the December meeting, the council had awarded the contract to Harter’s but approved a motion to reconsider. Both Harter’s and Richard’s Sanitation would switch residents over to using garbage … [Read more...]
Lanesboro council discusses recent Market and Calibration Study
Mark Goldberg from David Drown Associates was present via Zoom at the January 3 Lanesboro City Council meeting to discuss the recent Market and Calibration Study. The study evaluated each of the city positions for the type of duties required, any risk factors involved, and types of education or experience needed in order to determine the best pay rate for each one based on the … [Read more...]
Preston DMV changes hands
After 53 years of the Reicks family owning and operating the Reicks Auto License Bureau, the torch has been passed. On December 1, 2021, Sean and Bethany Feind officially took ownership of the office. “Hands were shook and papers were signed,” Sean said, adding that Kurt Reicks has still been popping in to check on things as Sean transitions to his new role as a small business … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central sets 2021 levy
The Fillmore Central School Board meeting opened with its annual Truth in Taxation meeting. There was no one present from the public with questions or comments. The 2021 payable 2022 tax levy was set at $1,642,843.71, which is a 4.45% decrease from last year. The K-6 concerts were held on December 16 with matinee and evening performances broken up into groups of 2-3 grades at … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Board sets tax levy
The December 16 Lanesboro School Board meeting opened with its annual Truth in Taxation meeting. The law requires the school to hold the meeting before setting the tax levy. Superintendent Matt Schultz reviewed the information with the board. The total revenues for last year were $5,673,116 and the expenditures were $5,691,342. The current year’s budget sits at $6,728,252 in … [Read more...]
Preston Christmas star has special meaning for Severson family
“They loved spending time with everyone close to them and I think Christmas was just a time that brought that all full circle,” Shelia Marzolf reminisced about her mom Carol Severson and sister Jodi Severson. In June of 1997, both Carol and Jodi tragically lost their lives in a car accident on their way to Rochester to do some shopping. Jodi’s eight month old son Jordan … [Read more...]
Harmony council denies petition to vacate portion of Center Street
A public hearing was held at the December 14 Harmony City Council meeting to discuss a request from three property owners to vacate Center Street past 3rd Ave. W. City Administrator Devin Swanberg noted that in terms of future planning for a city, it’s generally a bad idea to vacate a street as it could cause issues later. If the city were to decide to develop the land behind … [Read more...]