A public hearing was held at the beginning of the October 8 Harmony City Council meeting. Over 30 Harmony residents were present. City Engineer Brett Grabau reviewed the areas of improvement within the project and the specifications of each one before opening up for questions. The nine areas include 1st Avenue from Center Street to the dead end at 6th Street, 3rd Street from … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Lanesboro business owners ask city to review alley deterioration
At the October 7 Lanesboro City Council meeting, Michael Seiler and Liz Bucheit from Crown Trout Jewelers requested that the council consider the state of the alley behind their business. “At this point, everything is deteriorating,” Seiler stated, adding that the gas lines and internet lines run under the alley and are at risk of being exposed. He asked that the city engineer … [Read more...]
4-H members enjoy time at Minnesota State Fair
Each year, members of 4-H from all over the state travel to the Minnesota State Fair to show their animals and projects. This year was no exception for Fillmore Central High School seniors Morgan Wingert and Garrett Aggen. Both have been a part of 4-H for many years and have participated in numerous fairs, both county and state. Morgan shows dairy cattle and Garrett shows … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Superintendent Richard Keith announces retirement
A resignation from Superintendent Richard Keith effective June 30, 2020, was approved at the September 24 Fillmore Central School Board meeting. “I want to thank Dick for everything he’s helped us with,” school board member Ross Kiehne said. “But it’s not over yet, you gotta help us until June,” he added, laughing. Principal Heath Olstad reported that the enrollment numbers … [Read more...]
Preston addresses housing issues and declining population
For the last 20 years, the population of Preston has been declining. In 2000, it stood at 1,429 residents, but it has been declining at the rate of approximately 100 people a decade. On September 20, a housing summit was held in Preston to discuss housing issues and future plans for the City of Preston. Tickets for the event were sold out, with 75 people attending as guests. … [Read more...]
Lanesboro district still looking for bus drivers
At the September 19 Lanesboro School Board meeting, Transportation Director Chad Wangen informed the board that the school currently does not have any substitute bus drivers. Superintendent Matt Schultz pointed out that it’s very hard to find drivers and the district is open to applications. At their last meeting, the Finance, Facilities, & Long-Range Planning Committee … [Read more...]
Pfarkel Sisters she shed just one of their many projects
“Mom always liked to do projects so we learned to do them with her,” Sharon Vreeman said. “We’ve always re-purposed and done that kind of thing.” In 2017, Sharon and her sisters Dianne Perry and Janell Kraut, known professionally as the Pfarkel Sisters, put that love of design into creating a she shed on Sharon’s property outside of Fountain. Much like a man cave, a she shed is … [Read more...]
Chamber, Historical Society opposed to moving Harmony Visitor Center
The public forum at the September 10 Harmony City Council meeting was well attended by members of the Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce, the Harmony Area Historical Society, and the community who were concerned about a discussion that took place during the August meeting. At that time, Council member Tony Webber suggested that the council visit the possibility of selling the … [Read more...]
2019 Buffalo Bills Days a success
At the September 3 Lanesboro City Council meeting, Darla Taylor from the Buffalo Bill Days Committee reported that the weekend event went well. “We had another fabulous year at Buffalo Bill Days,” she said. “We dialed into some perfect weather. The beer and brat tent was very successful.” The profit from the tent came to approximately $14,000, which was distributed among the … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central set to begin 2019-20 school year
At the August 27 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Principal Heath Olstad gave a report on the upcoming school year. The high school open house will be held on August 28. At that time, students along with their parents will be able to see the new renovations and updates at the high school. The football field is almost finished although the lights aren’t up yet so the … [Read more...]
Lanesboro school opens bidding for facilities project
At the August 15 Lanesboro School Board meeting, Superintendent Matt Schultz reported that approximately 30 contractors were present for the recent pre-bid meeting. A tour of the building was conducted to allow them to see the site before they put their bids together. “Our next step then is to close the bidding on August 22 at 2 p.m.,” Schultz said. The asbestos abatement has … [Read more...]
Harmony’s historic grain elevator project in early stages
Ralph Beastrom from the Harmony Area Historical Society updated the Harmony City Council on the historic grain elevator project at the August 13 council meeting. The project is still in the early stages, but moving along well. The Historical Society is currently looking into the possibility of adding the elevator to the National Register of Historic Places. Work has also … [Read more...]
Lanesboro council welcomes new police chief
Retiring Police Chief Matt Schultz and incoming Police Chief Blaise Sass made a stop at the Lanesboro City Council meeting on August 5 before heading over to Preston for Sass’s swearing in. “On behalf of the city, thank you for your years of service, Matt,” Mayor Jason Resseman said. Schultz served as Preston’s police chief for 19 years. “I’m grateful for the years of good … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central fifth grade teachers prep take-home science backpacks
Fillmore Central fifth grade teacher Angie Kennedy first got the idea for her take-home science backpacks when her own children were in preschool. The kids were able to check out a backpack that had a book and small activity in it to take home once a week, which they really enjoyed. “And I thought, why can’t I increase the educational value all the way up to fifth grade?” … [Read more...]
Asbestos abatement nearing completion at Lanesboro school
At the July 18, Lanesboro School Board meeting, Superintendent Matt Schultz reported that the asbestos abatement in the school building and the district-owned homes is almost complete. During the project, a solid barrier wall was build between the project area and the Lanesboro Child Care Center to protect the workers and children from any exposure to asbestos. The barrier … [Read more...]