In 1987, homeschooling officially became legal in Minnesota. At the beginning of 2020, the US Census showed that 4.6% of students in Minnesota were being homeschooled, but by October of that same year, that number had risen to 9.7% and continues to grow each year. Nationwide, 11.1% of students were being homeschooled at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. Those … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Lanesboro Council Debates Governing Status of Library Board
A public hearing was held at the September 3 Lanesboro City Council meeting to discuss the proposed amendments to ordinance chapter 151 regarding land use, ordinance 30.111 regarding the city’s fee schedule, and ordinance chapter 120 regarding lodging businesses. Lanesboro resident Jon Pieper addressed the council with his concerns about the proposed zoning changes from RA to … [Read more...]
Fall Sports Underway at Fillmore Central
At the August 27 Fillmore Central school board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad reported that a good number of students are participating in the fall sports season which is already underway. Nineteen students are signed up for cross country, 11 for cheerleading, 61 for football, and 38 for volleyball. The football field has been freshly painted and is ready for the first … [Read more...]
Harmony Council Discusses Nuisance Property
At the August 14 Harmony City Council meeting, a public hearing was held to discuss a nuisance property in Harmony. City Clerk Samantha Grabau shared new photos with the council and it was noted that, while the weeds have been sprayed with Roundup, there has been no change to the building yet and there has been very little communication from the property owner. Corinne Haugen … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Preps for Upcoming School Year
At the July 29 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Sue Sikkink reviewed the claims with the board and noted that many new student computers have been purchased for the upcoming school year. Board member Aaron Bishop asked what happens to the old ones. Superintendent Heath Olstad said that technology director Aaron Janssen does a good job each year of finding a company that … [Read more...]
Check Out Your Blood Pressure at the Preston Library
When most people think of the library, they think of checking out books or movies. Medical equipment generally doesn’t make the list of options. But recently, the Preston Public Library joined the American Heart Association’s Libraries with Heart initiative, which means that patrons can now check out blood pressure kits from the library or check their blood pressure during a … [Read more...]
If You Build It, He Will Come
Like many things, it all started with a dream. The difference with Upper Room is that it involved a literal dream. Seven years ago, Eric Corson had a vivid dream about hearing music and then seeing a musician playing worship music in the old Curt’s Standard building on Highway 52 in Preston. As the dream ended, he found himself looking down a stairway that went from 100 feet … [Read more...]
Public Transit a Vital Service in Rural Towns
The consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the June meeting, the claims and June checks, the cash in CD and cash balances. City Engineer Brett Grabau presented the proposal for design and bidding services for the wastewater treatment plant UV project. The plans include a new building for the system. The council reviewed the proposal and approved it. The … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council Considers Ordinance Amendments
At the July 1 meeting, Lanesboro resident Bonita Underbakke addressed the council to consider a proposed expansion of the minimum lot size. Underbakke felt that it would make building in Lanesboro less affordable. The consent agenda was approved and included the accounts payable, a donation to the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a city office closure on July 5, a … [Read more...]
Spring Sports End Well for Fillmore Central
At the June 25 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad reported that over 100 students are participating in Strength and Agility this summer. Summer SAC is going well and there are many adult and youth enrichment activities going on through Community Ed. There are multiple openings for jobs in the Child Care Center and in ECFE. The spring sports … [Read more...]
Harmony Council Welcomes New Chamber Director
Newly hired Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce director, Beth Weedman was welcomed by the Harmony City Council at their June 11 meeting. She started the position in mid-May. Harmony resident Ann Lyons noted that she had once again missed a library board meeting due to not knowing when it was. She asked how to find that information. City Clerk Samantha Grabau said that all … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Jumps Into Summer Programs
At the May 28 Fillmore Central school board meeting, superintendent Heath Olstad reported that the month of May had been very busy with multiple elementary field trips taking place, along with spring concerts at the high school. The elementary concerts were canceled and the students dismissed early that day due to potential dangerous weather conditions. The students recorded … [Read more...]
Harmony Installs Cameras to Mitigate Ongoing Vandalism
At the public forum portion of the May 14 Harmony City Council meeting, Harmony resident Ann Lyons addressed the council about her concerns with communication, saying that she feels like she’s spent much of her five years in Harmony “in the dark.” She acknowledged the city’s use of Facebook to notify residents of things, but felt that it was not the best option as the website’s … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council Discusses Potential Highway 250 Project
The Lanesboro City Council heard from several residents including Anna Loney and Phil Dybing regarding the Lanesboro Library during the public comments section of its May 6 regular meeting. Loney gave an update on library events, noting that there are a number of SELCO sponsored events coming up along with several things being planned by the Friends of the Lanesboro Library. … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Gears Up for Field Trips
At the April 23rd Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad reported that the elementary field trips for kindergarten through sixth grade are starting up soon with lots of fun trips planned for each grade. The fourth graders will have their wax museum on May 3, and the fifth graders will receive trees to plant from Soil and Water Conservation on May 6. … [Read more...]