The November 13 Fillmore Central School Board meeting opened with the 2023-2024 audit report from Jason Boynton of Smith Schafer. An unmodified clean opinion was issued for the report. Boynton noted that funding for the district is driven by the average daily membership, which has decreased by 50 students overall since 2017. The revenues for the general fund was higher than the … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Lanesboro Continues Partnership with SMIF
At the November 4 Lanesboro City Council meeting, Philanthropy Director of SMIF Aaron Johnson reviewed what SMIF does for Southern Minnesota with the council, noting that $14 million has been invested in Fillmore County so far. SMIF supports entrepreneurs, early childhood development, and community vitality. Johnson thanked the city of Lanesboro for its support over the years … [Read more...]
Meet the New Fillmore Central Teachers
Belle Berg, the new Third grade teacher at Fillmore Central, graduated from Chatfield High School and earned a degree in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement from Luther College. She was inspired to become a teacher by her late grandmother, Linda Schulz, who was Berg’s elementary school secretary. “She touched so many lives, and I can only hope to make a difference … [Read more...]
Debate Continues Over Proposed Ordinances Regarding Lanesboro Library
The October 7 Lanesboro City Council meeting opened with two public hearings. The first hearing was regarding the proposed city ordinances 31.80, 31.82, 31.82, and 31.83 about the library board. Multiple community members spoke out against the proposed ordinances. Anna Loney presented a petition with 178 names asking the council not to change the library board to advisory. She … [Read more...]
Harmony Council Approves Variance Request for Monster Bash
At the October 8 Harmony City Council meeting, the consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the September 17, the claims and September checks, the cash in CD, the cash balances, and a thank you letter from SMIF for the city’s recent donation. The council reviewed and approved change order #1 for the street and utility project as recommended by city engineer … [Read more...]
Young Harmony Couple Fights ALS with Hope
When Beth Syverson first noticed some weakness in her leg and ankle in the summer of 2023, she assumed it would improve on its own. “I thought maybe I pulled something,” she explained. But then it started getting worse so she decided a trip to the doctor was in order. She left the clinic that day with a referral to neurology. In January 2024, Beth had an electromyography, or … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Tackle Cancer Fundraiser a Success
At the September 24 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Heath Olstad updated the board on the Tackle Cancer efforts by staff and families. The total raised was around $10,000. He thanked everyone who worked, provided, participated and donated to the event. This week is homecoming week, which Olstad noted always includes an extra level of energy from the students. The … [Read more...]
Homeschooling and Extracurriculars: What’s Legal?
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...]
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...]