“Business ownership was kind of always in the back of my mind as something I wanted to do,” Greg Melartin said. Melartin recently purchased Matt’s Body Shop and Tire Service in Spring Valley and fulfilled his dream of owning his own business. It started back in the fall of 2020 when Melartin stopped into the body shop for some business and noticed a “For Sale” sign. He didn’t … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Harmony council votes to move forward with Dairyland Power project
The Harmony City Council received an update on the Dairyland Power project at their March 9 meeting, from Chris Giesen and Mike Bubany. The EDA recommends that the city provide water and sewer services to the site. Giesen noted that a state grant may help with some of the costs for that. The total costs for the entire project to the city are projected to be $630,000, but … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Historical Museum welcomes new director
Jon Willford gave a report for the Lanesboro Historical Museum at the March 1 Lanesboro City Council meeting. Sandy Webb has been the museum director for 10 years now, but is stepping down to retire and will transition out of the role. “She’s done a tremendous job,” Willford noted. “We’re really fortunate for a small community to have such a great museum.” Dan Rooney was hired … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central to continue with four-period days in 2021-22
At the February 23 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad asked the board if they would like to continue with the four-period days at the high school in the upcoming school year or change back to eight-period days. For the last seven or eight years, the high school had operated with eight periods in their school day, but that was switched to four … [Read more...]
Hobby: A lifelong love of woodworking keeps Paul Klockeman busy
It all started in high school when Paul Klockeman’s shop and industrial arts teacher, Richard Wildgrube inspired him to develop an interest in woodworking through a class called Building Trade. Truthfully though, it was probably already in his blood. Although he never met him, Klockeman believes his grandfather was a carpenter as well. His father did some woodworking and a … [Read more...]
Lanesboro school’s enrollment numbers continue to grow
At the February 18 Lanesboro School Board meeting, Superintendent Matt Schultz updated the board members of the district’s current enrollment numbers. When he started working at the district in 2016, the school had 333 students. With more students being added on a regular basis during this school year, he anticipates that the 2021-2022 will open with over 400 total students … [Read more...]
Harmony council approves quote for splash pad project
At the February 9 Harmony City Council meeting, four quotes were received for the splash pad project, two of which came in lower than the engineer’s estimate of $59,489.50. The lowest bid was from Generation X in the amount of $43,915. Council member Jesse Grabau asked if it would be wise to approve the quote without knowing what the final quotes for all components of the … [Read more...]
Lanesboro makes progress with proposed rural taxing district
The Lanesboro City Council met via Zoom on February 1 and opened their meeting with a public hearing to discuss the proposed Rural Taxing District. The Planning and Zoning Commission had provided a proposal to the council which they reviewed. Lanesboro resident Phillip Haug asked why his property was not included as he has 40 acres on the back of it that are essentially … [Read more...]
Mark Holmen joins Lanesboro school board
The Lanesboro School Board opened their January 21 meeting by seating re-elected board members Christine Troendle and Sarah Peterson and new board member, Mark Holmen. The board meetings will continue to be held on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the elementary library. Merchants Bank of Lanesboro was approved as the district depository and Fillmore County … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central School Board welcomes new member
The January 26 Fillmore Central School Board meeting opened with the oath of office for returning board members Jim Love, Deb Ristau, and new board member Aaron Janssen. The board officers for 2021 were set with Craig Britton as the chairperson, Jennifer Pickett as the vice-chairperson, Deb Ristau as the clerk, Shelly Topness as the vice-clerk, and Sue Sikkink as the … [Read more...]