When Joseph O’Koren was attending high school at Lanesboro Public School, he had the opportunity to spend a day shadowing a profession of his choice. “Attorney came to mind,” O’Koren said. He was matched with local attorney Thomas Manion and was able to attend court with him and meet with him in his office. During O’Koren’s senior year of high school, he participated in a work … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Harmony council reviews CARES Act funds
At the July 14 Harmony City Council meeting, City Administrator Devin Swanberg informed the council that the city had received approximately $77,000 from the State of Minnesota’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES Act. The money cannot be used to make up lost revenue for businesses or the city, but can be used for other COVID related expenses. Swanberg … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Community Center to remain closed
The Lanesboro City Council met on July 6 at 6 p.m. for their regular meeting, which was held in the community center gym and streamed on Zoom. The COVID-19 response for public facilities discussion was revisited as it will be each month for the foreseeable future. The council decided to keep the community center closed for the time being. The city offices have been re-opened … [Read more...]
Harmony veterinarian retires after 47 years
“If you like what you do, you never have to work a day in your life and that’s true,” Dr. Lynn Aggen said. Aggen spent 47 years working at the Harmony Veterinary Clinic and celebrated his retirement with an open house on June 18. It all started when a steer needed medical attention at his parents’ farm near Worthington, Minn. Aggen was able to watch the vet work on the steer. … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Board emphasizes flexibility for 2020-2021 school year
The Lanesboro School Board met on June 18 via teleconference and discussed the guidelines for the upcoming school year. The state department has asked districts to make plans for three different models, which include in-person learning, distance learning, or hybrid learning, in which students would spend part of their time at the school and the other part distance learning from … [Read more...]
Driftless Fly Fishing Company opens kayak shop
Mel Hayner has owned and operated The Driftless Fly Fishing Company in Preston since 2013, and recently expanded his business to include a dedicated space for kayaks. “They were in the way over here,” he said. When the opportunity came up for him to rent the empty building next door, which used to house Chic’s Pizza, he decided to go for it. “It was always in the back of my … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Board discusses options for upcoming school year
At the June 23 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, which was held via teleconference, Principal Heath Olstad updated the board members on the plans for the 2020-21 school year. “We’re looking at multiple scenarios for the upcoming year,” he said, adding, “that a committee will be formed to help make decisions.” The state department has given schools three possibilities to … [Read more...]
Not all Fourth of July activities canceled in Harmony
At the June 9 Harmony City Council meeting, Jimmy Strozyk from Harmony Spirits informed the council that they are still planning to hold the car show on the Fourth of July and asked permission to use the city parking lot as overflow. He noted that social distancing and safety protocols will be in place during the event. The council agreed to his request. The city is still … [Read more...]
Lanesboro dam project on schedule and going well
The Lanesboro City Council meeting took place via video conference on June 1 and opened with a public hearing to consider a set back requirement variance request from Brian Roelofs. The Planning and Zoning committee had already approved it and recommended that the council do the same. There were no comments or questions from the public and the variance was approved. Chris … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central seniors graduate with outdoor ceremony
“I’m very happy that we were able to have a revised graduation and everyone was able to wear their cap and gown and come up on the podium to receive their diploma,” Principal Heath Olstad said at the May 26 Fillmore Central School Board meeting. After canceling the original graduation ceremony due to COVID-19, there were concerns that the seniors would miss that milestone event … [Read more...]