The newest Harmony City Council member, Michael Himlie and returning mayor, Steve Donney were sworn in at the January 10 council meeting. Council member Kyle Scheevel was absent from the meeting, but had been sworn in earlier that day as well by City Attorney Greg Schieber. The consent agenda was approved and included the claims and December checks, approval of the ABDO audit … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Lanesboro mayor and council members sworn into office
At the January 3 Lanesboro City Council meeting, Jason Resseman was sworn in as returning mayor and Chase Bakke and Mindy Albrecht-Benson were sworn in as returning council members. The consent agenda was approved and included the accounts payable, the 2022 audit engagement from Smith Schafer, a lodging license for Green Gables Inn, and the Lanesboro Claydusters gambling … [Read more...]
Changes are made to Fillmore Central’s SAC program
Fillmore Central Superintendent Heath Olstad updated the school board on the School Aged Care, or SAC program, at their December 20 meeting. He has been working with Principal Jim Peters and Community Ed Director Angi Kaase to tweak the SAC hours due to resignations and staffing shortages. The program will be closed on snow days, but will be open for normal hours on two-hour … [Read more...]
Good Samaritan Society celebrates 100 years of care
One hundred years ago, the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society was started by Reverend August Hoeger in North Dakota. Another minister had been raising funds for a boy with polio and, when the fundraiser exceeded its goal by $2,000, Reverend Hoeger suggested using the money to help people with disabilities. The next year, he opened a home for people with mental and … [Read more...]
Home Rebate Program to continue in Harmony with some changes
Chris Giesen gave the EDA report to the Harmony City Council at their December 13 meeting. The EDA will continue its Home Rebate Program with some updates this year. The program has received national and international attention since its inception in 2014. Harmony was only one of three cities in Fillmore County that saw population growth in the last census which Giesen … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council sets 2023 levy
At the December 5 Lanesboro City Council meeting, a public hearing was held for Truth in Taxation. Lanesboro resident Brenda Bonney spoke to the council about her request to rezone her property as a rural service district as it was denied by Planning and Zoning. She noted that she doesn’t receive any city services and the property is very rural in nature. “We request that our … [Read more...]
Lanesboro amends liquor ordinances
A public hearing for amending the liquor ordinances was held at the November 7 Lanesboro City Council meeting. Karen Heimdahl from Sylvan Brewing thanked the council for working on it and said that she was in support of the proposed amendments as they would allow her business a little more flexibility. The council reviewed the city’s liquor ordinances and made a motion to … [Read more...]
Harmony welcomes new Chamber director
“There’s a lot of great reasons to live here and visit,” Allison Whalen said about Harmony. Whalen is the new director of the Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce and is excited about her new job, which she began on October 3. Before accepting her position as Chamber director in Harmony, Whalen worked at F&M Community Bank in Preston for 14 years. “I loved working at the … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central SPED rooms get upgrade
At the October 25 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Elementary Principal Jim Peters reported that the SPED rooms have had their lighting upgraded to color tuned lights, which allows the colors and brightness of the lights to be adjusted. “They use it every day with the kids,” Peters said. He is currently evaluating the space in the building to find more room that can be … [Read more...]
Lanesboro council amends developer agreement with G Cubed
During the public comment portion of the October 3 Lanesboro City Council meeting, Lanesboro resident Lester Dunn commented that he appreciated the Zoom coverage for city council meetings. “I wanted you to know that there are a lot of people who watch these meetings,” he said. “If anything good came out of COVID, that was it.” Karen Heimdahl from Sylvan Brewing encouraged the … [Read more...]
The vexatious fly nailed the screen test
It was the time of the screen door slams. I was trying to spell Czechoslovakia. I’d found a lucky rock and put it in my pocket to help me with my spelling. I was a good student and got two A’s on every single report card. There was one in Allen and another in Batt. The Sandman had put me to sleep, the smell of bacon was my alarm clock and I spilled my milk at dinner. That … [Read more...]
Preston welcomes new coffee shop
There’s more than just groceries at Preston Foods these days. Now, while you’re picking up pantry staples or ingredients for a quick supper, you can also stop by the new coffee shop, Rod N’ Reel Coffee Co., next to the deli counter and treat yourself to something from its menu. “We were looking for an opportunity for something our community doesn’t have,” said Brad Hoiness, … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central school year off to a great start
At the September 27 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad announced that the school year was off to a great start. The elementary students continue to have lunch and breakfast in their classrooms and a salad bar was added for grades 3-6. The back-to-school conferences for grades K-6 were well attended by students and parents. A project was completed … [Read more...]
Harmony resident questions lack of increase in library budget
Harmony resident Harvey Benson spoke during the public forum portion of the September 13 Harmony City Council meeting. An avid library supporter, he had attended the recent library board meeting and was surprised to hear that the city had recommended no increase in funding for the library in the 2023 budget. He asked if that was correct and if so, why that decision had been … [Read more...]
Lanesboro residents speak out about grain bin
A public hearing was held at the September 7 Lanesboro City Council meeting to discuss the proposed sidewalk improvements. Lanesboro resident Anna Loney addressed the council to ask how those particular sidewalks were chosen for improvements. “I would like to distinguish whether our objective is to have a walkable community,” she said. “I’m not sure if a blanket policy is where … [Read more...]