At the October 22 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, it was noted that the winter sports season is starting up soon. Only four students have signed up for the dance class which requires a minimum of five participants to compete. The hope is that once it gets started, it may attract more interest. Fifty-four students have registered for boys basketball and 39 for girls … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
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...]