At the March 2 meeting of the Preston City Council a resolution was adopted to document and confirm a continued sustainable partnership between the city and the Preston Historical Society (PHS). The confirmation of a sustainable partnership to preserve, maintain and operate the Depot Museum Riverfront Center (DMRC) will strengthen and support the grant application to the … [Read more...]

After a long public hearing at the March 3 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, a motion was approved unanimously to take no action, which will put the county under state statute allowing the use of rifles for deer hunting. The establishment of the shotgun zone was repealed by the legislature last year, effective January 1, 2026. County boards of a county located in the … [Read more...]

At the February 19 meeting of the Fillmore County Planning Commission, the current requirement that a communications tower be setback at least 500 feet from a residence was discussed.  Cloud 1 Services, LLC has applied for conditional use permits in recent months for about a half dozen communication towers. At least two of the proposals have been opposed by a neighboring … [Read more...]

At the February 24 Fillmore County board meeting, commissioners approved an agreement with Freeborn County to provide interim county assessor services. Commissioner Mitch Lentz was absent. Assessor Ryan Rasmussen is leaving at the end of February. Fillmore County is looking for a new assessor. In the interim an agreement has been approved with Freeborn County to provide … [Read more...]

At the February 23 Chatfield City Council meeting, the issue of sidewalks required by the Hilltop Estates development agreement was again addressed. At an August 24 council meeting, the construction of a 10-foot bituminous walking path was suggested as a better solution than sidewalks which were required in the development agreement. Three councilors favored the walking … [Read more...]

At the February 17 meeting of the city council, Preston Historical Society (PHS) President Sheila Craig remembered 2025 as a busy year. It was the year that the Depot Museum and Riverfront Center became a reality. It took six months to raise the $400,000 to build the new facility. Phil Eickhoff was general contractor. The facility is fully paid for and leased from the city … [Read more...]

At the February 10 meeting of the county board, employees were recognized for their years of service at five-year increments. The board holds this recognition event on an annual basis. Fourteen employees were recognized for being with the county for five years, six for 10 years, three for 15 years, two for 20 years, six for 25 years, and one for 35 … [Read more...]

At the February 9 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, a public hearing was held on the 2025 updates to the city’s comprehensive plan. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. The 2015 Comprehensive Plan has been updated. The plan is designed to shape land use development over the next two decades through 2045.  Alison Bentley, community development director, listed some … [Read more...]

At the February 2 meeting of the city council, the assessment of the 70-year-old swimming pool was reviewed. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton reported first on the good news regarding the pool. At this point the intent is for the pool to be open in the 2026 season, but not the baby pool. Burbach Aquatics has provided a final report which includes a structural … [Read more...]

Land Use Director Blake Lea reviewed the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve a conditional use permit for a 250-foot telecommunications tower in Newburg Township at the county board’s February 3 meeting. The self supporting tower is to be built in Section 22 on property owned by Paul, Sandra, and Todd Eiken. The request for the CUP was submitted by Cloud 1 … [Read more...]