The May 27 meeting of the Chatfield City Council was quite brief. The 2022 Water and Storm project was concluded in December 2024. Public Works recommended closing the project. A sum of $53,399.70 will be transferred to the corresponding 2022A Dept Service Fund. Mayor appointments for the Library Board of Trustees include Lisa Martin, Todd Johnson, Ann Halloran, Kathleen … [Read more...]

The Fillmore County Planning Commission held its first meeting of 2025 on May 22. Trinity Johnson was elected chair and Steve Duxbury was elected vice chair. Board members Trinity Johnson, Gary Ruskell and Richard Junge were absent. John Reinhart, Midwest Industrial Fuels Inc., DBA Consolidated Energy Company, had applied for a conditional use permit for a propane storage and … [Read more...]

Allison Whalen, CEDA, encouraged commissioners to write a letter of support for a Seed Grant from Community Heart & Soul Initiative at the board’s May 27 meeting. The EDA is applying for a $10,000 seed grant to start a program to get a perspective from community residents to define those things that they believe matter most for the future of the community. This will be a … [Read more...]

At the May 13 board meeting, Social Services Manager Wanda Berg, Veterans Service Officer Jason Marquardt, and Nursing Director Jessica Erickson spelled out to the county board why they felt a mobile office could benefit residents. Berg said they have been looking at transportation options to get clients to Preston. Because there are a limited number of transportation … [Read more...]

The Chatfield City Council met on May 12. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. Public Works director Brian Burkholder explained the cost for the alley way improvements will be significantly less with this year’s prices compared to last year. There will be roughly a savings of $2,205 per alley with this year’s prices due to reduced work forecasted for Rochester Sand and Gravel (a … [Read more...]

The Chatfield City Council sped through a very short agenda at their May 5 meeting.  A grant (Grant Navigation Program) was accepted in the amount of $5,000 from the League of Minnesota Cities. This is a pilot program. The grant is to be used with industry partners to help identify matching funds for a city project and aid in grant application projects. The city’s potential … [Read more...]

At the May 6 county board meeting, Sheriff John DeGeorge received approval to house inmates temporarily in Winona County, when necessary to keep the jail project on track. The new jail facility is ready to go except for the phone system migration which is being held up by Lumen Tech. Lumen plans to do the project by September. The Motorola portion of the project is pushed … [Read more...]

Preston Historical Society president Sheila Craig updated the city council on its activities at the city council’s May 5 meeting. The highlight is the beginning of the construction of the Preston Depot Museum and Riverfront Center which began on April 1, 2025. After the demolition of the interior, reconstruction has begun. The roof will be shingled later this week. Craig … [Read more...]

The Fillmore County Journal (Publisher Jason Sethre, Assistant Editor Ellen Whalen, and this reporter) toured the jail in part on April 3, which was interrupted by an emergency (car chase), and later on April 16. Sheriff John DeGeorge led us through the office portion of the old building and through the new jail which will eventually house the county’s inmates. Jail … [Read more...]