At the November 10 meeting of the city council, City Administrator Michele Peterson pointed out concerns in the third quarter financial report. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. Peterson maintained, “We are doing well as anticipated with the budget.” No action is recommended with Library Operations, Fire Operations, and Ambulance Operations. Community Development Operations … [Read more...]

As of January 1, 2026, certain Medicare Advantage plans will no longer be available. If you are affected, you should have been notified through a letter sent by your insurance provider. Unfortunately, there will be less Medicare Advantage plans to pick from, along with higher premiums for some Minnesotans. You will not be losing Medicare; you have other options that will … [Read more...]

At the November 3 meeting of the Preston City Council, newly appointed council member Jonathan Wood took the oath of office. He will serve out the remainder of Flossie Schultz’s four year term. By consensus the council decided to wait until January, when council member annual appointments to boards and commissioners will be decided, to fill the opening on the Tree … [Read more...]

At the December 4 meeting of the county board, a resolution was adopted approving a grant agreement between the state of Minnesota through its Commissioner of Transportation and the county. Airport Manager Pam Schroeder explained the agreement is in relation to the purchase of an end loader or snow removal piece of equipment. The total purchase price of the new end loader … [Read more...]

At the October 27 meeting of the city council, Craig Britton, city engineer, updated the council on the 2025 Street Improvement Project. Councilors Pam Bluhm and Mike Urban were absent. The first pay request from Rochester Sand & Gravel was approved in the amount of $1,143,706 after about 85% of the project work is considered complete. Five percent was retained in the … [Read more...]

Allison Whalen, CEDA, presented a potential agreement between Fillmore County and First Children’s Finance for the Rural Care Innovation Program for the board’s consideration at their October 28 meeting. Whalen said Fillmore County has been accepted into the program. The program addresses challenges of rural children through the lens of economic development. The intent is to … [Read more...]

At the October 20 city council meeting, unanimous approval was given for Jonathan Wood to fill the recent council vacancy, due to the resignation of Flossie Schultz. The term will expire December 31, 2026. It was noted that two people filled out forms expressing their interest in the position. Wood attended the city council meeting and later spoke before the council. He … [Read more...]

At the October 13 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, three proposed ordinances were reviewed. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. Ordinance # 480 establishing standards for installation of sidewalks in subdivisions was reviewed as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission. This will amend Chatfield Code. No action was taken this day. It will lay out when sidewalks … [Read more...]

Pete Filipi, Contegrity Group, updated commissioners on the jail budget to date and progress on the jail renovation and expansion at the board’s October 14 meeting. Filipi noted bids for the project opened in March 2023. In November 2023 a building permit was obtained. The contingency fund budget started with a total of $421,300. With construction of the new facility and … [Read more...]

At the October 7 meeting of the county board, one of the applications for conditional use permits for telecommunication towers contributed to a prolonged debate. The Planning Commission recently approved conditional use applications for four telecommunication towers. Mike Huizenga, project manager for GSS, representing his client Cloud 1 Services was present to answer … [Read more...]