The Preston City Council heard several annual reports from its various departments on Monday night, February 6. Ramon Hernandez represented the fire department, Elizabeth Anderson gave the library report, Blaise Sass reported on the police department and Gabby Kinneberg provided updates from the EDA and tourism. Hernandez began the series of reports by explaining that the … [Read more...]
The “magic” of Lanesboro highlighted by annual meeting speakers
The Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting, virtually, on Wednesday, January 25, with storyteller Al Batt as its special guest speaker. Board President Joe Goetzke presided over the meeting and shared several personal reflections about the Chamber and his time in Lanesboro. Executive Director Andrzej Zalasinski reviewed the past year, highlighted marketing … [Read more...]
Collaboration is common discussion theme during Preston Chamber annual meeting
“Collaboration” was the theme of the night on Wednesday evening, January 18, during the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting. Guest panelists agreed with Chamber Board directors and staff that collaborating on individual, community and regional levels not only benefits private businesses, but can strengthen the entire region by creating a travel destination. The … [Read more...]
New year brings new mayor, council members for City of Canton
At the start of last Wednesday night’s Canton City Council meeting, the first meeting of the new year, outgoing mayor Cindy Shanks administered the oath of office to her successor Josh Nordsving as well as new council members Jen Dowling, Kristy Ziegler and Jason Magnuson. Nordsving served on the council before becoming mayor and Ziegler was appointed to fill a council vacancy … [Read more...]
Canton acknowledges endings, new beginnings at city council meeting
The city of Canton acknowledged a few newcomers at last Wednesday’s Canton City Council meeting. It was the first meeting for new city clerk Anne Koliha, who joined the city on November 30. Also new, sitting in the audience, were recently-elected council members who will take office in January, Jason Magnuson and Jennifer Dowling. The December council meeting also marked the … [Read more...]
Moving Canton forward is priority for new city clerk
Anne Koliha is familiar with local government and has great affection for small towns. As the new city clerk in Canton, she feels her abilities, knowledge and experiences will help the community move forward to achieve current goals as well as prepare her to work with the council to set new priorities for the years to come. Joining the Canton team on November 30, Koliha said … [Read more...]
Rushford church inspires “deeper meaning of Christmas” with live Nativity
“Last year, my husband and I had the wonderful opportunity to take a lovely drive down to Rushford to experience the Nativity at Root River Community Church. We could imagine ourselves coming from other parts of Israel to go to Bethlehem. We heard the news of something quite mysterious and we wanted to see and hear for ourselves,” recalled Julie Miller. She had attended the … [Read more...]
Canton reviews variance request, approves job offer for new clerk
The Canton City Council held a special meeting on November 9, prior to its regular meeting, to consider a variance request from property owners Lindsi Poppe and Michelle Hanson. The variance permit application stated they would like a variance to install a shed to hold ATVs and lawnmower and snow blower. Council Member Josh Nordsving reviewed the application and visited … [Read more...]
Search continues for new Canton city clerk
The Canton City Council discussed ways to publicize its search for a new city clerk at last Wednesday’s meeting. The council also discussed ways in which to make the position more attractive by adding hours and noting benefits that could be offered. After the resignation of its former clerk Brock Bergey, in late August, the city posted a job ad in a local newspaper, but has … [Read more...]
Downtown signage project gets nod from Harmony City Council
Erica Thilges presented a signage project the Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce is spearheading to the city council at their October 11 meeting. As a member of the Chamber Board of Directors, Thilges explained that the organization has assessed the need for more signage for downtown. She serves as the manager of New Generations of Harmony, the antique mall located on the … [Read more...]
Canton mayor opens city council meeting with statement thanking former clerk
As Mayor Cindy Shanks opened the September 14 Canton City Council meeting, she took the opportunity to thank former clerk Brock Bergey and give him credit for the role he played in the city recovering from misdeeds by his predecessor. She admitted to being unprepared at the special meeting held in late August where the council had accepted Bergey’s resignation. “Everything … [Read more...]
Canton city clerk resigns, community voices frustration during special council meeting
The Canton City Council met in special session on Thursday evening, August 25, following the resignation of its city clerk, Brock Bergey. In a brief letter, dated August 22, Bergey stated his resignation would be effective September 5, however his last day in the office would be August 24, using accrued leave time and the legal holiday on September 5, for the remainder of his … [Read more...]
Conflicting opinions create tense moments at Canton City Council meeting
The Canton City Council began its meeting on August 10 by filling the empty seat on the council created when council member Cindy Shanks became mayor. Kristy Ziegler took the oath of office and joined the council immediately to handle the remainder of business on the Canton agenda that evening. Shanks had been appointed to the office of mayor in July following the resignation … [Read more...]
From vaudeville to the yellow brick road, Brave Community Theatre celebrates five decades of productions
From its first production in 1972, “A Roaring ‘20s Scrapbook,” to this year’s “Wizard of Oz,” Brave Community Theatre in Spring Valley has filled five decades with quality community theater. Debi Neville, the current Brave Community Theatre (BCT) board president is also the founder. She started the community theatre in 1972 when she returned to her hometown after living in … [Read more...]
Canton City Council appoints new mayor following resignation of Nick Prestby
The Canton City Council appointed Cindy Shanks to be the mayor of Canton on Wednesday evening, July 13, following its acceptance of Nick Prestby’s resignation. Prestby had submitted his resignation as mayor on July 5, to be effective immediately, citing health issues that would prevent him from continuing to serve. “It has been an honor to be able to serve the city for the last … [Read more...]
