The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) held an open house on June 29 at the Harmony Community Center, to discuss the upcoming Highway 139 resurfacing project. Approximately 30 people attended, and they heard from Jeff Bunch (MnDOT Construction), Anne Meyer (MnDOT Communications) and Sam Costigan (Rochester Sand & Gravel). The event started with opening remarks … [Read more...]
Rich Wicks
Reporter
rich@fillmorecountyjournal.com
What's an Iowegian doing writing for the Journal? That's a mystery. All
we really know is that Rich lives in Cresco (Iowa), and when he's not
working, he can often be spotted chasing his wife and kids around the
neighborhood, hollering, "Uff da, slow down!"
Spring Valley moves on junk violations
The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session June 26. Members present included Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, and City Administrator Deb Zimmer. Mike Hadland was absent. A public hearing was held just prior to the regular council meeting, on the topic of “Junk Ordinance” violations within the city. Two citizens spoke up about the issue, … [Read more...]
Kingsland preps for 2017-18 year
A regular meeting of the Kingsland School Board was held June 19. Members in attendance were Ann Oeltjen, Jackie Horsman, Tiffany Mundfrom, and Heather Betts, along with Superintendent John McDonald. Doug Plaehn and Deb Larson were absent, so Oeltjen led the meeting. No visitors had signed up to address the board. The board heard a budgetary update from Business Manager … [Read more...]
Spring Valley decides on park issues
The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session June 12, with all members present (Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, Mike Hadland, and City Administrator Deb Zimmer). Two of the main issues discussed involved the city’s South Park. The pavilion in the park is noted to be in need of repairs, and the council had received bids on the repairs. The … [Read more...]
Complaints aired at Wykoff Council
A regular meeting of the Wykoff City Council was held on June 12. Members in attendance were: Mary Tjepkes, Rocky Vreeman, Mayor Al Williams, Clerk Becky Schmidt, Mary Sackett, and City Attorney Dwight Luhmann. A large crowd of citizens was also in attendance. Vreeman asked about the minutes of the previous meeting, since he noted surprise that the council was now being … [Read more...]
Ostrander to ban dogs from City Park
A regular meeting of the Ostrander City Council was held on June 6. Members present included Erin Volkart, Pam Kunert, Mayor Pat Nesler, and Clerk Chris Hyrkas. No citizens had signed up to address the council. Rick Whitney (Peopleservices) asked the council to consider buying a diffuser to use when flushing the city’s hydrants. He explained that it spreads out the flow, … [Read more...]
Hearing on Wykoff school closure
A crowd estimated at 100 convened in the Kingsland (Spring Valley) gymnasium on June 5. The entire school board was present (Doug Plaehn, Deb Larson, Ann Oeltjen, Jackie Horsman, Tiffany Mundfrom, and Heather Betts, along with Superintendent John McDonald). Plaehn opened the meeting and said that the public hearing was being held due to the board’s proposed closing of the … [Read more...]
Spring Valley to add exercise stations on trail
The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session May 22, with all members present (Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, Mike Hadland, and City Administrator Deb Zimmer). Joe O’Connell was the only visitor signed up to address the council. He spoke about the ongoing issue of the “former elementary school property,” which O’Connell has bought, but he … [Read more...]
Crowd speaks at Wykoff special meeting
By Rich Wicks A special meeting of the Wykoff City Council was held on May 16 at 7 p.m., with all members in attendance: Mary Tjepkes, Rocky Vreeman, Mayor Al Williams, Clerk Becky Schmidt, Mary Sackett, and Brody Mensink. A large crowd of citizens was also in attendance, with people standing at the back of the room due to not enough chairs to seat everyone who showed … [Read more...]
Spring Valley Council mulls animal limits
The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session May 8, with all members present (Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, Mike Hadland, and City Administrator Deb Zimmer). A main issue in the meeting was the ongoing discussion about animals being kept within the city. Zimmer shared a draft of Section 10.05 “Animals and Fowl,” which now states “other … [Read more...]