Michelle Ellingson is the Assistant to the City Clerk/Administrator in Caledonia and has been in that position for five years. In that role, she works closely with the Economic Development Authority for the City of Caledonia and is the coordinator for the Southern MN Initiative Foundation (SMIF) Rural Entrepreneurial Venture program (REV). “In my current role, I enjoy … [Read more...]
Caledonia School Board recognized
September is Minnesota School Board Recognition Month, and Caledonia Area Public School District Superintendent Craig Ihrke brought cookies and read a statement in appreciation of the school board members during the Board Showcase. Roll call showed all members were present at the September 21 meeting, except student representative Phoebe Lampert. Ihrke’s statement said in … [Read more...]
Brownsville City Council Passes 8% Increase for Preliminary Budget
At the September 2 meeting, the Brownsville City Council considered four scenarios for the 2027 preliminary budget before voting for the 8% levy increase. Councilor Barb Hurley was absent but roll call showed a quorum with all other council members present. All votes were unanimous. City Treasurer Jenna Knight said last year the preliminary was proposed at 10% and that is … [Read more...]
Award Winning Houston County K-9 Unit Assists with Emergency Response
Emergency response relies on solid teamwork with a profound level of trust and looking out for one another in crisis situations. A K-9 unit integrates the ultimate test of that teamwork: a human officer and a four-legged partner who achieve success through loyalty, a nonverbal bond, mutual respect and unshakeable trust to face danger in these high-stress situations and … [Read more...]
The Tastes of Summer
By Rose Korabek It’s wonderful living in the Driftless Region where the seasons change. Summer brings farmers markets and plentiful gardens. There are so many summer tastes to enjoy! Who doesn’t love a fresh ripened peach? You bite into it and the juicy peach drips all over, but it’s a little taste of heaven to savor as summer winds down. Restaurants offer peach milkshakes, … [Read more...]
Spring Grove City Council approves Fire Hall RFQ
The Spring Grove City Council had a heated discussion at the end of its August 18 meeting. All members were present and gave input. At issue was whether to include the Ambulance in the scope for the project’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Fire Hall Project. Councilmember Trent Turner explained the project’s history, and that at the beginning the ambulance department … [Read more...]
Caledonia School District Starts Monday, HVED Open House Set
Caledonia Superintendent Craig Ihrke told the school board at its August 17 meeting that teacher workshops started on August 17 so they could introduce and meet new staff members, and a second day of workshops the following day featured a session on “How to AI-Proof Lessons.” Ihrke said the gym floor at the elementary school is still curing, but otherwise the staff is “ready to … [Read more...]
What is a Salad?
By Rose Korabek It’s peak picnic and barbecue season across the nation, and during the “dog days of summer,” chefs and home cooks alike seek to create delicious easy, no-cook salads. The Oxford Dictionary defines a salad as a cold dish of mixed ingredients, typically including raw vegetables, greens, or fruits, and often served with a dressing. The word originates from the … [Read more...]
Caledonia School Board Approves Confidential Resolution and Putting $12.7M Bond to Voters for Facility Upgrades
The bulk of the July 20, 2026, school board meeting in Caledonia was spent in two closed sessions with all board members present, except for the student who is off for the summer. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, conducting roll call and approving the agenda, the board heard from Caledonia resident Mark Augedahl during public comments. Augedahl talked about what … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Residents May Be Eligible for Flood Damage State Aid
On July 2, 2026, there was catastrophic flooding in parts of Houston County, including Spring Grove. The Houston County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency. City Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton told the Spring Grove City Council at its July 22 meeting that the city received 11 inches of rain on July 2, which “overloaded the system and bypassed the storm … [Read more...]