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...]
Brownsville Council Reviews MnDOT Intersection Project Updates
Mayor Jean Meyer gave the latest updates to the Brownsville City Council at their July 1 on the proposed Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) project at the intersection of County Road 3 (CSAH 3) and State Highway 26. This is the entry point to Brownsville. Meyer said that she and Councilor Barb Hurley attended the June 29 meeting with MnDOT and other decisionmakers … [Read more...]
An American Classic
By Rose Korabek Which historic food has no reservations about being served at a Minnesota farm table or on prestigious Capitol Hill? Was a Minnesota senator behind this culinary staple being served almost daily at Senate restaurants for about the past 125 years? As America celebrates its 250th Anniversary, let’s talk about an American classic, the humble but iconic bean soup, … [Read more...]