The Houston City Council heard from Bolton & Menk’s Derek Olinger at their February 9 regular meeting. The city of Houston had received a letter from Gary and Vickie Frauenkron expressing interest in purchasing 10 lots currently owned by the city. The lots have been partially developed by a previous party before being forfeited. At this time, there is no cost estimate to … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Semester Tests – Pro and Con
The semester test policy was a focus at the regular Lanesboro School Board February 11 as three speakers at the public input period spoke about them and the board had set aside time to discuss the policy. Stena Lieb, an art teacher at Lanesboro and a parent of several students spoke first. Lieb declared, “I dislike the semester tests – as a matter of fact, I abhor them!” … [Read more...]
Houston Kids Are Number One in Bus Drivers’ Hearts
The main reason the Houston bus drivers enjoy their jobs are the kids and families of Houston Schools. Roy Loken called his preschool bus route his therapy; Loken commented, “Preschoolers tell you everything!” as John Beckman agreed with a chuckle. Roy Loken shared the story of a three-year-old girl who informed him she’d been a farmer a long time ago. When he asked how long … [Read more...]
Houston’s Momsen Uses Sabbatical Wisely
Teacher Marty Momsen visited the February 5 Houston School Board meeting to share how he used his sabbatical last year. After teaching for 25 years, Momsen became a student again at age 50 to take the journey to become EMT certified and able to teach an EMT class. Momsen has been an EMT for four years and works at Winona Ambulance as well. His first hour EMT class at Houston … [Read more...]
Hard Hat High School Possibilities
At their January 22 meeting, the Houston School Board listened to a presentation by St. Charles Superintendent Rob Routh, Houston Superintendent Mary Morem and Houston’s Director of Educational Success and Innovation Michael Mangan as they explained the concept of creating a partnership high school along I90 near St. Charles. This collaborative career and technical education … [Read more...]
Kylie Stinson Plays in International Softball Tournament
Kylie Stinson just returned from playing in The Cup, an international fast pitch softball tournament held in the Netherlands January 16-18. At the tournament she played on the Minnesota Frost team against teams from countries such as Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Kylie, a freshman at Houston High School, was one of the youngest … [Read more...]
Three Little Birds Travel Agency Takes Flight
Nikki Olson of rural Bratsberg just launched her new business, Three Little Birds Travel Agency, on November 14, 2025. The name, Three Little Birds Travel Agency, came from her three children. Nikki felt that the fact that birds fly and travel tied in well with her company. She also enjoyed the song “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley, feeling the song’s lines “don’t worry about … [Read more...]
Houston Legion Serving the Community Since 1920
The American Legion Post 423 was organized in 1920, almost 106 years ago. Since that time the Legion has given so much to the community of Houston. In 1987 legal gambling began at the Legion; originally physical pull tabs were sold. In recent years, the addition of e-tabs greatly increased the gambling income at the Legion. Proceeds from the gambling that are shared with … [Read more...]
Lucky in Love The VanMinsel Wedding
Jon (Lucky) and Mary Jo VanMinsel got married July 26, 2025, one of the hottest days of the whole year, but they still declared the day perfect! This was the second wedding for both Lucky and Mary Jo; they wanted a venue where they could relax and enjoy the day. When they checked out Bluff Country Retreat in rural Whalan, they knew they had found it, a beautiful setting for … [Read more...]
Uniquely Personal Wedding: Rustic Western Meets Norwegian
Jaclyn Tweeten-Eberth and Ryan Eberth planned a wedding that totally suited them. Jaclyn grew up in Spring Grove, a community with a strong Norwegian influence; Ryan grew up in Baseohr, Kans., near Kansas City. The couple had met on an online dating site; they shared an interest in cattle and had both shown cattle growing up. Soon they were going to cattle shows … [Read more...]