At the October 19 regular Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting, Superintendent Ben Bernard shared that R-P had signed a preferred admission agreement with Luther College. Under this agreement, students who meet minimum requirements will be automatically admitted to Luther and receive a $500 scholarship. Bernard thanked MSHS Principal Brent Olson for his work on the agreement … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Applies for Multiple Grants
At their October 20 meeting, the Spring Grove City Council heard details of five grants that City Administrator Jana Elton has applied for on behalf of the city. The grants included a $30,000 SMIF Childcare Grant for the year 2027, a $50,000 grant from Taylor Family Farms on behalf of the fire department to go toward the fire hall construction, a $20,000 Arlin Falck Grant for … [Read more...]
Local Experts in Body Work and Car Care
Owners Keith Bradt and Bill Burk have owned Chatfield Body Shop in Chatfield since 1995. Keith’s dad had bought the business in 1978; when he became ill in 1989, Keith joined him in the business. Keith ran the business from 1990 to 1995 when he and Bill Burk, who already did body work at the business, decided to form a partnership. About 15 years ago, the duo expanded into … [Read more...]
Cade Christensen’s ‘57 Chevy Road Trip to Bowling Green
Cade Christensen of rural Houston has been into cars since he was a 6-month-old baby, when the 1957 Chevy Bel Air station wagon joined the family. The car had been purchased in South Dakota by Cade’s uncle; when he chose to sell it, Cade’s dad Alan bought it. When Cade was 13, he started working on the ‘57 Chevy. The Christensens chose to do a “frame off” restoration in which … [Read more...]
MiEnergy – Celebrating 90 Years as a Cooperative
In 1935, Franklin D. Roosevelt formed the Rural Electricification Administration (REA). A short year later both Hawkeye REC (Rural Electric Cooperative) and Tri-County Electric were formed in 1936. These two companies would later combine to form MiEnergy Cooperative in 2017. The merger of the two cooperatives was the natural next step for both. At that time, they had shared … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School’s Referendum Vote Coming
At the October 14 Lanesboro School Board meeting, Superintendent Matt Schultz reported on how information has been shared with the district’s residents about the upcoming referendum vote. Three informational meetings have been held: one in August right before school began, one in September at the Commonweal Theatre, and one at the American Legion this past week. A letter was … [Read more...]
Houston Approves Trail Extension Joint Powers Board
Larry Kirch of the Citizen Exploratory Commission for the Root River Trail Extension presented the group’s 2025-2026 report to the Houston City Council at their regular council meeting on October 13. This exploratory group was created with a memorandum of agreement between La Crescent, Hokah, Houston County and Houston. The group eventually chose to use a trail plan created by … [Read more...]
Houston FFA Returns
Hailey Jensen, the new agriculture teacher, visited the Houston School Board regular meeting on October 1 to introduce herself and her program to the board members. Jensen shared that she is licensed to teach a total of 97 agriculture related courses. Among the classes she is currently teaching are a floral design class and a farm to table class, which teaches food preparation. … [Read more...]
A Harvest of Creativity
Once again, Mitch Paulson has outdone himself in creating a Halloween display in his Bratsberg yard at the intersection of Hwy. 10 and Hwy. 43. This year’s theme is baling. One of his pumpkinhead men is picking up a bale. A lovely buxom red-haired woman drives an ox made of cornstalks, pulling a kicker baler. A young man stands atop the baler and plays catch with two other … [Read more...]
Angi McAndrews – Open Door, Open Book
Houston Public Schools hired a new superintendent, Angi McAndrews, this past summer. Her motto is “Open Door, Open Book.” She encourages members of the community to reach out to her with any concerns or celebrations. While McAndrews is new to being a superintendent, she has extensive experience in education. After she graduated from La Crescent High School, Angi pursued an … [Read more...]