While many high school sports fans are focused on tournament play for the winter MSHSL sports season (Minnesota State High School League), spring sports season preparation is full-steam ahead at schools that run track meets. In Fillmore and Houston Counties, that includes Caledonia, Chatfield, GMLOKS (Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland/Southland) and R-P/H … [Read more...]
Hayden Stensgard Accepts Position of Rushford City Administrator
At the regular city of Rushford council meeting on February 23, the council approved an employment agreement with Hayden Stensgard for the city administrator position. Stensgard will begin in the position April 1 at a salary of $104,598 per year; he will start at step 10, level 6 and have the same basic benefit package as other city employees. A laptop and cell phone will be … [Read more...]
Reflections on RP’s Recent Referendum Vote
The Rushford-Peterson School Board officially canvassed the votes from the recent building referendum vote at their regular board meeting on February 17. The vote was 444 (37.34%) in favor and 744 (62.66%) against. 48% of the voters voted in the election compared to the typical low turnout of 15% and typical high of 25%. Superintendent Ben Bernard opened up a discussion of … [Read more...]
Houston Plans for Stoddard Street and Spruce Street
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...]