After board member Lisa Schultz read the lengthy resolution, the Houston School Board ratified a lease-purchasing agreement for the construction of the elementary building’s safe and secure entry at their July 9 meeting. The agreement was for $850,000 with interest not to exceed 6%. While the entry will not be completed by the start of school, Assistant Principal Angela McQuinn … [Read more...]
Hometown Pride for Houston
The Houston City Council heard from Diane Hanson Lambrecht during the public comment period of their July 13 council meeting. Lambrecht spoke on behalf of the Hometown Pride Committee. She shared that the committee had been formed by a group of women 12 years ago to “monitor what was going on in the community.” The ladies who are now in their 70s and 80s wanted to let the … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Approves CUP for Farmers Win Coop
The City of Rushford Village held a public hearing before beginning their regular council meeting on July 7. The meeting was to allow the public to share their concerns and ask questions regarding a conditional use permit for the construction of a new building for Farmers Win Coop in the village along Hwy. 43. Planning and Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit noted that he had the … [Read more...]
Fountain Council Renews Contract with Rick Whitney
At their July 1 regular meeting the Fountain City Council heard a report from Rick Whitney of Environmental Water Services, LLC on his recent work for the city. The full council, which included Mayor Ron Reisner, Cory Spratte, Jordan Kerns, Tammy Danielson, Dave Stockton and City Clerk Mary Tjepkes, was present to hear the report. Rick shared that at the West Side Lane lift … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Referendum Election Approved
At their regular board meeting July 8, the Lanesboro School Board approved a resolution calling for an operating referendum election for Lanesboro Schools. The board set November 3, the same day as the regular election this fall, for this special election. Law firm Kennedy and Graven helped with the wording of the referendum question to be placed on the ballot. The school … [Read more...]
Water Fun in Rushford
RFD put a post on Facebook that they would be bringing a fire truck to the Brooklyn field; the Ambulance Department soon followed with a notice that they’d be handing out freezies. Anyone approaching the field knew immediately something fun was happening there. Kids were squealing and excitedly running to the water. Fireman Evan Meier handled the fire truck hose, spraying … [Read more...]
Rushford Council Approves Rent Assistance to White Barn Farm
With members Mayor Leigh Volkman and Councilmembers Jim O’Donnell, Andrew Linder, Nick Smith and Judi Brock as well as City Clerk Tiffany Jacobson and City Administrator Hayden Stensgard present, the Rushford City Council met on June 22. Chad Kingsbury, who owns The White Barn Farm with his wife Stephanie, was the lone visitor at the meeting. Kingsbury had applied for a … [Read more...]
Harmony Veterinary Clinic Receives Excellence Award from UMN
For the past 14 years, the Harmony Veterinary Clinic owned by Dr. John Rein and Dr. Jeff Collins has collaborated with the University of Minnesota to provide real life experience for future veterinarians. Recently UMN honored the clinic with its prestigious Clinical Training Sites of Excellence Award. Past recipients of the award have included Mayo Clinic, St. Luke’s Health … [Read more...]
A Celebration of Life in a Barn
On June 13, 2026, Katie Ruen’s celebration of life was held in an old barn that had been built in 1910 by local farmers near Lanesboro. Why was this barn chosen for such a purpose? What did that barn mean to Katie and her family? Katie and Ed Ruen had bought the family homestead over 40 years ago. It became a private retreat for family get-togethers. They treasured it and … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson Board Approves Budgets
At their regular meeting June 15, the Rushford-Peterson School approved their revised 2025-2026 budget as well as their proposed 2026-2027 budget. Business Manager Toni Oian walked the board through the budgets, presenting them side-by-side for easy comparison. Total expenditure for debt services in 2026-2027 was projected at $2.6 million, down from $2.7 million in … [Read more...]