The Houston City Council meeting on June 14 began with a presentation by the MN DNR detailing the history of the proposed OHV Trail thus far. Joe Unger, DNR OHV trail planner; Kelli Bruns, DNR Parks and Trails regional manager; and Karen Umphress from the Amateur Riders Motorcycle Association collaborated to present the information and answer questions from the mostly anti-OHV … [Read more...]
Houston School Board — concerned parents
The regular June 3, 2021, Houston School Board meeting brought in a number of concerned parents wishing to address the board. Board Chair Tom Stillin went through the rules of the board before the group spoke, and had Superintendent Krin Abraham chronologically recount the event that the parents were upset about. An emailed proclamation from Governor Walz called for nine … [Read more...]
Quail Forever
The Quail Forever group held an activity for Spring Grove High School students the afternoon of May 28. Unfortunately, due to a scheduling snafu, the students didn’t end up coming out to Dean Emmingson’s property for the afternoon. Thurmond Tucker, Minnesota State Coordinator, and Eric Ressel, Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist and Certified Conservation Planner, had created an … [Read more...]
Time for a new rescue rig for RFD
Chad Rasmussen, Rushford Fire Chief, visited the Rushford City Council Meeting May 24 to get approval for a replacement rescue rig truck. Rasmussen had been searching for a replacement for quite some time, hoping to find a rig in the $25,000 to $30,000 range with no luck; the COVID pandemic has pushed vehicle prices up and availability down. The current 1984 brush/grass rig … [Read more...]
Houston School Board year end updates and decisions
Joe Ruskey of Dependable Solutions appeared before the board at the regular Houston School Board meeting May 20, 2021, to update them on the district’s technology. Ruskey told the board that they were trying to set a four- to five- year rotation for Chromebooks with about $33,000 spent this year and $48,000 to $50,000 in the following years. In addition, $5,000 will be spent on … [Read more...]
In memory of Denise Jacobson Evans
Some of the members of RPHS class of 2002 gathered at the R-P Softball Field on May 23 to remember a well-loved classmate, Denise Jacobson Evans, who passed away June 28, 2020, from complications of diabetes. Denise was the R-P team pitcher; she loved and excelled at softball — she loved all sports. Her classmates thought it only fitting to plant a Norway Maple tree in her … [Read more...]
Rushford Village to proceed with trail study
Rebecca Charles of the CEDA appeared before the City of Rushford Village regular council meeting May 18 to get approval to continue with the UW La Crosse CRV Area Trail Study. The study will cost $3,862; Charles assured the council that grants will be available this fall to cover at least half of the cost and potentially the entire study expense. The study would determine the … [Read more...]
R-P Schools – moving back to “normal”
With the new reduced masking regulations announced by the state, the Rushford-Peterson School Board members conducted their regular monthly board meeting on May 17 sans masks. Superintendent Jon Thompson joked with new board member Ken Sawle that it was the first time he’d seen his face! Thompson assured the board that teachers, staff and students would continue to wear … [Read more...]
Houston School Board looks ahead to next fall
At the regular Houston School Board meeting May 6, Mikayla Simmons was announced as the new Activities/Communications director effective June 7. Simmons will take on some of the duties that had been removed from the superintendent duties before the posting of the superintendent position, as well as the activities director position. With Jill Diana resigning from her position … [Read more...]
Return of the anti-OHV citizens
The regular May 10 meeting of the Houston City Council was held at a new location, the new Community Center, but had many visitors with the same topic on their minds as last month — the proposed OHV trail. Once again, the room was filled with citizens adamantly opposed to the OHV trail. Steve Westby asked the council who was going to repair the trail and care for it; he … [Read more...]