The Peterson City Council met an hour before their regular meeting time for their August 13 meeting to allow time for an open discussion about the city’s recent storm response. No citizens appeared to speak during this time, but the council members and city staff each spoke about the response. Mayor Chris Stenzel felt everything went well; at midnight people were removing … [Read more...]
Houston School Preps for Fall
The Houston School Board began turning the page on summer and looked ahead to fall and the coming school year at their August 7 regular meeting. Student board representative Grayden Beckman shared that the student council had met with new high school principal John Cassellius to plan for Homecoming 2025. Since the Homecoming football game will be played on Saturday, there … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Rehires School Management Services
At their regular August 13 school board meeting, the board once again approved a contract with School Management Services to fill the school’s needs following the resignation of former Business Manager Garrett Stadsvold. Tanya Monson-Ek will take on the business manager duties and Steph Clark will deal with the payroll. Both are well experienced in their jobs; the work will be … [Read more...]
Estelle’s Eatery & Bar – 10 Years of Unique Food in Harmony
Estelles’ Eatery & Bar is a chef-owned, chef-driven restaurant with unique food and homemade sauces. This concept is behind everything they do; it helps them adapt and give people a better experience, according to Matt Brown. “Food – it doesn’t matter who you are, what your religion is or who you voted for in the last election – you have to eat food; it puts everyone on … [Read more...]
Lanesboro City Council Meetings Will Be Available Online
After extensive discussion at their August 4 meeting, the Lanesboro City Council decided to post recordings of their monthly council meetings online. According to Mayor Alicia Pearson, the League of Minnesota Citites recommended the posting of public meetings in a recent issue of its magazine, Minnesota Cities. Joe Cullen expressed his concern that posting all city meetings … [Read more...]
SMIF CEOs Visit Preston
The Preston community hosted newly retired SMIF (Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation) CEO Tim Penny and SMIF’s new CEO Benya Kraus July 18 at F&M Community Bank. Penny and Kraus were on the third day of their six day road trip to visit the 20 counties served by SMIF. Penny, who recently retired as SMIF CEO, introduced his replacement, Benya Kraus. Penny shared that … [Read more...]
Houston’s New Police Officer Curtis Chapel
Curtis Chapel was officially sworn in as Houston’s new police officer at the July 14 Houston City Council meeting. Chapel had served as an intern in Houston and has already been working for Houston during his last year of training to become a police officer. The city paid his expenses in return for a commitment from Chapel to remain on the force the next three years. A very … [Read more...]
Houston Welcomes New Principal
John Cassellius visited the Houston School Board meeting July 10 to introduce himself to the school board. Cassellius is the high school principal; he comes to Houston from Winona Senior High where he taught physical education and health. The board also greeted a newcomer to the school board. Claire Reay is the new student representative to the board. She replaces graduate … [Read more...]
Rushford Depot Progress Examined
On June 30 a small group gathered at the Rushford Depot ready to check out the progress at the building. The Rushford Area Historical Society (RAHS) had received a Legacy Amendment large grant totalling $254,953 from the Minnesota Historical Society in January 2024. The money was requested to stabilize the foundation of the depot as well as improve the visitors’ center and the … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Sets Daycare Rates
The Lanesboro School Board set the daycare rates for the 2025-2026 school year at their regular monthly meeting July 9. For a 40 hour week, the hourly rate for infants will be $4.25, toddler and preschool rates will be $4.00 and the school age (Kids’ Corner) rate will be $3.85. Daycare parents will receive a mailing detailing minimum weekly charges and flexible leave (sick … [Read more...]