The Lanesboro School Board heard concerns about the current semester test policy from the public at their November 12 regular board meeting. Jeff Lepper, who has three children in Lanesboro Schools and is an educator himself, said he supports semester tests, but feels that they should not be used as a punishment for missing school. Lepper declared that nothing new was being … [Read more...]
Houston Considers Course Equivalency Offerings
Michael Mangan, director of Educational Success and Innovation, and Kelsey Harvey, Minnesota Virtual Academy (MNVA) teacher, addressed the Houston School Board at their regular meeting November 6 about the possibility of offering course equivalencies at both MNVA and onsite at Houston. Course equivalencies would offer alternative classes that would satisfy graduation … [Read more...]
Wanhi Yukan (There is Chert There) Preserve
The Grand Meadow Chert Quarry/Wanhi Yukan Preserve is a new place to explore near Grand Meadow, Minn. Wanhi Yukan literally means “There is chert there;” this chert quarry was created in prehistoric times to gather the highest quality chert in Minnesota. Many people are unfamiliar with the word “chert.” Chert is a dark flint that is composed of fine grain crystalline quartz; … [Read more...]
Semcac Food Shelves Ready to Help
As October drew to an end with no end in sight for the government shut down, people became more anxious about their food supply. SNAP benefits were set to end as of November 1; where would people receiving those benefits find food? Wendy Todd, director of the Food Shelf program at SEMCAC noted that both donations and visits to the Food Shelves began picking up. Todd … [Read more...]
New Rushford-Peterson Teachers
Rushford-Peterson Schools had five new teachers join the staff this year. Taylor Allen, kindergarten; Belle Berg, fourth grade; Jodi Monerson, K-4th grade music; Grace Dahl, grades 9-10 math; and Robbie Strand, MSHS business and head football coach. Taylor Allen, the new kindergarten teacher, used to always play school with her siblings growing up. During COVID, Taylor … [Read more...]
MN Fall Beef Classic Held in Preston
The Fillmore County Fairgrounds was a bustling place October 16-19 as the MN Fall Beef Classic was held in Preston. Usually, this show is held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds; this year, due to construction, a new site needed to be found. Enter a committee that decided to take on the event and hold it at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds. Amanda Bedtke, Autumn Feine, … [Read more...]
Two New Positions Created at Rushford-Peterson
The Rushford-Peterson School Board approved the creation of two new staff positions at their regular meeting on October 20. The first was a track meet manager position. According to Activities Director Clay Olstad, the school has been holding more and larger track events in recent years. This coming year, eight events will be held at R-P including the True Team meet and … [Read more...]
Two New Teachers at Lanesboro Schools
Lanesboro Schools welcomed two new teachers this fall. Morgan Knutson is teaching secondary life science and Lea Jensson is teaching elementary special education. Morgan Knutson feels that she was always meant to be teacher; she loves working with kids and helping them learn. her awesome science teachers in high school fed her love of science. Morgan graduated from … [Read more...]
SE Asian Farmers Visit Houston Farm
Glen Groth hosted some special visitors at his Houston area farm recently. Guests from Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand visited Groth’s farm as they took part in the NSM (Northern Soy Marketing) Crop Tour on September 29 through October 3. NSM is a collaboration of Minnesota and South Dakota soybean checkoff organizations. Minnesota and South Dakota produce 16% of the soybeans … [Read more...]
Truck Pulling, Competition and Camaraderie
Kris and Roger Torgerson of Harmony have found a great hobby, one in which they get to enjoy the thrill of winning and a great group of friends: truck pulling! The Torgersons are not new to truck pulling. Roger drove his first pull when he was a mere 14; his father, Stan, was supposed to drive the truck that night, but got busy running the pull and had Roger drive in his … [Read more...]