Seventeen partnerships across Minnesota will receive funding to develop and expand programs to offer meaningful career exposure and paid work experience for students 16 years of age and older. The grants are part of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s (DLI) Youth Skills Training (YST) program that was signed into law in 2017 with bipartisan support to create and … [Read more...]
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Awards $345,985 in Organizational Grants To Support Arts Programming Across Southeastern Minnesota
ROCHESTER, MN – On May 13, 2025, the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) Board of Directors announced the awarding of $345,985 in arts programming grants to nonprofit organizations and schools throughout Southeastern Minnesota. These grants will support diverse arts and cultural programming and strengthen creative communities across the region. The funding includes: … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Approves Three-Year Contract with LELS
The county has been in contract negotiations with Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) for a few months. At the July 1 meeting of the county board a three-year union contract was approved pending the union’s approval. Bobbie Hillery, county administrator, and Lindsi Engle, human resource officer, met with the LELS team with input from David Drown & Associates to … [Read more...]
Village Audited; Wades Through Public Works Items
At the July 1 meeting, the Rushford Village Council welcomed Bill Sherry from Engleson & Associates. Sherry presented the summary findings of the 2024 audit. The village was issued a clean audit. Limited segregation of duties was noted as a risk, as is noted annually. “There’s not a whole lot going on,” said Sherry. Total cash and investments increased $100,000 last … [Read more...]
Emergency Resolution Approved After June 25 Storms Caused Over $120K in Damage
Chairman Eric Johnson called the July 1 regular meeting of the Houston County Commission to order at 9 a.m. All commissioners present at the July 1 meeting: District 1 - Cindy Wright, District 2 - Eric Johnson, District 3 - Kurt Zehnder, District 4 - Bob Schuldt, and District 5 - Greg Myhre. During the meeting, Houston County Emergency Management Director Mark Olson … [Read more...]
The Hazel Family’s Legacy of Soil and Sustainability
When driving through the countryside north of Lanesboro, keep an eye on the road – especially near the Hazel farms. “Watch out for the worms!” pleaded Brian Hazel with a grin. “They do our tillage work.” The Hazel family’s deep ties to the land date back to the Great Depression. Brian’s grandfather, co-signed a note with a friend for property near where the bike trail now … [Read more...]
R-P School Waiting for Clarification on Building Financing
The June 23 Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting had a certification of the proposed building referendum on the agenda. This certification needed to be sent to the state for review and approval. Last week a question concerning whether a daycare addition would qualify for the disaster relief funding from MDE came up. R-P has an email from an MDE official stating that it would … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Public Health Office Upgrades
At the June 24 meeting of the county board, Jessica Erickson, director of nursing, asked the board to consider new office structures to improve operational needs in her department. Erickson said additional revenues from state and other sources could offset costs of the upgrade so there would be little or no effect on the department’s budget or levy. Three quotes were … [Read more...]
Chatfield Approves Five-Year Street Plan and Issuance of Reconstruction Bonds
Two public hearings were held during the June 23 city council meeting. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. Mike Bubany, David Drown Associates, Inc., spoke during the combined public hearing regarding tax abatement and the 2025-2029 street reconstruction plan. The purpose of the hearings was to secure statutory authority for issuing debt. The tax abatement portion identifies … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Strength and Agility Well Attended
At the June 24 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad issued sincere thanks to the Preston, Fountain and Harmony banks for continuing to support the school through mini grants; $10,500 has been awarded this year. The spring sports season has finished. The Summer Strength and Agility program is going well with over 100 students registered. Summer … [Read more...]
Caledonia Considers Land Purchases, Hears Downtown Parking Concerns
The Caledonia City Council went into closed session during its regular meeting on June 23 to discuss offers related to the purchase of property, in accordance with MN §13D.05. Following the closed session, City Clerk/Administration Jake Dickson announced that the council had discussed strategies for acquiring land from the school district for the North Warrior Avenue … [Read more...]
Rushford Council’s Successful Work Session
At the June 23 meeting of the Rushford City Council, the council quickly dealt with the regular business of the city including approval of verified claims/fund summary for the period ending June 6 and the renewal of a cooperative agreement with the state DNR for a bike trail segment. The council then moved on to the main business of the night, a work session. The first item … [Read more...]
Village Comp Plan Nears Completion
After several years, the Rushford Village Comprehensive Plan update is nearing completion. At the June 17 meeting, Community Economic Development Associates’ Community and Business Development Specialist Rebecca Charles presented the first draft of the plan. Comprehensive plans are meant to guide the city in long-term decision making. Charles completed the plan for the city as … [Read more...]
Philanthropy Director Talks to Spring Grove Council About SMIF
Spring Grove City Council members met Tuesday, June 17 at 168 West Main Street in room 100. Mayor Bryan Wilhelmson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present included Mike Hagen, Eric Ostern, Trent Turner and Wilhelmson. Councilor Morgan Buckland was absent. City Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton was also … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton Recognized for Bond Sale Success, Approves Budget and Teacher Contract
The Mabel-Canton School Board was formally recognized by Ehlers & Associates during its regularly meeting on June 17, following the successful sale of school building bonds. Jodie Zesbaugh of Ehlers announced the award of the bonds to Baird out of Milwaukee, and the board unanimously approved the resolution ratifying the sale of the building bonds by roll call vote. … [Read more...]