The March 4 Rushford Village Council meeting included discussion on two ordinance changes and the potential hire of a Public Works position. Councilor Travis Link, Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit, and Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo were absent from the meeting. Ordinance #7 and #2 were reviewed by City Attorney Joe O’Koren. The first relates to mowing, grass and … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to Try Out Management of STS Program Internally
Sheriff John DeGeorge explained his request to manage the Sentence to Serve (STS) Program internally at the county board’s March 4 meeting. The state of Minnesota is ending the STS Program as of June 2025. The Institution Community Work Crews (ICWC) program pays counties like Fillmore County to house low risk inmates. This program appears to be continuing. The ICWC allows for … [Read more...]
Fountain MiBroadband Project Nearing
At the March 5 meeting, the Fountain Council heard from Alex Miners of Miners Underground. The company is the contractor for the underground fiber-optic project for MiBroadband. Miners discussed the locating and construction process, including who will be on-site and what property owners can watch for. Miners noted the flags for locating will come first. They ask that all … [Read more...]
Houston County Commission Approves Contracts and Hire, Announces Active Shooter Training
Chairman Eric Johnson called the March 4 Houston County Commission meeting to order at 9 a.m. in Room 222 of the historic courthouse. Nine minutes later, the board went into closed session for labor negotiations. All commissioners were in attendance: District 1 – Cindy Wright, District 2 – Eric Johnson, District 3 – Kurt Zehnder, District 4 – Bob Schuldt, and District 5 – … [Read more...]
A Farm Family’s Lasting Legacy
In the mid-1800s, Dutch immigrants from the Netherlands settled in Fillmore County, specifically in the Greenleafton area southwest of Preston, Minn. Among these first families was Gerhard H. Wissink and his wife, Reindina Margaretha (Hoopman) Wissink. The Wissink’s were Dean Wissing’s great-grandparents who immigrated from the Netherlands in 1869. Dean explained that in … [Read more...]
Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Stepping Forward
At the February 25 commission meeting, Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail executive director, Alexa Shapiro, updated the Houston County Board of Commissioners on the progress of the 100-mile hiking trail scheduled to be built through Fillmore and Houston Counties. Chairman Eric Johnson called the regularly scheduled meeting of the board to order at 9 a.m., followed by the … [Read more...]
Police Body Worn Cameras Hearing Set for Rushford
The Rushford City Council set March 24 at 6:30 p.m. as the hearing date on the intent to purchase body worn cameras for the Rushford Police Department. According to Minnesota Statute, the police must allow public comment before purchasing such equipment. Copies of the proposed policy are available on the city website or at city hall. Written comments must be received by … [Read more...]
Kingsland School Board Talks Budgets, Roofs and Referendums
The Kingsland School Board kicked off their February 18 meeting with Spring Valley-Wykoff FFA (Future Farmers of America) Chapter representative Cody Howard who gave an update on the chapter’s busy month. The chapter made and delivered valentines to the elementary students. Max Erdman, Seth Howard and Ira Schmidt got their Minnesota State FFA degrees in February. They will … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to Enhance Communication System
Sheriff John DeGeorge explained why there is a need for the I-BAND Interior Public Safety Band Enhancement System at the board’s February 25 meeting. Due to the fact that there are not many radio towers in Fillmore County for the ARMER (Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Radio) System this amplification system will be necessary in the new jail building. Three bids were … [Read more...]
Chatfield 2025 Crack Filling and Chip Sealing Plans
At the February 24 meeting of the city council, plans were approved for maintenance of numerous city streets. A quote from Durst Outdoor Services in the amount of $29,025.50 was approved for crack filling work on portions of six streets (River St, Seventh St., Sixth St., Fourth St., Old Territorial Rd, and Grove St.). Many of the same streets will be chip sealed after … [Read more...]