The City of Peterson held a Planning Commission meeting on January 7 to discuss Brian Olson’s request for the ability to construct grain bins and dryers on his 16.29 acres. The property, which sits north of homes along Mill Street/County Road 25, abuts the Root River levee on the east and north. It is zoned Agricultural 1, which prohibits bins and dryers. The purpose of the … [Read more...]
Preston to Apply for DNR Flood Damage Reduction Assistance Grant
The Preston City Council met for their first meeting of 2025 on January 6. Three newly reelected councilmen, Dean Aug, Steve Hall, and Mayor Kurt Reicks repeated the oath of office for newly elected officials. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton led a discussion on the possible purchase of the Harmony Ag site. A discussion with Harmony Ag has been ongoing about a possible … [Read more...]
Rushford Expresses Administrator Concerns
The Rushford Council tackled several agenda items at the December 23 meeting, including one added item relating to City Administrator Tony Chladek. Mayor Terri Benson provided the council with a recap of the recently conducted annual performance evaluation for the administrator. The Personnel Committee of Benson and Councilor Jim O’Donnell evaluated Chladek. There are areas … [Read more...]
Houston County Commissioners Bid Farewell to 2024
The Houston County Board of Commissioners wrapped up the year with a full agenda for their final meeting on December 31. Chairman Eric Johnson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and led both the board and the standing-room-only audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners present included Dewey Severson, Chairman Eric Johnson, Robert (Bob) Burns, Bob Schuldt and … [Read more...]
SEMAC Announces January Grant Opportunity For Individual Artists
The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) will open applications for Individual Artist Grants on December 28, 2024, with submissions due by January 28, 2025. In a significant change to the application process, SEMAC has eliminated the Letter of Intent requirement based on feedback from its recent Needs Assessment Survey. These competitive grants support artists in … [Read more...]
Kingsland to Hold Special Election for Proposed Referendum
Kingsland business manager Julie Schreiber kicked off the Kingsland School Board December 16 meeting with their annual Truth and Taxation presentation. “Our funding will trail inflation by about $1,364 per pupil in 2025,” Schreiber said. “It (funding) has been increasing but it has not been keeping up with inflation. In 2026 there is going to be an automatic inflationary … [Read more...]
Duane Bakke Honored for 26 Years of Service with Distinguished AMC Award
By Zech Sindt Fillmore County Commissioner Duane Bakke was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Service Award on December 10, 2024, during the annual conference of the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC). This honor, presented to only four individuals this year, recognizes Bakke’s extraordinary contributions to public service during his 26 years as a county commissioner, … [Read more...]
Caledonia School Board Bids Farewell To Board Member Daniel Small
Caledonia Area Public School board members met Monday, December 16 at Caledonia Elementary School in room #162. Board member Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., led with the Pledge of Allegiance, then conducted roll call. Board members present included Derek Adamson, Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Daniel Small, Spencer Yohe and Peterson himself. … [Read more...]
Houston County Commissioners Recognize Employees, Approve Levy
At the December 17 Houston County Commission meeting, 13 county employees were recognized and thanked for their dedication and service to Houston County: Melissa Jordan, 10 years; Jordan Goeden, 10 years; A.J. Bird, 10 years; Jennifer Daley-Oakes, 10 years; Lori Feldmeier, 20 years; Jon Kulas, 20 years: Mark Olson, 25 years; Tammy Mauss, 35 years; Liza Jandt, 35 years; Tom … [Read more...]
R-P Sets 2024 Payable 2025 Levy
After the state mandated Truth in Taxation meeting held at the regular December 16 school board meeting, the R-P School Board certified a levy of $2,632,416; this is an 11.63% increase from the previous year. Toni Oian, Rushford-Peterson’s business manager, presented an informational spreadsheet regarding the district’s finances during the TNT meeting. Oian pointed out that … [Read more...]