At the March 12 meeting of the board, County Engineer Ron Gregg reviewed projects to be constructed in 2024. This information was provided for the commissioners prior to the annual meeting of the townships later this day. Gregg detailed 11 projects: 1) concrete overlay of CSAH 1 from CSAH 39 to the west city limits of Spring Valley, 2) full depth reclamation and bituminous … [Read more...]
Rushford EDA Seeks Community Input
The Rushford EDA is actively seeking community input on the future plans for the newly acquired property formerly owned by Farmers Win Co-op. On March 13, the EDA heard a joint presentation by Kristin Prososki, Community Development Specialist at SEH, and Martha Faust, Brownfields Community Outreach Supervisor at the MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency). In this … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Board Approves Master Contract
In a relatively short meeting on March 13, the Lanesboro School Board approved the master teacher contract which was recently negotiated. Board member Steve Snyder said of the 11-month long process, “It was a pleasure working with them (the teacher negotiators)! We each tried to understand each other’s positions.” Board chair Christine Troendle commented, “I’m happy to see … [Read more...]
“Lady of the Lake” Floats into Preston Veterans Home, Courtesy of Preston Area Arts Council
In January 2024 the Preston Area Arts Council disbanded due to a lack of new members and current members aging out. But before that happened the council decided they wanted to present the Preston Veterans Home with a gift. The council was made up of five members: Kay Spangler, founder and co-director, Mariella TerBeest-Schladweiler, co-director, Eileen Linden, the late … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council Approves Use of Public Safety Funding
The Lanesboro City Council met for their regular meeting on March 4. Mayor Jason Resseman was absent. The consent agenda was approved and included the accounts payable, Resolution 2024-15 accepting donations from Chill-Inn Lanesboro, the resignation of Jerod Wagner from the Lanesboro Fire Department, and a lodging license for Lanesboro House. A number of permits for Buffalo … [Read more...]
Clean Audit for Fountain
At the March 6 meeting, the Fountain Council welcomed AndreW Forliti, principal for Smith Schafer, to discuss the 2023 audit findings. Local Government Aid (LGA) provided to the city remained flat for the last four years, but it will increase slightly to $92,011 in 2024. The state funding currently provides 20% of the total city revenues. The city has needed to increase the … [Read more...]
Houston County EDA Showed Positive Growth in 2023
Houston County Economic Development Authority (EDA) Director Allison Wagner presented the 2023 EDA annual report at the March 5 Houston County Commission meeting. She said, “2023 was a year of positive growth for the Houston County EDA and its partners.” Throughout her presentation, Wagner shared a range of numbers illustrating EDA’s successful year. EDA managed three … [Read more...]
Brownsville Allocates $24,000 in Public Safety Aid Funds to the Fire Department
The Brownsville City Council voted to allocate $24,000 in 2023 Minnesota public safety aid funds to the town’s volunteer fire department at the March 6 city council meeting. Before volunteers from the town’s volunteer fire department spoke regarding the 2023 Public Safety Aid funds received by the city from the state in December, Councilmember Barb Hurley asked to … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Discusses Mental Health Program
At the March 5 meeting of the county board, social services manager Wanda Berg explained the request for a shortfall payment submitted by Nexis Family Healing. The Southeast Regional Crisis Center (SERCC) has been operated by Nexis Family Healing for the last three years. It is located in Rochester and is available 24/7 for mental health crisis intervention. Nexis … [Read more...]
Preston Appoints Tourism/Chamber Director
The Preston City Council appointed a new Tourism/Chamber director at the March 5 meeting. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton reported there had been 10 applicants. Three were interviewed and the position was offered to Kristina LiBretto. She is a relatively recent resident of the city, having moved from New York. LiBretto will begin at her new job on March … [Read more...]