School buses; the bright yellow, metal behemoths are designed to stand out. We expect that there are children aboard and hope drivers anticipate stops. A frightening rise in the number of reported violations, close calls, and even deaths, however, has law enforcement, transportation directors, and bus companies on high alert. On October 30, three young siblings were struck … [Read more...]
Lanesboro council approves property tax levy
During the December 3 Lanesboro City Council meeting, the council paused the meeting at 6 p.m. to hold a Truth in Taxation Hearing. After the property tax levy and budget were discussed, the public was invited to speak and to ask questions of the council. There were no questions asked by any residents in attendance. What this means for residents is a property tax increase … [Read more...]
Marin to join Ostrander Council
On December 3, the Ostrander City Council held a regular meeting. Members in attendance included Vernon Thompson, Pam Kunert, Mayor Pat Nesler, and DJ Start. Heidi Jones and City Clerk Wendy Brincks were absent. Because of the resignation of Council member Heidi Jones, the Ostrander Council had a vacancy to fill. The resignation letter from Jones to the city stated, in … [Read more...]
Kingsland talks facilities, funding and football
At the Kingsland School Board’s monthly “work session” meeting on December 3, with all members present (Doug Plaehn, Ann Oeltjen, Leah Stier, Jackie Horsman, Tiffany Mundfrom, and Superintendent James Hecimovich), the board discussed the long term facilities maintenance (LTFM) plan, and the Indoor Air Quality project being planned. Regarding the IAQ project at the Spring … [Read more...]
Nisse Treehouse daycare in Mabel
Word is getting around that there’s a new daycare center in Mabel. Darcy Thorson is the director of Nisse Treehouse daycare in Spring Grove and Mabel, and that keeps her very busy. But she recently sat down for an interview. Darcy explained that the center in Spring Grove has been operating for just over two years, but that the Mabel center just opened in mid-September of … [Read more...]
Lego League gives presentation at Fillmore Central School Board meeting
First Lego League coach Stuart Weist was present at the November 27 school board meeting along with the league’s student members. The Lego League is a STEM program and consists of 10 students from 4th-8th grade who must work together to build a robot based on a theme chosen by the international First Lego League organization. This year’s theme is Into Orbit, and the Fillmore … [Read more...]
Whalan tournament receives special recognition by Hall of Fame
In 2017, the Whalan Lutheran Church Men’s Fastpitch Tournament was selected to be included in the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame, which was celebrated by not only those involved in the tournament, but also by residents of Fillmore County and those living far beyond southeast Minnesota. Everett Johnson, longtime director for the Whalan Lutheran Church Men’s Fastpitch … [Read more...]
Oakwood (Sherwood) Cemetery holds first recorded burial in 139 years
While Glenn Maynard “Mush” Ukkestad was working for the Minnesota Department of Transportation in the mid 1950s, he was on the original survey crew during the construction of Highway 16 between Houston and Rushford. As he came upon the old Oakwood Cemetery, which overlooks Hwy. 16 just before coming into Rushford, Ukkestad was inspired by the beautiful view. Although the … [Read more...]
Planning Commission recommends approval of event center near Spring Valley
At the November 15 meeting of the Fillmore County Planning Commission, Linnea Weiser described her plans to open a wedding/corporate event center at the former Root River Country Club location, which is about two miles northeast of Ostrander in Section 21, Bloomfield Township. During the public hearing she explained that she intends to rent out the 40-foot x 60-foot building … [Read more...]
Kingsland considers “What now?”
On November 6, the Kingsland referendum was voted down, which brings up the question of what happens now. That question was recently asked of Kingsland board members and the superintendent. Superintendent James Hecimovich answered, “I think what happens is, at our next working session, in December, is that we’ll discuss do we come back in November (with another referendum). … [Read more...]