At the April 28 meeting of the county board, Assistant Fillmore County Attorney Marla Stanton and Captain Dan Dornink reported on a social media safety program which they continue to present at local schools. Stanton explained the first of these programs began in 2017. The content has changed over the years. Nine years ago, it was “scared straight” and now students are … [Read more...]
Your Money is Hard at Work in Houston County
The phrase “Your money is hard at work” may be overused, but during the April 28 Houston County Commission meeting, it became immediately clear that taxpayers in Houston County can rest assured that their money is well spent. With only one new business item listed on the agenda, there was time for two presentations. The first was a University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension … [Read more...]
Caledonia Council Gets First-Quarter Financial Update
Finance Officer Stephanie Mann presented the city’s first-quarter financials for review at the April 27 Caledonia City Council meeting. She announced that she and City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson will be meeting with the auditors during the first week of May, possible Thursday, May 7. She expects that the audit report will be presented to the council at the second … [Read more...]
Shady Oak Redevelopment Proposal
Several citizens attended the April 27 meeting of the Chatfield City Council due to a proposal for Shady Oak redevelopment. The proposal is to subdivide a portion of Shady Oak Park (near Hawley Street) into two buildable lots. The Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval, after a public hearing at its April 6 meeting. The proposal is to provide for two … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Shares Ownership of DuraPatcher with Chatfield and Stewartville
At the April 27 Lanesboro City Council meeting (which had been moved from May 4), the consent agenda was approved and included accounts payable, seven temporary on-sale liquor licenses on various dates for Lanesboro Arts, the acceptance of grants from the Lanesboro Area Community Foundation, and Resolution 2026-33 regarding the counting of write-in votes in compliance with … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Prepared for Next Tornado Drill
At the April 28 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad gave the elementary and high school reports. On April 16, the district conducted its annual tornado drill. The next day, actual tornado warnings gave the opportunity to practice in real life. Both buildings had to delay dismissal as students and staff sheltered in place. Olstad gave kudos to the … [Read more...]
M-C School Board Names Mike Harvey as New Superintendent
The Mabel-Canton School Board approved hiring Mike Harvey as the school’s new superintendent at its April 21 school board meeting. According to his LinkedIn profile, Harvey is currently the CTE Construction teacher at Goodhue Public Schools in Goodhue, Minn. He has been employed in that capacity since August 2024. Before returning to teaching, he served as superintendent at … [Read more...]
Kingsland School Board Taking Applications To Fill Vacancy
On Monday, April 20, the Kingsland School Board received Board Chair Kyle Rader’s resignation as he will soon be moving out of the district. Rader will remain on the board until June of this year. Superintendent Scott Klavetter explained because there are more than 90 days left of Rader’s term, there will need to be someone appointed to his seat. “Basically there are two … [Read more...]
Village Considers Permitting Fees
Rushford Village Planning & Zoning is reviewing its permitting fee structure and other modifications needed for 2026 and beyond. At the April 21 council meeting, Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit stressed that the board is not ready to bring the final proposed changes to the council for a decision. But, it’s clear changes are needed. Last year, the village spent $8,000 in … [Read more...]
Paint the Town Road Trip
By Alissa Oeltjenbruns Vice President of Philanthropy And Community Vitality, SMIF Spring in Minnesota can usually be described as more of February, but with a little less snow, with freezing temperatures, brown landscapes and winds that will keep everyone wearing their winter coat. The warm days we do get are but a cruel trick, disappearing again so fast that it makes us … [Read more...]