Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce Director Stephanie Eggert tendered her resignation, effective year’s end. Eggert has been in the role since August 2023. Chamber President Amy Englehart attended the September 28 council meeting to discuss plans for the seeking of a new Chamber director. “The Chamber board is working through the transition and next steps,” said … [Read more...]
Caledonia Sets Preliminary Tax Levy of 9.98%
The Caledonia City Council adopted Resolution 2026-13, setting the preliminary levy for taxes payable in 2027 at the council’s September 28 regular city council meeting. Finance Director Stephanie Mann once again emphasized that it cannot go up, but it can go down before it is finalized at the December 14 city council meeting. After “tightening the budget,” the preliminary … [Read more...]
Preston Approves Preliminary 2027 Levy
At the September 28 meeting of the city council, Interim City Administrator Michelle Marotzke presented three options to council members for the 2027 levy. A proposed 5% increase in the 2027 levy was discussed at the last meeting of the city council. Council Steve Hall had his reservations, suggesting the city needs to build up its reserves to take care of needs in the … [Read more...]
Chatfield Approves Levy for Taxes Payable in 2027
At the September 28 meeting of the city council, the preliminary budget and levy payable in 2027 was approved. Councilor Dave Franks was absent. The levy can be reduced in December when the final levy for 2027 is considered but it cannot be increased. The total preliminary levy is $3,027,995 which is an increase of $142,355, or 4.9% over last year. The levy portion for … [Read more...]
Houston County Township Officers Association Holds 65th Annual Banquet
Brownsville resident Richard Cordes, the self-proclaimed Houston County history detective, shared his research on the 1860 Brownsville double homicide in memory of the two victims, mother and daughter, Anna Sofia Hanke and Pauline Hanke, at the Houston County Township Officers Association (HCTOA) 65th annual banquet on September 23 at the Four Seasons Community Center in … [Read more...]
Management Plan for the Scenic Byway Along Highway 16
Local business leaders and community leaders gathered on September 23 in Preston for a community open house to provide input for the future of the Byway along Trunk Highway 16 from Dexter to La Crescent. The Historic Bluff Country Natural Scenic Byway was designated as a Natural Scenic Byway in 2002. This 88 mile corridor was first designated by MnDOT as a State Scenic Byway … [Read more...]
Caledonia School Board recognized
September is Minnesota School Board Recognition Month, and Caledonia Area Public School District Superintendent Craig Ihrke brought cookies and read a statement in appreciation of the school board members during the Board Showcase. Roll call showed all members were present at the September 21 meeting, except student representative Phoebe Lampert. Ihrke’s statement said in … [Read more...]
Houston County Declares State of Emergency and Sets Preliminary Tax Levy
The Houston County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency for damage resulting from the September 19 severe storms at the September 22 regular commission meeting. Sheriff Brian Swedberg, filling in for Emergency Management Director Mark Olson, said, “On Friday night, we had a considerable amount of damage throughout the county, with only six townships and the … [Read more...]
Kingsland School Board Certifies Preliminary Levy
The Kingsland School Board snuck in one last summer board meeting as they met on Monday, September 21, 2026, to discuss the preliminary levy and get updates. Students Cody Howard and Blake Krahn shared updates on the Kingsland Student Council and the Spring Valley-Wykoff Future Farmers of America (FFA). The student council held their first meeting of the year where they … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson School Board Thanked
September is School Board Recognition Month in Minnesota, and Rushford-Peterson Schools’ staff and students made a point to recognize their board at the regular board meeting September 21. The theme this year was “Minnesota School Boards Help Minnesota Kids Rise.” Students created a poster thanking the board and a basket of sweet treats greeted the board as they entered the … [Read more...]