Craig Britton, Widseth, reported on the progress of both the Drainage Project and the 2023 Street Improvement Project at the city council’s September 11 meeting. Councilors Paul Novotny and Josh Broadwater were absent. Work began on the West Chatfield Drainage Project in July, and it was substantially completed by the middle of August. Pearson Backhoe Service, Inc. still has … [Read more...]
Whalan Welcomes Teresa Grossell, New City Clerk
The Whalan City Council welcomed Teresa Grossell as the new Whalan city clerk/treasurer at the September 11 city council meeting. After the council interviewed four people for the position, Grossell was hired. Present at the regularly scheduled meeting were Mayor David Hallum and council members Kim Berekvam, Sheila Higbe, Owen Lewis and Thore E. Johnson, along with … [Read more...]
Harmony Approves Feasibility Report for 2024 Street Improvements
At the September 12 Harmony, Minn., City Council meeting, City Engineer Brett Grabau, from Stantec, reviewed the feasibility report for the proposed 2024 street and utility project. Three areas had been previously identified, using the 2012 Pavement Management Plan. The areas were Fourth Street North, Snake Alley, and Main Street alleyway. The total estimated project costs were … [Read more...]
A Successful Steam Engine Days
Mabel Mayor Adam Wilder announced at the September 13 Mabel, Minn., City Council meeting that all 5,000 buttons were sold at Steam Engine Days, “Not sure when the last time they did that.” Wilder expressed his thanks to all the groups, Toot & Whistle, Historical Society, Business Association, Mabel Lions, all the volunteers, the Queens, noting, “Everything went great.” He … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board Looks at MCA Results and Enrollment Decline
At the September 13 school board meeting, board members, Jill Harstad, David Sovinski, Mark Johnsrud, Katie Priebe and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, principals Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson, Rinnea Kreter, administrative assistant and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Also present were Student Senate members Kiera Kobs and Mary Halvorson. Board … [Read more...]
Houston County Begins 2024 Budget Process
Chairperson Dewey Severson called the Houston County Commission’s regularly scheduled September 5 meeting to order at 9 a.m. Severson led his colleagues and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The board unani-mously approved the meeting agenda noting one change to the consent agenda, and the minutes from the August 22 commission meeting. Commissioner Robert (Bob) Burns … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council Approves “Filthy Fifty” Street Closure
Lanesboro, Minn., resident Tom Pursell addressed the city council about the issue of flavored tobacco at their September 5 meeting. Pursell asked them to consider the results of a survey taken of Fillmore County teenagers by the health department along with other studies and statistics before the council makes any decisions about an ordinance regarding flavored tobacco. … [Read more...]
Sheriff DeGeorge Returns to Discuss Ostrander Contract
By Patrick Andrews Sheriff John DeGeorge spoke before the Ostrander, Minn., City Council the evening of September 5 after concerns were raised over the steep price hike the city faces to continue its police contract services. Ostrander, which lacks a police department of its own, contracts with Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office for two hours of daily police service. Going … [Read more...]
Preston Adopts 2024 Preliminary Levy
The Preston City Council adopted the preliminary 2024 levy with an increase of 5.84% at their September 5 meeting. The preliminary levy is set at $1,201,705 with an increase of $66,301 from the 2023 levy. When the final levy is adopted in December it can be reduced but not increased. The preliminary numbers are used for property owner valuation notices. City Administrator … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Pours Over Budget
At the September 5 meeting, the Rushford Village Council once again reviewed expected expenditures for 2024. Also discussed were additional projects and needs. The council needs to set the preliminary budget and levy by the end of this month. City Clerk Mary Miner noted many communities automatically set the preliminary levy at 10% higher than the previous year, even though … [Read more...]