Spring Grove Public Schools welcomes new science teacher Bethany Mestelle to the Lions’ pride. Mestelle hails from Minocqua, Wis., where she graduated from Lakeland Union High School (LUHS), home of the Thunderbirds, in 2017. Her voice raised an octave as she shared that her plans as a teenager were not to follow in her parents’ footsteps as a teacher. Come to find out, her … [Read more...]
New teachers at Houston
This year, Houston Public Schools welcomed six new teachers to their staff. Here is a little introduction to each of them. Lisa Skifton Lisa is the new special education teacher at Houston High School. Lisa grew up in South St. Paul, Minn. She has a plethora of teaching experience including teaching elementary special education in Winona (1995) and at Houston … [Read more...]
Chatfield approves 2023 preliminary budget, tax levy
At the September 26 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, City Clerk Joel Young briefly reviewed the budget goals for fiscal year 2023. Seven principles were listed to outline these goals, including the maintenance of a “steady, predictable, local tax rate with a long term goal of reducing the tax rate over time.” Young said they are making progress on each of the principles. … [Read more...]
Houston County owned buildings on the agenda
Chairman Greg Myhre called the September 27, Houston County Commission meeting to order at 9 a.m., leading commissioners and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners in attendance include Chairman Myhre, Teresa Walter, Robert (Bob) Burns, Eric Johnson, and Dewey Severson. Commissioners unanimously approved the meeting’s agenda, the minutes from the September … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central school year off to a great start
At the September 27 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad announced that the school year was off to a great start. The elementary students continue to have lunch and breakfast in their classrooms and a salad bar was added for grades 3-6. The back-to-school conferences for grades K-6 were well attended by students and parents. A project was completed … [Read more...]
Caledonia orders new squad car
The Caledonia City Council held a public hearing at the council’s regularly scheduled meeting on September 26, regarding a request from business owner Joe Hayes for a setback variance at 505 Old Highway Drive. According to the permit application, Hayes plans to build a 40’ x 50’ timber frame with steel siding and roof addition to the east side of the existing commercial … [Read more...]
Veterans home update highlights resident applications, staff recruitment
SEPTEMBER 26, 2022, ST. PAUL, MINN. – Preston Veterans Home advocates attended a virtual meeting with officials from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) on September 21 to receive an update on the future Minnesota Veterans Home in Preston. Construction continues on schedule for the facility that is located at 1112 Overlook Drive on a 15-acre bluff-top site … [Read more...]
SMIF announces second Prosperity Initiative cohort of 2022
OWATONNA, MN, SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is pleased to announce the members of the second Prosperity Initiative cohort of 2022, a program which provides free coaching and training to minority entrepreneurs. Four entrepreneurs have joined the program. Prosperity Initiative clients commit to a six-month period of working directly with an … [Read more...]
Fillmore County approves preliminary 2023 budget/levy
Fillmore County Commissioners at their September 27 board meeting unanimously approved the preliminary budget and levy for 2023. The budget in the amount of $12,399,295 requires a 3.95% levy increase, or $471,533 more than in 2022. County Program Aid for 2023 will be $940,355, or $125,351 more than in 2022. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery noted recent adjustments that had … [Read more...]
Caledonia School District is off to a good start
By Kaitlin Longhauser Caledonia School Board members met in Caledonia Elementary School’s music room #162 on Monday, September 26, from 6-8 p.m. Board members present included Matt Blocker, Erin Hammell, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Daniel Small, Wendy Woyczik, and Spencer Yohe. The board approved the consent agenda and the minutes from the August 15 regular board meeting … [Read more...]