August 1, 2022 – Average gasoline prices in Minnesota have fallen 18.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.14/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 2,856 stations in Minnesota. Prices in Minnesota are 53.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand $1.13/g higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has declined 14.8 cents in the last … [Read more...]
Rushford Village to close road for work
At the August 2 meeting, the Rushford Village council learned of a one-day road closure on County Line Road. The purpose of the approximately 60-foot closure section is for engineers from Bolton & Menk to conduct soil borings. The road has been the topic of many recent discussions as deep erosion from the watershed has left the section with a steep embankment and deep … [Read more...]
Fountain to grow sinkhole capital tourism
At the August 3 meeting, Fountain’s city council received an update from Councilor Colleen Fohrenbacher regarding a plan to make the city’s claim to fame as the ‘sinkhole capital of the U.S.’ a tangible tourism aspect. The US Geological Survey has mapped roughly 60 percent of sinkholes in Fillmore County and so it’s estimated that there may be more than 10,000 sinkholes, … [Read more...]
Preston Historical Society annual update
At the August 1 meeting of the Preston City Council, Sheila Craig, president of the Preston Historical Society, updated the council as to the ongoing activities of the Society. The Society had received a $10,000 Small Community Grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) in the fall of 2021. The funds are being used to study funding options for the … [Read more...]
Lanesboro council makes changes to street improvement plan
Andy Heimdahl, owner of Sylvan Brewing, addressed the Lanesboro City Council at their regular August 1 meeting. He had noticed that the addition of two parking spaces in front of his brewery along with a small ramp were in the street improvement plan. While he understood the need for more parking spots, that space is frequently used for large brewery deliveries. “If there were … [Read more...]
Schematic design presented for Fillmore County Jail
At the August 2 meeting of the county board, Bruce Schwartzman and Henry Pittner, BKV Group, presented a schematic design for the jail remodeling and addition. BKV Group last presented to the county board on June 7. Since then, they have worked through plans, systems, materials, and have studied the site for all underground utilities that may conflict with … [Read more...]
CUP recommended by Fillmore County Planning Commission
The Fillmore County Planning Commission met on July 21 for a public hearing to consider an application for a conditional use permit for a sand and gravel pit, located in section 19 of Spring Valley Township. Mitch Froehlich spoke for Ulland Brothers, Inc., a local paving and excavation contractor (founded in 1920). The employee-owned company has a three-year lease agreement … [Read more...]
Caledonia’s parks use ordinance approved
Caledonia city staff reviewed parks use ordinances from Minnesota cities as well as conducted a thorough review of the proposed ordinance by commissioners and the city’s attorney. Councilmembers approved the revised parks use ordinance at the July 25 regular city council meeting. Members in attendance included Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder, Robert “Bob” Klug, David … [Read more...]
Chatfield to continue bag system for waste removal
At the July 25 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, a resolution was unanimously approved to continue the current method of waste and recycling collection for at least another year. Bill Hanson, William Hanson Waste Removal, agreed now is not a good time to make a switch. The Public Services committee needs more time to resolve the many issues that have popped up over the … [Read more...]
Unemployment sinks again to another all-time low: 1.8% Last six months strong for Minnesota employment; Labor force participation rises again
The unemployment rate ticked down two-tenths of a point to 1.8% in June 2022 – yet another record low since the metric has been tracked in 1976, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The lowest pre-pandemic unemployment rate was 2.5% in early 1999. The unemployment rate decline over-the-month was entirely … [Read more...]