A K-6 grade supply fee of $25 per student was reviewed by the Fillmore Central School Board at their July 26 meeting. The fee will allow the teachers to purchase the exact supplies the students in their classrooms will need rather than sending out a school supply list for families to purchase individually. Due to the change, a supply drive will no longer be held, but people … [Read more...]
Rushford hears SMIF and legislative updates
The July 25 Rushford City Council meeting brought a positive outlook on economic development and frustration over an ongoing push for a special legislative session with impacts on small cities. Alissa Oeltjenbruns, of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), apprised the council of ongoing programs, work within communities, and future partnerships. Also in attendance … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Community Corrections savings
The newly hired Community Corrections Director Tom Jensen addressed the Fillmore County board for the first time at its July 26 meeting. Jensen has been on the job for the county since July 18. He has been working on the 2023 budget for the new department. The board voted to withdraw from Dodge-Fillmore-Olmsted Community Corrections and the Joint Powers Agreement, effective … [Read more...]
Houston County declares State of Emergency
Houston County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 26, at 9 a.m. at the historic county courthouse in downtown Caledonia. Chairman Greg Myhre led commissioners and the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners approved the July 26 meeting agenda with two changes, one to the consent agenda and one additional action item, the July 12 regular board … [Read more...]
Rushford Village approves engineering proposal
At the July 19 meeting, the Rushford Village Council heard a proposal from City Engineer Derek Olinger, of Bolton & Menk, for addressing road deterioration on County Line Road. Like many rural roadways, it’s gravel, winding, steep in sections, and prone to the bombarding erosion of watersheds. Traveling east on the road, erosion has dug into 50-60 feet of the north side of … [Read more...]
Minnesota weekly gas update
July 18, 2022 – Average gasoline prices in Minnesota have fallen 11.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.49/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 2,856 stations in Minnesota. Prices in Minnesota are 24.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand $1.48/g higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has declined 10.8 cents in the last … [Read more...]
Spring Grove continues negotiations with the Houston County Sheriff Department
The Spring Grove City Council met Tuesday, July 19, at 6 p.m. at the Fest Building. Mayor Scott Solberg led the council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present include Mayor Solberg, Travis Torgerson, Chad Rohland, Trent Turner, and Karen Folstad. Also present were City Clerk/Administrator Julie Amundson, CEDA Courtney Bergey Swanson via Zoom, and … [Read more...]
Houston All-School reunion will feature school archives display
Since its inception in 1991, an All-School Reunion for Houston High School has been held every five years. Following a one-year COVID delay we are back! The festivities are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 30 at the elementary gym, which will include school tours and Wall of Fame Ceremony. That first reunion in 1991 also marked the formation of the Houston Public School … [Read more...]
21,020 children’s books awarded through SMIF’s Early Literacy Grant program
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently awarded 21,020 children’s books to 46 organizations through its Early Literacy Grant Program. This grant supports early literacy efforts that enhance school readiness for children birth to age eight by providing children with books. The books were awarded in partnership with Capstone and ABDO, Mankato-based publishers … [Read more...]
Fillmore County schools and law enforcement meet about school safety
When Sheriff John DeGeorge heard details of the school shooting in Uvalde, Tex., he anticipated questions from the public on local preparedness for such an event in Fillmore County. As he thought about it, he wondered if schools were getting questions as well. DeGeorge decided to invite Fillmore County school administrators and local police chiefs to attend a joint meeting with … [Read more...]