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...]
Fillmore Central replaces elementary school supply lists with supply fees
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...]