By Zech Sindt The Wykoff City Council held its regular monthly meeting on February 10 at 7 p.m., with all council members and officials present, including Mayor Ryan Breckenridge, City Administrator Becky Schmidt, Administrative Assistant Luann Hare, and council members Barbara Fate, Kaleb Himli, Jeffrey Hare and Jane Baker. Brett Grabau from Stantec presented the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Discusses Dumpster Abuses
Solid Waste administrator, Joel Kroening presented new solid waste rates for 2025 at the board’s February 11 meeting. It has been five years since various rates have been adjusted. The new rates have been vetted through the Solid Waste committee. Rates are increased for white goods (appliances), electronics, tires, ballasts, oil filters, and landfill material. New rate lines … [Read more...]
Sarah Petersen Faces Sentencing After Covering for Sister in Fatal Amish Buggy Crash
By Zech Sindt Sarah Beth Petersen has pleaded guilty to aiding an offender in connection with a September 2023 crash that killed two Amish children and seriously injured two other children. Sarah Beth Petersen, 36, admitted in court that she falsely claimed responsibility for the accident to protect her twin sister, Samantha Petersen, who was under the influence of … [Read more...]
Houston School Board Considers Changes
As the Houston School Board considered the proposed calendar for next school year at their regular meeting February 6, the often mundane item led to good discussion. Superintendent Mary Morem suggested moving advisory to the end of the school day and altering the beginning of the day to 8:15 a.m. and the end to 3 p.m.. Students often need to leave early at the end of the day … [Read more...]
Chatfield Annual Reports
Four department heads reviewed the 2024 year at the city council’s February 10 meeting. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Steve Schlichter, Wastewater Treatment Facility, reported that the facility is running well; it has met or exceeded all limits. In 2024 a total of 71,423,000 gallons of wastewater was treated; it costs $19.30 to treat 1,000 gallons of wastewater. … [Read more...]
Tracy Road Project Moves Forward with Neighborhood Meeting Set for March 27
Drew Weber, of Bolton and Menk updated the Spring Valley City Council on the 2025 Tracy Road project during their February 10 meeting. “Those plans have been approved by Fillmore County and MNDOT (Minnesota Department of Transportation) State Aid,” Weber said. As the plans continue to move forward, the project will be open to bidding beginning February 18. “We will bring … [Read more...]
Fountain Investigates Development Possibility
At the February 5 meeting, new Fountain Mayor Ron Reisner, councilors Jordan Kearns, Cory Spratte and Dave Stockton, along with Councilor Tammy Danielson, who joined by phone, discussed the possibility of a housing development at the north end of West Side Lane. The current residential area sits west of Highway 52 and was developed many years prior by Linus Hammel, according … [Read more...]
Village Receives SEMLM Updates
At the February 4 meeting, the Rushford Village Council received a summary of the recent Southeastern Minnesota League of Municipalities meeting held on January 30. City Clerk Mary Miner, who attended the meeting with councilors Mike Ebner and Rick Ruberg, noted a lot of good information, including updates on Emergency Medical Service funding. “That was interesting,” noted … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council Hears Complaints About Civil Siren
At the opening of the February 3 Lanesboro City Council meeting, Mayor Alicia Pearson asked for input from the rest of the council on the addition of a number of items to the agenda. She recommended that a positive news report, updates on the Highway 250 project, and updates on the search for an EDA director be added as standing agenda items. The rest of the council did not … [Read more...]
Preston Hears Annual Reports
Several department heads looked back at 2024 at the Preston City Council’s February 3 meeting. Councilman Steve Hall was absent. Police Chief Blaise Sass reported that Public Safety Funds paid for equipment purchases made in 2024. He anticipates the purchase of a squad pickup in 2025. There is about $69,000 in the equipment fund at this time. Sass introduced Connor Simon, who … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to Advertise for Assessor
At the February 4 meeting of the county board, the resignation of Kathryn Frette, county assessor, was accepted, effective February 27, after six months of service. The county will advertise for a replacement assessor. Highway County Engineer Ron Gregg asked the board to consider the purchase of a rock grapple attachment for a skid loader. Two quotes were considered; the … [Read more...]
Caledonia City Council Appoints John Rauk to the Council
On January 27, the Caledonia City Council interviewed seven Caledonia residents for the position vacated by Ryan Stenzel. John Rauk was appointed by a roll call vote to fill Stenzel’s seat. Rauk immediately took the Oath of Office administered by City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson. Mayor Leis called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. All … [Read more...]
Kingsland School Board Hears SMEC Audit Report
On January 22, Dan Armagost and John Mark Dundas, of the Southern Minnesota Education Consortium (SMEC), presented the Kingsland School Board with the fiscal year 2024 audit. SMEC is a multi-purpose cooperative of school districts that work together to provide support for special education students. Currently, there are seven member districts within SMEC including … [Read more...]
RFD Fire Chiefs Visit Rushford Council Meeting
Retiring Fire Chief Chad Rasmussen and the new fire chief, Nick Smith addressed the Rushford City Council at their January 27 regular council meeting. Rasmussen gave a summary of 2024 at the fire department and presented items for approval of the council. He detailed the list of officers, the relief association board, and meetings and trainings planned for 2025. RFD currently … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Board Hears Update on Driftless Hiking Trail
Alex Shapiro, director for the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail, reviewed progress made for the trail at the board’s January 28 meeting. This is a non-profit, private, independently directed effort for a 100-plus mile backpacking trail in southeast Minnesota. The proposed corridor goes from Chatfield area through Lanesboro area, Spring Grove area, to the state border … [Read more...]