At the December 17 Houston County Commission meeting, 13 county employees were recognized and thanked for their dedication and service to Houston County: Melissa Jordan, 10 years; Jordan Goeden, 10 years; A.J. Bird, 10 years; Jennifer Daley-Oakes, 10 years; Lori Feldmeier, 20 years; Jon Kulas, 20 years: Mark Olson, 25 years; Tammy Mauss, 35 years; Liza Jandt, 35 years; Tom … [Read more...]
R-P Sets 2024 Payable 2025 Levy
After the state mandated Truth in Taxation meeting held at the regular December 16 school board meeting, the R-P School Board certified a levy of $2,632,416; this is an 11.63% increase from the previous year. Toni Oian, Rushford-Peterson’s business manager, presented an informational spreadsheet regarding the district’s finances during the TNT meeting. Oian pointed out that … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton School Board Chair Cristal Adkins Concludes Two Decades of Service
On December 17, 2024, Mabel-Canton School Board Chair Cristal Adkins presided over her final meeting after 20 years of service, including the last 10 years as board chair and was board chair twice before for two years. Reflecting on her tenure, Adkins said that she worked with 20 different board members and collaborated with five superintendents during her time on the board. … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Legislative Priorities
Rep. Greg Davids and Sen. Jeremy Miller listened to the county’s legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session at the December 17 county board meeting. The top priorities for District 9 were a bonding bill, tax relief, modernization of Human Services system, and Mental Health (public safety), Mental Health (public health and human services). Department heads … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Holds Truth in Taxation Hearing
Spring Grove City Council members met Tuesday, December 17 at 168 West Main Street in room #100. Mayor Saundra Solum called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. then led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present included Heather Edgington, Karen Folstad, Trent Turner, Mike Hagen, and Solum. City employees present were Erin Konkel, the city’s treasurer deputy clerk. City … [Read more...]
Chatfield Board Approves Five-day School Week for School Year 2025-26
At a special board meeting held on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 6 p.m with all board members and Superintendent Harris present, the board voted to approve a five-day week for the 2025-26 school year that is very similar to the 2024-2025 calendar. Harris thanked all the patrons who attended the meetings to discuss the four-day week (4DW) and for the large response to the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Planning Commission Discusses DNR Recommendations
At the December 17 Planning Commission, recommendations from the DNR to change classifications in the county’s shoreland ordinance were discussed. The DNR is proposing the shoreland ordinance be changed. The shoreland classification of trout streams are to be changed from “Natural Environment” to “Forested” to be consistent with the DNR classification system. The DNR has … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School Board Members Thanked for Service to the District
The December 16 meeting of the Spring Grove School Board marked the final meeting for outgoing board members Aaron Solum and Aric Elton. Superintendent Rachel Udstuen graciously thanked both men for their service to the district. Solum served on the board for 20 years, holding the position of chairman for 18 years, while Elton served on the board for four years. Udstuen noted … [Read more...]
PHS Update on Depot Museum & Riverfront Center
Sheila Craig, Preston Historical Society, updated the Preston City Council at their December 16 meeting, the last meeting of 2024. Craig explained she was asked to give a fundraising update to the council every three months. This is her second report; she announced that they have raised $289,965; with the inclusion of active pledges the fund will have exceeded $300,000. The … [Read more...]
Village Budgets for Future
At the December 17 meeting, the Rushford Village Council unanimously approved setting the final 2025 budget and levy. The preliminary was set at a 9% increase in September and the council discussion considered everything from 5% to 9%. The council ultimately reduced the final to just a 7%, or $572,450, increase over the levy of $535,000 in 2024. Reviewing the differences … [Read more...]
Winneshiek County Grandparent Scam
An elderly couple of Winneshiek County fell victim to the Grandparent Scam on December 17 and lost $15,000. The scammers drove to their residence under the guise of a “courier” and took possession of $15,000 in cash. The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office took several additional reports of this scheme where the victims detected the scam, and no money was lost. It is suspected … [Read more...]
Mayor Schroeder’s Last Council Meeting, Final Levy Approved
On December 9, 2024, Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder presided over his last city council meeting after serving as Mayor of Caledonia for 12 years. The council held its annual Truth in Taxation public hearing, during which Mann shared the final 2025 budget with the council. She reviewed the department budgets, capital equipment and improvements spreadsheet, and special revenue … [Read more...]
Harmony City Council Hears Assessment Appeal
At the December 10 Harmony City Council meeting, Harmony resident David Kiehne requested a reduction in his 66-foot assessment, stating that his footage measured 40 feet. He was aware that the minimum footage assessed per city policy is 60 feet so wasn’t sure why his property was assessed at 66 feet. He also noted that the assessment policy had last been reviewed in 2014, and … [Read more...]
New Signage Considered for Houston School
Timothy VanEijl, of Graphic House National Sign Firm, visited the Houston School Board meeting December 5 to share possible designs to replace the current wall sign at the school. VanEijl told the board that the 48-year-old, woman-owned company approaches design from the budget in order to create a customized sign within the budget. The company manufactures, installs and … [Read more...]
Ostrander Council Plans for 2025, and Santa is Coming to Town!
By Zech Sindt The Ostrander City Council held its final meeting of 2024. Despite council member Lyn Massey-Mills’ absence, the meeting, held on December 5 at 6:30 p.m., saw a full agenda quickly tackled by the members present: Dan Hellerud, DJ Start, Vernon Thompson, Mayor Pam Kunert, and City Clerk Wendy Brincks. People’s Services, City Maintenance, and the Fillmore County … [Read more...]