The city council set the preliminary levy for 2022 at $2,337,277 or a 3.98% increase (just under $90,000) over the 2021 levy. Councilor Dave Frank was absent from the September meeting. City Clerk Joel Young presented three proposals for the council to consider for the levy. The first proposal would have had a levy increase of 7.3%. A reduction of $75,000 to wastewater … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation announces new Prosperity Initiative cohort; seeks additional members
OWATONNA, MN – August 30, 2021 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is pleased to announce the members of the 2021 Prosperity Initiative cohort, a program which provides free coaching and training to entrepreneurs who identify as Black, Indigenous or people of color (BIPOC). Seven business owners from four different communities have joined this year’s cohort. SMIF … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School holds Youth Mental Health First Aid training for staff
The Spring Grove Public School board met Monday, September 20 in the school’s Learning Resource Center, from 7-7:45 p.m. Board members in attendance were Vice-Chairman Stephanie Jaster and Directors Kelly Rohland, Rhan Flatin, Jenny Stender, and Aric Elton. Absent was Chairman Aaron Solum. Vice-Chairman Jaster called the meeting to order. The board unanimously approved the … [Read more...]
Lanesboro proclaims third week of September as “Welcoming Week”
During the city council meeting on September 7, 2021, the Lanesboro Council approved a proclamation designating the third week of September as “Welcoming Week.” “Welcoming Week 2021,” a nationwide initiative of Welcoming America, helps communities celebrate unity and togetherness. Lanesboro joined the fun this year with special events held on Wednesday, September 15, … [Read more...]
Houston School Board: Parents bring quarantine questions
Concerned parents filled the audience at the regular Houston School Board meeting on September 16. Only a few weeks into the school year, quite a few students have been quarantined due to close contact with a positive case of COVID. The parents had expected to be added to the evening’s agenda. Chairman Tom Stilin suggested that they ask the questions they want answered. The … [Read more...]
Lanesboro school staff adapt to record number of students
The Lanesboro School Board met on September 16. Board members Sarah Peterson and Steve Snyder were not present. Superintendent Matt Schultz reported that the 2021-22 school year was off to a good start. “It’s nice to be in a finished building,” he commented. Transportation is also going well with buses running at full capacity. The school is still in need of bus drivers though. … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton updates COVID guidelines
The Mabel-Canton school board met in regular session on September 21. In attendance were Mark Wiedemann, Jason Marquardt, Traci Livingood, Cristal Adkins, Chris Miller, Superintendent Gary Kuphal, Diane Wilder, and Dustin Tollefsrud. Lisa Halverson, Aimee Lake, and Michelle Wiedemann also participated. Matt McClimon (student representative to the board) was unable to … [Read more...]
Preston accepts transfer of Lanesboro ambulance service license
At the city council’s September 22 meeting, Preston ambulance director Ryan Throckmorton explained that the Lanesboro Ambulance Service was no longer able to provide 24/7 coverage. He described two options that Lanesboro had considered: forfeiting the license and becoming a first responder group, in which case the state would review the area and divide it among other … [Read more...]
Spring Grove receives City of Excellence award from the League of Minnesota Cities
The Spring Grove City Council met Tuesday, September 21, from 6-7:14 p.m. at the Spring Grove Communications meeting room. Council members in attendance were Mayor Scott Solberg, Travis Torgerson, Karen Folstad, and Chad Rohland. Trent Turner was absent. The council unanimously approved the Consent Agenda. Mayor Solberg led the council and audience in the Pledge of … [Read more...]
R-P changes close contact and quarantine policies
With board members Matt Helgemoe and Jeff Michel joining via Zoom, the Rushford-Peterson School Board met Monday, September 20, 2021. The board looked at current school COVID data and made a change to their definition of close contact at school and required quarantines. If students were wearing masks, they would not be considered a close contact nor would they need to … [Read more...]