County Administrator Bobbie Hillery explained the Truth in Taxation hearing, which was held on December 1, is required by state law. The public hearing is held at 6:30 p.m. to allow more participation from the public. Three members of the public attended the hearing in person. The meeting could be accessed via Webex or telephone. Hillery began by reviewing 2020. She detailed … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s 2020 Preservation Award
At the November 23 Chatfield City Council meeting, Deborah and Frederick Gerlach were recognized with the 2020 Heritage Preservation Award. Each year during Preservation Month (October) someone who has contributed to the restoration and preservation of Chatfield’s history is selected to be honored with this award. The recognition this year was for the couple’s donation of … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central in full distance learning
At the November 24 meeting, the Fillmore Central School Board discussed the newest learning situation. Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Fillmore County, Fillmore Central moved to total distance learning for K-12 on November 17 and plans to go through December 4. The school’s COVID committee will continue to meet regularly to discuss the situation and will update families … [Read more...]
R-P sets guidelines for determining learning model
The Rushford-Peterson School District notified families of students that they would be moving to full-time distance learning November 7 following an increase in COVID-19 cases within Fillmore County, particularly in Rushford. Now, the district is setting guidelines for determining which learning model to use going forward. The guidelines are flexible, based on a specific set of … [Read more...]
Rushford considers potential land purchase
While the November 23 council meeting agenda was shorter than usual, it did comprise two items requiring a move to a closed meeting that likely garnered quite a bit of discussion. Up first was the potential purchase of the Farmers Win Cooperative properties in downtown Rushford. The cooperative merged with Farmers Co-op Elevator in 2018 and began selling equipment on the … [Read more...]
Houston Schools’ World’s Best Workforce Hearing
The World’s Best Workforce Hearing was sandwiched between portions of the regular Houston School Board meeting on November 19. Superintendent Krin Abraham presented an abbreviated slideshow presentation via Zoom to the board. Missing from the slideshow were graphs and charts of MCA spring results data since no MCAs were taken this past spring. Abraham assured the board that … [Read more...]
Fillmore County open by appointment only; closes doors to walk-in public
At the Fillmore County Board’s November 24 meeting, Commissioner Duane Bakke reported that the COVID cases in Fillmore County have more than doubled in the last couple of weeks. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery admitted there have been COVID cases among the staff or staff that has had contact with COVID positive individuals, requiring some staff members to quarantine. She … [Read more...]
Lanesboro school to see significant savings with installation of solar panels
At the November 19 Lanesboro School Board meeting, which was held with social distancing measures, Superintendent Matt Schultz informed the board that the solar panels on the gym at the school should be installed by the end of the year and will supply a significant portion of the school’s energy, saving an estimated $60,000-$75,000 a year in energy costs. Board member and city … [Read more...]
Six public hearings on CUP applications/variances
The Fillmore County Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment worked through a busy agenda at their November 19 meetings. Four Condition Use Permit (CUP) applications were brought forward for public comment. Caleb Benson, section 27 Newburg Township, requested that five acres of property, located on the north side of Mabel, be rezoned from Agricultural to B1 (General … [Read more...]
Chatfield school board welcomes new members
At the November 12, 2020, board meeting, board members present were: Amy Jeffers, Lanny Isensee, Matt McMahon, and Rick Lowery, and Katie Priebe, as well as Principals Shane McBroom and Randy Paulson. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant; and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Josh Thompson was sworn in to fill the vacancy of a … [Read more...]