The Ostrander City Council held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 7, at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Stephanie Start called the meeting to order. All members were present, including DJ Start, Dan Hellerud, Jimmie Dean and Lyn Massey-Mills. City Clerk Wendy Brincks was in attendance. The meeting lasted seven minutes, a record for the year. Council business moved quickly … [Read more...]
Input Sought on Key Houston County Government Roles
The Houston County Board of Commissioners set the date for two public hearings at its October 7 commission meeting. The purpose of the hearings is to allow residents an opportunity to voice their opinion and ask questions regarding the appointment of the auditor/treasurer and recorder positions versus electing them. Commissioners agreed that public hearings should be held … [Read more...]
Houston’s Two New Teachers
Houston Schools welcomed two new teachers to their staff this year: Angela Engebretson, speech and language pathologist, and Duane Ledin, music teacher and choir director. Angela Engebretson is the new speech and language pathologist for Houston Schools and will be working with students ranging in age from 5 to 21. Engebretson received her Bachelor’s in … [Read more...]
Lanesboro to Host Small Schools Conference
At the Lanesboro School Board meeting on October 8, the board heard details of the Small School Conference to be held at Lanesboro on October 15. Superintendent Matt Schultz shared that Jenny Severson will be the keynote speaker. Severson will focus on research based strategies and improving student engagement. There will be nine different breakout sessions during the day … [Read more...]
Finstad Statement on Reckless Democrat Government Shutdown
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) released the following statement after Senate Democrats voted to shut down the federal government, rejecting the House-passed, clean Continuing Resolution (CR) that would fund the government through November 21st: “In Congress, our job is to govern and that’s exactly what Democrats are refusing to do. House Republicans … [Read more...]
County Road 3/Highway 26 Intersection Catches Brownsville’s Attention
Brownsville City Council met Wednesday, October 1 at Brownsville Community Center. Mayor Jean Meyer called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. City Clerk Steve Schuldt conducted role call; all council members and city employees were present. Brian Pogodzinski, Houston County’s engineer, and David Tsang, District 6 Traffic Operations Engineer out of Rochester, Minn., presented to … [Read more...]
The Houston County Township Officers Association Holds Annual Dinner
The Houston County Township Officers Association (HCTOA) held its 64th annual fellowship dinner on Thursday, September 25, at the Four Seasons Community Center in Caledonia. Township officers and their guests from the county’s 17 townships, along with Sheriff Brian Swedberg, Interim Administrator Carol Lapham, Assistant County Surveyor Tammy Mauss, all five commissioners, … [Read more...]
Fountain Holds Mural Ribbon Cutting
Ahead of the October 1 city council meeting, Fountain officials and residents celebrated the completion of the new city mural. Joining the festivities was artist Geri Ann Hanson, who designed and oversaw all volunteer painting done on the project which resembles an old-style postcard with rolling hills, trees, and sunshine surrounding a bike on the Root River State … [Read more...]
Caledonia Council Sets 12% Preliminary Levy
The Caledonia City Council set its preliminary tax levy during its regular meeting on Monday, September 22. The proposed levy reflects a 12% increase. While the levy may be reduced before the final approval in December, it cannot be increased once it is set. Mayor Jeremy Leis made a motion to approve the 12% levy along with the 2026 revised budget as presented. Councilmember … [Read more...]
Rushford Hears Change Proposal for Building Permitting
A great share of the September 22 Rushford City Council meeting was used for a presentation by Tom Wiener and Tanner Young of Construction Management Services (CMS) on proposed changes to the city’s building permit process. CMS is shifting away from hourly and mileage based fees to a lump sum percentage fee for building inspections. Building permits will have a scalable … [Read more...]