Motorists using the intersection of Hwys 63 and 16 in Spring Valley will soon encounter a new four-way stop, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The signs being installed will include flashing LED lights around the signs, which will be placed in each direction. The intersection includes Hwy 63/16 to the west, Fillmore County Road 1 to the north, Hwy 16 … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeking applications for Inclusive and Equitable Communities Grant
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), in partnership with Region Nine Development Commission (RNDC) and SE MN Together, is currently accepting applications for its Inclusive and Equitable Communities Grant program. Nonprofit organizations, units of government or public institutions in SMIF’s 20-county region are eligible to apply. Requests of up to $20,000 will be … [Read more...]
R-P gets update from new school nurse
The idea of acquiring a school nurse on staff at Rushford-Peterson has been kicked around since before the district built its new facility. The new school officially opened in August 2017 and that year, the school board made the decision to proceed with a health assessment in lieu of hiring a nurse. Fast forward to the pandemic, the school board unanimously approved moving … [Read more...]
Whalan council approves preliminary levy
Faced with a full agenda, the Whalan City Council was able to complete a long list of items including the approval of the proposed preliminary budget. Present at the September 14, 2020, regularly scheduled council meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, council members Tanya Cook, Kim Berekvam, Thore Everett Johnson and Owen Lewis, along with City Clerk Michele Peterson. The … [Read more...]
Preston certifies 2021 budget/levy
At the September 21 Preston City Council meeting, members unanimously approved a preliminary budget/levy of $1,034,386 for 2021; this represents an increase of $51,347, or 5% over 2020. City Administrator Joe Hoffman explained the majority of the increase is due to funding that is being set aside for bond payments, of which the first one will be due in early 2022 for the 2021 … [Read more...]
Houston School Board shows its flexibility
By Wanda Hanson The Houston School Board showed its flexibility in many ways at their September 17 meeting. A new seating configuration awaited their arrival at the meeting. Since the public had commented that not all of the board could be seen on their YouTube stream, the board seating arrangement was reconfigured with plexiglass dividers used to continue to ensure social … [Read more...]
Spring Valley Council declines pay increase
The Spring Valley City Council met September 14 with all members present (Luan Ruesink, Chris Danielson, Mike Hadland, John Dols, and Mayor Tony Archer). Also attending was City Clerk/Administrator Deb Zimmer. Zimmer brought up that the council could consider a pay increase for themselves. She said if a pay increase is implemented, it would be effective after the upcoming … [Read more...]
Wykoff mulls CARES Act funding uses
On September 14, the Wykoff City Council met in regular session. All council members were in attendance (Lyle Morey, Richard Gleason, Mayor Al Williams, Mary Tjepkes and Mary Sackett) as well as City Clerk Becky Schmidt and Deputy Clerk Luann Hare. Maggie Ramaker addressed the council on behalf of Wykoff Commons. She spoke about a request that was also outlined in a letter … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s Wastewater Treatment Plant operating efficiently
Steven Schlichter, WWTP superintendent, reported on operational strategies that have achieved higher effluent quality at the Chatfield City Council’s September 14 meeting. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Schlichter noted the consistent success that has been achieved in the removal of phosphorous in 2020, significantly better than in 2018 and 2019. With the change in … [Read more...]
Clear titles, street improvements, and 2021 budgets for Houston
By Wanda Hanson At the September 14, 2020 Houston City Council meeting, Attorney Mike Murphy presented the Chapel land issue to the council. Survey work is needed to clean up the legal title for the water treatment plant and a tillable field owned by Jim Chapel. A “quiet” title would clarify the city ownership of 1.688 acres for the treatment plant. An extension of Sheridan … [Read more...]