At the September 18 meeting of the Fillmore County Planning Commission, applications for conditional use permits for four telecommunication towers were debated during public hearings. Mike Huizenga, project manager for GSS, Inc., had applied for conditional use permits on behalf of Cloud 1 Services to construct a 195-foot self-supporting telecommunication tower in each of … [Read more...]
SEMAC Announces Recent Individual Artist Grant Awards
On September 9, 2025, the SEMAC Board of Directors awarded $75,750 in Individual Artist & Culture Bearer grants to applicants throughout Southeastern Minnesota. This included eleven Advancing Artist grants and three Emerging Artist grants. SEMAC, a non-profit arts agency, is designated by the State of Minnesota Arts Board as the regional arts council for eleven … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Sees Good Turnout for Conferences
At the September 23 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad reported that 276 out of 277 students were represented by parents or guardians at the elementary back-to-school conferences. The high school open house was also well attended with many students turning in paperwork and picking up their computers. “It was successful at both the open house and … [Read more...]
Campaigns Focused on Speeding, Impairment and Move Over Violations
ST. PAUL — A driver arrested for driving while impaired (DWI) with two young children in the car. A driver stopped twice in one day for speeding — 90 mph the first time, and 100 mph and arrested for DWI the second time. Those types of driving decisions can kill a mother, a toddler, a best friend, a spouse and a list of loved ones that goes on and on. That’s why law … [Read more...]
Houston County Sets 7.905% Preliminary Levy
The Houston County Commissioners approved a 7.905% preliminary levy and adopted the 2026 budget at their regularly scheduled meeting on September 23. It was emphasized that the levy cannot increase once the preliminary levy is set, but it can decrease when it is finalized in December. The total levy, less County Program Aid (CPA), is $16,074,171. Administrator Carol Lapham … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Managed IT Contract
At the September 23 meeting of the county board, an agreement with Marco Technologies, LLC for Managed IT services was approved. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery noted she had cut $12,000 from the Managed IT budget. The agreement with Marco requires a one-time payment of $26,701 for cyber security, server, license, and professional service. The county will be responsible … [Read more...]
Chatfield Certifies Preliminary Levy
The total preliminary levy in the amount of $2,885,640 for property taxes payable in 2026 was certified at the city council’s September 22 meeting. This represents an increase of $147,277, or 5.378 % over the 2025 levy. The final levy to be considered in December can be the same or lower, not higher. The Truth in Taxation Hearing will be held Monday, December 8. Councilor … [Read more...]
Minnesota Jobs and Workforce Grow in August
ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota employers added 5,900 jobs in August, strong growth that defied a nearly-flat employment picture on the national level, according to new data from the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota’s growth equated to a 0.2% increase in jobs in August, compared to effectively flat employment for the United States as a whole. … [Read more...]
Village Sets Preliminary Levy
After months of discussing the budget and tax levy for 2026, the Rushford Village Council approved the preliminary at $764,099 at their September 16 meeting. The amount was determined by taking into consideration the current disbursements for the year, estimated disbursements for September-December based on 2024 numbers, the current estimated budget shortfall of $65,455, and a … [Read more...]
Kingsland School Board Talks Construction and Numbers
Just weeks into the new school year, the Kingsland School Board met on September 15 to hear updates on projects and review the preliminary levy. “This summer we are almost done,” Superintendent Scott Klavetter said of the ongoing construction. “The actual roofing piece has been done for a couple of weeks already, as far as opening up and replacing roofs. What they have been … [Read more...]