At the August 25 meeting of the city council, the purchase of three new updated mobile radios for squad vehicles at a total cost of $21,520 from Motorola Solutions was approved. The price includes services and equipment. Police Chief Shane Fox noted the radios currently in use are 20 years old. Liquor License Violation Chief Fox led an investigation into a potential … [Read more...]
Minimum-wage Rate Adjusted For Inflation as of January 1, 2026
Minnesota’s minimum-wage rate will be adjusted for inflation on January 1, 2026, to $11.41 an hour for all employers in the state. The 90-day training wage for workers under age 20 will increase to $9.31. These rates reflect a 2.5% increase. The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have minimum-wage ordinances that require higher minimum-wage rates for work performed in … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Kicks Off School Year with Conferences
Superintendent Heath Olstad reviewed the upcoming start of the 2025-26 school year with the Fillmore Central board at their regular August 26 meeting. Parent/teacher conferences will be held on the first two days of school at the elementary building just like in previous years. Olstad noted that that format has been well received by parents and staff, and that it seems to work … [Read more...]
Rushford Explores Housing Options
The Rushford City Council learned at their regular August 25 meeting that letters had been sent out to owners of approximately 35 vacant and unused properties in Rushford. The letters included a short questionnaire regarding the property, asking whether the owners were planning to sell the property and if they needed help with any problems such as utility availability, high … [Read more...]
Preston Discusses Possible North Street NE Improvements
Developer Andy Bunge submitted a request at the August 18 Preston City Council meeting for the council to add the improvement of the 300 block of North St. NE to the city’s street improvement priority list. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. Bunge said the development on that block is complete. He noted there was nothing in the development agreement with the city several years … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Gets Set for Back-to-School
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Spring Grove School board was called to order at 7:01 p.m. on Monday, August 18. Board members present included Board Chair Stephanie Jaster, Rhan Flatin, Kelly Rohland, Lisa Myhre, Myriah Klug and Ashley Olson. Also present were Superintendent Gina Morken, director of special projects Rachel Udstuen, K-12 Principal Matt Rosaaen, … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Discusses Potential Childcare Options
Spring Grove City Council members met Tuesday, August 19 at 168 West Main Street in room #100. Mayor Bryan Wilhelmson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. then led with the Pledge of Allegiance. All council members were present in addition to City Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton. Councilor Morgan Buckland moved, seconded by Mike Hagen, to adopt the Agenda. Motion … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson Postpones Decision on Referendum
At their August 18 regular board meeting, the Rushford-Peterson School Board approved an addendum to the already submitted review and comment document that moves the date of a possible referendum vote from November 4 to February 10, 2026. Also changed was the cost of the project to $24,015,000 due to inflation and price increases. This addendum became necessary when the … [Read more...]
Houston County Approves Settlement with Sheriff Swedberg, Sets 2025 Pay
At its August 19 meeting, the Houston County Board of Commissioners approved a settlement agreement with Sheriff Brian Swedberg and set his 2025 salary at $141,473, retroactive to January 1, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. by Chairman Eric Johnson and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members present were Cindy Wright, Eric Johnson, Kurt Zehnder and … [Read more...]
Village Update on Storm Damage
At the August 19 meeting, the Rushford Village Council received an update regarding Fillmore County storm damage. City Clerk Mary Miner provided an update on the cost of tree cleanup following the derecho that hit the area on July 28. Councilor Mike Ebner noted there is a hope for some mitigation funding available for cleanup. “These trees … we get wind, rain, and all this … [Read more...]