Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continues to move lower, falling to 7.4% in August, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota added a seasonally adjusted 40,500 payroll jobs in August, up 1.5% from July. The U.S. gained 1.371 million payroll jobs in August, up 1.0% from July. The … [Read more...]
Spring Valley squad car needs discussed
The Spring Valley City Council met September 28 with all members present (Luan Ruesink, Chris Danielson, Mike Hadland, John Dols, and Mayor Tony Archer). Also attending was City Clerk/Administrator Deb Zimmer. The council heard from Sheriff John DeGeorge, who addressed the council, saying, “Deb had mentioned that the city was interested in exploring the idea of the county … [Read more...]
Two CUPs go to Fillmore County Board for their consideration
The Fillmore County Planning Commission held two public hearings to consider conditional use permit applications at their September 24 meeting. Jonathan and Kathryn Schroeder, section 18 Pilot Mound Township, applied for a CUP to build a non-agricultural recreational pond on their property. A CUP is required per ordinance, section 604.03 (18) for non-agricultural ponds. Mark … [Read more...]
Four-way stop installation planned in Spring Valley at Hwy 63-16 intersection
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...]