On July 13, the Wykoff City Council met in regular session. Council members in attendance included Lyle Morey, Richard Gleason, Mayor Al Williams, and Mary Sackett. City Clerk Becky Schmidt and Deputy Clerk Luann Hare were also in attendance. Mary Tjepkes was absent. The council discussed whether or not to hold the annual Fall Fest event, in light of coronavirus concerns. … [Read more...]
Western Days controversy
Western Days, Inc. has planned a limited celebration of Chatfield Western Days due to the pandemic. Councilors struggled between caution and the desire for some normalcy while discussing at length the annual celebration at their July 13 city council meeting. Twenty-four emails were sent to the city of Chatfield from residents; most asked that the celebration not be held this … [Read more...]
Whalan foregoes renting of city hall until further notice
Due to concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Whalan City Council has made the decision to not allow any rentals of the city hall building until after December 31, 2020. Present at the Monday, July 13, 2020, regularly scheduled Whalan City Council meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, councilmembers Owen Lewis, Tanya Cook, Thore Everett Johnson and Kim Berekvam, as well as City … [Read more...]
Harmony council reviews CARES Act funds
At the July 14 Harmony City Council meeting, City Administrator Devin Swanberg informed the council that the city had received approximately $77,000 from the State of Minnesota’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES Act. The money cannot be used to make up lost revenue for businesses or the city, but can be used for other COVID related expenses. Swanberg … [Read more...]
Fillmore County begins 2021 budget process
Over the next couple of months Fillmore County department heads will come before the board with their proposed budgets for 2021. This process began at the board’s July 14 meeting with the finance department. Finance Director Lori Affeldt presented the relatively new department’s budget for the first time. There are two staff members in this department. Early budget estimates … [Read more...]
City of Houston deals with COVID-19 changes
By Wanda Hanson Meeting on the second floor of the community center, socially distancing, and wearing masks when necessary, the Houston City Council dealt with several changes brought about by COVID-19 Monday, July 13. Houston Hoedown has been cancelled, but the queen contest is being held. A request before the council for a small parade consisting of the queen, her court, and … [Read more...]
Spring Valley sets election judges
The Spring Valley City Council held a regular council meeting on July 13. Members present included Luan Ruesink, Chris Danielson, Mike Hadland, John Dols, as well as City Administrator Deb Zimmer. Mayor Tony Archer was absent, so Hadland led the meeting. Election judges for both the Primary Election (August 11) and General Election (November 3) were set. The council … [Read more...]
Canton City Council adopts resolution condemning hate speech
In a show of support for the Canton City Clerk, Brock Bergey, Mayor Donivee Johnson introduced a resolution in response to the recent acts of Jamie Knutson, who publicly directed hate speech towards the clerk. Knutson posted his comments with photos of a building on his property painted in a variety of colors with graffiti directed towards Bergey on his Facebook page. … [Read more...]
Mabel to buy pickup and fire tanker truck
During the regular city council meeting on July 8, the Mabel Council again discussed the city’s 2008 Ford pickup, and whether to fix it or replace it. Jeff Rein informed the council that he has checked around for prices of a new pickup, and he found out that currently, Chevy and Ford trucks are “about four to five months out” due to coronavirus related delays in fulfilling … [Read more...]
Chatfield district patrons ask board to reinstate wrestling coach
Board members Amy Jeffers, Lanny Isensee, Scott Backer, Katie Priebe, Matt McMahon and Rick Lowrey were in attendance for the July 8 Chatfield School Board meeting. The meeting was live streamed on cable channel 11 and on Facebook.com/ChatfieldTV. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, Lorri Lowrey, administrative assistant, and Trista O’Connor, business manager. During … [Read more...]