The Harmony City Council reviewed a contract with Joel Dhein for the interim city administrator position. Dhein proposed starting on February 5, which would allow for some overlap time before current city administrator Jerome Illg’s resignation goes into effect on February 14. Several of the council members questioned whether that would be enough time for him to learn the … [Read more...]
A second option for Preston landfill material
Tony Severson, S & S Sanitation, expressed concern about an increase in the tipping fee at the Fillmore County Resource Recovery Center at the January 13 Preston City Council meeting. The city has a five-year contract with S & S Sanitation which requires landfill material to be taken to the Resource Recovery Center. However, the county board recently approved a 25% … [Read more...]
Chatfield upgrades WWTP computer system
At the January 13 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, a proposed upgrade of the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s (WWTP) Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system was approved. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Due to the fact that Microsoft is ending its support of Windows 7, an upgrade for security purposes is necessary. The original SCADA system, which … [Read more...]
Farm Service Agency and Extension launch 2018 Farm Bill Crops Education
The Farm Service Agency and University of Minnesota Extension are holding a series of free education meetings to help crop producers understand decisions regarding the 2018 Farm Bill reauthorization of ARC and PLC programs. The seminars are offered all across the state – locally being held at 10 a.m. at the Mabel Community Center on January 27 – and will be led by Extension … [Read more...]
County conducts new year annual business
County Administrator Bobbie Vickerman called the first county board meeting of 2020 to order on January 7. Marc Prestby was elected board chair and Randy Dahl was elected vice-chair. Vickerman announced a Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) staffing change. Marty Walsh came forward with his replacement, Chris Hahn. Hahn who has been with CEDA for about six … [Read more...]
Lanesboro council revisits Westview Drive issues
At the January 6 Lanesboro City Council meeting, the council continued its discussion on the possibility of having Westview Drive declared a city street. The city has been maintaining the road for some years now and due to a drainage issue, may need to do some work on it. All of the landowners on that road have signed a petition allowing the change except for David Landro, who … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeking applications for Prosperity Initiative
OWATONNA, MN, January 6, 2020 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), in partnership with Region Nine Development Commission and Faribault Diversity Coalition, is recruiting minority-owned business owners for a new cohort of its Prosperity Initiative. SMIF is seeking 15 businesses to participate in a 2020 Prosperity Initiative cohort. Past Prosperity Initiative … [Read more...]
Peterson continues to hear vehicle compliance woes
The City of Peterson enacted an ordinance regulating public vehicle nuisances in January 2019 after months of extensive discussion and formally approving the ordinance in November 2018. Despite notification to citizens, the city continues to hear from residents regarding the fines. Per ordinance, inoperable vehicles unless properly licensed or registered. In regards to nuisance … [Read more...]
2020 to bring good news at the gas pump for some Americans, not all
The national average gas price in 2020 will be lower than 2019, but a robust economy could mean that some households increase consumption, driving their fuel bill higher. GasBuddy, the smartphone app helping consumers avoid paying full price for fuel, today predicts that 2020 will feature a yearly national average of $2.60 per gallon, representing a 2 cent drop versus 2019, … [Read more...]
MnDOT, Minnesota State Patrol invite public comments on draft Minnesota Weight Enforcement Investment Plan
The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota State Patrol are seeking public feedback on plans to improve the state’s commercial truck weight enforcement facilities beginning in 2020. The draft 10-year Minnesota Weight Enforcement Investment Plan projects a 10 percent increase in commercial truck traffic on Minnesota highways by 2028. The plan also identifies … [Read more...]