The City of Preston Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Preston Area Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce they will be holding their first ever Housing Summit at F&M Community Bank’s Community Room in downtown Preston. This one-day summit will bring together home builders, developers, investors, suppliers, realtors, lenders, area residents and local officials … [Read more...]
Mabel sets public hearing on water/sewer rates
On September 11, the Mabel City Council held a regular city council meeting. All members in attendance included Adam Wilder Mayor Jim Westby, City Clerk Karen Larson, Gary Morken, Terry Torkelson, and Kirsten Wyffels. Larson explained that it appears the city needs to consider raising water and sewer rates, to cover the costs. She pointed out that rates had not been … [Read more...]
Peterson trudges through city issues
The Peterson Council buckled down on a number of recent issues at the Wednesday, September 11 meeting, as well as a handful of new concerns. Topics included ordinances and zoning, recent water concerns, budgets, and projects, including the newly approved road work. At the August meeting, the council unanimously approved putting a hold on replacing Park and River Street. The … [Read more...]
Chatfield schools off to a great start with new programs
At the September 4, 2019, Chatfield School Board meeting all board members were present. Also present was Superintendent Ed Harris, Administrative Assistant Lorri Lowery, and Principals Shane McBroom and Randy Paulson. Under consent items the August 7 special meeting and monthly meeting minutes along with the August 21 special meeting minutes were approved. Board member … [Read more...]
Preston cancels 2019 street project
After a long discussion during the Preston City Council’s September 3 meeting, the council voted to cancel the 2019 Street and Utility Improvement project. A resolution was adopted by a 3-2 vote at the last meeting accepting the bid submitted by Rochester Sand and Gravel. It was the only bid submitted and over $100,000 higher than the engineer’s estimate. The entire project … [Read more...]
Fountain Council rescinds vote on city truck route
The Fountain Council rescinded an August vote to remove all truck routes within the city at the Wednesday, September 4 meeting. The move came after citizen complaints and concerns over the action. The earlier decision came following discussion of a Rochester City Lines bus stop. Plans to address the municipal parking lot to better accommodate bus pick ups for those … [Read more...]
Ostrander adopts Floodplain ordinance
The Ostrander City Council held a regular meeting on September 3. Immediately prior to the council meeting, a public hearing was held regarding the proposed Floodplain ordinance. Council members in attendance included Stephanie Start, Dan Hellerud, Vernon Thompson, and City Clerk Wendy Brincks. DJ Start joined the meeting already in progress. Mayor Pam Kunert was absent, so … [Read more...]
County 2020 budget
The county board reviewed budget proposals from several departments at their September 3 meeting. County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman produced a very preliminary 2020 budget with a levy increase of over 6%. Vickerman made it clear that she already could take about 1% of the increase off the top. Part of the reduction is a savings of $42,000 because the health insurance … [Read more...]
Kingsland referendum info blitz to begin
At the Kingsland School Board “work session” meeting on September 4, one of the main topics was the upcoming information blitz to assure that voters in the school district are aware of the reasons for the Operating Referendum Levy, which will be put to voters on November 5. All board members were present (Board Chair Jackie Horsman, Maranda Emig, Natasha Howard, Tiffany … [Read more...]
Documentarian seeks to define Houston County through its people and landscape Citizen-artist residency wraps up third year
HOUSTON, MN, September 3, 2019 – A place can be defined by its geography, name, or property lines, but what really creates a sense of place? Duluth documentarian Nik Nerbum seeks to discover and document what defines our very own Houston County as the final 2019 citizen-artist, for the interdisciplinary Crystal Creek Citizen-Artist Residency (CAIR) program. Nerburn lives and … [Read more...]