The Caledonia City Council completed all its business for the year and unanimously voted to cancel the regularly scheduled council meeting on December 22, 2025. The next council meeting will be held on January 12, 2026. Mayor Jeremy Leis called the December 8 meeting to order at 6 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present were Bob Klug, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board Approves Final Levy
At the December 10, 2025, school board meeting, board members David Sowinski, Katie Priebe, Tom Keefe, Josh Thompson, Jill Harstad and Mark Johnsrud were present. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, elementary principal, Shane McBroom and high school principal, Eric Nelson. Student senate representatives Allia Whalen and Ella Whalen were also present. Consent … [Read more...]
Rushford Tackles Moving On
The December 8 Rushford Council saw a full house with every Rushford department head, incoming council member, and others in attendance. Department heads were called to attend by Mayor Terri Benson with the purpose was to get all on board with the process of information and department needs following the passing of longtime City Clerk Kathy Zacher on November 30. Zacher … [Read more...]
Mabel Sets 3.01% Levy
On December 10, the Mabel City Council held its annual Truth in Taxation hearing during the regularly scheduled city council meeting. The council meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mayor Adam Wilder. After the Truth in Taxation hearing, the council adopted the city’s 2026 budget and set the levy at 3.01%. City Clerk Karen Larson had hoped she could get it below 3%, but … [Read more...]
Spring Valley Council Approves Levy and Budget
The Truth and Taxation hearing was held prior to the Spring Valley City Council meeting on Monday, December 8. The council reviewed their proposed property tax levy, which will be collectible in 2026. The general operating budget is at $790,672, parks at $191,387, Economic Development Authority (EDA) at $83,237, the library at $177,000. The total debt levies are $768,450 and … [Read more...]
New Public Works Director for Houston
At their regular city council meeting December 8, the Houston City Council appointed Josh Hongerholt to replace Randy Thesing as the Public Works City Maintenance Superintendent. Thesing served in the position for nearly 24 years and will be retiring January 2, 2026. Hongerholt will receive 5% over the next wage band within the department. After a six month probationary … [Read more...]
Truth in Taxation, Audit & Teachers’ Contract at Lanesboro
At the Lanesboro School Board meeting December 10, the board listened to the Truth in Taxation presentation by Superintendent Matt Schultz, the 2024-2025 audit presented by Kali Lentz of Smith Schafer and details of the negotiated teachers’ agreement from Steve Storhoff. By the end of the meeting, the board had a good understanding of Lanesboro School’s current finances. No … [Read more...]
Peterson Hears Bridge Replacement Details
At the December 10 meeting, the Peterson Council heard from Fillmore County Engineer Ron Gregg regarding the replacement of the Root River bridge which is the main thoroughfare in and out of the city. The 1960s-era bridge will see a $6.1 million overhaul that is estimated to cost the city just $20,000. Federally-designated bi-partisan infrastructure funding will cover nearly … [Read more...]
Wykoff Council Reviews Funding Needs, Pension Increase and State Leave Mandate
Funding decisions, first responder coverage and a new statewide paid leave program shaped the December 8 meeting of the Wykoff City Council. Mayor Ryan Breckenridge was absent because of a family emergency, so Councilmember Jeff Hare presided as mayor pro tem. Councilors Barb Fate, Jane Baker and Missy Musel attended, along with City Administrator Becky Schmidt. After briefly … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton Joint Board Meeting
During the second quarter of each school year, the Mabel-Canton School Board hosts a joint board meeting with the Mabel and Canton city councils. This year, the joint board meeting was held on Tuesday, December 2, at the Mabel-Canton High School. The joint board meeting is an initiative implemented during Superintendent Gary Kuphal’s tenure at M-C. At the end of each joint … [Read more...]