In less than four years since it opened on November 11, 2015, the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minn., has earned top honors from the National Cemetery Association (NCA). At 9 a.m. on Friday, September 6, 2019, local, regional, and national dignitaries gathered for an award presentation. On this beautiful morning, local veterans, their families, and … [Read more...]
Preston certifies preliminary levy
The preliminary 2020 budget and levy was adopted unanimously at the Preston City Council’s September 18 meeting. Councilman Charles Sparks was absent. The total preliminary levy for 2020 is $985,130. This will require a 4.57% property tax levy increase over 2019, or a difference of $43,084. These numbers can be reduced when the final levy is approved in December, but can not … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton, Mabel and Canton meet
A joint “brainstorming” meeting was held September 18 involving the Mabel-Canton School Board and representatives of the cities of Mabel and Canton. Mark Wiedemann, Jason Marquardt, Traci Livingood, Chris Miller, Principal Michelle Weidemann, Superintendent Gary Kuphal, and Diane Wilder were in attendance, so the school board had a quorum. Only two representatives each were … [Read more...]
Minnesota unemployment rate decreases to 3.3% in August Seasonally adjusted employment up 1,100 jobs overall
Minnesota gained 1,100 jobs in August, according to seasonally adjusted figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased one-tenth percent to 3.3% in August, ending a nine-month stretch where the rate increased from 2.8% last October to 3.4% in July. The U.S. … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton okays door lock and PA systems
The Mabel-Canton School Board met in regular session on September 17. All members were present (Mark Wiedemann, Jason Marquardt, Traci Livingood, Chris Miller, Principal Michelle Weidemann, High School Secretary Lynette Donald, Superintendent Gary Kuphal, Diane Wilder, Board chair Cristal Adkins and Chris Loppnow). Superintendent Kuphal asked the board to consider two … [Read more...]
Wykoff to test for water leaks throughout town
The Wykoff City Council held a regular meeting on September 9. All council members were in attendance (Lyle Morey, Richard Gleason, Mayor Al Williams, City Clerk Becky Schmidt, Mary Sackett and Mary Tjepkes). Kingsland School Board Chair Jackie Horsman addressed the council, stating, “As you probably heard, Kingsland is putting up an operating referendum in November, and I … [Read more...]
Chamber, Historical Society opposed to moving Harmony Visitor Center
The public forum at the September 10 Harmony City Council meeting was well attended by members of the Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce, the Harmony Area Historical Society, and the community who were concerned about a discussion that took place during the August meeting. At that time, Council member Tony Webber suggested that the council visit the possibility of selling the … [Read more...]
Nuisance properties still topic of discussion at Canton City Council meeting
At the September 11 Canton City Council meeting, nuisance properties were the topic of discussion. The council discussed multiple nuisance properties that have either been warned or cited. One of the main properties involved belongs to Danny Whalen, who did attend the meeting. Whalen will be appearing in court on October 8 to enter a plea for 2018 misdemeanor charges that … [Read more...]
Headstone unearthed beneath driveway of body shop
On Thursday, September 5, 2019, there was a discovery made in front of the Chatfield Body Shop. In Chatfield, Minn., the construction capital of Southeast Minnesota, the headstone of Almira Caw was found while crews were doing some dirt work to replace the driveway of the repair shop. Almira Caw’s headstone read “Almira, Wife of Joseph Caw, Born Feb. 23, 1831, Died Apr. … [Read more...]
Medical examiner 2018 review
R. Ross Reichard, D.D., Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner, presented 2018 data for Fillmore County at the September 10 county board meeting. Chairman Duane Bakke was absent. Reichard’s office serves eight counties in southeast Minnesota. He emphasized the importance of the medical examiner’s staff including investigators throughout the region. In 2018, 136 … [Read more...]