The Minnesota Department of Corrections Supervised Release Board voted 4 to 1 on August 29, 2025, to deny parole for David Brian Engle, continuing his case for another three years. Engle, now 49, has been incarcerated for nearly three decades after being convicted of killing his step-grandmother, 86-year-old Gertrude Bestor, in Fillmore County in 1995. Engle appeared by … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Requests State Disaster Assistance
At the August 26 county board meeting, Emergency Manager Jason Harmening asked commissioners to approve a letter to Governor Tim Walz requesting disaster assistance. The severe wind/rainstorm on July 28-29 resulted in damages across the county. On August 5 the board declared a local emergency. The county has submitted a damage/impact assessment. The preliminary assessment … [Read more...]
Houston County Commission Hears Public Concerns
Chairman Eric Johnson called the August 26 regularly scheduled meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners to order at 9 a.m. Johnson opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members present were Cindy Wright, Eric Johnson, Kurt Zehnder, Bob Schuldt and Greg Myhre. The board unanimously approved the agenda with a motion by Commissioner Wright, seconded by … [Read more...]
Chuck and Sharon Schulte Pledge $1.5 Million Toward New Caledonia Library
At the August 25 city council meeting, longtime residents Chuck and Sharon Schulte announced a generous pledge of $1.5 million to help build a new public library in Caledonia. Their contribution represents half of the estimated $3 million-plus needed for the project. “This library will be built in the heart of our town,” said Chuck Schulte during the announcement, which was … [Read more...]
Chatfield to Purchase New Mobile Radios for Squads
At the August 25 meeting of the city council, the purchase of three new updated mobile radios for squad vehicles at a total cost of $21,520 from Motorola Solutions was approved. The price includes services and equipment. Police Chief Shane Fox noted the radios currently in use are 20 years old. Liquor License Violation Chief Fox led an investigation into a potential … [Read more...]
Minimum-wage Rate Adjusted For Inflation as of January 1, 2026
Minnesota’s minimum-wage rate will be adjusted for inflation on January 1, 2026, to $11.41 an hour for all employers in the state. The 90-day training wage for workers under age 20 will increase to $9.31. These rates reflect a 2.5% increase. The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have minimum-wage ordinances that require higher minimum-wage rates for work performed in … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Kicks Off School Year with Conferences
Superintendent Heath Olstad reviewed the upcoming start of the 2025-26 school year with the Fillmore Central board at their regular August 26 meeting. Parent/teacher conferences will be held on the first two days of school at the elementary building just like in previous years. Olstad noted that that format has been well received by parents and staff, and that it seems to work … [Read more...]
Rushford Explores Housing Options
The Rushford City Council learned at their regular August 25 meeting that letters had been sent out to owners of approximately 35 vacant and unused properties in Rushford. The letters included a short questionnaire regarding the property, asking whether the owners were planning to sell the property and if they needed help with any problems such as utility availability, high … [Read more...]
Preston Discusses Possible North Street NE Improvements
Developer Andy Bunge submitted a request at the August 18 Preston City Council meeting for the council to add the improvement of the 300 block of North St. NE to the city’s street improvement priority list. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. Bunge said the development on that block is complete. He noted there was nothing in the development agreement with the city several years … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Gets Set for Back-to-School
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Spring Grove School board was called to order at 7:01 p.m. on Monday, August 18. Board members present included Board Chair Stephanie Jaster, Rhan Flatin, Kelly Rohland, Lisa Myhre, Myriah Klug and Ashley Olson. Also present were Superintendent Gina Morken, director of special projects Rachel Udstuen, K-12 Principal Matt Rosaaen, … [Read more...]