While walking around Harmony recently, you may have noticed some new signs up around town. They’re part of the Harmony Historical Society’s new walking tour and were unveiled on June 16 at a ribbon cutting ceremony. Some of the members of the Historical Society had seen historical walking tour signs in other towns, including Decorah and thought it would be a great idea for … [Read more...]
Chatfield Schools receive high technology scores
The Chatfield School Board met on June 19, 2018, in the art room at the high school. Board members present were Scott Backer, Amy Jeffers, Katie Priebe and Matt McMahon along with Superintendent Harris, Administrative Assistant Lorri Lowrey, and Technology Integration Specialist Kristi Cook. Board member Lanny Isensee was not present. Reports Kristi Cook, technology … [Read more...]
SMIF awards more than 250 gallons in Ace Hardware paint through Paint the Town program
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) awarded $6,950 worth of paint from Ace Hardware to nine communities across the region through its Paint the Town program. This program is a partnership between SMIF and 10 local Ace Hardware stores and is designed to engage volunteers and build collaborative efforts that beautify communities through painting community murals, … [Read more...]
MDA Announces Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant awardees $300,000 in grant funds are awarded to 29 projects
ST. PAUL, MN: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is awarding a new grant program aimed at combating noxious weeds around the state. Twenty-nine projects will split $300,000 though the Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. The money, which is given to local municipalities, counties, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts, will be used to purchase equipment and … [Read more...]
State gains 10,200 jobs in May Unemployment rate drops to 3.1%
ST. PAUL – Minnesota employers added 10,200 jobs in May, according to seasonally adjusted figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). With those gains, the state has added 29,188 jobs in the past year, a 1% growth rate. The U.S. rate of job growth during that period was 1.7%. Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment … [Read more...]
USDA resumes continuous conservation reserve program enrollment
As part of a 33-year effort to protect sensitive lands and improve water quality and wildlife habitat on private lands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will resume accepting applications for the voluntary Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Eligible farmers, ranchers, and private landowners can sign up at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office between June 4 and … [Read more...]
County awarded funds
The Minnesota State Set-Aside Committee for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) has recommended $2,800 be awarded to Fillmore County for Phase 35. These Federal funds are awarded by the Department of Homeland Security-FEMA and used to provide emergency food and shelter to people in need of them. The local board is made up of Workforce Development, churches, Semcac, … [Read more...]
R-P School Board vacancy; deadline for candidate filing
The Monday, June 18 Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting saw the board officially declare a vacancy on the board. Last month, Board Director Julie Koop tendered her resignation, effective following the June meeting. With the vacancy, the board has also approved a resolution calling for a special election, to be held in November. The position will be a two-year term on the … [Read more...]
Planning Commission continues discussion of commercial solar power systems
At the June 14 meeting of the Fillmore County Planning Commission, a proposed Renewable Energy Ordinance and the regulation of large commercial solar power systems dominated the discussion. The county’s current ordinance does not regulate commercial solar power systems. At the commission’s last meeting in May representatives of Tradewind Energy, a Kansas based for profit … [Read more...]
Rushford Village waits on Benson Lane project; approves platting plan
At the June 5 Rushford Village Council meeting, Mayor Gordon Johnson stated his reluctance to spend $150,000-200,000 for the Benson Lane Project, currently in the engineering phase. Johnson questioned the idea of redirecting water, prior the problem crossing and the council opted to see what other options, with cost analysis, may be available other than installation of large … [Read more...]