Veterans, local officials, and community members gathered at the entrance of a soybean field on a sunny May 31 morning to celebrate the inclusion of veterans home funding in the 2018 Minnesota bonding bill. Preston Mayor Kurt Reicks welcomed everyone to the future site of the veterans home, calling it a great day for veterans in southeast Minnesota. Since 2013 there has been … [Read more...]
Rushford considers last minute limited option usage of revolving loan fund
The City of Rushford has been eyeing potential changes to its Revolving Loan Fund policy, looking to amend it to allow the city to use the funds. If used, the funds would be designated for a singular project related to economic development, namely an estimated 100-acre property on the west side of Rushford, along Highway 30. City Administrator Tony Chladek noted the policy … [Read more...]
Interpretation of ordinance creates snag over precedence
When looking at zoning, ordinances and policy-making can be a bit of a beast. Townships, cities, and counties have ordinances in place for the benefit of property owners and to keep things decidedly black and white. But, what happens when interpretation creates a fuzzy, gray zone and the idea of entity precedence and property owner rights clash? Five of the 23 townships within … [Read more...]
Drag racing stalls in Spring Valley
Greg Melartin addressed the Spring Valley City Council during the regular meeting on May 30 regarding his request for drag racing within city limits during the upcoming Fins and Films event on July 7. He described the various safety measures that would be in place (fencing, barriers, etc) and the agencies and businesses he has already talked to regarding the proposed event. … [Read more...]
Medical examiner reviews 2017 cases
R. Ross Reichard, M.D., Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner, reviewed 2017 Fillmore County death statistics at the board’s May 22 meeting. This medical examiner’s office investigates “sudden, violent, unexpected, and suspicious deaths” in an eight county area in southeastern Minnesota. The office certifies deaths after investigation and postmortem examination and … [Read more...]
Lanesboro school board discusses community meeting
At their May 17 meeting, the Lanesboro school board reviewed the recent community meeting that was held to discuss the proposed facility updates and renovations. “I just want to comment that it was an exceptionally well-run meeting,” Executive Director of the Lanesboro Arts Board, John Davis said. He was impressed with the turnout. “It shows how much everyone cares about the … [Read more...]
Solar energy project in Fillmore County
The county’s planning commission learned more about large solar energy projects at their May 17 meeting. The commission has been working on language for a Renewable Energy Ordinance that would regulate both solar and wind energy systems. Travis Narum, development director for “tradewindenergy,” gave a power point presentation on the Kansas based company’s solar development … [Read more...]
Preston awaits governor’s decision
At the May 21 Preston City Council meeting, City Administrator Joe Hoffman reported the state legislature passed the 2018 public works construction/bonding bill which includes $10.2 million for a veterans home in Preston. The $825 million bonding bill passed the Senate with a 42 to 25 vote and the House with a 113 to 13 vote in the last half hour of the 2018 session Sunday … [Read more...]
Spring Valley tourist center to be removed
At the regular meeting of the Spring Valley City Council on May 14, the council considered bids that had been submitted regarding the removal of the Tourist Information Center (TIC). The bids varied in their price and details about what would be done, but the council chose to accept the bid from Mike and Julane Gehrking. The council also discussed whether to install a new … [Read more...]
Wykoff audit report: Clean
A regular meeting of the Wykoff City Council was held on May 14. All council members were in attendance (Rocky Vreeman, Mary Tjepkes, Mayor Al Williams, City Clerk Becky Schmidt, Mary Sackett and Richard Gleason). Tom Wente, representing the accounting firm of Smith & Shafer, gave the council a summary report on the recent annual financial audit of Wykoff. He said … [Read more...]