At the September 3 meeting, the Fountain Council heard an update and proposal for the 2009 wastewater treatment plant from Rick Whitney, who’s been assisting Public Works Director John Hanson with some issues. Whitney explained in detail to the council that areas of corrosion have led to other components not functioning as they should. In particular, on the side of the … [Read more...]

The Ostrander City Council held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 2, at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Stephanie Start called the meeting to order. All members were present, including DJ Start, Dan Hellerud, Jimmie Dean, and Lyn Massey-Mills. City Clerk Wendy Brincks was in attendance as well. Fire Chief Jason Rice reported that the Ostrander Fire Department assisted with … [Read more...]

City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton presented a quote from American Legal Publishing to codify or provide an update of current regulations/ordinances at the city council’s September 2 meeting. Throckmorton explained the city has 21 new ordinances since the Preston City Code was last updated in 2022; the quote for codification is in the amount of $1,700 to $2,400. An … [Read more...]

Assistance for the Village Public Works Department was a headlining topic again at the September 3 Rushford Village  Council meeting.  “I would like to see us open for discussion and start looking to bring on part-time help yet this fall to help Darrin and start working into the system. There’s plenty of work out there right now,” began Councilor Mike Ebner. The process … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]