Wayne Stenberg, Semcac executive director, and Cindy Vitse, housing coordinator, updated the county board on Semcac programs at the January 9 meeting. Commissioner Gary Peterson was absent. Semcac has been in existence for 51 years and serves a 12 county area. Stenberg said their mission statement has changed to “Empower and advocate for people to enhance their … [Read more...]
Harmony discusses possibility of paving end of Sixth Street
Joe Hahn was present at the January 9 Harmony City Council meeting. He is thinking about building a home at the end of Sixth Street southeast. Currently, the city street ends before that point so he would have to extend the water and sewer service. As it’s a dead end street, he wanted to know if that would be adequate or if he would need to include curb and gutter. Hahn had … [Read more...]
Mayor reports Chatfield is in good shape
Chatfield’s first city council meeting of 2018 was held on January 8. Mayor Russ Smith said he was happy with the 2018 budget, which is less than originally anticipated. The city as a whole is in “good shape.” Smith praised and thanked the city staff; they always do a good job. The Industrial Drive project will be finished this year. The mayor hopes to see development start … [Read more...]
Houston Council debates Owl Center lease for Trailhead Park
The Houston City Council met for its first regular meeting of the year 2018 at 6 p.m., January 8 in the council chambers at Houston City Hall. In attendance were Mayor Olson and council members Knutson, Sanden, Krage and Schutte, along with City Administrator Peterson and Deputy Clerk Hegland. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Olson opened up the meeting for a period … [Read more...]
Fatal accident near Fillmore
On January 5, 2018, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center received a report of a single car accident in the 28000 block of Morgan Road. A passerby who lives in the area was traveling south and observed a vehicle off the roadway. The passerby checked the vehicle, found the injured driver, and called 911. A 1992 Buick Riviera had … [Read more...]
Fountain mulls over utility rates
The first meeting of the year for the Fountain council was largely comprised of continued discussion on proposed increases to the sewer/water utility rates. A community meeting to discuss the matter and take public input is slated for Wednesday, January 9, at 7 p.m., at the community center. In discussing the options, it appears there are more questions than answers for the … [Read more...]
Lanesboro homeowners present petition to pave road to city council
In 100% agreement, the homeowners on the gravel road stretch of Zenith Street presented a petition signed by each one of them to the Lanesboro City Council at their January 2, 2018, meeting. At the December 4 council meeting, Zenith Street resident Phil Dybing had asked the council to reconsider their decision not to pave the gravel section of the road. They advised him to … [Read more...]
Ostrander to fill council and maintenance vacancies
A regular meeting of the Ostrander City Council was held on January 2, with all members in attendance (DJ Start, Pam Kunert, Mayor Pat Nesler, newly hired City Clerk Wendy Brincks, outgoing City Clerk Christine Hyrkas, and Heidi Jones). City Attorney Jennifer Gumbel addressed the council with her ideas regarding how to deal with the issue of developing a Feed Lot ordinance, … [Read more...]
Preston requests more information concerning possible takeover of Crown Hill Cemetery
Kevin Ostern, representing the Crown Hill Cemetery board, renewed the board’s plea at the city council’s January 2 meeting that the city take over the cemetery. Ostern maintained we can’t afford to keep operating and haven’t been able to do any improvements. Ostern said they have $7,500 in checking, but it takes more than that to keep the cemetery mowed for one season. Last … [Read more...]
County’s annual housekeeping
Commissioners worked through a list of annual resolutions at their first meeting in 2018. County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman opened the January 2 meeting. Mitch Lentz was elected chairman and Duane Bakke was elected vice-chairman. Vickerman had been sworn in earlier this day by Judge Matthew Opat as the acting auditor/treasurer for 2018. An auditor/treasurer will be elected … [Read more...]