At an unusually brief meeting of the Chatfield City Council on October 23, the council adopted Fillmore County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. Counselors Mike Urban and Paul Novotny were absent. Brian Burkholder explained that for about a year and a half a new revised mitigation plan has been in the development process. The hazard mitigation planning process was established under … [Read more...]
State adds 6,400 jobs in September Unemployment rate drops to 3.7%
ST. PAUL, MN — Employers added 6,400 jobs in September, according to seasonally adjusted figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The state has gained 41,259 jobs over the past year, an increase of 1.4%. U.S. job growth in the past 12 months was 1.2%. Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell 0.1% in … [Read more...]
Houston City Council: annexation, Dollar General and a new hire
The Houston City Council met for its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at Houston City Hall. In attendance were City Administrator Peterson, Deputy Clerk Hegland, Mayor Olson and council members Krage, Sanden, Schutte and Knutson. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the council opened a public hearing regarding an annexation by ordinance. Administrator … [Read more...]
Chatfield schools reduce achievement gap
The Chatfield School Board met on October 16, 2017 at 7 p.m. in the high school media center. Board members Jerry Chase, Lanny Isensee, Scott Backer, Katie Priebe, Matt McMahon and Amy Jeffers were present along with Superintendent Harris, Community Education Director Luann Kleven and administrative assistant, Lorri Lowrey. There were no board committee reports. Community … [Read more...]
Red Ribbon Week
The Preston City Council at their October 16 meeting approved a request to hang red ribbons on light poles around the courthouse square in recognition of Red Ribbon Week, October 23-27. The request was made by Amanda Thomas and Melissa Herron from the Fillmore Central Schools. This is a drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention campaign. The campaign includes activities to help … [Read more...]
Peterson frustration grows with unpaid utilities; considers disconnects
The Wednesday, October 11 Peterson Council meeting was a rapid fire 17-minute review of a bulk of old business. Included was brief discussion of the reclamation and repair of Park Street and River Street, purchase of a city truck, and the 2018 budget. Mayor Tim Hallum suggested the council wait until the first of the year to discuss the truck and it was determined that budget … [Read more...]
Spring Valley bans peddlers
The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session October 9, with all members present (Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, Mike Hadland and City Administrator Deb Zimmer). The council held a public hearing on the proposed Solicitation Ordinance. Zimmer explained that, “We’ve had several complaints this year, and in the past, about what we’d call … [Read more...]
Canton questions a strikeout for the softball field
With limited use throughout the entirety of the year and an overgrowth of weeds, the softball field has proved more of a hassle than means of encouragement towards outdoor activity as of late, therefore earning a fair amount of discussion during the recent Canton City Council meeting held on October 11. Upon the request of a particular resident urging the occurrence of such, … [Read more...]
County approves courthouse security proposal
At the October 10 county board meeting, the board unanimously moved forward with a courthouse security plan. A proposal from Marco which was one of two proposals submitted was accepted. The Courthouse Security committee, which was formed after the county was awarded a grant in the amount of $30,000 by the Safe and Secure Courthouse Advisory Panel, recommended accepting the … [Read more...]
Chatfield approves updated emergency operations plan
At the October 9 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Dan Jaquith described the purpose of the plan. He maintained that the city’s emergency services and local government are very prepared. They will respond professionally to protect lives and property. Efforts will be made to get utilities back on line as soon as possible after a disaster. The plan is a guide for emergency … [Read more...]