ST. PAUL, MN – On October 25, 2016, Minnesota scored in the top 10 of all 50 states, on a national measure of science and technology across the country. The 2016 Technology and Science Index from the Milken Institute ranked Minnesota eighth in the United States, on the strength of Minnesota’s science and technology capabilities and overall ecosystems, with a focus on our … [Read more...]
Spring Valley hears Kingsland referendum plans
The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session on Monday, October 24, 2016. Members in attendance were Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jeff Vehrenkamp, and City Administrator Deb Zimmer. Bill Bires was absent. Kingsland Superintendent John McDonald attended the meeting, as did School Board Members Troy Asher and Ann Oeltjen, to inform the council about … [Read more...]
Rushford Trees, Trails, and Parks Commission gaining ground
The Monday, October 24 Rushford Council meeting was the shortest in recent memory, taking just over 20 minutes, start to finish. The agenda contained a visibly reduced consent agenda and just four items of council business. Council attendance was also reduced with Councilors Terri Benson and Vern Bunke, along with Mayor Chris Hallum present. City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Zacher … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central introduces Action 100 program
Dean of Students Chris Mensink updated the Fillmore Central School board on the Action 100 Initiative at their regular board meeting on October 25. The program has been well received by the teachers, students, and parents, and great progress has been made implementing it. The new parking lot at the high school in Harmony is well under way and almost completed. The … [Read more...]
County to contract with Waste Management
By Karen Reisner Solid Waste Administrator Jon Martin reported at the county board’s October 25 meeting that the county has received two proposals for waste and recycling services. Waste Management and Harter’s Quick Clean-up offered their rates for landfill and recycling services. While there would be significant savings with Harter’s for landfill services, WM had … [Read more...]
Chatfield estimates flood damages
By Karen Reisner At the October 24 meeting of the Chatfield City Council Brian Burkholder reported that there was a recent meeting with FEMA concerning damages to public property in Fillmore County due to the heavy late September rains and flooding. Fillmore County declared a State of Emergency on October 4. Damages in Chatfield included washed areas on gravel roads and … [Read more...]
Kingsland wrestling falls
The Kingsland School Board met October 17 in regular session, with all members present: Doug Plaehn, Deb Larson, Kristin Beck, Troy Asher, Gwen Howard and Ann Oeltjen, along with Superintendent John McDonald. The board unanimously approved the consent agenda items, including first and second readings of a number of policies, and two resignations (Heather Glaser and Elizabeth … [Read more...]
Lanesboro closes online school
Superintendent Matt Schultz recommended that the Lanesboro School Board close the online school that the district currently offers. Last year, only one student was enrolled in the program, and this year, enrollment is sitting at zero. “To continue it as a viable option, we would need to get it staffed,” Schultz pointed out as an alternative to closing. His thought was that … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton seeks new music teacher
The Mabel-Canton school board accepted the resignation of music teacher Connor Jones, effective immediately at their October 18 meeting. So far, they have only one applicant for the job and are actively seeking more. Calls have been made to local colleges to notify music students of the opening. “We’re doing what we can do,” Dean of Students and Interim Administrator … [Read more...]
Rushford Village looks to continued roadwork
The south Rushford street improvement project is still underway and is under the gun from the approaching weather. At the Tuesday, October 18 Rushford Village council meeting, two residents of the area were on hand to question whether or not problematic areas will be addressed and when. Mayor Gordon Johnson admitted he was not in a position to answer when project issues … [Read more...]

