Brownsville resident Richard Cordes, the self-proclaimed Houston County history detective, shared his research on the 1860 Brownsville double homicide in memory of the two victims, mother and daughter, Anna Sofia Hanke and Pauline Hanke, at the Houston County Township Officers Association (HCTOA) 65th annual banquet on September 23 at the Four Seasons Community Center in … [Read more...]
Management Plan for the Scenic Byway Along Highway 16
Local business leaders and community leaders gathered on September 23 in Preston for a community open house to provide input for the future of the Byway along Trunk Highway 16 from Dexter to La Crescent. The Historic Bluff Country Natural Scenic Byway was designated as a Natural Scenic Byway in 2002. This 88 mile corridor was first designated by MnDOT as a State Scenic Byway … [Read more...]
Caledonia School Board recognized
September is Minnesota School Board Recognition Month, and Caledonia Area Public School District Superintendent Craig Ihrke brought cookies and read a statement in appreciation of the school board members during the Board Showcase. Roll call showed all members were present at the September 21 meeting, except student representative Phoebe Lampert. Ihrke’s statement said in … [Read more...]
Houston County Declares State of Emergency and Sets Preliminary Tax Levy
The Houston County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency for damage resulting from the September 19 severe storms at the September 22 regular commission meeting. Sheriff Brian Swedberg, filling in for Emergency Management Director Mark Olson, said, “On Friday night, we had a considerable amount of damage throughout the county, with only six townships and the … [Read more...]
Kingsland School Board Certifies Preliminary Levy
The Kingsland School Board snuck in one last summer board meeting as they met on Monday, September 21, 2026, to discuss the preliminary levy and get updates. Students Cody Howard and Blake Krahn shared updates on the Kingsland Student Council and the Spring Valley-Wykoff Future Farmers of America (FFA). The student council held their first meeting of the year where they … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson School Board Thanked
September is School Board Recognition Month in Minnesota, and Rushford-Peterson Schools’ staff and students made a point to recognize their board at the regular board meeting September 21. The theme this year was “Minnesota School Boards Help Minnesota Kids Rise.” Students created a poster thanking the board and a basket of sweet treats greeted the board as they entered the … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central FFA Offers Great Opportunities for Students
FFA Officers Korra Biel and Weston Bernau, and FFA Advisor Kelsey Biel updated the Fillmore Central School Board on the FFA activities at the September 22 school board meeting. The team has over 80 members this year. In FFA, there are a lot of opportunities for students to travel and test with a Supervised Agricultural Experience, or SAE. A networking dinner will be held in … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School Board Sets Proposed Property Tax Levy and Truth in Taxation Hearing
The Spring Grove School Board met September 21 in the school’s learning resource center, where members approved several routine business items and heard updates from district administrators. Chairperson Stephanie Jaster called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Other board members present were Ashley Olson, Rhan Flatin, Kelly Rohland and Jaster. Lisa Myhre and Mariah Klug were … [Read more...]
2026 Candidates Part 1
Cherie Johnson Candidate for State Senate District 26 1. Tell us about yourself. My name is Cherie (“shuh-REE”) Johnson, and I am passionate about creating a better future in Minnesota. I am a proud wife, mother, teacher, and Christian. My husband Ben and I have raised our seven children in Southeast Minnesota, and I am determined to make sure Minnesota can always be a … [Read more...]
Caledonia Council Weighs Proposed 12% Levy Increase
Caledonia City Council members reviewed the city’s proposed 2027 budget and tax levy in detail during their regular meeting on September 14. Finance Officer Stephanie Mann reminded the council that the preliminary levy will be set at the September 28 city council meeting because it is due to the county by the end of the month. She also noted that once the preliminary levy is … [Read more...]