At the April 7 meeting, the Rushford Village Council ran through a quick agenda. The bulk of discussion came during a report from Adam Johnson, Public Works Maintenance Assistant in lieu of Public Works Supervisor Darrin Dessner. Johnson let the council know time was spent recently working on a rock slide on Aspen Road and a large tree down. Public Works is trying to fill … [Read more...]

At the city council’s March 6 meeting Financial Advisor Mike Bubany showed the members how various capital expenditures will affect the city’s finances and tax requirements over the coming years. Bubany inserted various projects, taking into account inflation, into a spreadsheet to demonstrate how each will affect the city’s budget over the next several years. Ideally, the … [Read more...]

At the April 6 Lanesboro City Council meeting, the consent agenda was approved and included the accounts payable, a temporary on sale liquor license for the Lanesboro Arts Center on May 7, and Resolution 2026-31 accepting donations to the Lanesboro Fire Department. An Independence Day parade on Parkway Avenue was approved for July 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., and Mitchell Walbridge … [Read more...]

Variance requests presented at the March 26 meeting of the Fillmore County Board of Adjustment were denied. Randy and Debbie Ristau, Section 5 of Preston Township, had applied for a 40-foot variance from the right of way of TH 52 to build an addition to an existing shop. Ristaus’ application was for a variance from Section 604.05 (2) (b) which states no structure shall be … [Read more...]

A joint planning session held April 1 at the Harmony Community Center brought together members of the Harmony City Council, Harmony Economic Development Authority (EDA), and the Planning and Zoning Commission and members of the community for a collaborative discussion about the city’s future, particularly in relation to a proposed data center project. Mayor Steve Donney … [Read more...]

OWATONNA, MN, March 11, 2026 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently approved five grants totaling $25,000 for projects that support youth mental health in rural Minnesota.  SMIF awarded the grants based on ideas shared by southern Minnesota residents during the 2025 Rural Voice conversation, a discussion on mental health in rural communities. Participants … [Read more...]

On March 10, 2026, the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) Board of Directors awarded 12 Project Support for Individual Artists & Culture Bearers grants, eight to emerging artists and four to advancing artists, for a total of $53,955 in funding to individuals throughout southeastern Minnesota. Grants were awarded to the following individuals, listed by … [Read more...]

At the April 1 meeting, the Fountain City Council received an update from wastewater/water consultant Rick Whitney that the well house has been cleaned up. A fire was reported and extinguished at the well house behind city hall on March 26. Estimates to replace two heaters and lights are being sought. For now, temporary heating and lights are in the well house. During daily … [Read more...]

The Fountain Fire Department was dispatched at 6:55 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2026, to extinguish a fire at the city well pump house behind city hall/fire station and Drury’s Furniture.  The fire was out within 30 minutes.  The roof to the well pump house was damaged by the fire and the ventilation process involved in suppressing the flames.  As of press time, the source of … [Read more...]