Dan Scruggs of DEED’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services visited the Houston February 10 city council meeting to seek approval for a student placement. Scruggs works with 27 schools throughout Winona, Wabasha, Houston and Fillmore Counties. The Houston student Scruggs was representing was interested in doing manual labor; Scruggs found that the Nature Center could use … [Read more...]
Whalan City Council Learns of Spongy Moth Management Proposal
Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture attended the February 10 Whalan City Council meeting to discuss a spongy moth management proposal for 2025. Present at the regularly scheduled Whalan City Council meeting were Mayor David Hallum and council members Thore E. Johnson, Kim Berekvam and Sheila Higbe, along with City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell. … [Read more...]
Eitzen’s Habitat for Humanity House Nearing Completion
Eitzen Mayor Jeff Adamson announced at the February 11 city council meeting that the March deadline to complete Eitzen’s Habitat for Humanity house is quickly approaching. Adamson emphasized that “they have been working over there a lot.” In reference to the Habitat house, Adamson said, “That’s coming along. Hopefully that will be wrapped up, with flowers in the … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board Approved Revised FY 2025 Budget
At the February 12, 2025, meeting school board meeting, board members David Sovinski, Josh Thompson, Tom Keefe, Jill Harstad and Mark Johnsrud were present. Katie Priebe was not present. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, high school principal, Eric Nelson, elementary principal, Shane McBroom and student senate representatives Ella Lane and Kyla … [Read more...]
Wykoff Council Advances Infrastructure Plans, Approves Local Loan Request
By Zech Sindt The Wykoff City Council held its regular monthly meeting on February 10 at 7 p.m., with all council members and officials present, including Mayor Ryan Breckenridge, City Administrator Becky Schmidt, Administrative Assistant Luann Hare, and council members Barbara Fate, Kaleb Himli, Jeffrey Hare and Jane Baker. Brett Grabau from Stantec presented the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Discusses Dumpster Abuses
Solid Waste administrator, Joel Kroening presented new solid waste rates for 2025 at the board’s February 11 meeting. It has been five years since various rates have been adjusted. The new rates have been vetted through the Solid Waste committee. Rates are increased for white goods (appliances), electronics, tires, ballasts, oil filters, and landfill material. New rate lines … [Read more...]
Sarah Petersen Faces Sentencing After Covering for Sister in Fatal Amish Buggy Crash
By Zech Sindt Sarah Beth Petersen has pleaded guilty to aiding an offender in connection with a September 2023 crash that killed two Amish children and seriously injured two other children. Sarah Beth Petersen, 36, admitted in court that she falsely claimed responsibility for the accident to protect her twin sister, Samantha Petersen, who was under the influence of … [Read more...]
Houston School Board Considers Changes
As the Houston School Board considered the proposed calendar for next school year at their regular meeting February 6, the often mundane item led to good discussion. Superintendent Mary Morem suggested moving advisory to the end of the school day and altering the beginning of the day to 8:15 a.m. and the end to 3 p.m.. Students often need to leave early at the end of the day … [Read more...]
Chatfield Annual Reports
Four department heads reviewed the 2024 year at the city council’s February 10 meeting. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Steve Schlichter, Wastewater Treatment Facility, reported that the facility is running well; it has met or exceeded all limits. In 2024 a total of 71,423,000 gallons of wastewater was treated; it costs $19.30 to treat 1,000 gallons of wastewater. … [Read more...]
Tracy Road Project Moves Forward with Neighborhood Meeting Set for March 27
Drew Weber, of Bolton and Menk updated the Spring Valley City Council on the 2025 Tracy Road project during their February 10 meeting. “Those plans have been approved by Fillmore County and MNDOT (Minnesota Department of Transportation) State Aid,” Weber said. As the plans continue to move forward, the project will be open to bidding beginning February 18. “We will bring … [Read more...]