Sheriff John DeGeorge read the nomination letter at the county board’s October 1 meeting which nominated Don Kullot, Deputy/Emergency Manager, for the Association of Emergency Managers Outstanding Performance in Emergency Management Award. Amy Bramwell, Mower County Emergency Manager, had addressed the letter to the nomination committee. She wrote, “Region 1 has been … [Read more...]
Stolen Political Signs, Homecoming Prank
On the morning of Friday, September 27, a few residents of Preston, Minn., awoke to find their political signs had been removed from their property. Initially, concerned individuals shared on social media that this was a politically targeted action carried out by those with opposing political views. According to Christine DeVries, co-chairing the Fillmore County DFL along … [Read more...]
Contested Races and Candidate Shortage
In the contested races, it’s always like a game of musical chairs. When the election is over, the results are tallied, the music stops, and only a select few will have a seat at the table. On the other side of the coin, when the community is short candidates, it’s a question of who wants the job. But what happens if nobody wants the job? According to the Fillmore County … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Jail Project Well Underway
County commissioners toured the new addition to the jail facility during their September 24 meeting. The construction process of the new addition is ongoing. It is estimated that inmates will be moved into and housed in the new facility as early as February 2025. The podular jail design will give clear, straight site lines for observation of inmates in their cells. Once … [Read more...]
Houston County’s Truth and Taxation Meeting Scheduled for December 10
Next year’s proposed operating budget for Houston County was unanimously approved at the commission meeting on Tuesday, September 24. The county’s Truth and Taxation meeting is scheduled for December 10 at 6 p.m. Interim Administrator/Finance Director Carol Lapham provided the board with a spreadsheet comparing the levies. The levy was approved at the September 17 commission … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Tackle Cancer Fundraiser a Success
At the September 24 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Heath Olstad updated the board on the Tackle Cancer efforts by staff and families. The total raised was around $10,000. He thanked everyone who worked, provided, participated and donated to the event. This week is homecoming week, which Olstad noted always includes an extra level of energy from the students. The … [Read more...]
Greater Minnesota Updates for Rushford
At the September 23 meeting of the Rushford City Countil, Elizabeth Wefel, attorney and lobbyist with Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC), provided the council with a summary of the coalition’s work in the last legislative session. Rushford is a longtime member of the coalition, made up of more than 100 cities across the state. The group works on various issues … [Read more...]
Caledonia Approves 2025 Proposed Levy
Discussions regarding the 2025 proposed budget continued from the last Caledonia City Council meeting, with Finance Officer Stephanie Mann explaining the changes at the September 23 city council meeting. The board unanimously approved the proposed 12% increase which equals a total levy of $1,397,896. It was emphasized that the levy cannot be increased but it can be … [Read more...]
Chatfield Endeavors to Address EMT Scheduling Issues
Ambulance Director Rocky Burnett asked the city council to consider two recommendations to help with EMT scheduling for overnight/evening and weekends at the city council’s September 24 meeting. Councilors Mike Urban and Paul Novotny were absent. Burnett explained filling the schedule for overnight and weekends has been an ongoing issue and has been discussed at length in … [Read more...]
Mabel Man Accused of Mistreatment of Animals
By Zech Sindt On September 12, 2024, a Fillmore County Deputy was dispatched to Cherrywood Estates of Mabel for a report of animal cruelty. According to their report, Owen Douglas Rasmussen, 68, allegedly attempted to drown a kitten and bury it on the property. There were two witnesses to the alleged crime. They are listed in the report as LH and NB. According to … [Read more...]