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...]

One of the gas pumps at Pam’s Corner has a new look; the familiar R-P Trojan green and gold now covers the pump. A sign at the top of the pump explains a new promotion.  Five cents for each gallon of gas sold at that pump will be given to the R-P Booster Club. On Trojan Tuesdays, the donation increases to ten cents for each gallon.  When the R-P Booster Club was … [Read more...]

At the March 23 Rushford City Council meeting, the council heard from Ambulance Director Joey Busse and EMTs Shannon and Evan Meier as they returned to the council to discuss ambulance on-call pay. They looked at the data from last year and the previous years before returning to make a suggestion.  In 2025, $62,500 was paid out for on-call pay. If the on-call pay had run on … [Read more...]

A Solid Waste Engineering Study was approved at the county board’s March 24 meeting. The first step to expand the solid waste transfer station includes an evaluation of the existing facility’s condition and the exploration of options for expansion. It will consider the future needs for the facility. The study will be conducted by Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH, Inc.) at a … [Read more...]