Spring Grove School District is excited to introduce four new teachers who have joined the Spring Grove community this year: Ethan Papenfuss, Dana Langworthy, Brett Gulbranson, Erin Woods, Jeannine Hisel, and Laura Moen, a group united by their dedication to students and their love of learning. Ethan Papenfuss Growing up near Spring Grove, Ethan Papenfuss always … [Read more...]
Caledonia Council Reviews Budget, Prepares for Holiday Season
Caledonia Finance Officer Stephanie Mann attended the November 24, 2025, Caledonia City Council meeting to review the proposed 2026 budget as the deadline to set the levy approaches. Currently, the tax levy is set at 12%, with hopes of lowering it, but Mann said she does not see any way to do so. She asked council members if they saw any options to let her know. The levy will … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Receives Clean Audit Opinion
Jason Boynton from Smith Schafer presented the 2024-2025 audit report to the Fillmore Central school board at their November 25 meeting. The report received a clean, unmodified opinion. Enrollment has been going down over the last eight years from 635 to 560 this year which affects the funding the school receives. The federal aid dollars are back down to pre-pandemic amounts. … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to Purchase Four Squad Cars
At the November 25 meeting of the county board, Chief Deputy Lance Boyum requested approval to purchase four 2026 Dodge Durangos at the state bid price through Dodge of Burnsville. Each squad vehicle will cost $38,541, or a total of $154,164 for the four vehicles. The squads will be built in January and may be delivered in March or April 2026. Funds for the purchases are … [Read more...]
SMIF Awards $200,000 in Small Town Grants
OWATONNA, MN, Nov. 18, 2025 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently approved 23 grants totaling $200,000 to support small towns of 10,000 or less in SMIF’s 20-county region. Each grant seeks to impact the culture, education, economy and/or social aspects of a town by investing in collaborative initiatives that help make the community more welcoming. The … [Read more...]
Houston County Approves New Leadership
At the Houston County Board of Commissioners’ November 25 regular meeting, Chairman Eric Johnson recommended that Human Resources Officer Brent Parker be named the Houston County Coordinator/Human Resource Director. Chairman Johnson explained that he and Commissioner Wright held several organizational meetings and discussions regarding an administrative position or … [Read more...]
Chatfield Discusses Tennis and Pickle Ball Courts
At the November 24 meeting of the Chatfield City Council a proposed reconstruction of the existing tennis court area was discussed. Councilors Pam Bluhm and Dave Frank were absent. If the Chatfield School Board moves forward with the proposed reconstruction of the existing tennis court area, the city council approved a pledge to be a partner by providing a one-time $50,000 … [Read more...]
Three New Teachers at Mabel-Canton
The new school year brings fresh faces to the Mabel-Canton School District, which welcomed three new teachers: Cole Mundt, Samantha Livingood and James Ryan. Cole Mundt Cole Mundt teaches seventh through 12th grade government, economics, health, and physical education. He hails from Utica, Minn., and graduated from Lewiston-Altura High School in 2020. He graduated … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Council Discusses Library and Fire Hall
Spring Grove City Council members met Tuesday, November 18 at 168 West Main Street in room #100. Mayor Bryan Wilhelmson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present included Mike Hagen, Trent Turner, Eric Ostern, Morgan Buckland, and Wilhelmson. City employees present included City Clerk/Administrator Jana … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton Superintendent Submits Resignation
The M-C School board accepted Superintendent Gary Kuphal’s resignation/retirement, effective June 30, 2026, at the November 18 regular school board meeting. Kuphal said in his resignation letter, “The district, which includes the board, staff, students, and the community, have been extremely supportive of our school and of me, and I have truly enjoyed my work here.” The … [Read more...]