The Chatfield Education Foundation (CEF) has been working hard to prepare for their first annual fundraising event to be held December 2 between 4-10 p.m. at Joy Ridge Event Center. The event will include a freewill offering meal, both a silent and live auction, as well as five different raffles. A 50/50 campaign will be held with the profits split between the foundation and … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Says Goodbye to Councilor Rohland
Spring Grove City Council members met Tuesday, November 21 at 168 West Main Street in Room 100. Mayor Saundra Solum called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. Council members present included Trent Turner, Chad Rohland, Heather Edgington, and Karen Folstad. Also in attendance were City/Clerk Administrator Jana Elton and Spring Grove’s newest council member, Michael Hagen. Council … [Read more...]
CUP for Telecommunications Tower Approved
The Fillmore County Planning Commission met on November 16 to consider an application for a condition use permit submitted by TowerNorth to build a telecommunications tower in Section 22 of Chatfield Township. During a June 8 public hearing before the Board of Adjustment, Alex Trueman, TowerNorth, had requested and received a variance for the telecommunications tower. At that … [Read more...]
Kingsland School Board Reviews Fiscal Year 2023
Donations to the Kingsland School District acknowledged near the opening of the November 20 meeting include the following: Stephanie Derby and Scott Mulholland donated $25 to the Music Department in memory of Sandy Hulbert; Cindy Seabright donated $500 to the Music Department, and Ann Oeltjen of Prairie Wind Farms donated $1,000 to the STEM program. One new hire was announced … [Read more...]
CRV’s New Website
Clerk Mary Miner shared the new City of Rushford Village’s website with the council at their November 21 meeting. Miner demonstrated the user-friendly site, noting that by using the contact us button residents could directly send an email to the staff. Citizens can also request an email whenever something new is added to the site. Councilman Travis Link commented, “It does … [Read more...]
How’s YOUR Water?
November 16 several hundred citizens came together at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center to learn more about Fillmore County water quality. The forum featured five experts with various backgrounds, each with experience and knowledge about Fillmore County’s water. Twelve organizations collaborated to present the forum, including Friends of the Root River, Fillmore … [Read more...]
M-C Receives $20,000 From Anonymous Donor
The Mabel-Canton School Board graciously accepted a $20,000 cash donation from an anonymous donor and expressed their thanks for generous donation, at the school’s regular meeting on November 21. Chairman Cristal Adkins called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members present included Cristal Adkins, Chris Miller, Mark … [Read more...]
Preston Reviews 2024 Budget
City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton reviewed some adjustments to the city’s 2024 budget at the city council’s November 20 meeting. Some changes made since the preliminary budget was approved included a smaller increase for health insurance than estimated, an increase in dental insurance that was greater than expected, a 5.5% increase in salaries (estimated 5%), a lower cost … [Read more...]
Caledonia Public Schools Had a Busy November
Caledonia Area Public School board members met Monday, November 20 at Caledonia Elementary School in Room #162. Board member Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., led with the Pledge of Allegiance, and conducted roll call. Board members present included Derek Adamson, Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Peterson, Daniel Small and Spencer Yohe. Also,in … [Read more...]
R-P School Board Approves Strategic Plan
The newly completed R-P strategic plan for 2023-2028 was presented for approval at the November 20 school board meeting. Superintendent Dr. Ben Bernard enthused, “It’s a really nice document!” Bernard said his role was as a facilitator; the plan was created by the strategic committee and surveys of the public. In total, the strategic committee met for five sessions as they … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Elementary Students Raise More Than $400
Student Council Representative Taylor Reinhardt proudly reported at the Spring Grove School Board’s November 20 meeting that grades K-6 participated in a coin war, raising $444.59 to be donated to the Houston County Food Shelf. Chairman Aaron Solum called the board’s regularly scheduled meeting to order at 7 p.m. Board members present included Aric Elton, Stephanie Jaster, … [Read more...]
Harmony Holds Public Hearing for 2024 Street Project
A public hearing was held at the November 14 Harmony city council meeting to discuss the proposed 2024 street project. City Engineer Brett Grabau reviewed the project and its finances with the public, noting that some of the things in the presented plan could still change before the assessment hearing that will be held in about a year. The project consists of three areas on 4th … [Read more...]
What is the Status on the Houston County Jail?
The Houston County Commission has been grappling with whether to keep the Houston County jail open or to close it over the past year. The conversation got serious when Winona County announced that they would not be renewing their contract with Houston County, who currently house Winona County’s inmates. The contract was scheduled to end at the end of September 2023, but Houston … [Read more...]
Caledonia City Council Holds Public Hearing
The Caledonia City Council held a public hearing at its November 13 regular council meeting to hear the public’s opinions and concerns before taking action to certify the special assessments. Hearing no comments, the mayor called to close the public hearing at 6:27 p.m. The council approved Resolution 2023-17 authorizing the assessment of properties for delinquent utility … [Read more...]
Wykoff’s Preliminary Plat Approved for New Housing Development
Towards the November 13 meeting’s opening was a visit from representatives from Choppers Motorcycle Club. As mentioned previously in the Fillmore County Journal, City of Wykoff presented the club with a check for $100 for their participation in a citywide cleanup event. Club President Luke Morgan appeared at Monday’s meeting and informed the council, “that’s not what we do it … [Read more...]