On July 27, Joseph Wayne Hinck, 45 of Elma, Iowa, appeared before District Court Judge Jeremy Clinefelter. Hinck is charged with three felonies; Second Degree Burglary - Building - Possess Tool, Third Degree Burglary - Enters Without Consent with Intent to Steal/Commit Felony or Gross Misdemeanor, and Possession of Burglary or Theft Tools. The Second-Degree Burglary charge … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Referendum Informational Meeting August 26
At their regular board meeting August 12, the Lanesboro School Board announced they will be holding an informational meeting August 26 about the upcoming operational referendum. The meeting will be in the Forum beginning at 7 p.m. A link called Operating Referendum has been added to the school’s webpage. On that link residents can find information on state and school … [Read more...]
Construction Projects Top Spring Valley Council’s August Agenda
The Spring Valley City Council began their Monday, August 10, meeting with an update on the 2026 Downtown Project including a change order to expand the project slightly. “We were made aware of some sanitary sewer issues associated with the community center. After talking with city staff and the contractor we have in town, there is an opportunity to extend the sanitary sewer … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board Raises Substitute Pay
At the August 12, 2026, school board meeting, board members David Sovinski. Tom Keefe, Josh Thompson and Katie Priebe were present. Board members Jill Harstad and Mark Johnsrud were absent. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, elementary Principal Shane McBroom, high school Principal Eric Nelson and Athletic Director Matt Mauseth. Reports Tom Keefe, who represents the … [Read more...]
Fill Up at Spring Valley Ag Days
Spring Valley Ag Days, August 18-23, dishes up a menu of culinary delights that are sure to please everyone’s palate. Planning committee volunteer Stacey Rath shared, “Ag Days has so many food options for our community event.” Here’s a quick look at some of the food available at this year’s Ag Days celebration. Rath said the drive thru community picnic at First State Bank, … [Read more...]
Chatfield Accepts Proposal for Civil Legal Services
Two proposals for city attorney were considered at the August 10 meeting of the Chatfield City Council. Councilor Pam Bluhm was absent. The proposals for civil legal services had been submitted by Flaherty & Hood, P.A. and GDO Law. City Administrator Michele Peterson recommended Flaherty & Hood after a review of both firms. Flaherty & Hood is a larger firm but has … [Read more...]
The Para-Normal Cotton Ball Mystery
Have you ever had a mystery take place in your own household? For me it happened just the other day. I have been using cotton balls twice daily. I used up the last few, so we got some from the grocery store to restock my collection. One night, I left the whole new package of 100 cotton balls on top of the bathroom vanity. The next morning, I looked for them … they had … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Coin-Collecting Monkeys and an Elephant on an Urgent Errand
Imagine traveling alone on a lonely, shadow-darkened, uphill road and suddenly coming toward you - is an elephant in a hurry. It was no rogue elephant intentionally terrorizing rural residents. To the contrary, it was a perfectly respectable, performing pachyderm, which often pushed wagons in between performing sites. That day in 1907, it was surely the only elephant in … [Read more...]
Whalan City Council Waits for Response From DNR
As the Whalan City Council met on August 10, they had yet to receive a response from the MN DNR after multiple attempts regarding the yearly agreement document and subsequent reimbursement from the DNR for trail maintenance that normally takes place. Present at the meeting were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Sheila Higbe, Thore E. Johnson, Owen Lewis and Kim … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Continues 2027 Budgeting Process
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery provided an early preliminary budget percentage increase for 2027 at the county board’s August 11 meeting. Commissioner Larry Hindt was absent and Commissioner Duane Bakke participated through Zoom. The spreadsheet provided by Hillery shows a levy increase of over 12%. The county does not have a firm number on health insurance costs yet, … [Read more...]