OWATONNA, MN, December 29, 2025 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently approved six grants totaling $99,865 to support economic development initiatives in SMIF’s 20-county region. The Economic Development Grant program supports initiatives which enable communities to create more prosperous local economies by growing economic development and … [Read more...]
MnDOT Installs Motorist Warning Signals For Amish Buggies on Hwy 44 in Fillmore County
CANTON, MN – The Minnesota Department of Transportation has installed new flashing driver alert signs to help increase motorist awareness that an Amish buggy is on the road on a stretch of Highway 44 between Mabel and Canton in Fillmore County where the shoulder narrows with guard rail. The system is expected to improve safety for the slow-moving buggies in an area of … [Read more...]
College News
Graduates List Summer 2025 Northeast Iowa Community College: Camryn Cox, Mabel, AA, Radiologic Technology University of North Dakota: Nathaniel Dietz, BS Aeronautics, Commercial Aviation, 2nd major - Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, Magna Cum Laude, Scholar in the Honors Program Western Technical College: Jared Kotek, Jr., Caledonia; Payton Konz, Caledonia; … [Read more...]
Caledonia Public Schools Has Available School Board Position
Caledonia Area Public School’s board members met Tuesday, January 20 at Caledonia Elementary School in room #162. Board member Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 4 p.m., led with the Pledge of Allegiance, then conducted Roll Call. Board members present included Peterson, Julie Augedahl, Chad Harms, Leigh King and Melissa Marschall. Derek Adamson was absent. District … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton Sets Course for 2026 at Annual Organizational Meeting
The 2026 organizational and regular school board meeting was held on January 20 in Mrs. Peter’s Science Room number 50. The meeting opened at 6 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the approval of the revised agenda and the minutes from the December 16 board meeting. Board members present included Jason Marquardt, Dustin Tollefsrud, Traci Livingood, Diane Wilder, … [Read more...]
Houston County Holds Public Hearings
The Houston County Board of Commissioners was called to order on Tuesday morning, January 20, for a regular meeting marked by two public hearings and several important decisions affecting county operations and residents. The first hearing at 9:05 a.m. was to gather input from the public regarding making the positions of auditor/treasurer and recorder appointed instead of … [Read more...]
Village Starts New Year
The January 21 meeting of the Rushford Village council began with the approval of annual designations, committees, and contracts. Councilor Mike Ebner was chosen once again as Acting Mayor, in the event of the mayor’s absence. Acting Clerk is treasurer Judy Graham and Acting Treasurer will be Mary Miner. 2026 Committee appointments include Councilors Bob Hart and Rick Ruberg … [Read more...]
Preston Applies for Grant to Replace Some Water Service Lines
At the January 20 meeting of the city council, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton explained that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has allocated funds for cities to replace lead and galvanized water service lines. These are the water lines from a property owner’s property line to his/her water meter. At a January 13 meeting of the Public Utility Commission the hire … [Read more...]
SEMAC Announces Recent Grant Awards
On January 13, 2026, the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) Board of Directors awarded four Artists & Culture Bearers in the Schools grants, and five General Operating Support grants for a total of $40,950 in funding to organizations throughout southeastern Minnesota. Grants were awarded to the following organizations, listed by county: Fillmore County … [Read more...]
Eitzen Received Raving Reviews Regarding Community Center Improvements
The Eitzen City Council held its first meeting of 2026 on Tuesday, January 13. The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Mayor Jeff Adamson. Present were Mayor Jeff Adamson and council members Doug Meyer, Mitch Lange, Emily Burrichter and Mitch Luttchens. Also in attendance were Steve Schuldt, city clerk and Darryl Meyer, maintenance. Mayor Adamson apologized that the … [Read more...]