At a quick October 9 meeting, the Peterson Council covered two annual items in addition to discussing membership, voting, and the recent dedication of the John T. Erickson Memorial Garden. Councilor Kristina Grindland was absent from the meeting. First up, the council tackled the final budget and tax levy for 2025. The final amount was set at $111,436. This represents a 4% … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Supports Appeal for Individual Disaster Assistance
At the October 8 meeting of the county board, Sheriff John DeGeorge and Deputy Jason Harmening asked the board for its support in the appeal for Individual Assistance for owners of homes in the city of Spring Valley damaged by flooding during June heavy rain events. Since then, additional individual properties that sustained damage have been added. On September 19, FEMA … [Read more...]
Needed Upgrades to Preston Community Pool Discussed
City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton, during the Preston city council’s October 7 meeting, described several issues with the community pool cited during a health inspection. Three days before the pool was to close this year, the pump failed. The pump was replaced in 2023, so the manufacturer will cover replacement of some of the parts. However, there are many other … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board Hears Solar Project Proposals
At the October 9, 2024, school board meeting, board members Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Katie Priebe, Mark Johnsrud and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, Elementary Principal Shane McBroom, High School Principal Eric Nelson and Community Education director, LuAnn Kleven. Student Senate members present were Olivia McBroom and Katryn Johnson. Board … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Welcomes Five New Teachers
Spring Grove Public Schools is excited to welcome five new teachers to its faculty this year. Each brings a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, and fresh perspectives to the classroom. Riley is the new seventh and eighth-grade social studies teacher, and he also … [Read more...]
Four New Teachers Join Grand Meadow Schools
Four new teachers have joined the staff at Grand Meadow Public Schools this year. The Fillmore County Journal posed a set of questions to each of them to introduce them to the community. Dylan Gowlland is the new fifth grade math and science teacher at GM Schools. He … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton Welcomes Ben Mohs
The administration, staff and students of Mabel-Canton schools, along with the communities of Mabel and Canton, are excited to welcome Ben Mohs, the school’s new social worker. Ben, his wife Alysha, and their 5-year-old son Eli, who just started kindergarten, reside in Rushford. Alysha has been a third-grade teacher for 16 years, while Ben brings a wealth of experience in … [Read more...]
CUP Granted to Bruce Mann in Black Hammer Township
The Houston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, October 1, and approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Bruce Mann to build a home on a 3.77 acre parcel off Braaten Drive in Black Hammer Township. The only conditions were the usual two regarding compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and that the county may enter … [Read more...]
SEMAC Announces Recent Individual Artist Grant Awards
On September 17, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council awarded $126,065 in arts programming grants to artists and public schools throughout Southeastern Minnesota. This includes two previously-announced School Residency grants, fourteen Emerging Artist grants and sixteen Advancing Artist grants. Grants were awarded to the following … [Read more...]
Ostrander Phase 2 Infrastructure Improvements Now Complete
By Zech Sindt This month’s Ostrander City Council meeting took place on October 1 with all councilmembers present, including Lyn Massey-Mills, Dan Hellerud, DJ Start, Vernon Thompson, Mayor Pam Kunert and City Clerk Wendy Brincks. The meeting was short and to the point. Nothing major happened over the last month. One local resident had her basement flood due to a … [Read more...]
Brownsville City Council Discusses Infrastructure Needs
During the Brownsville City Council meeting on October 2, representatives from Bollig Engineering, Vice President of Client Development Kris Ambuehl and Regional Project Manager Bryan Caffin, presented findings from a recent needs assessment survey conducted by Bollig. The survey focused on the city’s infrastructure. Their presentation addressed key areas such as health and … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Emergency Management Director Honored with Award
Sheriff John DeGeorge read the nomination letter at the county board’s October 1 meeting which nominated Don Kullot, Deputy/Emergency Manager, for the Association of Emergency Managers Outstanding Performance in Emergency Management Award. Amy Bramwell, Mower County Emergency Manager, had addressed the letter to the nomination committee. She wrote, “Region 1 has been … [Read more...]
Stolen Political Signs, Homecoming Prank
On the morning of Friday, September 27, a few residents of Preston, Minn., awoke to find their political signs had been removed from their property. Initially, concerned individuals shared on social media that this was a politically targeted action carried out by those with opposing political views. According to Christine DeVries, co-chairing the Fillmore County DFL along … [Read more...]
Contested Races and Candidate Shortage
In the contested races, it’s always like a game of musical chairs. When the election is over, the results are tallied, the music stops, and only a select few will have a seat at the table. On the other side of the coin, when the community is short candidates, it’s a question of who wants the job. But what happens if nobody wants the job? According to the Fillmore County … [Read more...]
Engagement
House ~ Barry Macey House, daughter of Ellen and Steve House of Chatfield, Minn., is engaged to Noah Barry, son of Meghan and Vincent Barry of Rochester, Minn. The couple will be married on October 5 in a private ceremony in Whitewater State park with a dance to follow at the Chosen Valley Golf Course. … [Read more...]