At the May 5 county board meeting, information was presented on plans for extending a new transmission line from Marion, Minn., to the Mississippi River (105 miles). The plan is to replace a 161 kilovolt (kV) transmission line with a new 765/161 kV double-circuit transmission line (Maribell Transmission Line). The double-circuit lines are to be on a steel lattice … [Read more...]
Houston County Board Approves Conditional Use Permit for Telecommunication Tower
At the May 5 meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners, the board Chairman Greg Myhre called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. The board approved the agenda and the minutes from the April 28 regular meeting, with Commissioner Kurt Zehnder abstaining. There was one public comment from Justin Gartner of The Towers, LLC, regarding action item No. 3: the approval or denial … [Read more...]
Fountain Looks at Personnel and Contract Changes
The May 6 Fountain Council meeting started a few minutes behind schedule as they waited for quorum. All members of the council – Mayor Ron Reisner, Councilors Tammy Danielson, Jordan Kearns, Cory Spratte, and Dave Stockton – were in attendance. During new business, the council briefly discussed several possible personnel and contract changes. City Clerk Mary Tjepkes brought up … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: Like most people I travel everyday for work and I know that construction season is upon us. Can you write about getting people to understand the zipper merge? I still see a lot of people that can’t seem to figure this out. Answer: The zipper merge is a driving strategy that requires drivers to change their mindset about merging. Traditionally, drivers have been … [Read more...]
Rushford Man Charged After Alleged Kidnapping, High-Speed Incident
A Rushford man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly forcing a woman into his vehicle, threatening her with a firearm, and driving at high speeds across multiple counties before she jumped from the moving truck to escape. Phillip Allen Heyer, 39, is charged in Fillmore County District Court with two counts of kidnapping, second-degree assault with a dangerous … [Read more...]
Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds Fravel Conviction, Life Sentence in Kingsbury Murder
The Minnesota Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of Adam Taylor Fravel, ruling that the only reasonable conclusion supported by the evidence is that he planned and intentionally killed Madeline Kingsbury. In a decision filed April 29, 2026, the court rejected all arguments raised in Fravel’s appeal and upheld his sentence of life in prison without the possibility of … [Read more...]
Brownsville Gets Ready For the Summer
Brownsville City Council members met Wednesday, May 6 at the town’s community center. Mayor Jean Meyer called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. She led with the Pledge of Allegiance. City Clerk Steve Schuldt conducted role call. Council members present included Meyer, David Prestby, Bill Fitzpatrick, Pam Walhovd, and Barb Hurley. City employees present included Schuldt, City … [Read more...]
Something for Everyone in Fillmore and Houston Counties
In the far southeast corner of Minnesota, there are two events that are sure to please everyone, Trout Days in Preston and SEMBA (Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association) Bluegrass Festival in Houston. Both events take place May 15 through May 17. At Trout Days, the first thing to know is that attendees will not go hungry. There is so much to select from that there is a … [Read more...]
Preston Transfers Duties of LBAE to Fillmore County
A public hearing was held at the May 4 meeting of the Preston City Council to consider transferring the city’s duties and powers of the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization to the county. Mayor Kurt Reicks noted that the city rarely has changed anything for citizens that have come with an appeal at the LBAE meeting. For example, at the LBAE meeting held this year on April 20 … [Read more...]
Beware: Counterfeit Car Seats on the Rise
Counterfeit car seats can seriously injure – or even kill – our most vulnerable children. The problem is growing, and WinnMed in Decorah, Fillmore County Public Health, and Houston County Public Health are actively working to raise awareness and reduce the risk. All three organizations have Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) who have completed a three- … [Read more...]