As the year winds down, the Houston County Commission was faced with a lengthy agenda including 11 action items and one presentation at its last meeting of the month, November 28. All five Houston County commissioners were in attendance: Chairman Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Robert (Bob) Burns, Bob Schuldt and Greg Myhre. Chairman Severson promptly called the meeting to … [Read more...]
A Silver Lining
A dark cloud has been looming over the southeast Minnesota town of Spring Grove, a town of 1,238, since Northern Engraving announced a “mass layoff.” Currently, 80 employees work at the plant in Spring Grove and approximately 50% of them reside in the Spring Grove and Caledonia area. Spring Grove Mayor Saundra Solum shared, “I can only speak to the production plant in Spring … [Read more...]
Rushford to Seek Improvement Funding
At the November 27 meeting, City Engineer Derek Olinger of Bolton & Menk spoke to the council regarding the state’s Local Road Improvement Program Funding. The three-part program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, provides up to $1.5 million towards local road projects for regionally significant roads, resulting in safety improvements or addressing … [Read more...]
Grant Application for Winona Street SE/CSAH 5 Project
Chatfield City Engineer Craig Britton explained at the city council’s November 27 meeting that there is aged and undersized infrastructure, water and sewer, under this portion of Winona St. SE. Councilors Mike Urban and Paul Novotny were absent. A resolution in support of an application for a Local Road Improvement Project (LRIP) grant through MnDOT was adopted. The section … [Read more...]
Chatfield Education Foundation Fundraiser
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...]