At the August 9 meeting, the Peterson, Minn., city council announced it would begin home water connection inspections. Driven by a revision to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule two years ago, all Minnesota cities must develop lead service line inventories of every water connection in its municipality. Cities must submit this documentation by October of … [Read more...]
Culture & Community This Ex-Amish Life: Eddie Swartzentruber
I had the opportunity to sit down with Eddie Swartzentruber and his wife Karwyn for about three hours at Estelle’s Eatery & Bar in Harmony, Minn., to discuss his life’s story. For those of you who don’t know, Eddie has become a mega ex-Amish superstar, interviewed by major TV networks and media nationwide. He’s become a social media sensation. He told me he was offered a … [Read more...]
State Patrol Requests Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to Investigate Fatal Use of Force
ST. PAUL, July 31 — Just after 1:50 a.m. Monday morning, a State Patrol trooper was observing traffic when a Ford Fusion with no taillights travelling on northbound Interstate 94 near Lowry Avenue in Minneapolis drove by. The trooper pulled the driver over. During the course of their investigation, troopers learned that the driver was wanted by law enforcement in Ramsey County … [Read more...]
Hokah Council Identifies Concrete Repairs Needed
The Hokah City Council met at 6 p.m., Tuesday, August 1, at the Hokah Fire Station. Present were Mayor Lee Tippery and council members Corey Lorenz, Tom Bernsdorf and Jerry Martell. Absent were City Clerk Lindsey Martell and Council member Mike Walsh. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Tippery called for approval of the Consent Agenda consisting of the July council … [Read more...]
Fountain Puts a Stop to Speeding
Last month, following citizen complaints and years of rampant speeding on Cedar Street, the Fountain Council unanimously approved installing a four-way stop at the intersection of Cedar and Third Street, which is about halfway down the length of Cedar Street. At the time, they also discussed the extension of temporary speed bumps, making it impossible to go around and move the … [Read more...]
Hearing Set on CRV Bridge Demolition
At their August 1 meeting, the City of Rushford Village, Minn., set a public hearing about the possibility of demolishing the Village Road Bridge. The CRV and the county were intending to do some repairs on the bridge, but needed easements from three property owners. One of the three has refused to grant an easement on his .03 acre. He had wanted a guarantee that the road would … [Read more...]
Wearing of the green
The Irish music reaches the depth of your soul and will have your feet stomping and your body waving to the fast-paced music. You might jump up out of your seat and start dancing the jig. Plenty of Irish music will be at the 18th Annual Irishfest in La Crosse, Wis., August 11-13. Say hi to the green and orange-clad with red hair leprechaun, Clancy, and don’t forget to take a … [Read more...]
Red Cross needs help to avert a blood shortage
After a summer of declining donations, the American Red Cross needs the public’s help to prevent a blood shortage. When a donor makes and keeps an appointment to give blood in the weeks ahead, they can help ensure trauma patients, those undergoing cancer treatment, and people with lifelong blood disorders can get the blood they count on. Right now, the Red Cross especially … [Read more...]
HVAC to be Updated in Historic Courthouse
At the August 1 regularly scheduled Houston County Commission meeting, commissioners approved the purchase of two “chillers” from Winona Controls to replace the current HVAC systems in the Historic Courthouse. The county received a bid from Winona Controls and Winona Heat and Vent for two units. Winona Controls came in at $128,000, and Winona Heat and Vent at $163,310. … [Read more...]
Children’s Mental Health Case Management
Fillmore County Children’s Mental Health case workers made their first presentation to the county board at the August 1 meeting. The county terminated its contract with Hiawatha Valley Mental Health in Winona on May 1. The county now provides children’s mental health services. The Fillmore County Children’s Mental Health team includes caseworkers Ashley Greden, Andrea … [Read more...]