The Houston Area Chamber of Commerce elected new officers at the organization’s annual membership meeting on March 20 at Timeless Creations gift shop in Houston. Timeless Creations co-owners Vicki Olson and Kristen Collins hosted the event. Chamber of Commerce Director Margaret Knutson assisted. Ron Evenson was elected president; Rod Torgerson, vice president; Patrick … [Read more...]
Caledonia School Board moves forward with Strategic Plan
Caledonia School Board members met in Caledonia Elementary School’s music room #162 on Monday, March 20, from 6-8:15 p.m. Board members present included Derek Adamson, Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Mike Peterson, Daniel Small, and Spencer Yohe. In addition, Superintendent Craig Ihrke, Elementary Principal Sue Link, Middle/High School Principal Nathan Boler, Business … [Read more...]
Preston hires full-time police officer and EMT
At the March 20 city council meeting, approval was granted to hire Brady Meyer as a full-time police officer and Jackson Orlowsky as a full-time EMT. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton said the full-time police officer position had been posted in February. There were four applicants. Meyer had already been working as a part-time officer and was … [Read more...]
Rushford Village waits on road tour
Public Works items again topped the March 21 Rushford Village Council meeting discussion. Road issues and maintenance, an improvement project, and the ongoing changeover of water meters were all on the agenda. City Engineer Derek Olinger of Bolton & Menk addressed the council regarding County Line Drive. The rural gravel road winds up a steep hill section and is subject to … [Read more...]
Spring into action: Give blood with the Red Cross
Spring is near! As the seasons change, the American Red Cross is reminding the public that the need for blood doesn’t take a break. Blood remain at risk of running low this month. Donors are crucial to helping the Red Cross avoid a blood shortage in the weeks to come. Donors of all blood types, especially type O donors and platelet donors, are encouraged to make and keep … [Read more...]
R-P Knowledge Bowl heads to state
At their regular March 20 meeting, the Rushford-Peterson School Board recognized the R-P Knowledge Bowl team for their second place win at the recent regional competition. The team consisting of Jackson Dvorak, Tel Fahrendholz, Zane Schroeder, Will Heiden and Christopher Oatman, along with their coaches Matt Myszewski and Tracy Knutson, will be heading to state competition in … [Read more...]
Spring Grove teachers find creative way to make up snow days
The Spring Grove School Board approved the recommended snow day make-up plan at the March 20 meeting. Hopefully the school has seen its last closure this year because of snow. Superintendent Rachel Udstuen explained, “The staff was surveyed. We have three and a half hours that we are behind at the high school level; we have been trying to figure out how we want to make it … [Read more...]
SEMAC awards arts grants
On March 21, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) awarded 36 grants for a total of $143,810 in funding to applicants throughout southeastern Minnesota. This included four school residency grants for $11,810, fourteen emerging artist grants for $42,000, and eighteen advancing artist grants for $90,000. SEMAC is the State Arts … [Read more...]
SMEC answers Kingsland School Board questions
The Kingsland school board met for a regular meeting on the evening of March 20 at 6 p.m. In attendance was Superintendent Scott Klavetter, board members Carmen Anderson, Gary Broadwater, Pam Freet, Kyle Rader, Cindy Seabright and Steve Tammel. After the pledge of allegiance, the board took time to give thanks for several recent donations. The VFW Auxillary Post #4114 donated … [Read more...]
Houston School Board reaches consensus
At their third special workshopping session with SiteLogiQ, the Houston School Board reached a consensus on their proposed building referendum. While no vote was taken and nothing is written in stone, the board decided on an approximate cost, the projects to be included, and the question (questions) to be asked when the public vote is held. To begin the session, Andy Fields … [Read more...]