At 6 p.m. on Monday, August 12, Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder convened the Caledonia City Council’s regular meeting in the city hall council chambers, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Schroeder announced that all council members were present: Bob Klug, Amanda Ninneman, Mayor Schroeder, David Fitzpatrick and Ryan Stenzel. Others in attendance included Bob and … [Read more...]

At the August 12 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Ordinance 476 was reviewed for the first time. It outlines offenses that may be charged as administrative offenses and the penalties for those offenses. The fine for an animal violation would be $50, for various described nuisances would be $100, and for various street, sidewalk, and vehicle violations the fine would be … [Read more...]

At the August 12 meeting of the city council, the city financial advisor Mike Bubany provided an interactive spreadsheet to help the city council compare financial options in the creation of the city’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the next five years. The city of Preston CIP projects included in the plan include a seal coat project in 2028, city hall repairs, a new plow … [Read more...]

By Annika Doberenz The month of July was a slow one for the city of Ostrander, with no calls being made to the fire department and no major issues popping up for the people services department, either. The only topics discussed at any significant length at their latest meeting on August 8 were those of the recent citywide garage sales, the new cannabinoids ordinance that was … [Read more...]

At the August 12 meeting, the Rushford Council learned that local business El Barco Mexican Restaurant would hold a Latina festival over Labor Day weekend. Celebrating culture, music, and food, the two-day festival will be held outside the restaurant on August 31 and September 1. The city has approved the closure of Elm Street near the restaurant, which sits at the … [Read more...]

Departmental budgets for 2025 again dominated discussion at the county board’s August 13 meeting. At the last meeting, County Administrator Bobbie Hillery reported that preliminary 2025 budget numbers may result in a 9.3% levy increase. Commissioner Randy Dahl suggested departments have been presenting very accurate budgets. He added there are likely just two ways to reduce … [Read more...]

At the August 14 meeting, the Peterson Council learned of the upcoming dedication of the Peterson Station Museum’s memorial garden. Friends of Peterson, who is leading the work, officially named it the John T. Erickson Veterans Memorial Garden. Erickson was the longtime, volunteer curator at the museum. He passed away in May of last year. “We would like that to be very … [Read more...]

Interim Houston County Auditor/Treasurer Polly Heberlein reviewed the county’s cash and investments as of June 30, 2024, at the August 6, regularly scheduled commission meeting. The county’s certificates of deposits and bonds equals $6,888,123.49. This number is up $497,000 since December 31, 2023, when Heberlein last reviewed the investments. Heberlein said, “That is kind of … [Read more...]

At a rapid meeting on Wednesday, August 7, the Fountain Council approved just one item of business, in addition to the consent agenda items of last month’s minutes and financials. It was to approve legal gambling for the Fountain Fire Department’s gun raffle fundraiser. The event is scheduled for October 12 at the community center. Other items that were discussed included an … [Read more...]

County Engineer Ron Gregg discussed the proposed purchase of an active sand pit in section 30 of Rushford Village at the board’s August 6 meeting. The county has been buying its sand to be used for winter snowplow operations from the current owners of this pit. The board approved a motion to go forward with a purchase agreement to purchase the 11.58-acre sand pit at a lump sum … [Read more...]

At their August 1 meeting, the Houston School Board emphasized that now is the time to sign up to run for the board this fall. There are a total of four positions up for election this fall – one two-year term to complete the term of a board member who has resigned, and three four-year positions. The current board members also need to register in order to run for reelection. … [Read more...]

As the Rushford Village Council begins pondering the 2025 budget and levy, service costs are increasing, some at unexpected rates. City Clerk Mary Miner presented a new Rushford Ambulance Service contract to the council at the August 6 meeting. The annual service was $4,100 last time, according to Miner. The new rate is $7,900. While the increase may have come with some … [Read more...]