Chairman Severson called the February 14 Houston County Commission meeting to order at 9 a.m. and led his fellow commissioners and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners unanimously approved the meeting agenda with the addition of one action item and the minutes from the February 7 regular board meeting. All five board members were in attendance: Chairman Dewey … [Read more...]
Chatfield accepts proposal for 2023 Street Improvement Project design
City Engineer Craig Britton reviewed the proposal for plans and specifications and construction services for the 2023 Street Improvement Project at the city council’s February 13 meeting. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. The hourly rate contract with Widseth to prepare plans and specifications is estimated to cost $262,870. Full reconstruction is scheduled for Grand St. … [Read more...]
Rushford approves trail project with R-P
At last month’s Rushford-Peterson Board meeting, the district approved a letter of intent for a partnership with the City of Rushford on a trail extension project. The project aims to provide safe pedestrian travel from the Brooklyn neighborhood and the Tyrol Hills subdivision to the school. It connects city trails on the west side of Nannestad Lane, behind homes west of Eiken … [Read more...]
Tree pruning
University of Minnesota Extension By mid-February perhaps you are looking to spend a little more time outdoors. There are a few tasks you can focus on to help get you ready for spring, including pruning your trees. An old rule of thumb was to prune in winter while the plant was dormant. For best results, we need to be a bit more specific than that, but it’s a start. When to … [Read more...]
Have a hoot at the International Festival of Owls
After two years of only basic activities, the International Festival of Owls is back to normal! You’ll find a staggering array of owl-themed activities for everyone from children to adults with a serious interest in owls throughout the weekend of March 3-5 in Houston, Minn. The main attraction is the Illinois Raptor Center’s live owl programs featuring Snowy, Eastern … [Read more...]
Talks between Caledonia Ambulance and Spring Grove Ambulance gear up
The Spring Grove Ambulance, Inc. sent a letter asking the city to take ownership of the Spring Grove Ambulance license. At the city’s February 13 council meeting, the council authorized Caledonia Ambulance Director Mike Tornstrom to move forward and draft a proposal. In the letter from Spring Grove, Todd Passig, Spring Grove Ambulance board president included, “The one aspect … [Read more...]
OHV exit resolution tabled until March
The OHV exit resolution returned to the agenda at the February 13 Houston City Council meeting, after consultation with the city attorney. The exit committee updated the resolution following the recommendations of the attorney; the updated resolution and accompanying background were shared with the council members Friday, February 10. While some members of the council wanted … [Read more...]
The importance of your witness
By Pastor Paul Hauschild Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches The philosopher Soren Kierkegaard once told a story about a circus that caught fire. The flames from the circus fire spread to the fields surrounding the circus grounds and began to burn toward the village below. The circus master, convinced that the village would be destroyed and the people killed … [Read more...]
Grants Available to Support Minnesota Grown Specialty Crops
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that applications are now open for the 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The SCBGP funds projects that will increase the competitiveness of Minnesota grown specialty crops in domestic and foreign markets by: •Leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; •Assisting producers with research … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board non-renews varsity volleyball coach
At the February 8 school board meeting, board members Josh Thompson, Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Mark Johnsrud, Katie Priebe and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, Principals Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson, and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Student Senate member Anna Bernau was also present. During district patron time, Erica and Josh … [Read more...]