Chairman Eric Johnson called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners to order at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Present were Dewey Severson, Chairman Eric Johnson, Robert Burns, Bob Schuldt and Grey Myhre, with Schuldt attending remotely via Zoom, necessitating roll call votes for all decisions. The agenda … [Read more...]
Efficient R-P Meeting
The Rushford-Peterson School Board held one of the shortest meetings ever on July 15. A mere seven minutes passed between the beginning of the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the gavel ending the meeting. That is not to say that no business was accomplished. Superintendent Dr. Ben Bernard provides most of the information to the board before the meeting; as a result, … [Read more...]
Concurrent Enrollment Opportunities Increase at Houston High School
Michael Mangan, director of Educational Success and Innovation at Houston Schools, shared the Report Card on Redefining Ready and Concurrent Enrollment Board Update at the July 11 regular board meeting. Using assorted data and comparing with the previous year’s senior class, Mangan showed that overall, 70% of Houston’s 2024 seniors were college ready, 93% were career ready and … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Kwik Trip Approved to Sell THC Products
Spring Grove City Council members met Tuesday, July 16 at 168 West Main Street in room #100. Mayor Saundra Solum called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., then led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present included Mayor Solum, Mike Hagen, Trent Turner and Karen Folstad. Councilor Heather Edgington was absent. City employee present was City Clerk/Administrator Jana … [Read more...]
Public Transit a Vital Service in Rural Towns
The consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the June meeting, the claims and June checks, the cash in CD and cash balances. City Engineer Brett Grabau presented the proposal for design and bidding services for the wastewater treatment plant UV project. The plans include a new building for the system. The council reviewed the proposal and approved it. The … [Read more...]
Fountain’s Problem with Sinkholes Persists
By Annika Doberenz Although they also discussed other less serious matters, sinkholes were the primary topic of consideration at the Fountain City Council meeting held on July 10. More specifically, the sinkhole that has opened up in the back yard of Dave Stockton. Stockton has had issues with this particular sinkhole in the past, and has filled it in on those occasions with … [Read more...]
Travel Opportunity to Europe for Caledonia High School Students
Caledonia Area Public School board members met Monday, July 15 at Caledonia Elementary School in room #162. Board member Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m., led with the Pledge of Allegiance, then conducted roll call with all board members present. School district employees present included Superintendent Craig Ihrke, Middle/High School Principal Nathan … [Read more...]
Houston County Appoints Interim Administrator, Declares State Of Emergency
At the July 16 regularly scheduled meeting of the Houston County Commission, the board appointed Finance Director Carol Lapham as the county’s interim administrator effective July 16. She will serve in this capacity until December 31, 2024. Houston County taxpayer Michael Warner expressed his support for Carol Lapham as interim administrator. Based on his personal experience … [Read more...]
Kingsland Officials Looking to Keep Heads Dry and Athletes Successful
By Annika Doberenz The Kingsland School Board held their latest meeting on the humid evening of July 15. As per their meeting in June, one of the board’s primary objectives was the final readings and the approval of nearly 20 resolutions and handbooks. While all of them were approved, some necessitated more discussion than did the others. The majority of them involved … [Read more...]
Preston Accepts Knutson Construction Offer
At the July 15 meeting of the Preston City Council, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton described the condition of Golfview Dr. and Windmill Rd. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. When construction of the veterans home began, Golfview Dr. and Windmill Rd. were the only access to the future site of the home. Actually, at that time they were the primary access, and it was believed … [Read more...]
M-C Prepares For the New School Year
Chairperson Cristal Adkins called the July 18 regularly scheduled meeting of the Mabel-Canton School to order at 6 p.m. and led her colleagues in the Pledge of Allegiance. The board approved the meeting agenda as amended and the June 20 meeting minutes as written. Board members present included Cristal Adkins, Chris Miller, Mark Weidemann, Dustin Tollefsrud, Traci … [Read more...]
Stabbing in Spring Valley
According to Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge, a fight involving several people was reported on Friday night, July 12, at approximately 11:36 p.m. outside of the Kwik Trip store in the city of Spring Valley. The subjects involved in the incident had left the scene before deputies arrived. Upon further investigation, video surveillance and statements indicate that at least … [Read more...]
Caledonia Supports Roundabout
Caledonia city staff recommended that the council approve Resolution 2024-05 in support of the Highway 44/76 roundabout at the regularly scheduled council meeting on July 8. The council unanimously approved the resolution. According to the resolution, the city not only supports the project but “is responsible for 100% of all costs associated with the construction of North … [Read more...]
Street Projects Top Discussions for Spring Valley
Mike Bubany, of David Drown Associates, kicked off the Spring Valley City Council July 8 meeting to discuss the upcoming street projects and the impact they will have on the community. In April the council, along with Bubany, workshopped through a vast amount of different financial scenarios so they could better plan for the future expense of the projects and to give them a … [Read more...]
Chatfield Public Transit Availability
Bill Spitzer, Semcac director of transportation, reviewed the availability of public transit in Chatfield at the city council’s July 8 meeting. Three services are available including Rolling Hills Transit bus service, Careavan medical transport, and the volunteer driver program. He concentrated his remarks on Rolling Hills Transit. There are 13 buses in the system that are … [Read more...]