Chairman Greg Myhre called the September 27, Houston County Commission meeting to order at 9 a.m., leading commissioners and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners in attendance include Chairman Myhre, Teresa Walter, Robert (Bob) Burns, Eric Johnson, and Dewey Severson. Commissioners unanimously approved the meeting’s agenda, the minutes from the September … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central school year off to a great start
At the September 27 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad announced that the school year was off to a great start. The elementary students continue to have lunch and breakfast in their classrooms and a salad bar was added for grades 3-6. The back-to-school conferences for grades K-6 were well attended by students and parents. A project was completed … [Read more...]
Caledonia orders new squad car
The Caledonia City Council held a public hearing at the council’s regularly scheduled meeting on September 26, regarding a request from business owner Joe Hayes for a setback variance at 505 Old Highway Drive. According to the permit application, Hayes plans to build a 40’ x 50’ timber frame with steel siding and roof addition to the east side of the existing commercial … [Read more...]
Grain entrapment
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension On average, nearly two dozen people are killed each year in the U.S. in grain entrapment incidents. Flowing grain is dangerous, and behaves much like quicksand. In four seconds, a full grown adult can sink knee deep from the suction of flowing grain. In just 20 seconds, they can be completely buried. The pressure of the … [Read more...]
Veterans home update highlights resident applications, staff recruitment
SEPTEMBER 26, 2022, ST. PAUL, MINN. – Preston Veterans Home advocates attended a virtual meeting with officials from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) on September 21 to receive an update on the future Minnesota Veterans Home in Preston. Construction continues on schedule for the facility that is located at 1112 Overlook Drive on a 15-acre bluff-top site … [Read more...]
Blood drive in Harmony collects 38 units
The blood drive held in Harmony on September 27, 2022, succeeded in collecting 38 units of blood. There were 40 donors presenting with one first-timer. Congratulations to these six donors who reached the following milestones: •Lynn Eich, 11 gallons •Mary Hershberger, 4 gallons •James Neppl, 9 gallons •JoAnn Runkel, 10 gallons •Emery C. Stutzman, 8 gallons •Mark Webber, 8 … [Read more...]
SMIF announces second Prosperity Initiative cohort of 2022
OWATONNA, MN, SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is pleased to announce the members of the second Prosperity Initiative cohort of 2022, a program which provides free coaching and training to minority entrepreneurs. Four entrepreneurs have joined the program. Prosperity Initiative clients commit to a six-month period of working directly with an … [Read more...]
Fillmore County approves preliminary 2023 budget/levy
Fillmore County Commissioners at their September 27 board meeting unanimously approved the preliminary budget and levy for 2023. The budget in the amount of $12,399,295 requires a 3.95% levy increase, or $471,533 more than in 2022. County Program Aid for 2023 will be $940,355, or $125,351 more than in 2022. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery noted recent adjustments that had … [Read more...]
Caledonia School District is off to a good start
By Kaitlin Longhauser Caledonia School Board members met in Caledonia Elementary School’s music room #162 on Monday, September 26, from 6-8 p.m. Board members present included Matt Blocker, Erin Hammell, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Daniel Small, Wendy Woyczik, and Spencer Yohe. The board approved the consent agenda and the minutes from the August 15 regular board meeting … [Read more...]
Mainspring Founder receives Fellowship
The founder and volunteer director of Caledonia’s art collaborative, Mainspring, Melissa Wray received word in August that she was selected for a two-year Rural Regenerator Fellowship through Springboard for the Arts. The Minnesota non-profit organization has a branch in Saint Paul and one in Fergus Falls. Fergus Falls oversees the Fellowship. According to the organization’s … [Read more...]