During the Mabel-Canton school board meeting on August 25, the board heard an update on the facility upgrade project that’s been ongoing throughout the summer. Due to ongoing construction, the meeting was held in Mrs. Peters’ Science Room. Superintendent Gary Kuphal summarized, “If we didn’t have any supply chain issues, we would be right on track. This is the week that it … [Read more...]
A 70-year tradition crosses the state line
The signs that fall is just around the corner. Leaves are beginning to change colors, fall is in the air, and the Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days are days away. Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days is celebrating 70 years, September 8-11. Steam Engine Days is an opportunity to step back and experience farming as it was done in the early 1900s with the giant steam engines. Visitors … [Read more...]
SEMAC awards arts grants
On August 16, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) awarded fifteen individual artist grants for a total of $59,000 in funding to applicants throughout southeastern Minnesota. This included eight grants to emerging artists for $24,000, and seven grants to advancing artists for $35,000. SEMAC is the State Arts Board-designated … [Read more...]
A tasty tradition
Fall in Bluff County provides the perfect weather to enjoy a leisurely bike ride or walk on the scenic Root River State Trail and the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail. The paved trails wind their way from one town to the next. The Taste of the Trail offers visitors the opportunity to sample all the scenic river valley has to offer – vistas, limestone bluff formations outdoor … [Read more...]
Houston County begins the 2023 budget process
An informative section of the Houston County Commission meetings is the annual presentations which are also a component of the county’s budget process. For example, at the August 23 board meeting, commissioners heard from the Medical Examiner (ME), Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). MnDOT Principal Planner … [Read more...]
Fillmore County board to consider lot width regulation amendment
The Fillmore County Planning Commission held a public hearing on August 18 to discuss a proposed amendment to Section 604.05(5), lot width regulations, of the county’s zoning ordinance. The current regulation requires a minimum width of 150 feet at the front of a buildable lot, plus a provision that the lot shall have either 66 feet of public road frontage or a recorded … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central receives grant to install stop arm cameras on buses
The Fillmore Central School District was recently awarded a grant from the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety to cover the cost of purchasing and installing stop arm cameras on all of its buses. The total amount granted from the Department of Public Safety was $30,486.54. The district wishes to raise public awareness that all of the buses will be equipped with stop arm cameras … [Read more...]
Rushford clears up deferment process
The Rushford City Council took steps at the August 22 meeting to clarify the process for deferred assessment applications. The city’s assessment policies have been in place since the start of reconstruction projects in 2009. Eligibility requirements to gain deferment are in the policy. To date, there have been no applications for an assessment deferral with a city project. … [Read more...]
Caledonia approves ambulance purchase
At the August 22 regular Caledonia City Council meeting, the Council approved Ambulance Director Mike Tornstrom’ s request to move forward on the purchase of a new ambulance to replace Unit 257. Council members in attendance were Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder, Robert “Bob” Klug, Amanda Ninneman, and David Fitzpatrick. Brad Rykhus was absent. Others in attendance included … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s proposed amendment to the city’s Charter
The Chatfield Charter Commission has recommended that the city’s Charter be amended by ordinance to develop and install the position of City Administrator. A previous recommendation to create a city manager or city administrator position failed to receive unanimous approval of the city council as required. At the city council’s August 22 meeting, the council passed a resolution … [Read more...]