When Sheriff John DeGeorge heard details of the school shooting in Uvalde, Tex., he anticipated questions from the public on local preparedness for such an event in Fillmore County. As he thought about it, he wondered if schools were getting questions as well. DeGeorge decided to invite Fillmore County school administrators and local police chiefs to attend a joint meeting with … [Read more...]
Lightning causes glitches at Mabel-Canton
The Mabel-Canton School Board held a regular monthly meeting on July 19. Due to ongoing construction throughout the summer break, the meeting was held in Mrs. Peters’ Science Room. Members present included Jason Marquardt, Chris Miller, Diane Wilder, Traci Livingood (via Zoom), Cristal Adkins, and Mark Wiedeman. Superintendent Gary Kuphal, Principal Michelle Wiedemann and … [Read more...]
R-P plans additional PLC time
Rushford-Peterson’s new superintendent, Ben Bernard asked the board to add four early out days to the school calendar at the July 18 meeting of the R-P School Board. Bernard had met with a committee consisting of teachers Becky Lind, Shari Michel, and Brenda Bergan and principals Angela Shepard and Jake Timm to discuss the request of the PLC groups for more time to meet … [Read more...]
MDA awards $120,000 to combat noxious weeds
ST. PAUL, MINN. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded $120,000 to combat noxious weeds across Minnesota. Twenty-seven projects are being funded though the 2022 Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. The money, awarded to cities, counties, townships, conservation districts, and tribal nations, will be used to purchase equipment and supplies, conduct … [Read more...]
Tar spot in corn
By Katie Drewitz Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties Tar spot is currently developing throughout Fillmore and Houston counties again this season. First identified in Fillmore County in 2019 and Houston County in 2020, tar spot is a corn disease that has spread dramatically since its first identification in the U.S. in 2015. … [Read more...]
Houston Schools redefining ready scorecard
The Houston School Board reviewed the updated June 2022 college and career readiness scorecard for Houston High School at their July 7 board meeting. Administration at the school participated in this program and gathered the information reported. This scorecard provides information about the class of 2022 and will be used for comparisons at later dates to see how the school is … [Read more...]
Houston wastewater treatment plant nears completion
John Graupman of Bolton & Menk visited the Houston City Council meeting on July 11 to present pay applications #14 ($171,369.05) and #15 ($205,894.32) from Wapasha Construction. Graupman explained that there were two this month since last month’s pay application had failed to be submitted. Graupman also submitted a change order to add new sidewalks at the wastewater plant; … [Read more...]
Caledonia’s 2023 street and utility improvements project moves forward
Matthew E. Mohs with Bolton & Menk, Inc. updated the Caledonia City Council on the street and utility improvement project at the council’s regular meeting, July 11. Bids will go out mid-November with the contract to be awarded this winter. Construction will start spring 2023 with the majority of the work happening next fall. The project is scheduled to be completed the … [Read more...]
Mabel Fire Department wins grain rescue equipment
Mabel’s city council met on May 11. Council members in attendance included Adam Wilder, Mayor James Westby, Kirsten Wyffels, and Cory Wilson. Also participating were City Clerk Karen Larson and Jeff Rein. Cory Wilson informed the council that the Mabel Fire Department was recently awarded a rescue tube and related training, after a grant application was submitted. Wilson … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board tables support staff employment language
At the July 13 school board meeting, Josh Thompson, Jill Harstad, Lanny Isensee and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, and Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant. Board member Matt McMahon joined through Zoom. Katie Priebe was not present. Elementary Principal McBroom was not present but in his written report to the board he stated that the ESY … [Read more...]