The unemployment rate ticked down two-tenths of a point to 1.8% in June 2022 – yet another record low since the metric has been tracked in 1976, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The lowest pre-pandemic unemployment rate was 2.5% in early 1999. The unemployment rate decline over-the-month was entirely … [Read more...]
Houston County ATV fatality
On July 22, 2022, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Houston County Dispatch received a 911 call of an ATV accident with one person injured in the southeast area of Houston County. Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Caledonia Police Department and New Albin Ambulance Service responded. Ms. Kayla Wimer-Wood, 33 years of age, of the Owatonna, Minn., area was pronounced deceased at the … [Read more...]
Rock Road Bandits ride for another fundraiser
The Rock Road Bandits, coordinated by Travis Warmka of Grand Meadow, Minn., has become a fundraising trailblazer. For anyone who loves riding in a side-by-side (a.k.a. RUV or recreational utility vehicles), this group of dirt road enthusiasts has taken their weekend rides to another level. They currently coordinate five fundraising rides per year. Back in June, they raised … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central replaces elementary school supply lists with supply fees
A K-6 grade supply fee of $25 per student was reviewed by the Fillmore Central School Board at their July 26 meeting. The fee will allow the teachers to purchase the exact supplies the students in their classrooms will need rather than sending out a school supply list for families to purchase individually. Due to the change, a supply drive will no longer be held, but people … [Read more...]
Mulhern family recognized as a 2022 U of M Farm Family
By Katie Drewitz Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties The Mulhern family of Fountain has been named Fillmore County’s 2022 Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota. The Mulhern farm originated in 1900 when Michael Mulhern and Rose Gaughan were married. The couple had six children. Two of the boys grew up and … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Too much judging
By Pastor Paul Hauschild Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches While waiting at the airport terminal for her plane to begin boarding, a woman sat reading a newspaper. Earlier, she had purchased a package of cookies in the airport snack shop to eat after she got on the plane. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the man sitting next to her was eating a cookie. … [Read more...]
The Wild West comes alive in Lanesboro
Lanesboro lore states that William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, and his friend and business partner Dr. Frank “White Beaver” Powell, four time La Crosse mayor, concocted the Wild West show in the late 1880s. The first show was held indoors at Lanesboro’s Nelson Hall. Celebrate Lanesboro’s rich heritage at the 38th Annual Buffalo Bill Days. “Buffalo Bill Days offers a fun and … [Read more...]
Rushford hears SMIF and legislative updates
The July 25 Rushford City Council meeting brought a positive outlook on economic development and frustration over an ongoing push for a special legislative session with impacts on small cities. Alissa Oeltjenbruns, of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), apprised the council of ongoing programs, work within communities, and future partnerships. Also in attendance … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Community Corrections savings
The newly hired Community Corrections Director Tom Jensen addressed the Fillmore County board for the first time at its July 26 meeting. Jensen has been on the job for the county since July 18. He has been working on the 2023 budget for the new department. The board voted to withdraw from Dodge-Fillmore-Olmsted Community Corrections and the Joint Powers Agreement, effective … [Read more...]
Houston County declares State of Emergency
Houston County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 26, at 9 a.m. at the historic county courthouse in downtown Caledonia. Chairman Greg Myhre led commissioners and the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners approved the July 26 meeting agenda with two changes, one to the consent agenda and one additional action item, the July 12 regular board … [Read more...]