A handful of Houston County residents voiced their opposition, and one supported the proposed rezoning of an agricultural protection district to a highway business district in Caledonia Township and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) request from Joseph Rud and Craig Helke, at the August 9 meeting. Chuck Schulte explained that the lack of building sites in Caledonia and the … [Read more...]
Spring Valley discusses 2023 Farmer Street project
The Spring Valley City Council held a regular meeting on August 8, with all council members present (Mayor Tony Archer, John Dols, Chris Danielson, Luan Ruesink, and Greg Brooks). City Administrator/Clerk Deb Zimmer participated as well. No visitors had signed up to address the council. The council approved Resolution 2022-26, for the Farmer Street/County 8 Improvement … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board raises substitute teacher pay
At the August 10 school board meeting, Josh Thompson, Jill Harstad, Lanny Isensee, Matt McMahon and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant and principals Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson. Katie Priebe was not present. Tom Keefe, who represents Chatfield at the Hiawatha Valley Education District, stated that they are … [Read more...]
Rushford road project hits bump
The Rushford City Council held a closed session on August 8, before the start of their regular meeting. The purpose was to discuss the potential purchase of the Farmers Win Coop properties downtown. The cooperative merged with Farmers Co-op Elevator in 2018 and began selling equipment on the downtown Rushford site in 2019. The company had already consolidated its workforce at … [Read more...]
Gjere Subdivision final plat approved
At the August 8 Chatfield City Council meeting a hearing was held for public comment on a proposed townhome style medium-density development. The subdivision is to be located in Elmira Township at 273 Mill Creek Rd. NW. Mike and Julie Sogla have proposed the planned unit development for 11 residential townhomes. There are existing municipal services and facilities to serve the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County continues review of 2023 preliminary budgets
The many budgets under the Sheriff’s Department were discussed at the county board’s August 9 meeting. The budgets under the Sheriff Department umbrella include 911 funds, sheriff office, Spring Valley contract, Mabel-Canton-Harmony contracts, forfeitures, DARE, dispatch, court security, jail, and emergency management. Sheriff John DeGeorge said a big change in the Sheriff’s … [Read more...]
Winston County Gravel Cup returns to Houston area
Paul Reardon visited the Houston City Council regular meeting August 8 to discuss details of this year’s Winston County Gravel Cup. According to Reardon, last year’s event brought in 80 to 90 riders and raised around $2,000 for the community. This year, he anticipates that around 200 people will attend the event tentatively planned for September 24. The bike “race” will … [Read more...]
From relationships to partnerships
In 2021, deep into a world pandemic, Spring Grove School Assistant Superintendent Gina Meinertz planted a seed. With frequent watering and nutrition, the seeds grew and formed community partnerships. Seventh graders at Spring Grove School were in for a school year that they could not envision. English teacher Julianna Lile and her colleagues contacted local farmer Dayna … [Read more...]
From vaudeville to the yellow brick road, Brave Community Theatre celebrates five decades of productions
From its first production in 1972, “A Roaring ‘20s Scrapbook,” to this year’s “Wizard of Oz,” Brave Community Theatre in Spring Valley has filled five decades with quality community theater. Debi Neville, the current Brave Community Theatre (BCT) board president is also the founder. She started the community theatre in 1972 when she returned to her hometown after living in … [Read more...]
Commissioners express their appreciation to the Houston County Historical Society
President Shirley Johnson and Vice President Deb Wray, Houston County Historical Society (HCHS), appeared before the Houston County Commission at the board’s August 2 regular meeting. Chairman Greg Myhre, Teresa Walter, Robert (Bob) Burns, Eric Johnson, and Dewey Severson were all present at this meeting. The historical society officers presented the society’s annual report. … [Read more...]