Fillmore County Dispatch received a 911 call of a house fire at 35315 Flag road in rural Lanesboro at approximately 6:21 a.m. yesterday morning, June 16. The Lanesboro Fire Department and Lanesboro Ambulance responded. A Fillmore County Deputy also responded and upon arrival observed the house to be a total loss. Fillmore County Deputies determined that there were two adults … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board Looks at Attendance Policy Recommendations
At the June 12 school board meeting, board members Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Katie Priebe, Tom Keefe and Mark Johnsrud were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, Elementary Principal Shane McBroom, and High School Principal Eric Nelson. Board member Josh Thompson was not present. Reports Principal McBroom said the end of the school year was busy with a Reading … [Read more...]
When Will the Caledonia Wastewater Treatment Plant Be Completed?
The Wapasha Construction Company was awarded the Caledonia Wastewater Treatment Plant construction contract on September 13, 2021, with a notice to proceed on October 8, 2021, and a final completion date of September 28, 2023. The Caledonia City Council were notified at their June 10 council meeting that the plant is not scheduled to be completed now until June 30, 2025. Mayor … [Read more...]
Survey Launch for Rushford’s Former Farmers Win Site
City Administrator Tony Chladek shared the details of the public survey regarding the development of the former Farmers Win site in downtown Rushford at the Rushford City Council meeting June 10. On Monday, June 17, flyers will be placed around town, postcards will be mailed out, the survey will be posted on Facebook and physical copies of the survey will be available at city … [Read more...]
Generosity is the Name of the Game in Spring Valley
The Spring Valley community has rallied around the Parks and Recreation Department, showing immense generosity for their numerous programs and parks. As the Spring Valley Council met for their June 10 meeting, Parks and Recs Director John Fenske shared the sports park at Spring Creek Park is moving forward and donations are already coming in for the project. At their May … [Read more...]
Four Houston School Board Positions Up for Election
With the resignation of former board member Marissa Grams at the June 6 meeting, the Houston School Board will now have four positions to fill in the general election next fall. Grams’ position will be filled by appointment of the school board; it will then be included in the general election and the newly elected board member will join the board in January with the other new … [Read more...]
Mabel Residents Encouraged to Complete Survey
At the June 12 Mabel City Council meeting, Public Works Director Robert (Bob) Mierau and City Clerk Karen Larson stressed the importance of Mabel residents completing a short inventory survey. According to a public notice, “The City of Mabel is working to complete an inventory of all service lines within the water system as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Board Approves Policy 404
After tabling the issue for several months, the Lanesboro School Board unanimously approved Policy 404, Employment Background Checks, at their June 12 meeting. The board used the MSBA suggested policy, but added procedures to the policy. In the adopted procedures, they stipulated that the teaching staff will annually respond to some questions that are the same as they are asked … [Read more...]
Harmony Council Welcomes New Chamber Director
Newly hired Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce director, Beth Weedman was welcomed by the Harmony City Council at their June 11 meeting. She started the position in mid-May. Harmony resident Ann Lyons noted that she had once again missed a library board meeting due to not knowing when it was. She asked how to find that information. City Clerk Samantha Grabau said that all … [Read more...]
Chatfield Tables Motorized Golf Cart Ordinance
At the June 10 meeting of the city council, proposed Ordinance #471 for a Motorized Golf Cart was tabled to clarify insurance and age issues. The proposed ordinance was drafted to regulate the use of a motorized golf cart on public streets and public areas within the city. The ordinance requires the operator to have a valid driver’s license. The operator must have insurance … [Read more...]
Peterson Cleans Up
At the June 13 meeting, the Peterson Council again discussed properties out of compliance with the 2022 Junk Ordinance. Citizens in attendance included Desirae Halvorson, Heidi Halvorson, Mike Halvorson, Pete Erickson, and Zoning Board member Loren Rue. Council members conducted their annual walkabout individually, identifying properties violating city ordinances. Those … [Read more...]
Change for Venue Motion Granted for Adam Fravel’s Trial for the Murder of Madeline Kingsbury
Zachary Bauer, the attorney representing Adam Fravel in the case of the murder of Madeline Kingsbury, has sought a change of venue, citing the pre-trial publicity and community involvement as reasons for moving the trial out of Winona County, Minn. Madeline Kingsbury, who resided in the city of Winona, disappeared on March 31, 2023. After roughly 2,000 volunteers searched for … [Read more...]
Experience the Charm of Yesteryear at Laura Days
Burr Oak, Iowa, population 234, comes alive on June 21, 22, and 23, at the town’s annual Laura Days celebration. The first annual Laura Ingalls Wilder celebration held in 1976 recognized the Ingalls family’s arrival in Burr Oak in 1876 and honored the county’s bicentennial. Driven by the dedication of two part-time staff members and the volunteer board of the Laura Ingalls … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Approves New Positions
At the June 11 meeting of the county board, Lindsi Engle, Human Resources officer, asked the board to consider a new part-time position in the Recorder’s Office and a new full-time position for Public Health. Engle explained the Recorder’s Office is handling a lot of new and changing tasks. Currently working in that office are Recorder Roxane Kraling, a full-time account … [Read more...]
Houston City Council Holds Improvement Hearing
Houston City Council members met Wednesday, June 12 at Houston City Hall. Mayor Scott Wallace called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present included Wallace, Zeb Baumann, Emily Krage, Cody Mathers, and Steve Westby. City Administrator Michelle Quinn was also present. Bolton & Menk, Inc. project manager, Derek Olinger, … [Read more...]