At the March 4 meeting, it was made known that the city of Fountain placed Public Works Director John Hanson on unpaid suspension February 20. In attendance at the meeting, in addition to the full council, were Hanson, City Attorney Frederick Suhler and Preston Police Chief Blaise Sass, at the request of the city, and Public Works employee Jordan Amunrud joining via telephone. … [Read more...]
First National Bank to Acquire First State Bank of Fountain and Root River State Bank
FULDA, MN, February 25, 2026 – First National Bank (FNB) is proud to announce that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire First State Bank of Fountain and Root River State Bank of Chatfield. The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals [and is expected to close at the end of the second quarter of 2026]. With deep roots in agricultural and … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Community Theater Kicks Off Community Read
Lanesboro resident Sandy Webb spoke during the public comment portion of the March 2 Lanesboro City Council meeting, representing the Lanesboro Community Theater. This summer, the theater will be performing “A Wrinkle in Time,” and to kick that off, a community read of the book by Madeline L’Engle will begin on March 14. Copies of the book will be available at the Lanesboro and … [Read more...]
Houston County Residents Submit Petition to Board of Commissioners
At the March 3 meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners, a petition with 245 signatures was submitted to the board concerning amendments made to zoning ordinance sections 27.3 and 27.815 in March 2025. The signers of the petition are requesting that the amendments be reverted to their original form as intended when the ordinance was adopted in 2014. According to the … [Read more...]
Sustainable Partnership Between Preston and Historical Society
At the March 2 meeting of the Preston City Council a resolution was adopted to document and confirm a continued sustainable partnership between the city and the Preston Historical Society (PHS). The confirmation of a sustainable partnership to preserve, maintain and operate the Depot Museum Riverfront Center (DMRC) will strengthen and support the grant application to the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Takes No Action on Shotgun Only Ordinance
After a long public hearing at the March 3 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, a motion was approved unanimously to take no action, which will put the county under state statute allowing the use of rifles for deer hunting. The establishment of the shotgun zone was repealed by the legislature last year, effective January 1, 2026. County boards of a county located in the … [Read more...]
Kingsland Asks Community for Help with Strategic Planning
On Monday, February 23, Gretchen Hudka presented the Kingsland School Board with an update on the Spring Valley-Wykoff Future Farmers of America (FFA). In celebration of FFA Week, the group held several events including bowling, staff appreciation for the school, their Pancake Breakfast for the community, an all-day barnyard event, a member meal with food from Ody’s Country … [Read more...]
Ostrander Council Reviews Water System Change, Demolition Plans
The Ostrander City Council met March 3 with Mayor DJ Start presiding. Council members Jimmie Dean, Lyn Massey-Mills, Dan Hellerud and Brodi Nesler were present, along with City Clerk Wendy Brincks. After approving the consent agenda, the council moved on to department reports and updates from staff. Brincks reported that the city has now wrapped up its work with … [Read more...]
Village Hits Another Truck Roadblock
At the March 3 meeting, the Rushford Village Council Public Works Supervisor Darrin Dessner and Councilor Mike Enber informed the council of yet more continued problems with its Freightliner truck. The village experienced front-end issues with its previous truck and ordered a new truck in 2021. The build was completed in May 2022. It was sent to Syverson Truck Center to … [Read more...]
Setback Requirements for Telecommunication Towers Discussed
At the February 19 meeting of the Fillmore County Planning Commission, the current requirement that a communications tower be setback at least 500 feet from a residence was discussed. Cloud 1 Services, LLC has applied for conditional use permits in recent months for about a half dozen communication towers. At least two of the proposals have been opposed by a neighboring … [Read more...]