The Houston County 4-H Junior Horse quiz bowl team participated at the state quiz bowl competition on Saturday April 9, 2022, in Sauk Rapids, Minn. The team members were: Elliot Plzak, Paislee Linn, Elese Plzak, Alyson Kruckow and Owen Ranzenberger. They worked very hard this season and placed third out of eight teams in the state competition. Photo by Owen … [Read more...]
Keep Company Co-Working Space seeking businesses to offer technical services
The Houston County Economic Development Authority (EDA) in partnership with the La Crescent Chamber has been awarded a Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) grant to open Keep Company Co-Working Space in La Crescent, Minn. Oftentimes it can be hard for start-ups and small businesses to afford working space and justify expenses on technical support. Additionally, many … [Read more...]
City of Rushford Village values PWD Trenten Chiglo
At their April 19, 2022 meeting, the City of Rushford Village council members found it necessary to close their meeting to discuss pay and benefits for Public Works Director Trenten Chiglo. Chiglo had been offered a job elsewhere and had submitted his letter of resignation. Upon learning Chiglo was open to counteroffers, the council decided to do their best to retain a valued … [Read more...]
Kingsland appoints Freet to rejoin school board
The Kingsland School Board met on April 18. Members present included Cindy Seabright, Maranda Emig, Kyle Rader, and Jackie Horsman. Superintendent Jim Hecimovich and Natasha Howard were absent. Mabel-Canton’s Superintendent, Gary Kuphal, participated in the meeting, as he is filling in as interim Superintendent during Hecimovich’s leave of absence. Due to the recent … [Read more...]
Rushford Highway 30 project to kick off May 9
At the April 11 meeting, the Rushford City Council received updates for the last prep stages of the Highway 30/Stevens Avenue Street & Utility Improvement Project. According to City Clerk Kathy Zacher, all legal documents and signatures have been filed as required and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) plans to begin construction May 9. The council … [Read more...]
Harmony Council reviews property tax change requests
The April 12 Harmony City Council meeting opened with the Board of Equalization and Appeals. Fillmore County Assessor Jason McCaslin gave a presentation to the council explaining how property taxes and assessments work. The role of the assessor is to ensure that the property tax burden is distributed equitably and according to Minnesota statutes. Physical property inspections … [Read more...]
Houston Food Shelf revamped
Laurie LeGrande visited the Houston City Council meeting April 11 to share what she called “the most positive, uplifting news” about the local food shelf. LeGrande, who has run the program for the last eight years, thanked the council for allowing the food shelf to use the city-owned former ambulance building. During COVID, a table was set up near the door and staff … [Read more...]
Canton City to seek conflict resolution services from League of Minnesota Cities
The Canton City Council addressed several sensitive topics at its meeting on April 13, which resulted in a recommendation that the city utilize a conflict resolution service provided by the League of Minnesota Cities. Clerk Brock Bergey explained that the city has been dealing with several issues of concern lately and those have created a discord between city staff and city … [Read more...]
Wykoff discusses costs at wastewater plant
A regular meeting of the Wykoff City Council was held April 11. Council members in attendance included Lyle Morey, Mary Sackett, Mayor Ryan Breckenridge, and Kaleb Himli. City Clerk Becky Schmidt and Deputy Clerk Luan Hare also attended. Barb Fate was absent. The council discussed operations at the city’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Currently, the city contracts … [Read more...]
Chatfield improvements for parks and pool
Brian Burkholder, Public Works, requested approval for park and recreation maintenance and improvement items at the April 11 meeting of the Chatfield city council. The Aqua zip line at the swimming pool has been a popular feature, but there have been issues with the current retractor style system. Burkholder explained there is a new design that is gravity fed and does not … [Read more...]