The Spring Grove City Council met Tuesday, March 15, 2022, from 7-8:41 p.m. at Spring Grove Communications. Mayor Scott Solberg led the council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. All city council members were present – Mayor Scott Solberg, Travis Torgerson, Karen Folstad, Chad Rohland, and Trent Turner. Also present were Administrator Julie Amundson, Lee Hoekstra, … [Read more...]
Rushford Village lifts COVID restrictions
After nearly two years prohibiting the public usage of the community center, the Rushford Village Council has voted unanimously to lift rental restrictions. Initially, the council prohibited rentals due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an inability to clean to safe standards after every usage. “We have a service that’s doing the cleaning now. They already started and they’re doing … [Read more...]
SEMAC Awards Arts Grants
On March 8, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) awarded 35 arts programming grants for a total of $155,335 in funding to applicants throughout southeastern Minnesota. This included 25 Individual Artist Grants for $100,335, five General Operating Support Grants to arts organizations for $50,000, three School Residency Grants for … [Read more...]
Disciplinary action taken against Rushford employee
At the Rushford Council meeting earlier this month, Councilor Leigh Volkman questioned the city’s reaction to allegations against a city employee. Nothing further was said on the matter other than an investigation was ongoing. During a closed meeting portion of the March 14 council meeting, the matter was discussed further. Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05 Subdivision 2(b) to … [Read more...]
McCaslin updates Whalan council on assessments
Fillmore County Assessor Jason McCaslin attended the March 14 regularly scheduled Whalan City Council meeting to update the council on assessments and to explain assessment procedures. Also present at the March meeting was Mayor Marlys Tuftin, along with council members Thore E. Johnson, Sheila Higbe, Kim Berekvam and attending via Zoom was Owen Lewis. City Clerk/Treasurer … [Read more...]
Chatfield to hold public hearing for TIF District
Chris Giesen, EDA director, discussed a proposal to construct an athletic club on the south side of Chatfield along Highway 52 at the city council’s March 14 meeting. In order to make the project financially feasible, tax increment financing (TIF) has been requested. Jill Harstad and Lindsay Eide are looking at a vacant property on which to build a new athletic club. They plan … [Read more...]
Preston Veterans Home on schedule
ST. PAUL, MN – Veterans seeking skilled nursing care in southeastern Minnesota can look forward to a summer 2023 opening of the future Minnesota Veterans Home in Preston. Officials from the Minnesota epartment of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) shared that good news during a virtual meeting with Preston community stakeholders last week. Indeed, the most common questions MDVA leaders … [Read more...]
New Extension educator – Agriculture Production Systems in Fillmore & Houston counties
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension Caledonia, MN, March 8, 2022 — Hello! My name is Katie Drewitz, and I am your new local Extension educator for Agriculture Production Systems in Fillmore and Houston counties. My first day was March 7, 2022. I will be splitting my time equally between the two counties and can be reached by calling Extension in either … [Read more...]
Journal team wins 28 awards at MFCP conference
On Friday, March 4, 2022, three members of the Fillmore County Journal team attended the Midwest Free Community Papers conference hosted in Ames, Iowa. This annual event attracts newspapers from all over the 10-state area throughout the Midwest, offering sessions dedicated to graphic design, sales, marketing, networking, and idea exchanges. At the MFCP conference, the team … [Read more...]
Houston High School details new course offerings
At the regular March 3 Houston School Board meeting, High School Principal Michael Mangan presented an update on next year’s high school course offerings to the board. A new course entitled Financial Foundations will provide students a path to “financial success built on knowledge and wisdom carried out over their lifetime.” According to Mangan, it’s “the stuff people say they … [Read more...]