SAINT PAUL, MN – Minnesota’s relief program for homeowners, HomeHelpMN, who have fallen behind on their mortgages or other housing-related expenses because of the COVID-19 pandemic is now open. The application period is open until June 17, but homeowners who need help are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The program, funded by Congress through the U.S. Department of … [Read more...]
Black bear sightings
Memorial Day weekend is a weekend filled with excitement. The 2022 Memorial Day weekend was no different this year in Winneshiek County except that the excitement this year was created when a big black bear was sighted in Hesper. Hesper, a village of around 100 residents, is located just minutes from the Minnesota state line in northeast Iowa. This is not the first bear … [Read more...]
Minnesota gas price update
May 31, 2022 – Average gasoline prices in Minnesota have risen 8.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.23/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 2,856 stations in Minnesota. Prices in Minnesota are 33.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand $1.40/g higher than a year ago. The price of diesel has fallen 4.0 cents nationally in the past week and … [Read more...]
Special delivery for Lanesboro couple
Sometimes things don’t work out as planned. Thankfully Joe and Sjeila Goetzke of Lanesboro, Minn., were up for the challenge when Sjeila began having contractions on April 29, 2022; a few days before her due date of May 4. The couple were married in 2012 and were blessed with their first child, Amos, in 2021. They are a busy family, with Joe employed by Eagle Bluff … [Read more...]
SEMAC announces July 1 grant application deadline
SEMAC, a non-profit arts agency, is designated by the State of Minnesota Arts Board as the regional arts council for eleven southeastern Minnesota counties: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona. The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council announces a call for proposals by Individual Artists. All proposed projects must … [Read more...]
Dairyland Power, City of Harmony celebrate opening of service center
It took several years, overcoming a few unexpected challenges and a change in location, but last Thursday, dignitaries from Dairyland Power, the City of Harmony and building contractors celebrated the opening of the Dairyland Service Center in Harmony. The 23,000-square-foot facility is located on 10 acres of land in the northwest edge of Harmony. The majority of the building … [Read more...]
Leitzen announces candidacy
Substitute teacher, local tourism advocate and former city clerk Eric Leitzen submitted his third-party candidacy for Minnesota State Senate at the Houston County Courthouse on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Leitzen hopes to bring some much needed relief to the people of Bluff Country with his campaign, which looks to unseat the current GOP Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller. … [Read more...]
Top Minnesota dairy farms honored for superior cow care Herds with lowest somatic cell count are recognized
ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen today released the annual list of top Minnesota dairy herds with low somatic cell counts (SCC). Somatic cell count is a key indicator of milk quality – a lower SCC count is better for cheese production and a longer shelf life for bottled milk. In honor of June Dairy Month, 114 Minnesota dairy farms are being … [Read more...]
Fountain approves new TIF district
At the June 1 Fountain meeting, the city council held a public hearing regarding the proposed creation of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District for B&I Properties for Valley Design. The purpose and terms of the plan were detailed by financial consultant Mike Bubany, of David Drown Associates. Due to continued growth, the business has acquired an adjacent parcel of land … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to advertise for Community Corrections director
Approval was given to advertise for a Community Corrections Director at the May 24 board meeting. Fillmore County withdrew from Dodge-Fillmore-Olmsted Community Corrections and the Joint Powers Agreement, effective January 1, 2023. Since then, David Drown Associates has done a review of the job description and classification for the director position. A Fillmore County … [Read more...]