The Houston County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, March 1, from 9-9:57 a.m. at the historic county courthouse in downtown Caledonia. Commissioners in attendance included Chairman Greg Myhre, Teresa Walter, Robert (Bob) Burns, Eric Johnson, and Dewey Severson. Chairman Myhre called the meeting to order and led the commissioners and the public in the … [Read more...]
Preston Area Community Foundation dinner and auction will be held Monday, March 28
The 14th annual Preston Area Community Foundation dinner and auction will be held on Monday, March 28, 2022, at the Branding Iron, starting with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. and a dinner at 6:30 p.m. This annual event is a great opportunity for PACF donors in the greater Preston and Fountain areas to hear about the impact their contributions are making to improve the quality of … [Read more...]
USDA funding available to help low-income individuals and families buy or repair homes
USDA Rural Development has funding availabile for very low- and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. The Direct Home Loan program offers financing to qualified very-low and low-income applicants that are unable to qualify for traditional financing. No down payment is required, and the interest rate could be as low as 1% with … [Read more...]
40th Annual Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign
“Food insecurity means access to adequate food is inconsistent and limited by a lack of money and other resources throughout the year. Food insecure households report their diets to be of reduced quality, variety, or desirability and/or experience disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.” Semcac’s Rushford, Kasson, Preston and Caledonia Food Shelves served 921 … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Telecommuting Policy
A discussion continued at the Fillmore County Board’s March 1 meeting on a Work Remote Policy. The county already has a Telecommuting Policy. Last week the discussion began with the original rough draft of the policy for working remote; it has since been trimmed down and made more concise. Today the question was whether another policy was even needed; the policy for … [Read more...]
2021-22 School year enrollment data released Public school enrollment continues to see pandemic impacts; highlights need to stabilize education funding and support highest-need students
ROSEVILLE, MN – The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) today released 2021-22 school year enrollment data for Minnesota’s schools. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment in Minnesota public school districts, charter schools and nonpublic schools has shifted. In the 2021-22 school year, public schools overall have seen a roughly 0.3% decrease — or about 2,146 students … [Read more...]
College News
Fall 2021 Honors List • Augustana University: Benjamin Ihrke, Chatfield; Kathleen Ihrke, Chatfield • Aurora University: Silja Erickson, Chatfield • Concordia College: Janell Boyum, Peterson • Concordia University, Nebraska: Joshua Burmeister, Wykoff • Drake University: Meghan Brown, Chatfield; Grant Nutter, Houston • Gustavus College: Tessa Pieper, Caledonia; … [Read more...]
Three young men join BSA Troop 53
Congratulations to Mannix Darr, Hunter Lee, and Caiden Dahle, front row, left to right, who have completed Cub Scouts and joined BSA Troop 53 of the Rushford-Peterson area. Middle row, left to right, are scouts Chase Humble, Gibson Darr, Beatty Darr, Carter Kopperud-Erickson, Isaac Feine, and Christian Lindmeier. In the back are Assistant Scout Leader Joe Bessler and … [Read more...]
Semcac offering free rides to/from vaccination appointments via new transportation program – Vax Van
Semcac is offering a new transportation program, to assist people with no-cost, reliable, safe rides to and from their vaccination appointments. To assist in getting southeastern Minnesotans vaccinated, Semcac requested grant funds from the MN Department of Human Services and was awarded the funding to purchase a van and launch the new program. The agency is using COVID relief … [Read more...]
Rushford Village still baffled by new insurance valuations
In January, Rushford Village received an initial report from the League of Minnesota Cities’ appraisal of all city property. There were wide discrepancies and the city’s insurance agent, Butch Johnson Insurance, offered to check into whether or not errors were made on the figures as the appraised amount will greatly affect the insurance premiums for the year. At the March 1 … [Read more...]