During a relatively brief meeting of the Fillmore County Board on February 1, Chairman Mitch Lentz, during committee reports, related that he had attended a workshop on human trafficking in southeast Minnesota. Lentz said he was disappointed and surprised to learn that human trafficking is prevalent in our own backyard. Bonita Underbakke, during the Citizens Input portion of … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Raging ravines, icy bluffs, miscues and rescues
Part five of a series. John Prieve was able to save the life of Nicholas Smith and also rescue his team of horses after a surge of water had caught them in a gulch deep enough to prevent escape on either side. Smith’s wagon was never seen again; the wagon wheels were found among driftwood a mile down the ravine in the Crooked Creek valley southeast of Caledonia. Some others … [Read more...]
Harmony Council considers emergency moratorium on zoning permits
The Harmony City Council held a special meeting on January 27 to discuss a recommendation from the Harmony EDA. The meeting was well attended by residents of Harmony. At the January 20 EDA meeting, the board discussed the possibility of an amended ordinance regarding a conditional use permit for retail variety stores. They had begun considering the matter in the fall of 2021, … [Read more...]
County assessor explains residential valuation increases in Chatfield
Fillmore County Assessor Jason McCaslin reported on the assessor’s duties and the expected significant residential valuation increases at the Chatfield City Council’s January 24 meeting. Councilors Paul Novotny and Mike Urban were absent. McCaslin has been the assessor in Fillmore County since April 2020 and before that served in Jackson County. He grew up in Spring Valley and … [Read more...]
COVID grants for health-related purchases
Public Health Director Jessica Erickson requested Fillmore County Board approval for health safety purchases at the board’s January 25 meeting. Erickson explained, because the purchases each cost more than $5,000, she needed state approval for the purchases which she has secured. The board approved the purchase of a freezer ($7,909) and the installation of additional units to … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central sets 2022 committee assignments
At the January 25 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, the 2022 board committee assignments were approved with no changes from last year. Deb Ristau and Shelly Topness will continue to serve on Community Education, Jennifer Pickett on Continuing Education, Sue Sikkink and Topness on Meet and Confer, Craig Britton on MSHSL/Three Rivers Conference, Pickett on the Special … [Read more...]
Red Cross: National blood crisis may put patients at risk Donors have the chance to help save lives, win trip to Super Bowl LVI
MINNEAPOLIS, January 11, 2022 — The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in more than a decade. Dangerously low blood supply levels are posing a concerning risk to patient care and forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available. Blood … [Read more...]
R-P offers early retirement incentive
The Rushford-Peterson School Board approved an early retirement incentive for teachers at its regular meeting on January 24 in a six to one vote. Chris Grindland opposed the incentive asking the question, “Is it an incentive if we do it every year or does it become just another retirement benefit?” Superintendent Jon Thompson responded, “There’s no guarantee that it’ll be … [Read more...]
City of Caledonia accepting orders for shade trees
The Caledonia City Council met Monday, January 24, from 6-7:04 p.m. at city hall. Councilmembers Mayor DeWayne “Tank” Schroeder, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, and Brad Rykhus attended the meeting. Robert “Bob” Klug was absent. Also in attendance were Financial Officer Stephanie Mann, Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug, and Greg Skauge and his sons Kole and Taylor … [Read more...]
Houston Library celebrates 20 years
February will be a month of celebration at the Houston Public Library, as the library celebrates its 20th birthday. The library began its life in a little house near city hall in February 2002. Four women, Lynn Carr, Barb Swenson, Kim Scheevel Ross, and Jean Collette were instrumental in collecting books and furniture for the fledgling library. The library moved to a new … [Read more...]