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...]
Canton Council receives preliminary results from engineering study
Daren Sikkink and Kevin Graves from the engineering firm of WHKS presented the preliminary results of the engineering study to the Canton City Council during its regular meeting on March 9. The study took a close look at the water and wastewater systems through the city. In the WHKS report, few surprises were unveiled as the city has an aging system with an increasing risk for … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board approves new high school schedule
At the March 9 Chatfield School Board meeting, Katie Priebe, Tom Keefe, Jill Harstad and Josh Thompson were present as well as Principals Shane McBroom, Eric Nelson, Superintendent Ed Harris and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Student Senate members Pete Hebrink and Brayden Fretland were also present. Matt McMahon joined through Zoom. Lanny Isensee was not present. Student … [Read more...]
Kingsland looks ahead to busy testing season
During the Kingsland School Board meeting on March 7, the board discussed the upcoming testing season. Superintendent Jim Hecimovich’s written report to the board stated, in part, “April showers may bring May flowers, but Minnesota brings a hail storm of testing. Both Scott (Klavetter) and I are beginning the early stages of coordinating the Minnesota Comprehensive … [Read more...]
Public comment section added to Lanesboro council meetings
The Lanesboro City Council met for their regular meeting on March 7 at 6 p.m. The consent agenda was approved and included accounts payable, Resolution 2022-19 reestablishing precincts and polling locations, and a temporary liquor license for the fire department as well as a gambling permit, parade permit, and temporary liquor license for Buffalo Bill Days. At the February … [Read more...]
Harmony Council approves amended zoning ordinance
The March 8 Harmony City Council meeting took place in the community center gymnasium due to the large number of residents present. Council member Tony Webber was absent. The meeting opened with a public hearing on the proposed Industrial Park Plat. Jerome Illg spoke regarding the special meeting that took place on March 1. At that meeting, some people questioned how often the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to contract for predesign services for jail
The architect firm BKV Group walked the Fillmore County Board through the planning process and presented a preliminary concept for an upgraded jail at the board’s March 8 meeting. Henry Pittner, senior jail planner, and Bruce Schwartzman, partner most involved in correctional work, presented a preliminary plan for the county’s jail. The full-service firm has been in operation … [Read more...]