Mark Goldberg from David Drown Associates was present via Zoom at the January 3 Lanesboro City Council meeting to discuss the recent Market and Calibration Study. The study evaluated each of the city positions for the type of duties required, any risk factors involved, and types of education or experience needed in order to determine the best pay rate for each one based on the … [Read more...]
Incident at Beaver Creek Valley State Park
On January 5, 2022, at approximately 7:23 a.m. the Houston County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burned vehicle with possibly human remains in it at Beaver Creek Valley State Park. Deputies arrived on scene and confirmed there was in fact human remains inside the vehicle. The vehicle was completely destroyed. At this time, the Sheriff’s Office has not been able to … [Read more...]
Statement on legal settlement in case involving former city clerk
On January 3, 2022, former Canton City Clerk/Treasurer Lolly Melander plead guilty to one count of theft by swindle in Fillmore County District Court. According the criminal complaint, Melander wrongfully, unlawfully and feloniously swindled City of Canton funds in excess of $35,000 between February 1, 2011, and March 1, 2019. The theft by swindle charge was one of 26 … [Read more...]
Kingsland sets levy, increases sub wages
Kingsland School Board held a regular meeting on December 20. Immediately prior to the regular meeting, the board held their annual Truth in Taxation hearing. Business Manager Amber Herbrand stated that revenue formulas for schools are set by the State Legislature, except for voter approved referendums. She also gave a summary of the school’s proposed final levy, and a … [Read more...]
Red Cross: Donate blood now to help patients avoid delays in care Long-sleeved holiday T-shirts, chance at Super Bowl LVI trip for donors
ST. PAUL, MN, December 22, 2021 – As holiday celebrations continue, concern is rising for the nation’s blood supply, which has now dipped to concerning levels and could force hospitals to hold off on essential blood and platelet transfusions for patients. Historically low blood supply levels not seen in more than a decade persist for the American Red Cross, which supplies … [Read more...]
Rushford sees opportunities for better communication
The last meeting of 2021 (December 27) for the Rushford Council was largely a follow-up on the city’s final levy and the annual performance review for City Administrator Tony Chladek. This was his fifth year with the city. Mayor Terri Benson kicked off the discussion noting she’d compiled the comments and concerns from the individual performance reviews done by herself and … [Read more...]
Preston DMV changes hands
After 53 years of the Reicks family owning and operating the Reicks Auto License Bureau, the torch has been passed. On December 1, 2021, Sean and Bethany Feind officially took ownership of the office. “Hands were shook and papers were signed,” Sean said, adding that Kurt Reicks has still been popping in to check on things as Sean transitions to his new role as a small business … [Read more...]
Managing stress and grief caused by big storms, tree loss and climate change
By Angela Gupta, UMN Extension Forester and Emily Krekelberg, UMN Extension Educator-Farm Safety and Health ROCHESTER, MN, 12/16/2021 - The news has been filled with the sights and sounds of devastating tornadoes in Kentucky. Then last week Minnesota was battered by record-breaking high winds after record-breaking high temperatures. This weather is not normal and is one … [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% … [Read more...]
COVID vaccine requirements and testing discussed by Houston County Commissioners
The Houston County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 10:16 a.m. Commissioners in attendance included Chairman Bob Burns, Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Teresa Walter, and Greg Myhre via Zoom. Chairman Burns called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and led the commissioners and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting … [Read more...]