The Canton City Council reviewed and adopted the 2022 general fund budget and certified its tax levy, collectable in 2022, during its meeting last Wednesday evening, December 8. The final general fund budget was set at $275,915, This represents a 7% increase from the 2021 budget. Clerk Brock Bergey explained that the increase comes mainly from the need to replace the city’s … [Read more...]
Houston School’s Truth in Taxation meeting
The required Truth in Taxation meeting for Houston Schools took place December 2, the same night as the regular board meeting with several tax payers present. Gwen Rostad, Houston’s director of finance, presented an informational PowerPoint on Truth in Taxation and the current status of the district. Rostad pointed out that the assessor determines the market value of properties … [Read more...]
Rushford Village renews contract with CEDA
At their regular council meeting December 7, the Rushford Village Council approved the 2022 proposed CEDA (Community Economic Development Associates) contract for $13,790 – up $400 from the previous year. At eight hours every other week, this comes to a rate of approximately $66 per hour. Council member Bob Hart asked exactly what the city gets for that amount. Mayor Dennis … [Read more...]
Preston 2022 budget/levy review
City Administrator Joe Hoffman gave the annual budget/tax levy presentation at the Preston City Council’s December 6 meeting. The total levy for 2022 is to be $1,080,696, an increase of $46,273 over 2021 or 4.47%. Half of the city’s revenues will come from the tax levy in 2022. Hoffman compared that to 2004, which was the first year he served as administrator. In 2004 only 42% … [Read more...]
Sweeney first female to play the role of Scrooge at Commonweal
Bah! Humbug! Who says the role of Scrooge has to be played by a man? Adrienne Sweeney with the Commonweal Theatre in Lanesboro, Minn., is proving just how well a woman can play the role of Scrooge. Sweeney became interested in acting while growing up in Philadelphia, Penn., attended college in Baltimore, Md., and graduate school in Tucson, Ariz., where she received her … [Read more...]
Blood drive in Harmony collects 33 units
The blood drive held in Harmony on November 30, 2021, succeeded in collecting 33 units of blood. There were 37 donors that presented, of which seven donated Power Reds (two units each). Congratulations to these four donors who reached the following milestones: Kristen Agena – one gallon, Lovina Hershberger - four gallons, Randy Mohs - 13 gallons, Ellen Whalen – seven … [Read more...]
Dan Chouinard hosts Holiday Show in Lanesboro on December 17 with special guest Prudence Johnson
Lanesboro, Mn - Twin Cities-based accompanist, writer and vocalist Dan Chouinard is leading the 15th annual Old-Fashioned Holiday Show on Friday, December 17, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Mane Theatre in downtown Lanesboro, with special guest Prudence Johnson. With the help of Johnson’s musical theater vocals and local talent, the 2021 Holiday Show will feature a compilation … [Read more...]
Farmers Union honors four members at annual banquet
ST. PAUL – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) honored four of its members for their service to agriculture and Farmers Union during their annual banquet, November 20. Hitterdal, Minn., farmer Larry Jacobson received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his service as a Clay County officer and as a delegate to the state and national convention along with his commitment to serving on … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Wolf scalps worth more than a bushel of wheat
Part two Houston County and Fillmore County were established, broken off from Wabasha County by the territorial legislature, in 1854. An 1882 history of Houston County reviewed some news-worthy events in the county during its first three decades. The following is quoted with the original spelling, capitalization and punctuation from that large volume. These entries are most, … [Read more...]
Fountain will keep ordinance banning chickens
The Fountain City Council voted 2:1 on December 1, with Mayor Jim Schott not voting and Councilor Colleen Fohrenbacher unable to vote, under Schott’s direction, to uphold its current ordinances banning chickens within city limits. “We need to have a vote on whether or not to discuss chickens,” said Schott. “Colleen, you can’t vote because you brought it up.” Fohrenbacher … [Read more...]