Allison Whalen, CEDA, presented a potential agreement between Fillmore County and First Children’s Finance for the Rural Care Innovation Program for the board’s consideration at their October 28 meeting. Whalen said Fillmore County has been accepted into the program. The program addresses challenges of rural children through the lens of economic development. The intent is to … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Gears Up for Winter Sports
At October 27 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad updated the board on the fall sports season. Both the football and volleyball teams received the #1 seed and won their first rounds in playoffs. Winter sports will be starting soon. Forty-four students are signed up for boys basketball, 33 for girls basketball, and 35 total for wrestling. Athletic … [Read more...]
Caledonia Finances Look Good
The Caledonia City Council met in regular session on Monday, October 27, at 6 p.m. at city hall. Mayor Jeremy Leis called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. As is customary, Financial Officer Stephanie Mann reported that she continues to “tweak all the time and getting answers on things” regarding the 2026 budget reminding the council that the levy will … [Read more...]
Houston County Public Health and Human Services Director Retires
At the October 28 meeting of the Houston County Commission, the board recognized retiring Public Health and Human Services Director John Pugleasa with a round of applause and thanked him for his nine years of service to the residents of Houston County. Chairman Eric Johnson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. He led his fellow commissioners and the audience in the Pledge … [Read more...]
Rushford Explores Options Ahead of Public Meeting
As the year end closes in, the city of Rushford Economic Development Authority (EDA) made plans to update the council on conceptual options for the former Farmers Win Coop site. Planned for the November 24 council meeting, the EDA will review concepts and possible next steps. A community meeting is tentatively slated for December 3 at the Rushford-Peterson High School forum … [Read more...]
Harmony Man Gets Probation for Fatal Drunk Driving Crash
Judge Jeremy Clinefelter sentenced Brian Wayne Nelson, 50, of Harmony, Minn., to 10 years of probation for a fatal drunk driving crash that happened east of Granger, Minn., in August 2024. Nelson was found guilty of one count of criminal vehicular homicide for driving with a blood alcohol level over .08. The court dismissed six other charges as part of the plea … [Read more...]
The Leiding Family Farm Legacy
On a crisp fall day just outside Fountain, Minn., the hum of harvest activity fills the air at the Leiding family farm. While Todd Leiding was busy tuning up equipment for the season, his wife Stacy Leiding and her mother Shirley Fingerson graciously sat down to share the story of a multi-generational family farm rich in history, hard work, and heart. The Leiding family … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Focuses on Police and Childcare
Spring Grove City Council members met October 21 at 168 West Main Street in room #100. Council members present included Wilhelmson, Eric Ostern, Trent Turner, Mike Hagen and Morgan Buckland. City Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton was also in attendance. The Agenda and Consent Agenda received unanimous approval. Old Business A Houston County Sheriff’s Contract was … [Read more...]
Judge Sentences Samantha Petersen to Four Years in Fatal Crash
Judge Jeremy Clinefelter sentenced Samantha Jo Petersen, 37, to four years in prison for criminal vehicular homicide and 23 months for criminal vehicular operation causing great bodily harm. He issued the sentence on October 16 after nearly two years of hearings that followed a September 2023 crash that killed two Amish children and injured two others in Fillmore County. The … [Read more...]
Two New Positions Created at Rushford-Peterson
The Rushford-Peterson School Board approved the creation of two new staff positions at their regular meeting on October 20. The first was a track meet manager position. According to Activities Director Clay Olstad, the school has been holding more and larger track events in recent years. This coming year, eight events will be held at R-P including the True Team meet and … [Read more...]