Favorite Food Show Champion: Emma Rowen; Reserve: Elsa Eickhoff Cake Decorating Champion: Kylie Meyer; Reserve: Hailey West Livestock Demonstration Champion: Kelsey Biel; Reserve: Caleb Barth Static Demonstration Champion: Emma Rowen; Reserve: Sydney Barth Fashion Revue - Constructed Champion: Mara Schwarz; Reserve: Emarie Jacobson Fashion Revue - Purchased Champion: … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson greets four new teachers
Clay Olstad, 2nd grade Clay Olstad will be joining the 2nd grade team at Rushford-Peterson which should be a great fit for him since he’s always enjoyed being part of a team and working with people in education. Olstad declares, “I like to share my passion for learning and making ourselves better one day at a time. Teaching gives me great opportunities to develop relationships … [Read more...]
Houston schools’ new teachers
Daneka Romportl, special education Daneka Romportl always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Her father was a public school teacher for 38 years, and her mother has been teaching music in her own studio for over 35 years. Romportl comes from Taylors Falls on the St. Croix River. She attended WSU for special education and child advocacy. The last three years she taught at … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Public School welcomes three new teachers
Spring Grove Public Schools welcomes Evah Engel, Madeline (Maddie) Rainey, and Kaley Cross. Evah Engel, Band First-year teacher Engel grew up in Oswego, Ill. Her nuclear family includes her mom and dad, an older brother, two younger sisters, and the family cat Luna and dog Ruby. She attended Oswego High School and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She … [Read more...]
Rushford approves new policy
At the September 27 council meeting, financial consultant Mike Bubany, of David Drown & Associates, brought forth details of a request by Winona Health to utilize conduit revenue bonds for Health Care Facilities Revenue Refunding Notes. At the time, he explained how cities have the opportunity to assist private-sector entities if the project is deemed to be in the public … [Read more...]
Variance for holding tank approved
The Fillmore County Board of Adjustment, at their September 23 meeting, held a public hearing to consider a variance request for the installation of a holding tank. The variance requested will allow the tank to be installed closer to the right of way than specified in the ordinance. The applicant’s property is located in the city of Whalan. Whalan does not have a city … [Read more...]
Chatfield sets preliminary levy
The city council set the preliminary levy for 2022 at $2,337,277 or a 3.98% increase (just under $90,000) over the 2021 levy. Councilor Dave Frank was absent from the September meeting. City Clerk Joel Young presented three proposals for the council to consider for the levy. The first proposal would have had a levy increase of 7.3%. A reduction of $75,000 to wastewater … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation announces new Prosperity Initiative cohort; seeks additional members
OWATONNA, MN – August 30, 2021 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is pleased to announce the members of the 2021 Prosperity Initiative cohort, a program which provides free coaching and training to entrepreneurs who identify as Black, Indigenous or people of color (BIPOC). Seven business owners from four different communities have joined this year’s cohort. SMIF … [Read more...]
Chatfield Public Library undergoes renovations
It all started on February 15, 1911 when Chatfield resident Medora Morrill proposed to the Commercial Club that a public library be opened in Chatfield at the public Rest Room. She was given the go-ahead to form a committee which collected 1,000 donated books, allowing the library to open to the public less than a month later on March 9, 1911. Just two years later, the … [Read more...]
Recycling 101 Hazardous Waste Day collection guidelines
By Drew Hatzenbihler Solid Waste Administrator With the cooler weather it means it’s time for another Fillmore County Hazardous Waste Collection. This year’s event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. While life is starting to look more like it did in 2019, things will still look a bit different at this year’s hazardous waste collection. Guidelines … [Read more...]









