A “mini grant” program has been continued for the twenty third straight year by F & M Community Bank in Preston, First State Bank of Fountain and First Southeast Bank in Harmony for the Fillmore Central School District. Grants of up to $500 each have been made available to classroom teachers for the 2021/2022 school year so they can implement a variety of innovative … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton hears update on building upgrades
The Mabel-Canton School Board met in regular session on August 17. In attendance were Mark Wiedemann, Jason Marquardt, Chris Miller, Superintendent Gary Kuphal, Lisa Halverson, Diane Wilder, and Dustin Tollefsrud. Traci Livingood participated via remote technology. Board Chair Cristal Adkins was absent, so Chris Miller led the meeting. Chad Pike, representing the Kraus … [Read more...]
SEMAC awards arts grants
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund. On August 17, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) awarded 22 grants for a total of $100,000 in funding to individual artists and arts … [Read more...]
William Carlson — champion at national goat show
In the recent ADGA (American Dairy Goat Association) national goat show held in Louisville, Ky., July 17–23, 14-year-old William Carlson of Looney Valley came away with four champion awards! Carlson was awarded Junior Management Champion. This competition consisted of a written test of 30-50 questions testing his knowledge about goats, their care, illnesses, etc. Carlson … [Read more...]
Spring Grove school recommends, not requires, students and staff to wear masks
Spring Grove School parents attended the August 16 Spring Grove School Board meeting in person and via Google Meet to comment on the proposed 2021-2022 COVID policy. Superintendent Rachel Udstuen explained that the school’s policy committee met last Thursday. Afterward, she sent a letter to parents informing them of the committee’s recommendation that would be presented to the … [Read more...]
High COVID-19 transmission in Fillmore County
Fillmore County Public Health encourages all Fillmore County residents and visitors to continue practicing strategies that reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Fillmore County is seeing high community transmission of COVID-19, including the Delta variant, which spreads twice as easily as other virus strains. The Minnesota Department … [Read more...]
The Flatulent Donkeys sang, “Tears in my goulash”
“Do you like flying squirrels?” “I don’t know, I’ve never flown one,” I told the inquiring caller. Flying monkeys are kind of creepy and I’ve never seen a flying cow or donkey. While on the subject of donkeys, I shared my intentions with my wife who responded, “Have you gone soft in the head?” She mumbled, “Give blood, play donkey ball.” I’d planned on riding … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
Thankful for once a year jobs Today I sat in my centenarian farm kitchen cutting fresh broccoli we harvested from our garden. As I worked I could hear the echoes and the low drone of my husband’s tractor. Finishing my job of blanching the green delicacy and packaging it, I sauntered outdoors to the corn cribs where the action was taking place. A corn crib is a structure … [Read more...]
Torrential rain creates road work for Caledonia’s Public Works department
On August 9, 2021, the Caledonia City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting from 6 p.m. to 7:22 p.m. in the Caledonia City Hall Council Chambers. Council members present, Mayor DeWayne “Tank” Schroeder, Amanda Ninneman, Robert “Bob” Klug, David Fitzpatrick, and Brad Rykhus. Mayor Schroeder led the council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The commissioners … [Read more...]
Spring Valley noise ordinance discussed
The Spring Valley City Council held a regular council meeting on August 9, at city hall, with all members present (Luan Ruesink, Chris Danielson, Greg Brooks, John Dols and Mayor Tony Archer). Also attending was City Clerk/Administrator Deb Zimmer. A citizen asked about the city’s noise ordinance, and in particular, the signs on the edges of town that inform truckers that … [Read more...]