Three broadband providers outlined their proposals at the Fillmore County board’s November 9 meeting. The county has received $4.2 million in American Recovery Act funding. Broadband providers are looking for a portion of this funding to support broadband projects within the county. Much of Fillmore County is still underserved. Corey Hauer, LTD Broadband, said they have … [Read more...]
Rushford council reelected
The first order of business at the November 8 Rushford City Council meeting was canvassing of election results. Mayor Terri Benson will remain at the helm for another two-year term, as will councilors Andrew Linder and Sally Ryman for their four-year terms. All ran unopposed. The council also took action in renewing governmental accounting standards, initially adopted in 2011. … [Read more...]
USDA funding available to help low-income individuals and families buy or repair homes
USDA Rural Development has funding available 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 one … [Read more...]
Canton Council approves increase to water, sewer rates
The Canton City Council discussed the need to increase water and sewer rates during its meeting on Wednesday evening, November 10. The topic has been discussed at several past meetings with Clerk Brock Bergey and Utility Committee members, Josh Nordsving and Cindy Shanks, looking at options for meeting the city’s needs while still being sensitive to what the residents can … [Read more...]
Harmony Council hears suggestion for a gym refresh
Harmony resident Cindy Ofstedal addressed the city council at their November 9 meeting to ask them to consider the condition of the gymnasium at the Community Center. She is a member of an exercise group that meets there and the group has noticed that the gym could use new paint, deep cleaning, and some updating for the stage. If the council is going to tackle the project, they … [Read more...]
Ostrander switching to Sunshine Sanitation
During the November 4 Ostrander City Council meeting, the council considered the bids from Sunshine Sanitation and Waste Management to provide solid waste and recycling services for the city. The current contract with Waste Management runs through April 2022. In comparing the bids and prices from Sunshine Sanitation and Waste Management, Wendy Brincks said, “They run neck and … [Read more...]
Houston Schools live stream ready to go
Want to watch a Houston Schools’ home basketball game? How about a concert? This year you can once again easily watch the events free from the comfort of your own home. Mikayla Simmons, activities and communications director for Houston Schools, informed the school board at their regular November 4 meeting that multiple links have been added to the school’s website so the … [Read more...]
Knowledge is power and Francis is Bacon
I could have waited but I couldn’t wait. I mumbled the nursery rhyme, “Sing a song of sixpence, a pocket full of rye, four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie. When the pie was opened, the birds began to sing – wasn’t that a dainty dish to set before the king?” My parents were visiting the neighbors, which involved drinking copious amounts of coffee and eating brownies. They … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Wild animals gave way to an iron Lion, wings of steam power
The following history of Spring Grove was written in 1880 by Sven H. Ellestad in the Spring Grove Posten, the town’s first newspaper, published weekly in Norwegian for approximately a year. An annual subscription cost 50 cents. There has been no change in the punctuation from a 1947 reprint in English as translated by his niece, Clara Johnosrud Torvik: Spring Grove, … [Read more...]
Peterson talks long-term plans
As the year begins to wrap up, the Peterson City Council is not only taking care of year-end details, but is also looking to the future of city needs and ways to improve the community. Several ideas were discussed, including city signage, cleanup, and park/campground plans. Following installation of a new, attractive city sign on the Root River State Trail, which goes through … [Read more...]