With local school boards making the decision on masking and COVID policies for their schools, there are now a variety of policies regarding COVID. One constant is the federally mandated policy for masking on buses and reporting of positive COVID cases. Here are the most recent policies of each of the eleven local schools: • Caledonia: Masks are strongly recommended. Mask … [Read more...]
Houston County EDA receives $20,000 grant for shared office space
Commissioners Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Robert Burns, Teresa Walter, and Greg Myhre were all in attendance at the September 7 meeting of the Houston County Commission. Chairman Burns called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and led board members and attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners approved the meeting agenda, minutes from the August 24 regular meeting, the … [Read more...]
Kingsland addresses SACC staff shortage
Kingsland School Board held their monthly “work session” meeting on September 8, with all members participating (Jackie Horsman, Natasha Howard, Gwen Howard, Maranda Emig, Pamela Freet, Kyle Rader, and Superintendent James Hecimovich). Principal Scott Klavetter also attended. Business Manager Amber Herbrand participated via remote technology. Becky Bicknese’s written … [Read more...]
Canton Council reviews budget, learns how population decline will affect city
As the Canton City Council met on September 8, the 2020 census results came up several times during regular business discussions. According to the latest census, Canton has seen a decrease in population by 34 residents over the past decade, going from 346 to 310. Clerk Brock Bergey said this 10.4% decrease is the sharpest decline in population since the 1970 census, when the … [Read more...]
Houston County employees to see a 5% decrease in health care effective January 1, 2022
Commissioners Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Robert Burns, Teresa Walter, and Greg Myhre attended the August 24 meeting of the Houston County Commission. Chairman Burns called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and led board members and attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners approved the meeting agenda and minutes from the August 10 regular meeting, the August 17 … [Read more...]
Fillmore County discusses campground and SSTS ordinance amendments
At the August 26 Fillmore County Planning Commission meeting, public hearings were held on two proposed zoning ordinance amendments. The proposed Fillmore County definition of a campground says, in part, that any area privately or publicly owned to accommodate two or more tents or recreational camping vehicles for compensation is considered a campground. A privately owned … [Read more...]
Fillmore County works through proposed 2022 departmental budgets
Most of the county board’s August 24 meeting was dedicated to the 2022 budget process. Laura Christianson, SWCD administrator, requested the county increase its annual appropriation by $5,000 to $220,000. She said there were 49 projects in 2020. For every $1 dollar Fillmore County invested last year, a total of $5.20 was generated combining local, state, and federal revenue. … [Read more...]
Taste of the Trail is back!
The Root River Trail Towns will once again be presenting the Taste of the Trail after last year’s pause for the COVID pandemic. Using the same format they’ve used since the event’s inception in 2012, Taste of the Trail will be held three successive weekends with different towns highlighted each weekend. Lanesboro, Whalan, and Peterson will be the stars on Saturday, September … [Read more...]
Fatal crash in Fillmore County
On Saturday, September 4, at approximately 10:01 p.m., Fillmore County Sheriff’s dispatch received a 911 call of a single vehicle rollover crash on Fillmore County Road 12, approximately one mile east of Highway 52. Law Enforcement, Fire and Ambulance were dispatched. Law Enforcement arrived on scene at 10:07 p.m. and located an unresponsive male occupant in the driver's seat. … [Read more...]
Invitation to worship ecumenically in Mabel on September 12
The Area Council of Churches for the Mabel area is excited to invite everyone to join them for the ecumenical church service at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 12 on the Steam Engine Grounds in Mabel. This year’s featured musical guests is a team of sisters from Spring Valley called “Sister Luv.” Sister Luv is comprised of four sisters — Xena (22), JLee (18), Elsie (15) and … [Read more...]