ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has launched the latest round of Child Care Economic Development Grants. These grants authorize $5 million over the next two fiscal years for grants to local communities to increase quality child care providers to support economic development across Minnesota. A total of $2.5 million will be … [Read more...]
Stellar 181 Taphouse a confluence of passions in Spring Valley
By Axel Gumbel Stellar 181 Taphouse - Spring Valley’s newest eatery - was buzzing last weekend. Locals and visitors are catching on quickly to the many offerings owner Alex Slifka and his team are serving up. That includes 20 beers on tap, a full liquor lineup and a quarterly menu that Slifka describes as a “step up from regular bar food” with a focus on house made and not a … [Read more...]
Fountain council hears harassment concern
The Fountain City Council met in regular session on September 1. Council members present included Ron Reisner, Dave Gudmundson, and Mayor Jim Schott. City Clerk Mary Tjepkes was also present. Two citizens, Michelle Redalen and David Drury, spoke to the council about concerns related to their business (Drury’s Furniture). Redalen stated, “We just wanted to make sure the … [Read more...]
Ag Days a success, says Spring Valley council
The Spring Valley city council held a regular council meeting on August 23 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. With a light agenda, the meeting ended in under 15 minutes. One topic that saw comments from the entire council was the success … [Read more...]
Summer 2021 tree health
By Valiree Green MN DNR Forestry, Caledonia As summer ebbs on, the office is receiving more and more calls about “sick” trees and other plants. Before getting into specifics, it is worth noting that several issues often can assault plants (and people) before showing signs of distress. Often multiple factors are at play, and there is seldom “a smoking gun.” For a start, … [Read more...]
Minimum wage increases January 1, 2022
Minnesota’s minimum-wage rates will be adjusted for inflation January 1, 2022, to $10.33 an hour for large employers and $8.42 an hour for other state minimum wages. The current large-employer minimum wage, $10.08, will increase by 25 cents to $10.33. Other state minimum wages, including the small-employer, youth and training wages, as well as the summer work travel exchange … [Read more...]
College News
Spring 2021 Graduation List • Bethel University: Matthew Killoran, Chatfield, BA, Communication Studies • Iowa State University: Nicholas Maki, Chatfield, BS, Civil Engineering, Cum Laude; Matson Kiehne, BS, Agricultural Studies • Luther College: Helen Detlefsen DeLano, Harmony, BA, Environmental Studies; Cassidy Ruud, Lanesboro, BA, Nursing, Summa Cum Laude; Treyten … [Read more...]
Rushford to see legislative results
Elizabeth Wefel, attorney and lobbyist for Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) presented to the Rushford Council, August 23, an update of legislative progress in a number of areas. CGMC represents 109 municipalities in Minnesota working on Local Government Aid (LGA) and property taxes, economic development, annexation and land use, transportation, environment and … [Read more...]
Houston Schools stay with “recommended” masks
The public comment period at the regular Houston School Board meeting on August 19 brought a group of parents opposed to mandatory mask wearing at Houston Schools. Tara Klinski informed the board that neither they or any other governmental entity were coparenting her children and that their family would not be going back to masks. Klinski declared, “Our children are not shields … [Read more...]
Lanesboro school finalizes back to school plans
At the August 19 Lanesboro School Board meeting, Superintendent Matt Schultz updated the board on the district’s plans for the upcoming school year. School starts on September 7, but back-to-school conferences will be held on September 7 and 8 so the students’ first official day will be on September 9. Teachers who are in their first three years of teaching will start on August … [Read more...]