The July 12 Rushford council meeting was unusually brief, but it did contain discussion and updates on various projects and ongoing negotiation of the possible purchase of the former Farmers Win Cooperative site. First up, one of two items of general business, was the approval of appointing election judges for the November General Election. A number of the volunteers are … [Read more...]

Kent Whitcomb of MiEnergy visited the regular Peterson City Council meeting July 14 to offer a level two car charging station to the city. The level two charger would be able to charge two cars at a time at a rate of 30 to 50 miles range per hour. The charger valued at $5,139 would need to be installed by the city at a location of their choosing. Installation costs would range … [Read more...]

For over two decades, Mark Scheevel has driven Fillmore Central students to school, but now he’s hanging up his bus keys and moving on to retirement. “It’s been 25 years to the day,” he said, explaining that the day he started Harmony Transit and the day he sold it were exactly 25 years apart. Scheevel plans to stick around through the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year to … [Read more...]

By Mary L. Allen At the July 14, 2021, Chatfield School Board meeting, board members present were: Josh Thompson, Matt McMahon (virtually), Jill Harstad, Tom Keefe, and Lanny Isensee, as well as Principals Shane McBroom, and Eric Nelson, Superintendent Ed Harris, and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Board member Katie Priebe was absent. Under the consent agenda the June … [Read more...]

Norwegian emigration, part 6 Many of the Norwegian immigrants, which would settle in Houston and Fillmore Counties as early as 1851, had their ocean voyage end at the port cities of Quebec or New York. Then after another voyage across the Great Lakes and/or a train ride or two, they reached Chicago or Milwaukee.  Some, like the families of Thore Elemoen in 1853 and Knud … [Read more...]

It’s been an interesting and rough year for many businesses and that definitely rings true for the Old Barn Resort outside of Preston. Last summer, its opening was delayed by several months until June, and the day-to-day operations had to change and adapt to the pandemic. Overall though, owners and brothers-in-law Travis Dundore and Eric Brenna feel that most of the changes … [Read more...]

Mabel’s City Council met on July 14.  Attending were Mayor James Westby, Terry Torkelson, Adam Wilder, and Cory Wilson.  Kirsten Wyffels was absent.  Also participating were City Clerk Karen Larson and Jeff Rein.   The council approved five zoning permit requests.  Immediately following that action, Adam Wilder asked, “Is there any better way we can do that?”  There was … [Read more...]

On July 12, 2021, the Caledonia City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting from 6 p.m. to 6:32 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 council … [Read more...]

The fascination of automobiles coupled with a desire to positively influence Spring Valley’s downtown image inspired Greg Melartin to create an event  in 2017 called Fins and Films.  “I moved back to Spring Valley in 2015 and noticed that the downtown area was in a slump.   “I am a car guy through and through, absolutely loving the automobile and the culture.  I thought … [Read more...]