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...]
I felt as lucky as Kentucky on a fair day
It was time for me to get my fairs in order. Don’t follow the masses. Sometimes the “m” is silent. That was the advice I was given years back without asking for it. I ignored it and followed the masses to a county fair. Fairgrounds aren’t mediocre coffee. There is something for everyone unless you are someone for whom nothing is good enough. You can find complete gutter … [Read more...]
EV charger coming to Houston
Kent Whitcomb, director of Member Services at MiEnergy, returned to the Houston City Council’s regular meeting on August 9 to further discuss MiEnergy’s offer of a car charging station for Houston. The offer was for a $5,139 level 2 charger. The 7.7 kW charger would have ports for two vehicles and would charge at the rate of 20–30 miles per hour. The city had contacted … [Read more...]
Third kayak winner of the summer
Third kayak winner of the summer Sarah Stensgard, of Rushford, Minn., stood next to her brand new kayak she won in a recent contest. On July 31, 2021, Visit Bluff Country Magazine conducted the third prize giveaway drawing of the summer, which was a brand new kayak. As the magazine celebrates 36 years as the premier tourism publication of Historic Bluff Country (a.k.a. The … [Read more...]
Houston County employees are not required to wear a mask
The Houston County Commission held an emergency meeting on Friday, August 6, 2021, at 9 a.m. to discuss a recommendation by John Pugleasa, Houston County Public Health, and Tess Kruger, Houston County personnel director. Pugleasa and Kruger recommended that the county follow CDC guidelines and require all employees to wear masks whether they are vaccinated or not. The consensus … [Read more...]
Senator Miller celebrates drinking water grant for Caledonia
WINONA, MN, August 6, 2021 – Minnesota State Senator Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) today celebrated the selection of the city of Caledonia for a $1.28 million grant from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority to improve the city’s drinking water infrastructure. The grant will allow Caledonia to move forward on the construction of Wellhouse No. 8, associated wellhead … [Read more...]