At the May 17 meeting of the Preston City Council, Mike Bubany, David Drown & Associates, reported that three bids were submitted for for the issuance of revenue bonds to finance the 2021 Street and Utility Improvement projects. Standard & Poors issued an AA- stable bond rating for the city before the competitive sale. The low bid was submitted by Northland … [Read more...]
R-P Schools – moving back to “normal”
With the new reduced masking regulations announced by the state, the Rushford-Peterson School Board members conducted their regular monthly board meeting on May 17 sans masks. Superintendent Jon Thompson joked with new board member Ken Sawle that it was the first time he’d seen his face! Thompson assured the board that teachers, staff and students would continue to wear … [Read more...]
Houston School Board looks ahead to next fall
At the regular Houston School Board meeting May 6, Mikayla Simmons was announced as the new Activities/Communications director effective June 7. Simmons will take on some of the duties that had been removed from the superintendent duties before the posting of the superintendent position, as well as the activities director position. With Jill Diana resigning from her position … [Read more...]
College News
Fall 2020 Graduation List • Coastal Carolina University: Alliyah Beisell, Spring Valley, BS, Business Administration • Iowa State University: Alyvia King, Rushford, BS, Child, Adult and Family Services • Minnesota State University, Mankato: Adam Schlee, Grand Meadow, BS, RN Baccalaureate Completion • North Dakota State University: Angela Engen, Caledonia, BS, … [Read more...]
Walz, vaccines and COVID-19
On May 6, 2021, Minnesota Governor Walz announced his plans to phase out of all restrictions by May 28. And, this included the elimination of the mask mandate by July 1 as soon as 70% of all Minnesotans 16 and older are vaccinated. Effective May 28, capacity restrictions on indoor events will be lifted for bars and restaurants. Gyms, pools and fitness centers will be … [Read more...]
Harmony Telephone to apply for broadband grant with City of Harmony
A public hearing to discuss the application of a grant from the Small Cities Coronavirus Community Development Block Grant Program was held at the beginning of the May 11 Harmony City Council meeting. Harmony Telephone would like to apply for it in conjunction with the City of Harmony so that the every home in town would have access to broadband internet. The grant would pay … [Read more...]
Rushford receives clean audit
Despite technical difficulties at the start, the Rushford Council meeting held May 10 yielded a clean audit for the city. Auditor Jason Boynton and Kali Lentz, of Smith Schafer & Associates joined the meeting virtually to present the findings, which highlighted healthy funds in an unusual year. The city’s tax levy for 2020 was $973,000, up from $936,000 in 2019. The … [Read more...]
Peterson approves welcome sign, community garden
After several months of discussion, the Peterson City Council has approved the order of a new welcome sign to be placed on the Root River State Trail. The 2x4-foot composite sign will taut a three-dimensional design and the city’s former school colors through a gold background and maroon lettering. Produced by Art Sign Works, of Murrieta, Calif., the sign will also have the … [Read more...]
Theft of catalytic converters
Over the past several months, catalytic converters have been a hot ticket item for thieves. According to Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge, they have recorded 14 thefts and attempted thefts in the past two months. “We currently have open and active investigations involving specific suspects. Those cases will be reviewed for charges.” In Mower County, Sheriff Steve … [Read more...]
City of Chatfield covers cost overrun for dugout
The cost of construction of the baseball dugout in Chatfield has run over the estimate by about $10,000 due to delays because of COVID and significant increases in raw material costs this year. At the city council’s May 10 meeting the council approved additional funding up to $10,000 for the project. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. The total cost of the project is … [Read more...]