Norwegian emigration, part 3 Ole Olsen Sandness assumed responsibility for his five-year-old niece during a cholera-stricken voyage from Norway to America in 1854. His father, brother and sister-in-law were buried at sea. Ole, a single man at age 37, and young Alava would complete the ocean crossing and eventually settle in Wilmington Township, Houston County. What was … [Read more...]
Commissioners spar over future Human Resources position
Human Resources Officer Kristina Kohn asked the Fillmore County board to consider her own resignation at the board’s June 22 meeting. Kohn has been with the county for 10 years. Her resignation was accepted with sincere thanks, effective July 16. She gave four weeks notice. Kohn made a statement thanking the employees for the exemplary work they have done; she told the … [Read more...]
Preston increases part-time police pay rate
At the June 21 city council meeting, Police Chief Blaise Sass reported on the continuing challenges he faces when trying to fill needed part-time shifts in the police department’s schedule. The current part-time police officer wage was set in 2016 at $17 per hour. This is substantially below the average part-time wage of similar size departments in the area, which is about … [Read more...]
Wykoff man injured while loading semi
On June 19, 2021, at approximately 9:42 a.m., Fillmore County Dispatch received a call requesting an ambulance to 24861 County Road 1, Spring Valley. The caller requested an ambulance for an unresponsive male with a head injury who appeared to have fallen off a semi while loading corn. The victim was identified as 42-year-old Eric Howard of Wykoff. Mr. Howard was transported to … [Read more...]
Madcap Shakespearean parody takes the stage at the Commonweal Theatre
LANESBORO, MN - Following a successful reopening to limited capacity amidst several safety restrictions in mid-April and opening to full capacity audiences at the end of May, the Commonweal Theatre in Lanesboro is pleased to announce its third production of the 2021 season. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised) begins discounted preview performances on … [Read more...]
Houston City Council: DNR presents overview of OHV Trail History
The Houston City Council meeting on June 14 began with a presentation by the MN DNR detailing the history of the proposed OHV Trail thus far. Joe Unger, DNR OHV trail planner; Kelli Bruns, DNR Parks and Trails regional manager; and Karen Umphress from the Amateur Riders Motorcycle Association collaborated to present the information and answer questions from the mostly anti-OHV … [Read more...]
Rushford Village discusses Planning and Zoning projects
The June 15 Rushford Village council meeting was in large part, discussion regarding a number of proposed and ongoing developments related to planning and zoning. A hearing was held prior to the meeting regarding the application by Bonnie Norstad for a second solar array on her property, located between Highway 30 and Highway 16. The proposed array is the second on the farm … [Read more...]
Minnesota State Fair officially returns August 26 – Labor Day, September 6, 2021
ST. PAUL, MN - The Minnesota State Fair’s board of managers took a series of actions today affirming that the Great Minnesota Get-Together will return August 26 through Labor Day, September 6, after being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. The health and safety of everyone is the State Fair’s top priority, and the fair continues to follow and monitor current guidance from … [Read more...]
Severe blood shortage: Donors needed now to address delays in patient care
The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries rise – and deplete the nation’s blood inventory. Donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give as soon as possible to prevent further impact to patients. Right now, … [Read more...]
Whalan council receives resignations
The Whalan City Council received two resignations during the June 14, 2021, council meeting. One resignation was from a council member and one was on the Zoning Committee. Additionally, the Whalan representative on the Root River Trail Towns committee is also stepping down. Present at the regularly scheduled council meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, along with council … [Read more...]