Jason Boynton, Smith-Schafer & Associates, LTD., reviewed Chatfield’s financial summary for 2020 at the city council’s March 22 meeting. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. The city received an unmodified “clean” opinion for 2020. The city’s tax capacity increased from 2019 to over $2 million. The general tax levy revenues represented 49% of the total governmental revenues. … [Read more...]
Home explosion in Bloomfield Township
According to Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge, a 911 call was received by Fillmore County dispatch at 6:29 a.m., Friday, March 19, reporting an explosion and fire at a residence in Bloomfield Township in southwest Fillmore County. Spring Valley and Ostrander Fire Departments were paged, along with the Spring Valley Ambulance and Fillmore County Deputies. Upon arrival, the … [Read more...]
Spring Grove senior class trip to Washington D.C. cancelled
The Spring Grove School board met on Tuesday evening, March 15, 2021, from 7-7:45 p.m. in the school’s Learning Resource Center, adhering to the Governor’s guidelines for capacity (maximum 10 people). Board members in attendance Chairman Aaron Solum, Stephanie Jaster, Kelly Rohland, Jenny Stender, Rhan Flatin, and Aric Elton. The board unanimously approved the March 15 agenda … [Read more...]
Preston approves bid for 2021 street and utility project
City Engineer Brett Grabau explained at the March 15 Preston City Council meeting that the city had received three bids for the 2021 Street and Utility Project. The low bid was submitted by Alcon Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $3,107,040.97 for the main project and $55,055.05 for the alternate project (retaining walls). The bid was lower than the engineer’s estimate, which … [Read more...]
Bloodmobile coming to Harmony on March 30
Harmony will be hosting a bloodmobile at the Harmony Community Center, 225 Third Avenue SW, from 1-7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Masks will be required. If you don’t have one of your own, one will be provided by the Red Cross. No guests will be allowed at the drive, and everyone will need to have an appointment (no walk-ins will be accepted). All donors will be required … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board to look at preschool teacher salary inequities
At the February 10, 2021, Chatfield School Board meeting, board members present were: Katie Priebe, Josh Thompson, and Lanny Isensee, as well as Principals Shane McBroom, Randy Paulson, Superintendent Ed Harris, LuAnn Klevan, Community Education Director; and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Board members Matt McMahon, Jill Harstad, and Tom Keefe joined the meeting via … [Read more...]
Spring Grove’s Syttende Mai is happening
Mayor Scott Solberg called the Spring Grove City Council’s regular meeting to order at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Council Members in attendance were Travis Torgerson, Trent Turner, Karen Folstad, and Chad Rohland. Also present were Julie Amundson, city clerk/administrator and Courtney Bergy Swanson, CEDA/EDA, via Zoom. The Council approved the meeting agenda and consent … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
So many people are returning to gardening or starting out for the first time. One of the groups that I am a member of has over 3,000 new members! Plant people are always excited and happy to share knowledge. Instead of writing a typical column this month, I decided to reach out to one of many gardening groups for some inspiration. The question asked was: If you were to give a … [Read more...]
I stay by the cart
My wife asked me to put ketchup on the shopping list. Her wish was my command. Now I can’t read anything on the list. I’m a stay-by-the-cart guy. That’s my job when I go shopping with my wife. My wife goes this way and that way driven by a shopping list. I stay by the cart. I’ve gone years without once saying, “I’m going shopping,” but sometimes I need to purchase … [Read more...]
R-P gets a first look at proposed budget cuts
Rushford-Peterson Superintendent Jon Thompson has made it abundantly clear these last few months that the district is going to need to make some serious budget cuts. A March 1 press release from Minnesota Association of School Business Officials echoes several of Thompson’s concerns and clearly notes that R-P isn’t the only district in the state facing this challenge. … [Read more...]