Jessica Kral is a 2020 graduate of New Ulm Public High School and graduated from Winona State University in December 2024 with an Academic and Behavioral Strategist (ABS) Special Education degree. In Chatfield, she is teaching special education in grades 4-6. This is Jessica’s first full-time teaching assignment but she worked in other local districts, including Chatfield, as a … [Read more...]
Caledonia Public Schools Approve Coaching Contracts
Caledonia Public School District’s school board members met Monday, October 20. Boardmember Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. then led with the Pledge of Allegiance. All board members were present. District employees present included Superintendent Craig Ihrke, Middle/High School Principal Nathan Boler, and Community Education Director Gretchen Juan. … [Read more...]
Two New Teachers at Lanesboro Schools
Lanesboro Schools welcomed two new teachers this fall. Morgan Knutson is teaching secondary life science and Lea Jensson is teaching elementary special education. Morgan Knutson feels that she was always meant to be teacher; she loves working with kids and helping them learn. her awesome science teachers in high school fed her love of science. Morgan graduated from … [Read more...]
Concerns Raised Over Proposed Data Center
At the October 14 Harmony City Council meeting, several residents spoke out with questions and comments about the proposed data center in Harmony. Dennis DeKeyrel said that he felt there had been a good turnout at the town hall meeting on October 7, but a lot of people still have questions that need to be addressed with council transparency. Julie Little said that the council … [Read more...]
Houston to Apply for LRIP Grant for Westgate Drive
Matt Mohs of Bolton & Menk visited the Houston City Council’s regular October 14 meeting to update the council on various projects in the city. First on his update was the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) funding opportunity. The funding cycle opened on September 16 with applications due on December 12. Construction would need to be completed during the years 2026, … [Read more...]
Chatfield Reviews Three Ordinances
At the October 13 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, three proposed ordinances were reviewed. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. Ordinance # 480 establishing standards for installation of sidewalks in subdivisions was reviewed as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission. This will amend Chatfield Code. No action was taken this day. It will lay out when sidewalks … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Jail Project Update
Pete Filipi, Contegrity Group, updated commissioners on the jail budget to date and progress on the jail renovation and expansion at the board’s October 14 meeting. Filipi noted bids for the project opened in March 2023. In November 2023 a building permit was obtained. The contingency fund budget started with a total of $421,300. With construction of the new facility and … [Read more...]
Caledonia, the First City in Minnesota with an Official Song
At the October 13 Caledonia City Council meeting, Mayor Jeremy Leis signed a proclamation recognizing the song “Caledonia,” written and recorded by Dougie MacLean, as Caledonia’s official song. The song was selected in honor of Caledonia’s founder, Captain Samuel McPhail, a settler and pioneer of Scottish ancestry. Councilmember John Rauk, who proposed the idea of having an … [Read more...]
Spring Valley Council Hears Update on Rolling Hills Transit
On Monday, October 13, the Spring Valley City Council heard from Bill Spitzer, Director of Transportation for Semcac, who gave the council an update on Rolling Hills Transit, which is the public transportation system within Spring Valley. Rolling Hills works within a five county area serving 17 communities with 12 buses. According to Spitzer, the year-to-date ridership for … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Flashback – The Fiddlemaker and the Midwife
By Sally Ryman Rushford Historical Society In 1894, Lars J. Wang, his wife Madeli, and their four eldest children immigrated from Ulvik, Norway, settling first in Fergus Falls, living there for five years. They then moved to Perley, Minn., and resided there for two years before coming to Rushford. The Fiddlemaker Lars was born in Ulvik, Hardanger, Norway, in 1847 … [Read more...]