ST. PAUL, MN: A grant from the US Department of Agriculture will help the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and partners at the University of Minnesota (UMN) engage farmers and agriculture businesses in marketing their products more effectively both locally and regionally. The USDA’s Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program awarded the MDA $235,169 to develop a … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton mulls uncertainties of the winter ahead
Although many topics were discussed during the Mabel-Canton School Board meeting on November 17, the common theme running through nearly the entire meeting was the upcoming winter and the challenges it will bring, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Mabel-Canton is in a “hybrid” learning model called Scenario 2, Plan A. This model is four days in-person … [Read more...]
R-P School Board election results
Rushford-Peterson School Board will see at least three new faces beginning January. While many districts saw far more than the number of candidates running for positions on their various boards, R-P ballots had only one name for four positions. After the candidacy deadline to be on ballots ran out, at least five additional candidates ran write-in campaigns. With write-ins … [Read more...]
Minnesota’s unemployment rate falls to 4.6% in October Drop due entirely to labor force participation declines; job growth continues with 13,200 payroll jobs added
Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped significantly in October, down to 4.6% from a revised 5.9% in September, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). However, the drop was due to the second consecutive significant monthly drop in the state’s labor force participation rate. The labor … [Read more...]
Fillmore County considering option to appoint A\T
At the November 10 Fillmore County Board meeting, County Administrator Bobbie Hillery presented the Personnel Committee’s wish to bring forth the option of appointing the Auditor/Treasurer position. Legislation (MS375A.1205, Subdivision 1) was passed in 2019 that lays out the process/guidelines for a county to make the A/T an appointed position. Why appoint rather than elect? … [Read more...]
Canton determines new utility rates
Prior to the regular city council meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, Canton held a special meeting at 6 p.m. to inform residents of proposed utility rate increase. Canton residents were informed on the status of the current budget shortfalls in the city’s utility funds. Four residents were in attendance to hear the proposals and ask questions. Mayor Johnson led the … [Read more...]
Rushford utilizes all CARES Act funds
While all area municipalities received Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Safety Grant recipients, some struggled early on how to utilize the full funds, anticipating having to send unused funds to Fillmore County November 15. For the City of Rushford, who received $133,352, the funds were put to good use helping purchase supplies, fund hazard pay and benefits, … [Read more...]
Houston Christmas Celebration December 5
Marlene Schultz appeared before the Houston City Council meeting November 9, 2020, to share the details of the annual Christmas celebration planned for Houston. The parade is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with lights in the park going on at the same time so people can go through the park immediately after the parade. There will be no afterglow and no activities at the school. If … [Read more...]
Chatfield approves final CARES expenses
Cities have until November 15 to submit their expenditures that qualify for CARES Act funding. At the November 9 Chatfield City Council meeting, November CARES expenditures were approved. Councilors John McBroom and Mike Urban were absent. Top of the list of expenditures was a telephone system upgrade at a cost of $19,135. Door lock repairs and the reconstruction of the city … [Read more...]
Never say always
At the November 5, 2020, Houston School Board meeting, Superintendent Krin Abraham declared that you just never could use the word always when it comes to this year. After announcing the 27.86 county numbers, Abraham shared that the county would probably be at 52.21 next week. County Nurse Audrey Staggemayer has encouraged all schools to prepare to move to distant learning. … [Read more...]