The morning of February 16, 2021, started off like any other for Andy Bunge of Preston, Minn., but how quickly things can change. “It was early in the morning, about 6:30, and the sun really hadn’t come up yet, but there was snow on the ground and we have these large picture windows in the house... and I heard this thud on the window,” explains Bunge. “I thought, what bird … [Read more...]
Schaeffer Academy eighth grader is the Southeast Minnesota Spelling Bee Champion
Twelve spellers (six from each Regional Spelling Bee) competed in the Final Spelling Bee on Tuesday, March 23, at 9 a.m. at the Southeast Service Cooperative in Rochester. These 12 students were narrowed down from 36 students from 20 districts in Southeast Minnesota who participated in the two Regional Spelling Bees on March 9, 2021, coordinated by the Southeast Service … [Read more...]
Minnesota’s unemployment rate dips to 4.3% in February Minnesota continues 2021 job gains
ST. PAUL – Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 4.3% in February, down from 4.5% in January, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The decline in the unemployment rate was due to more people finding work and a decrease in the number of unemployed people, which resulted in another … [Read more...]
Minnesota gas price update
April, 5, 2021 – Minnesota gas prices have fallen 1.2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.73/g today, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 2,856 stations in Minnesota. Gas prices in Minnesota are 2.3 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand $1.03/g higher than a year ago. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Minnesota is priced … [Read more...]
Rushford Village receives bridge report; preps for road tour
The annual bridge report from Fillmore County garnered the majority of discussion at the April 6 Rushford Village Council meeting. Public Works Supervisor Trenton Chiglo noted he’d reviewed the report and it appeared correct with his assessments. One bridge, on the east end of Ridgeview Road, had specific deficiencies noted. “It has settled and there’s a section of iron … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Council addresses pothole issue
At the April 5 Lanesboro City Council meeting, Public Works Director David Haugen noted that there’s been a lot of concern from the public about potholes in the city streets. He explained that potholes tend to develop while plowing snow during the winter. They will be patched with hot mix, but the plant that makes that isn’t open until May so he and the city crew have been … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Jail needs information on YouTube video
The Jail Needs Assessment Committee and subcommittees have been meeting for more than a year to gather data and to analyze that data to determine what is the best course forward for the county jail. The 17 minute video was presented at the county board’s April 6 meeting. Sheriff John DeGeorge has been presenting information at city council meetings and plans to speak to other … [Read more...]
Fountain gets updates; hears citizen concerns
In February, Fountain’s City Council received notice from Sara Sturgis, Executive Director at Fillmore County Historical Society, that the society was requesting the Historical Center also be designated as the Fountain Visitor’s Center. The center, which is housed in the former Fountain Elementary School, is operated by the society. While the center is within the city, it’s … [Read more...]
Fountain farmer wins top placement in national corn yield contest
ST. LOUIS, MO, April 7, 2021 – Fountain farmer Jordan Redalen earns a first-place state award in the 2020 National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) National Corn Yield Contest. He is among the highest corn yield producers in the nation. Redalen placed with DEKALB DKC59-82RIB brand blend corn yielding an outstanding 300 bushels per acre in the Strip-Till, Minimum-Till, … [Read more...]
Approximately $100 million available for wildlife habitat grants in Minnesota Council seeks funding requests for wide variety of programs that restore, protect and enhance Minnesota habitat
SAINT PAUL, MN, April 8, 2021 - The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) last week issued its annual Call for Funding Request from the Outdoor Heritage Fund. Approximately $100 million will be available for both metro and statewide grants to aid Minnesota habitat restoration, preservation and enhancement. Requests are due to the LSOHC Thursday, May 27, 2021, at 4 … [Read more...]