By Wanda Hanson Gary Shields comes to Houston High School with 20 years of teaching experience, including teaching physics at Winona State University. Shields, a resident of Winona, Minn., has a wife, Melissa, and two sons who are in tenth and seventh grade. His family enjoys Caribbean cruises in the winter and camping road trips in the summer. They particularly enjoy national … [Read more...]
The Father of the Green Revolution
You’ve maybe heard his name, and certainly been impacted by his work. Norman Borlaug was 19 and in Minneapolis when a man asked him for pocket change to buy food, while people were dumping milk in the streets to protest low food prices. As a college student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Norman himself knew what it was like to be hungry. Some of us may know what … [Read more...]
Women’s Shelter brings awareness to Domestic Violence Awareness Month
One in four women and one in seven men have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime. On average, it takes an individual seven times of trying to leave before it is successful. This is why the Women’s Shelter and Support Center, based in Rochester, is focused on helping victims of this violence. The Women’s Shelter has been providing a variety of services for 40 years … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton alumni hired to teach at their alma mater
The start of a new school year means new students, new classes, new classrooms, and new teachers. This year Mabel-Canton Public School (M-C) hired two new teachers, both M-C graduates, Laura Horihan, class of 2002, and Carlena Gallagher, class of 2004. M-C hired Laura Horihan to teach 9th, 11th, and 12th grade English and K-3 Special Education this year. Last year Horihan … [Read more...]
Donate blood with the Red Cross to help those fighting breast cancer
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to band together to provide hope and healing to patients fighting cancer by giving blood or platelets. In appreciation, those who come to give October 15 - November 11 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card* via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. Donors are asked to make … [Read more...]
Peterson targets end of year items
The City of Peterson, like all other municipalities, is in the midst of approving end of year items including the 2021 budget and levy. The city council has been working at the budget for several months and the subcommittee, including Clerk Chris Grindland and Councilors Gail Boyum and Loren Rue, were able to locate areas for cost savings. This allowed for just a proposed 2% … [Read more...]
City of Canton continues to utilize CARES funds; year-end business
The Canton City Council regular meeting was held on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at the town hall due to ongoing COVID precautions. September meeting minutes and monthly bills were approved as presented. Consent agenda items of monthly bills, waiver of town hall rental fee for the Mabel-Canton School district informational meeting, held on October 5 regarding general election … [Read more...]
Harmony residents raise concerns over high tax levy
The October 13 Harmony City council meeting opened with a public forum. Council member Deb Swenson was absent. Harmony residents Ron Gregg and Dan Tiffenbacher brought their concerns about the 2021 tax levy to the council as they felt that the increase of 10.2% set at the September meeting was high. City Administrator Devin Swanberg assured them that it’s customary for the city … [Read more...]
Wily coyotes in Ostrander
By Rich Wicks The Ostrander City Council met on October 6, with all members present (Stephanie Start, Dan Hellerud, DJ Start, Vernon Thompson, Mayor Pam Kunert, and City Clerk Wendy Brincks). There was discussion that several citizens have reported coyotes coming into town. Council members said that although there is little risk of a coyote attacking a person, there is a … [Read more...]
Houston moves forward on community center financing
By Wanda Hanson The Houston City Council focused on the financing of the community center renovations at their October 13 meeting. Mike Bubany of David Drown Associates, Inc. walked the council through the process. After a public hearing on the bonding at which no one spoke or asked any questions, Bubany explained that the city needed to identify enough parcels that the … [Read more...]