ST. PAUL, March 30, 2021 – The United States Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that Minnesota will receive federal funding for three proposed Veterans Homes in Bemidji, Montevideo, and Preston. Senate Republicans secured the state’s share of funding for all three homes in the 2018 bonding bill. Construction could begin as early as early fall 2021 with an … [Read more...]
Spring Grove welcomes Heart Rock Coffee Shop
Thanks to the husband and wife team, Jeff and Tricia Babinski, Spring Grove residents and their fellow neighbors in the bluff area can now purchase freshly roasted artisan coffee from the top coffee-producing regions in the world. Tricia Babinski is the roaster and general operator of Heart Rock Coffee Shop in downtown Spring Grove and her husband Jeff, a retired Air Force … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton cheerleaders earn national, state honors
The Mabel-Canton cheer squad won awards at a national, virtual competition that was organized in Everett, Wash., to offer a unique opportunity for so many cheerleaders who were so often sidelined during a pandemic winter. In individual competition, Katelyn Kleiboer earned individual honors in that national virtual event as well as a scholarship in a statewide competition … [Read more...]
Lanesboro school going forward with senior class trip
At the March 18 Lanesboro School Board meeting, Superintendent Matt Schultz updated the board on the upcoming senior class trip. The tour bus company canceled the original trip to Washington, D.C., as the city is mostly shut down right now. After looking into different options, it was decided to book a trip to Florida with the same company. The trip will include various stops … [Read more...]
Caledonia water and sewer rates increase
Mayor DeWayne “Tank” Schroeder called the Caledonia City Council’s regular meeting to order Monday evening, March 22, 2021, at 6 p.m. in the city auditorium. City council members in attendance included Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, Brad Rykhus, and Robert “Bob” Klug. The council unanimously approved the consent agenda including the March 8 minutes, Resolution 2021-06: … [Read more...]
Houston School Board prom/graduation given yellow lights
At their March 18 meeting, the Houston School Board learned that both prom and graduation will be able to proceed with caution. Prom has “pretty stringent” guidelines; the state has suggested dancing while seated in chairs six feet apart. Prom has been set for May 1, 2021; the After Prom committee has already contracted with a hypnotist for entertainment. Supt. Krin Abraham … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Housing Solution Group looks to the future
It’s everywhere - housing shortages. What can be done about it? How does a city find solutions? Those are all questions being asked by the Lanesboro Housing Solution Group, a team that has been formed in Lanesboro that are putting their heads together to come up with a strategic plan to ease the housing shortage in town. Lead person of the group, Phil Dybing, who is also … [Read more...]
Chatfield joins Root River Trail Towns
Community representatives of Root River Trail Towns voted unanimously on Wednesday, February 17, to accept Chatfield into the Root River Trail Towns organization. Established in 1988, Root River Trail Towns was created as a non-profit group to market the Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley state bike trails. Participating communities include Fountain, Preston, Harmony, … [Read more...]
Gypsy moths are slowly moving into Houston County
Commissioners Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Robert Burns, Teresa Walter, and Greg Myhre were all present via Zoom at the March 23 regular meeting of the Houston County Commission. Chairman Burns called the meeting to order at 9a.m. COVID-19 update Public Health is hosting a 300 first dose community clinic on Thursday, March 25, at the Four Seasons in Caledonia. The county … [Read more...]
Fillmore County SSTS amendments approved
The Fillmore County Planning Commission held a public hearing on proposed amendments to the county’s Sub-Surface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance at their March 18 meeting. The language regarding escrow accounts resulted in the most discussion. When a property is sold or transferred the SSTS must be inspected. If a SSTS is found to be non-compliant, it must be brought up to … [Read more...]