The city of Rushford purchased 23.5 acres of farmland from Wallace Himlie in 2007. The $699,999 parcel sold for $31,000 an acre and was purchased as a potential site for Tri-County Electric to build a new complex after the 2007 flood destroyed their facilities and as an opportunity for potential growth and job development for the community. The city platted nine … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Bus Drivers Essential to the School
Bus drivers are truly appreciated by all schools and parents alike. At Lanesboro School, you might even say they are treasured! According to Superintendent Matt Schultz, maintaining their own buses has long been a priority. Lanesboro School has a large segment of open enrolled students; buses travel all over the county picking up and delivering students each day. If the school … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Schools’ Possible Calendar
February 14 found the members of the Lanesboro School Board listening to Superintendent Matt Schultz present a proposed calendar for next school year. The calendar needs to be somewhat different next year. With the passage of the READ Act by the legislature, Lanesboro needs to build in additional teacher workshop days to train teachers in teaching reading. At this point, … [Read more...]
Workdays Scheduled for Eitzen’s Habitat for Humanity House
On February 13, Eitzen Mayor Jeff Adamson announced at the city council meeting that two workdays have been scheduled for the town’s Habitat for Humanity house. The first workday is set for Saturday, February 17, and the second is scheduled for Saturday, February 24. Adamson explained that “things are happening and hopefully by spring, Habitat for Humanity will get … [Read more...]
Brownsville Seeks Small Cities Development Grant
On February 7, the Brownsville City Council held a special meeting prior to the regular city council meeting regarding the $600,000 Small Cities Development Grant. Mayor Jean Meyer called the special meeting to order at 7 p.m. and reviewed the Small Cities Development Grant prior to opening the floor for comments. She explained that the city is planning on to apply for this … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Library Supporters Share Why Library is Valuable
A number of the Lanesboro Friends of the Library group were in attendance at the February 5 Lanesboro City Council meeting to speak on behalf of the library. Anna Loney distributed a compilation of comments about the library collected from community members to the council. She thanked the council for taking the time to read through the various reasons why people value the … [Read more...]
Preston Use of Public Safety Funding
At the February 5 meeting of the city council, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton reported the city received $58,157 in December to be used for community engagement, mental health, training personnel and equipment needs. The funds are Preston’s portion of the $300 million in Public Safety Funding passed by the 2023 Minnesota legislature. The funds will be used primarily … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board Approves Trap Coaches
At the February 7 school board meeting, board members Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Josh Thompson and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, principals, Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson, and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Student Senate members Kylie Sinn and Jorja Fishbaugher were also present. Board members Mark Johnsrud and Katie Priebe were … [Read more...]
Fins and Films Returns to Ostrander Brush Dump
The City of Ostrander city council held a characteristically brief meeting the evening of Tuesday, February 6. Little to no budgetary discussion was held, the fire department had no calls from the previous month to report, a few small items of business were acted upon. The meeting opened with an address by the sole visitor, Doc Shipton of Fins and Films. Fins and Films, a … [Read more...]
Houston County to Receive Sizeable Increase in State Transportation Funding
Houston County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski announced at the February 6 Houston County Commission meeting that his office received notice in January from MnDOT that instead of the anticipated statewide transportation funding increase of 2-4%, the county will now see an increase of just over 10% for 2024. Pogodzinski explained, “What that means for Houston County is that we … [Read more...]
Fountain Grapples with Wastewater Repair
The Fountain Council again discussed needed repairs to the wastewater treatment plant lift station pump at the February 7 meeting. The current pump issues have been known for some time. There is no backup for it should it go out entirely. At the meeting, via conference call, was Mike Morris from MMS Environmental, with whom the city contracts for reporting and maintenance at … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Bike Trail and Bridge Bonding Agreements
The Fillmore County Board considered access agreements for a bike trail and bridge bonding agreements at their February 6 meeting. Highway Engineer Ron Gregg explained the bike trail agreements are with the Department of Natural Resources for access to the road right of way of CSAH 44 and 30 to extend the Harmony/Preston Valley State Trail to the Iowa state line and also … [Read more...]
Houston Considers HUDL
The February 1 Houston School Board meeting had Superintendent Mary Morem attending virtually and two board members, Nickki Johnson and Marissa Bailey, absent. Morem presented the Houston Hurricane Hero award to Heidi Wick, an MNVA math teacher, who also attended virtually. Morem joined parents, staff and students in lauding Wick for her creativity as an online math … [Read more...]
Farm Family – Jacob and Abbey Sass: The West Point Graduate and Miss Rodeo Kansas 2015
The West Point Military Academy graduate, Jacob (Jake) Sass, and Miss Rodeo Kansas, Abbey (Pomeroy) Sass, along with their two sons, three and a half year old Sheridan, and 14 month old Merritt are at home on the family farm outside of Chatfield, Minn. Like many parents seeking distinctive names for their sons, Jake and Abbey desired names that held personal significance. … [Read more...]
Dinner on the Bluff February 10
Dr. Steve Windels, an award-winning wildlife biologist with the U.S. National Park Service, will be the featured speaker at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center’s Dinner on the Bluff event on Saturday, February 10. In his talk, “Beavers: the Animal, the Myth, the Legend”, Dr. Windels will give attendees an overview of beaver natural history, including how they move and … [Read more...]