OWATONNA, MN, June 30, 2020 — Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) awarded $9,620 worth of paint from Ace Hardware to eight communities across the region through its Paint the Town Grant Program. This program is a partnership between SMIF and 12 local Ace Hardware stores and is designed to engage volunteers and build collaborative efforts that beautify communities … [Read more...]
Citizen science in action: Joan Redig on Paradise Valley Creek
By Cathy Malakowsky Information Officer, MPCA Intrigued by the changing conditions she saw in the creek flowing through her farm, Joan Redig of rural Houston County signed up for the Citizen Monitoring Program in 2017 after reading about the volunteer opportunity in a local newspaper. She monitors Paradise Valley Stream in the southeast corner Minnesota. This region is known … [Read more...]
Opening a new business at the beginning of a global pandemic
Envision spending two years preparing to open a financially laden business from the ground up nine days after the start of COVID-19, a global pandemic. That is what the owners of the Stinson’s Country Style Meats were faced with when they opened their business in the farming community of Houston, Minn., on March 20 of this year. Upon walking into the breakroom to interview the … [Read more...]
July 1, the first day of work for Spring Grove’s new K-12 principal, Luke Kjelland
Luke Kjelland, the new K-12 principal at Spring Grove Public Schools, arrived at school Wednesday, July 1, for his first day as the new K-12 Principal with a wide smile on his face. So who is Luke Kjelland? With the last name Kjelland, it is no surprise to Spring Grove residents that Kjelland is 75% Norwegian. Kjelland grew up in Coon Valley, Wis., and is a graduate of Westby … [Read more...]
Semcac’s Preston Food Shelf now open for client choice
On July 2, the Preston Food Shelf opened with the following restrictions: •Only registered food shelf clients and essential companions will be allowed in the building. •No children are allowed in the building at this time. •All clients and food shelf staff will wear face coverings. •If you choose not to wear a face covering, a prepacked food box will be given out at the … [Read more...]
Houston County WIC program
Houston County WIC continues to provide nutrition education and benefits, however all WIC appointments will take place over the phone. If your economic situation or job status has changed, check the Minnesota WIC website for eligibility information. At Houston County, the health and well-being of our clients, colleagues and community are our top priority. Given the evolving … [Read more...]
A special outdoor opportunity for families
A special opportunity for families to get outdoors together is being offered at Good Earth Village, rural Spring Valley. Choose from Saturdays July 25 or August 8. Come enjoy the many hiking trails that the camp has to offer. Registration is required so that social distancing can be followed. The events are free to come and use the trails. However, if you would like to also … [Read more...]
Chatfield coach wrestles with school board
At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, the Chatfield School Board conducted a special meeting to address concerns presented by Chatfield’s head wrestling coach Travis Bartels. On June 3, 2020, the school board voted to pull Bartels’ coaching contract, concluding his 19 years with the Chatfield wrestling program. Bartels, along with his supporters, wanted answers. With … [Read more...]
Harmony woman cherishes doll she won at Preston’s Fourth of July celebration 84 years ago
Gloria Bergey of Harmony has many precious items she has collected through her life. Among her most cherished possessions is a doll she won in 1936 at Preston’s Fourth of July celebration. Just four years old at the time, the young daughter of Obert and Leona Garness, Gloria won the doll during the children’s parade of doll buggies, tricycles and pets. Gloria admits that … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Board emphasizes flexibility for 2020-2021 school year
The Lanesboro School Board met on June 18 via teleconference and discussed the guidelines for the upcoming school year. The state department has asked districts to make plans for three different models, which include in-person learning, distance learning, or hybrid learning, in which students would spend part of their time at the school and the other part distance learning from … [Read more...]