The COVID-19 era requiring social distancing has required public meetings to be held via internet and that is just how the Chatfield School Board met on Wednesday night, April 1. Using the Zoom video conferencing app for the first time were all the board members (Amy Jeffers, Lanny Isensee, Scott Backer, Katie Priebe, Matt McMahon and Rick Lowrey). Other meeting participants … [Read more...]
BWSR accepting applications for Lawns to Legumes Grants for fall 2020 projects
The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is now accepting applications for the Lawns to Legumes program for fall 2020 projects. This program aims to increase residential habitat for at-risk pollinators across the state by providing residents with workshops, free planting guides, and opportunities to apply for reimbursement for gardening projects. The new … [Read more...]
Happy Hart 4-H Club throws virtual birthday for Martha Johnson
Martha Johnson celebrated 104 years on Saturday, March 28, 2020. This year’s COVID-19 put a kink in Martha celebrating with family and friends. Last year, Martha celebrated with an open house at the Fremont Store complete with party decorations, sign-in sheet, birthday cake, bars and coffee. It was a joyous celebration. Martha was able to catch up on all the neighborhood … [Read more...]
Cat and dog limits vary throughout county
At the March meeting of the Mabel City Council, the council discussed the city’s ordinance outlining the allowed number of dogs and cats. Council members noted that Mabel allows a total of no more than two such pets total, and the city is looking to increase enforcement of the ordinance. Most other cities in Fillmore County have similar ordinances, but there are differences … [Read more...]
Eagle Bluff chooses new executive director
Following a national search, Colleen Foehrenbacher has been chosen as the next Executive Director at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center near Lanesboro, effective April 1. She succeeds founder director Joe Deden who started the organization in 1979 as the Forest Resource Center and retired in 2018. John Torgrimson served as interim director the past two … [Read more...]
New Minnesota veterans homes unfunded in VA budget
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) was notified that none of Minnesota’s new State Veterans Homes projects (to be located in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston) will receive federal funding this year. The U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently released the State Home Construction Grants FY2020 Conditional Approvals. “While we are disappointed that … [Read more...]
College News
Fall 2019 Graduation List •Rochester Community and Technical College: GraceAnna Grant, Chatfield, AS, Nursing; Taylor Stokes, AS, Human Services Specialist; Haley Ostrom, Fountain, AS, Business Management - Marketing Emphasis; Tina Reisner, AS, Nursing, Honors; Dane Saxon, Harmony, AS, Horticulture Science; Laura Keune, Preston, AS, Nursing; Nicole Stene, Preston, AS, … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central moves to distance learning
“We’re going to go by all the state mandates and directives,” Principal Heath Olstad said at the March 24 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, about moving to distance learning. The board met via video conferencing. Olstad noted that the distance learning plan would be on the website later that week and that teachers were working very hard to get it ready. Dean of Students … [Read more...]
SEMAC awards arts grants
The Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) recently awarded grants to 26 applicants representing six counties for a total of $91,150 in funding. This includes nine Emerging Artist grants for $22,215, nine Advancing Artist grants for $44,750, two School Residency grants for $5,085, one Arts Management Training Grant for $600, and five General … [Read more...]
Munroe home: Attention to detail
Mike and Susie Munroe have finally moved into their new home, located on a gravel road a couple of miles northeast of Canton. And although there are still a few items to be finished at their new home (mostly landscaping and other outside work), Mike and Susie said they definitely feel good about how the project has gone, and they are very pleased with their decision to do … [Read more...]