Apparently, quality trumps quantity when comparing metrics from public education systems between small schools in Fillmore County and Rochester Public Schools. According to data available via the Minnesota Department of Education, with schools reporting results on behalf of 792,174 students statewide, most smaller school districts in Southeast Minnesota are performing better … [Read more...]
Single vehicle strikes horse
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, at 7:46 p.m. on December 20, 2019, a Ford F-150 was traveling westbound on Highway 44 near Highway 52 when it struck a horse that was loose in the lane of traffic. The driver, Tyler Solie, 33, of Mabel, Minn., was transported to a local hospital with believed non-life-threatening injuries. On the scene were Harmony Fire and Ambulance, … [Read more...]
Mabel boy killed in local crash
A 12-year-old Mabel, Minn., boy was fatally injured when the buggy he was riding in was hit by a car at 7:03 p.m. on December 20, 2019. The crash took place at Highway 44 and 401st Avenue in Newburg Township, Fillmore County. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, an Oldsmobile Alero and a horse-drawn buggy were both eastbound on Highway 44. The buggy was making a left … [Read more...]
2020 to bring good news at the gas pump for some Americans, not all
The national average gas price in 2020 will be lower than 2019, but a robust economy could mean that some households increase consumption, driving their fuel bill higher. GasBuddy, the smartphone app helping consumers avoid paying full price for fuel, today predicts that 2020 will feature a yearly national average of $2.60 per gallon, representing a 2 cent drop versus 2019, … [Read more...]
MnDOT, Minnesota State Patrol invite public comments on draft Minnesota Weight Enforcement Investment Plan
The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota State Patrol are seeking public feedback on plans to improve the state’s commercial truck weight enforcement facilities beginning in 2020. The draft 10-year Minnesota Weight Enforcement Investment Plan projects a 10 percent increase in commercial truck traffic on Minnesota highways by 2028. The plan also identifies … [Read more...]
New Year’s Day crash claims life of Mabel boy
A New Year’s Day mid-morning crash claimed the life of 17-year-old Dylan Delaney of Mabel, Minn. According to Minnesota State Patrol, at 10:19 a.m. on January 1, 2020, the Toyota Corolla in which Delaney was a passenger was traveling northbound on Lyndale Street in Mabel and was attempting a left turn onto Highway 44 to go west. A Peterbilt Tractor semi was traveling eastbound … [Read more...]
SLAM Open House at Chatfield High School
SLAM (Students Learning Advanced Manufacturing) held an open house in the STEM shop at Chatfield High School on December 18, 2019. According to Calvin Clemons, MSCS (Minnesota State College Southeast) Director of Trade and Technology, this Open Hour is “an opportunity to meet the inspired teachers, administrators and manufacturers who are creating a vibrant partnership to bring … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central board approves levy
A Truth in Taxation hearing was held at the December 19 Fillmore Central school board meeting. The board reviewed the 2019 payable 2020 levy request and the current budget. The proposed levy came to a total of $1,453,179.43 which is a -12.90% difference from last year’s. The levy was approved. Dean of Students Chris Mensink reported that the matinee and evening K-6 holiday … [Read more...]
Rushford approves final levy; sees mayor off after ten years
At the brief Monday, December 23 meeting, the Rushford City Council voted unanimously to approve the $973,000 property tax levy for 2020. The amount represents a 3.95% increase over 2019. No comments were lodged at the Truth In Taxation meeting held December 9. “The overall tax rate went down and we’re staying within our goal,” noted Mayor-elect Terri Benson. The largest … [Read more...]
Lanesboro receives clean audit; preps for project work
The Lanesboro School Board receivaed favorable news from auditor Jason Boyton, Smith, Shafer & Associates, at the Thursday, December 19 meeting. The district has continued several positive financial strides forward, despite its small size and an in-progress building project. Only one area of concern was noted in the audit. The district has also seen a positive increase … [Read more...]