Autumn is the season of abundance, with fresh local produce available in backyards and farmers markets. But before we know it, winter arrives, and most of our “fresh” produce actually spends many days being shipped thousands of miles to our area. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could get fresh, local produce all year long? Thanks to Andrew Serio, owner of Serio Farms, that … [Read more...]
Fountain artist decorates Harmony windows for fall
Art and window painting has always been a part of Geri Hanson’s life. Her father owned a gas station in La Crosse and, when she was a child, she often helped him paint the windows with decorative pictures. Geri’s mother was artistic as well. “My mom was incredibly crafty and painted a lot,” Geri said. One of Geri’s recent projects was painting the windows of various … [Read more...]
R-P approves maintenance contract; determines future of old trophies
At the Monday, October 21 meeting, the R-P School Board reviewed a proposal for HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) system preventative maintenance. In attendance to explain the details was Paul Kruckow, sales engineer for Winona Heating & Ventilating, Inc. “We do have a great deal of dollars invested in our system and we need to make sure it is running … [Read more...]
Veterans home site option agreement extended
At the October 21 meeting of the Preston City Council City Administrator Joe Hoffman explained the state is requesting an extension of the option agreement for the veterans home site until March 31, 2020. The option agreement from the city to the state for the veterans home site was set to expire November 30. Hoffman said they are anticipating a round of federal funding to … [Read more...]
Kingsland shares info for upcoming vote
On October 21, the Kingsland School Board held an informational meeting at 6 p.m. in the Kingsland Café, on the topic of the upcoming levy referendum, which will be on the November 5 ballot. Superintendent James Hecimovich opened the meeting, and stated that although the attendance was small, the board feels it’s important to offer such meetings, so that any interested … [Read more...]
DEED awards $2 million in redevelopment grants and demolition loans Awards will fund housing, business and community service development projects
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has announced more than $2 million in grants and loans awarded from the Redevelopment Grant and Demolition Loan Program. DEED awarded four Redevelopment Grants to Alexandria, Minneapolis, Plymouth and Renville, and three Demolition Loans to Beaver Bay, Herman, and Springfield. “These … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Board reviews audit report
At the October 22 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Kali Olstad from Smith & Shafer presented the audit report for 2018-19. Olstad reported an unmodified, clean opinion for the audit. The average daily membership currently stands at 616 students. “These numbers are what drive your funding,” Olstad noted. For 2018-19, the district showed 9.6 million in revenues which is … [Read more...]
MiEnergy Cooperative members give $5,300 in local donations
MiEnergy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Trust Board met in September and elected to donate $5,300 to the following local organizations: •$1,000, St. Lucas Fire Association, Iowa, to support the building of a new fire station. •$750, Fillmore Central Public Schools, Preston, Minn., for a take-home science experiment backpack program. •$750, St. Charles Public Library, … [Read more...]
Cold Weather Rule now in effect Energy assistance options still available
Minnesota Energy Resources wants to make sure all customers are able to stay warm this winter and keep their natural gas on when they need it most. Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule (CWR) is now in effect. The CWR protects eligible customers from having their natural gas shut off from October 15 to April 15. To see if you are eligible, call (800) 889-9508 to speak to a member … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation awards $48,800 in Small Town Grants
OWATONNA, MN, October 14, 2019 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently approved six grants totaling $48,800 to support small towns of 5,000 or less in SMIF’s 20-county region. The Small Town Grant Program seeks to build sustainable and vibrant communities by engaging community members, enhancing existing leadership and creating opportunities for new … [Read more...]