Pictured above are Fillmore County Veterans marching across the bridge from the Preston Trailhead to the WWI Entrance at the fairgrounds. A few hundred people were in attendance on Tuesday night, July 16, 2019, for a historical event commemorating the celebration held 100 years ago on August 26, 1919, that welcomed home the soldiers from WWI. A bonus this time was a flyover of … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeking applications for Small Town Grants
OWATONNA, MN, July 1, 2019 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is currently accepting applications for its Small Town Grants Program. Towns with populations of 5,000 or less in SMIF’s 20-county region are eligible to apply. Requests of up to $10,000 will be considered. “The first two years of this program were an enormous success,” said Tim Penny, President and … [Read more...]
Kingsland maintenance project nearing end
During the Kingsland School board board meeting on July 15, the board was updated on the progress of the ongoing Longterm Facility Maintenance Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) project, which started shortly after the end of the last school year. Members present included board chair Jackie Horsman, Maranda Emig, Natasha Howard, Tiffany Mundfrom, Leah Stier, and Superintendent James … [Read more...]
Rushford Village gets word on drainage issues
At the Tuesday, July 16 Rushford Village Council meeting, the city received word from Bolton & Menk Engineer Derek Olinger regarding a drainage analysis of south Rushford. The area has been inundated with water several times this year including one event that led to scrambling of services to pump water. Olinger noted that the analysis is not a final report and additional … [Read more...]
Harmening to fill Mabel Deputy Clerk vacancy
On July 10, the Mabel City Council held a regular city council meeting. Members in attendance included Adam Wilder Mayor Jim Westby, City Clerk Karen Larson, Kirsten Wyffels. Gary Morken and Terry Torkelson were absent. No visitors were on hand to address the council. Interviews were recently held for the vacant deputy clerk position for the city of Mabel. Councilor … [Read more...]
Artists reveal Houston County-inspired work at capstone event
What do an architectural designer, a poet, and a chef all have in common? Well, for starters, they each spent a week in Houston County, Minn., last year, each exploring their own concept of “home.” Since the conclusion of last year’s residency program, the collection of works created by our 2018 citizen-artists-in-residence (CAIRs) has been distilled into poignant poetry, … [Read more...]
Canton looks toward means of improvement
Initiated primarily by newly hired city clerk and treasurer Brock Bergey, a major topic of discussion during the regularly scheduled Canton City Council meeting held on July 10 revolved around possible improvements to be considered throughout the town. These included increased safety measures for citizens, ways of promoting civic pride, greater means of communication between … [Read more...]
R-P finds new buyer for Peterson building
Having vacated the site in August 2017, the Rushford-Peterson School Board has sought a buyer for the former Rushford-Peterson Middle School building since last year. Two bids were previously approved, then fell short, but it appears the district now has a solid buyer for the site. He even came with check in tow to the Monday, July 15 board meeting. The R-P Facilities … [Read more...]
Semcac’s Grout glad to be back home
There’s an old saying that, “You end up where you’re supposed to be,” and Doug Grout agrees with that sentiment. As the new Executive Director at Semcac, at the Rushford administrative location, Doug only started at the beginning of July. But he already seems to be settling in well. Another reason Doug is happy to be here, he said, is, “Semcac is very near and dear to a … [Read more...]
Fountain to host party of the century and a half
The residents of the small town of Fountain, Minn., are preparing for a big party as the sesquicentennial celebration will take place July 26-28, 2019. “Fountain’s early history is very limited due to a fire that swept through the town in 1872,” states Fountain resident and history buff Paul Little. He says there is a lack of credible sources for history, explaining, … [Read more...]