Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) awarded $7,200 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 14 local Ace Hardware stores and is designed to engage volunteers and build collaborative efforts that beautify communities through painting community … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton to negotiate on entry project
The Mabel-Canton School Board met in regular session on June 18. Members present were Mark Weidemann, Jason Marquardt, Chris Miller, Principal Michelle Weidemann, Board Chair Cristal Adkins, high school secretary Lynette Donald, Diane Wilder, Traci Livingood, Superintendent Gary Kuphal, and Business Manager Aimee Lake. No student representative was in attendance. The … [Read more...]
Semcac’s Rushford and Preston Food Shelves participating in Open Your Heart to the Hungry & Homeless
The Preston and Rushford Food Shelves are participating in the 2019 Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge, a donation drive sponsored by Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless and Hunger Solutions, that takes place in July. As a member of Hunger Solutions Minnesota, Semcac is eligible to receive a percentage of grant funds designated for this … [Read more...]
County budgeting process begins
County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman presented a timeline for the 2020 budget discussion at the board’s June 18 meeting. Departments will begin to prepare their budgets and submit them to Vickerman by July 29. During August and early September the board will consider preliminary departmental budgets. Vickerman said she hopes all budgets will be before the board by the end of … [Read more...]
Unemployment holds at 3.3% Professional and business service jobs up 1,800 over the month
Minnesota gained 100 jobs in May according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained steady at 3.3% in May and the U.S. unemployment rate was 3.6%. April’s job gain was revised downward from 3,600 jobs to 200, and annual gains fell to 4,164 jobs or … [Read more...]
New MDA Dairy Assistance Program takes effect Small- to medium-size dairy farmers may be eligible for assistance
ST. PAUL, MN: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is rolling out its new Dairy Assistance, Investment and Relief Initiative (DAIRI) program to provide financial assistance for dairy producers who enroll for five years of coverage in the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. “Minnesota farmers are the cornerstone of our state’s economy,” … [Read more...]
500 tractors roll through Fillmore County
Anyone who lives or works in the southeastern part of Fillmore County probably noticed something unusual on Monday, June 10. Tractors (lots of them!) came putt-putt-putting through, as part of the WMT Annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade. No, they hadn’t taken any wrong turns. In explaining why an Iowa tractorcade was in Minnesota, WMT and WHO Farm Broadcaster Andy … [Read more...]
MPCA commissioner visits POET
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Laura Bishop supports recycling and reusing waste materials to the greatest extent possible. POET General Manager Chris Hanson says there is 0% waste in the ethanol production process and water is recycled. Bishop was appointed MPCA commissioner by Governor Tim Walz in January 2019. As MPCA commissioner she will manage the day … [Read more...]
Halvorson resigns from Whalan City Council
To the regret of the Whalan City Council, Councilmember Johnny Halvorson resigned from the Council, effective immediately, at the regularly scheduled monthly meeting held at the Whalan Town Hall on June 10, 2019. Halvorson stated that due to health reasons he had decided to resign. The council thanked Halvorson for his service and dedication to the city. Present at the … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board approves 2019-2020 balanced budget
At the June 5, 2019, board meeting all board members were present except for Lanny Isensee. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, Administrative Assistant Lorri Lowery, Business Manager Karyl Lyon and principals Shane McBroom and Randy Paulson. A group of sixth graders with their teacher Jodi Daniels gave a presentation on what they did for their Genius Hour project … [Read more...]








