At the July 22 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Brian Burkholder recommended that Steve Bushman, certified Class A Operator (WHKS), be hired on an interim basis. At a special meeting of the city council on July 15 the resignation of Chris Daniels, wastewater treatment plant operator, was accepted effective July 26. The council then authorized staff to advertise for a … [Read more...]
Asbestos abatement nearing completion at Lanesboro school
At the July 18, Lanesboro School Board meeting, Superintendent Matt Schultz reported that the asbestos abatement in the school building and the district-owned homes is almost complete. During the project, a solid barrier wall was build between the project area and the Lanesboro Child Care Center to protect the workers and children from any exposure to asbestos. The barrier … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central renovations on track for the summer
At the July 23 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, it was reported that the high school renovations project is on track and going well. The partial completion date is set for August 15 and furnishings will arrive after that. The football field upgrades are also nearly completed. The sod has been laid, bleachers finished, and the lights are up. The … [Read more...]
Second kayak winner of the summer!
Rebecca Wangen Kahn of Plainview, Minn., stands next to her brand new kayak she won in a recent contest. On June 30, 2019, Visit Bluff Country Magazine conducted the second prize giveaway drawing of the summer, which was a brand new kayak. As the magazine celebrates 34 years as the premier tourism publication of Historic Bluff Country (a.k.a. The Driftless Area), they will … [Read more...]
WWI Memorial renovation celebrated
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...]