At the April 7 meeting, the Rushford Village Council ran through a quick agenda. The bulk of discussion came during a report from Adam Johnson, Public Works Maintenance Assistant in lieu of Public Works Supervisor Darrin Dessner. Johnson let the council know time was spent recently working on a rock slide on Aspen Road and a large tree down. Public Works is trying to fill … [Read more...]
Preston Reviews Capital Financing Plan
At the city council’s March 6 meeting Financial Advisor Mike Bubany showed the members how various capital expenditures will affect the city’s finances and tax requirements over the coming years. Bubany inserted various projects, taking into account inflation, into a spreadsheet to demonstrate how each will affect the city’s budget over the next several years. Ideally, the … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Approves Badge Purchase for Fire Department
At the April 6 Lanesboro City Council meeting, the consent agenda was approved and included the accounts payable, a temporary on sale liquor license for the Lanesboro Arts Center on May 7, and Resolution 2026-31 accepting donations to the Lanesboro Fire Department. An Independence Day parade on Parkway Avenue was approved for July 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., and Mitchell Walbridge … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board Makes Difficult Reduction Decisions
At the April 8, 2026 school board meeting, board members David Sovinski, Katie Priebe, Tom Keefe, Jill Harstad, Josh Thompson and Mark Johnsrud were present. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, elementary principal, Shane McBroom and high school principal, Eric Nelson. Reports Principal McBroom stated that the sixth graders have concluded their DARE coursework … [Read more...]
Variances Denied
Variance requests presented at the March 26 meeting of the Fillmore County Board of Adjustment were denied. Randy and Debbie Ristau, Section 5 of Preston Township, had applied for a 40-foot variance from the right of way of TH 52 to build an addition to an existing shop. Ristaus’ application was for a variance from Section 604.05 (2) (b) which states no structure shall be … [Read more...]
Harmony Holds Joint Planning Session
A joint planning session held April 1 at the Harmony Community Center brought together members of the Harmony City Council, Harmony Economic Development Authority (EDA), and the Planning and Zoning Commission and members of the community for a collaborative discussion about the city’s future, particularly in relation to a proposed data center project. Mayor Steve Donney … [Read more...]
Rural Voice Conversations Lead to $25,000 in Grants for Youth Mental Health
OWATONNA, MN, March 11, 2026 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently approved five grants totaling $25,000 for projects that support youth mental health in rural Minnesota. SMIF awarded the grants based on ideas shared by southern Minnesota residents during the 2025 Rural Voice conversation, a discussion on mental health in rural communities. Participants … [Read more...]
SEMAC Announces Recent Grant Awards
On March 10, 2026, the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) Board of Directors awarded 12 Project Support for Individual Artists & Culture Bearers grants, eight to emerging artists and four to advancing artists, for a total of $53,955 in funding to individuals throughout southeastern Minnesota. Grants were awarded to the following individuals, listed by … [Read more...]
40 Years of Building Community Through Economic Development
By Mary Athey Vice President of Entrepreneurship, SMIF In small towns, people are always showing up to fill gaps – the chef makes extra meals at the church; the mechanic fixes cars out of neighbors’ garages. One person with a skill can make a big difference in a small town. But how does a neighbor helping out become a lasting part of the community? With the right … [Read more...]
Second Suspect Charged in Winneshiek County Case Involving Drug-Laced Meal
A second arrest has now been made in a Winneshiek County case in which authorities allege a home-cooked meal was laced with oxycodone in an attempt to cause a miscarriage. Matthew Louis Uthoff, 35, of Decorah, was arrested March 26, 2026, and charged in connection with the December 28, 2025, incident previously reported by the Fillmore County Journal. Uthoff is accused of … [Read more...]