All members of the Ostrander City Council were in attendance on July 3 for a regular meeting (Vernon Thompson, Pam Kunert, Mayor Pat Nesler, City Clerk Wendy Brincks, Heidi Jones and DJ Start). Heidi Jones addressed the council regarding her candidacy for Fillmore County Auditor/Treasurer. Brian Malm (representing the engineering firm of Bolton & Menk) said Ostrander … [Read more...]
County backs EIS request for proposed hog feedlot
Many concerned citizens attended the July 3 meeting of the county board. The agenda was amended to include discussion and possible action regarding the proposed Catalpa LLC hog farrowing facility to be located in section 7 and 18 in Newburg Township. The comment period on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) had been extended to July 3 at 4:30 pm. During the Citizens … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeking applications for Small Town Grants
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 success of last year’s inaugural Small Town Grants Program has prompted us to once again provide this opportunity to … [Read more...]
Red Cross urges donors to fill Missing Types to prevent summer blood shortage
The American Red Cross needs help to bring back the A’s, B’s and O’s. This is not a typo. These letters represent blood types, and the reality is that during blood shortages these letters do go missing from hospital shelves. The American Red Cross urges donors of all blood types to give now to help prevent delays in patient care this summer. Earlier this month, A’s, B’s and … [Read more...]
Donald Welander honored for 50 years in banking
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - June 25, 2018 – The Minnesota Bankers Association (MBA) recently inducted Donald Welander, First State Bank of Fountain, into its Pioneer Club during its Annual Summit and 129th Annual Meeting at Madden’s on Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minn. The Pioneer Club honors bankers who have been in the banking industry for 50 or more years. He began his banking career in … [Read more...]
SEMAC awards arts grants
On May 15, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) awarded 42 grants for a total of $241,465 in funding to applicants throughout southeastern Minnesota. This included twenty Arts & Cultural Heritage grants for $180,295, twelve Presenter/Production Assistance grants for $32,220, nine Small Towns/Rural Areas grants for $25,950, and one … [Read more...]
Five churches, two pastors
The Bible has many stories of people who were called to serve God in new and different ways. These believers were asked to take a “leap of faith” to answer the calling. This is also the case for two new pastors in the United Methodist Church, Pastor David Stoeger and Pastor Pam Seebach. They recently sat down to explain the calling they have answered to serve five Methodist … [Read more...]
Chatfield mayor comments on swimming pool project
On June 29, bids for the construction of a new swimming pool in Chatfield will be opened. At the June 26 council meeting, Mayor Russ Smith explained he has heard from people within the community who are in favor of and who are against the construction of a new pool. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Smith spoke of rumblings in the community from some who feel there was … [Read more...]
MnDot presents 10-year plan
At the June 26 Fillmore County Board meeting, Ronda Allis, District 6 planning director, gave an overview of the state’s 10-year construction plan, 2019-2028, in Fillmore County. Allis explained that projects through 2022 are funded. Planned projects from 2023-2028 do not have commitments, funding has not been identified, and plans will change. MnDOT is in a preservation … [Read more...]
Spring Valley mulls banning ATVs
The Spring Valley City Council discussed the banning of ATV (“four-wheeler”) usage within the city. Present at the meeting on June 25 were Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, Mike Hadland and city administrator Deb Zimmer. Tony Archer was absent. Betts and Hadland said they’ve gotten many complaints from citizens regarding ATV usage within Spring Valley, especially … [Read more...]