After dealing with problem properties for years, the Peterson Council started improving zoning issues in 2018. That November, after working with the city attorney, the council approved a zoning ordinance to regulate public nuisances within the city. The ordinance went into effect the following January 1. The city began mailing administrative citations to non-compliant … [Read more...]
Mabel Awarded $600,000 State Grant
Mabel City Clerk Karen Larson announced at the city’s October 11 council meeting that alternative side parking will begin on November 1, and the last day of compost pickup is October 30. Hydrant flushing is scheduled for October 23-27. Mayor Adam Wilder called the regularly scheduled meeting to order at 6 p.m. The meeting agenda, the September 13 minutes, and the accounts … [Read more...]
Won’t You Wear Purple on October 19?
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. On Thursday, October 19, everyone is encouraged to wear purple to show their support and to increase awareness of domestic violence. This year’s theme is “Everyone Knows Someone.” Statistics show that one in four women and one in seven men will become a victim of some sort of domestic violence in their lifetime, … [Read more...]
10 Hot Air Balloons Will Take to the Sky Over Caledonia
By Charlene Corson Selbee The Caledonia Balloon Rally was started in 1990 and is the only balloon rally south of Rochester, Minn., and has become an annual event. This year, the rally is scheduled for October 20-22. The 10 hot air balloons are coming from Minnesota, the surrounding states of Wisconsin and Iowa, and one is coming from South Dakota. They will lift off from … [Read more...]
A Farm Family’s Vision
Eric and Ann Kreidermacher consciously made a decision to live a simple life when they said their vows, which would allow them to raise a happy, healthy family. Both Eric’s parents were raised on farms, his father on a dairy farm. The family farm on which Eric and Ann are raising their family was purchased by Eric’s parents in 1967. His dad milked cows for a few years but … [Read more...]
Use of Veterans Home Trail Discussed
At the October 2 meeting of the Preston, Minn., City Council, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton explained the trail is getting close to completion, but it is not expected to be open until next spring. The debate, in which several citizens participated, is whether the trail should be considered a recreational use trail only (motorized conveyance prohibited) or should … [Read more...]
Caledonia Area Public School District Welcomes Six New Teachers
Six new teachers joined the Caledonia Area Public School District family for the 2023-2024 school year. Daniel Winkler is Caledonia Middle/High School’s new science teacher. Winkler will work with grades 8-12. This semester Winkler finds himself educating the freshman class in both earth and environmental science, eighth grade physical science, and an elective course – … [Read more...]
Fountain Appoints New Councilor
At the September meeting, the Fountain Councilor Colleen Fohrenbacher tendered her resignation due to a move out of city limits. The city sought interest from any citizens wanting to finish the remainder of her term. At the October 4 meeting, the council learned city hall had only received one letter. The interested person was former Councilor Ron Reisner, who took the oath of … [Read more...]
No Wake Zone Ordinance Fails
Houston County Commission Chairman Dewey Severson called to close the October 3 regularly scheduled meeting for a public hearing on the proposed no wake zone ordinance. Environmental Services Director Martin Herrick summarized the proposed ordinance as no wake zone starting at the West Channel bridge and going north one mile. The speed limit is 5 mph or less. Herrick added … [Read more...]
Local Land Rent Survey Now Available
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON and CALEDONIA, MN, September 26, 2023 — The Fillmore and Houston County Extension offices are currently collecting responses to the 2023-2024 Fillmore and Houston County land rent surveys. If you are a land owner in Fillmore or Houston County you may see a paper copy of the survey arrive in the mail. University of … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Hears Update
A quick October 4 Rushford Village Council meeting highlighted a report from Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo, read by Mayor Dennis Overland. Work on the Public Works’ maintenance shed continues. After a discussion with concrete contractor Robin Rislov of R&R Construction, Rushford, Chiglo determined the village could postpone constructing an apron outside the shed … [Read more...]
Fillmore County to Advertise for 2024 Road Projects
Highway Engineer Ron Gregg asked the board to advertise six 2024 scheduled road projects at the board’s October 3 meeting. Gregg said the projects are ready to advertise. Projects include a concrete overlay on CSAH 1 between CSAH 39 and the west city limits of Spring Valley, improvements to CSAH 4 from intersection of CSAH 38 to CSAH 5, a culvert replacement on CSAH 12 in … [Read more...]
Greater Police Presence Noticed by Ostrander City Council
The Tuesday, October 3 Ostrander City Council meeting opened with a public statement made by an Ostrander man regarding an allegedly unfulfilled subcontractor payment and financial roadblock in his house construction. This past spring of 2023, Terry Fetterly was granted a building permit to construct a home on Minnesota Street in Ostrander, Minn., and he began the building … [Read more...]
New Faces at Spring Grove School
New faces at Spring Grove Public School this year are Lexi Thorson, school social worker, yearbook advisor and junior high volleyball coach; Vicki Nelson, long-term substitute teacher and internal substitute teacher; Rachel Storlie, elementary music teacher; and Thomas Dunkle, junior high and high school social studies teacher and Washington, D.C. trip advisor. Thorson … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Appoints New Council Member
At the October 2 Lanesboro City Council meeting, the council reviewed letters of interest received for former council member Mitchell Walbridge’s seat. Walbridge recently accepted the position of city administrator, vacating his seat on the council. As there are less than two years left of his term, the council was able to appoint someone to fill that seat. Three letters of … [Read more...]