The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session October 23. Members present included Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Mike Hadland and City Administrator Deb Zimmer. Jessy Betts was absent. The council held a public hearing on the 2018 Street Improvement project. Bryan Holtz (representing the firm of Bolton & Menk) stated, “We held our informational … [Read more...]
County pleased with EQB decision
At the county board’s October 24 meeting, County Attorney Brett Corson reviewed the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) decision to table a request by Minnesota Sands to terminate the Environmental Impact Study (EIS). The EQB ruled in 2013 that MN Sands must complete an EIS before working multiple sand mine sites in Fillmore, Houston, and Winona Counties. Due to the … [Read more...]
Harmony’s Give to the Max Day to benefit local projects and organizations
This year’s Give to the Max Day event will benefit Harmony area senior activity programming, library patio, Monster Bash and Historical Society; each organization will receive 25% of the proceeds ($2,000 max) with the remainder available for other grant opportunities. 100% of your donations benefits our Harmony area community. Previous donations have enabled the Harmony … [Read more...]
Chatfield adopts Fillmore County mitigation plan
At an unusually brief meeting of the Chatfield City Council on October 23, the council adopted Fillmore County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. Counselors Mike Urban and Paul Novotny were absent. Brian Burkholder explained that for about a year and a half a new revised mitigation plan has been in the development process. The hazard mitigation planning process was established under … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central plans to update stage gym before December concert
Nearly 100 Fillmore Central students are currently participating in choir, which is an encouraging number, but also means that the district needs to increase the number of risers that the members of the choir stands on during their concerts. The existing riser has three steps and is not big enough. A representative from Wenger, the company the risers were originally purchased … [Read more...]
State adds 6,400 jobs in September Unemployment rate drops to 3.7%
ST. PAUL, MN — Employers added 6,400 jobs in September, according to seasonally adjusted figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The state has gained 41,259 jobs over the past year, an increase of 1.4%. U.S. job growth in the past 12 months was 1.2%. Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell 0.1% in … [Read more...]
SMIF seeking applications for early childhood grants Grants up to $20,000 available to eligible organizations
OWATONNA, MN, October 23, 2017 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is seeking applications for its Early Childhood Grants. Grants up to $20,000 are available to independent 501(c)(3) organizations, units of government or public agencies in SMIF’s 20-county region. Applications must demonstrate how the grant funds will support asset-based collaborative approaches … [Read more...]
MiEnergy Cooperative members give $6,350 in local donations
Operation Round Up is funded by donations made by members of MiEnergy Cooperative who voluntarily have their electric bill round up to the next dollar. About 1,700 members currently participate with the average donation being $6 a year per member. The program is based on the idea that small change adds up. Currently, the program gives away about $9,000 each year to local … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton school board selects another new member
Two new Mabel-Canton school board members have been chosen in the last two months. In September, the board selected Diane Wilder to replace Jeff Rein who resigned in August. And at its October meeting, they selected Lizzie Hershberger to replace Bobbie Vickerman, who moved out of the district. Hershberger, mother of four and former Amish teacher, was interviewed at a special … [Read more...]
Houston City Council: annexation, Dollar General and a new hire
The Houston City Council met for its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at Houston City Hall. In attendance were City Administrator Peterson, Deputy Clerk Hegland, Mayor Olson and council members Krage, Sanden, Schutte and Knutson. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the council opened a public hearing regarding an annexation by ordinance. Administrator … [Read more...]