Mabel Fire Chief Orel Tollefson addressed the Mabel City Council at its October meeting, asking for a pay increase for his firefighters. Currently the fire department gets $10 per hour and Tollefson is asking for $20 an hour. “We don’t expect to get the $20. Our guys don’t do it for the money, but we’re asking to negotiate an increase to show that we are valued.” According to … [Read more...]
Whalan to have all new LED streetlight bulbs
The Whalan City Council held its scheduled public hearing on October 9, 2017, at 4:30 p.m. to discuss with city residents whether to replace streetlight bulbs new with LED bulbs. All council members were present for the public hearing, including Mayor Marlys Tuftin, Owen Lewis, Everett Johnson, Wyatt Berekvam, and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk Lolly Melander arrived before the … [Read more...]
Houston School Board interview replacement candidates
The Houston School Board met for its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2017, in the library of Houston Public High School. In attendance were Superintendent Abraham and Board members Norlien, Carlson, Bonner, Wilson and Evenson. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved the agenda for the evening and opened the meeting to public comment, of which … [Read more...]
Rushford finds surprise in planning for levy
City of Rushford staff recently discovered a neglected notation in the schedule for the 2016 Project that provides a surprising reduction in the city’s proposed levy for 2017. The new find will allow for a reduction in required debt service levy and will amend the levy increase needed from 8.19% to 5.3%. The total savings is $31,000. City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Zacher and City … [Read more...]
Harmony native helps area pig farmers keep herds healthy and productive
Local veterinarian, Dr. Ross Kiehne has dedicated much of his life to the care and raising of pigs. He grew up on a hog and cattle farm near Harmony. After graduating from Harmony High School in 1990, Kiehne completed a four-year degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, then went on to obtain his veterinarian degree at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1999. … [Read more...]
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Fire at Johnny Ringo’s Bar & Grill in Spring Valley, Minn.
On October 9, 2017, at approximately 2:52 a.m., the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Communication Center received a 911 call reporting a fire at Johnny Ringo’s Bar & Grill located at 112 South Broadway in Spring Valley. Fillmore County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on scene within five minutes of the 911 call and reported that the building was fully engulfed in flames. The … [Read more...]
The whole place is Ace
Todd Jones knows hardware. It’s in his blood. His family ran the hardware store in Spring Valley since 1965, and for many years it operated as a Coast to Coast Hardware store, then due to a merger became a True Value store. Todd took over the family business in 2003, and in 2013 the store moved to the current location at 630 North Pleasant in Spring Valley (next to Kwik Trip … [Read more...]
County asked to approve land acquisitions
Mike Tenney, area DNR Wildlife Supervisor, and Robert McGillivray, Trust for Public Land (a non-profit conservation organization), answered questions concerning two separate requests for board approval of land acquisitions for wildlife management areas at the October 3 meeting of the county board. The first request was for the acquisition of 379 acres that straddle Preble and … [Read more...]