By Barb Jeffers It’s the sweetest thing seeing the fruits of your labor being awarded. Jenny Dornink of Preston, Minn., entered nine jars of homemade and colorful jellies for competition at the 2017 Minnesota State Fair and to her delight, she received six ribbons. Dornink began learning the basics of canning while she was in high school as her grandmother, Lois Ray, had … [Read more...]
Rural Lanesboro fiber build to begin in October
The golden shovel kick-off event with Fillmore County and AcenTek representatives was held the morning of September 22 in Lanesboro. Construction to install the necessary infrastructure to bring wireline high speed internet to the city of Whalan and sections of Carrolton and Holt Townships is expected to begin in early October. It will be completed in 2018. AcenTek will build … [Read more...]
Minnesota fuel update and outlook
Average retail gasoline prices in Minnesota have fallen 3.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.41/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 2,856 gas outlets in Minnesota. This compares with the national average that has fallen 5.5 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.55/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com. Including the change in … [Read more...]
Spring Valley plans street project in 2018
The Spring Valley City Council met in regular session September 25, with all members present (Tony Archer, Todd Jones, Mayor Jim Struzyk, Jessy Betts, Mike Hadland and City Administrator Deb Zimmer). No visitors had signed up to address the council. Brian Malm, representing the firm of Bolton & Menk, was on hand to explain the preliminary plans for Spring Valley’s … [Read more...]
Planning Commission recommends approval of event venue
Mike and Cindy Tomashek’s application for a conditional use permit for an event venue on their property, Camp Creek Farm, was discussed during a public hearing at the September 21 Fillmore County Planning commission meeting. The property is located one-half mile southeast of Preston in Section 5, Preston Township. Cindy Tomashek said the 2,400-square-foot building that had … [Read more...]
Rushford finds new partner in business push
The City of Rushford is already a full-service community with a thriving business atmosphere, but that hasn’t slowed the Economic Development Authority’s (EDA) push for expanding the potential for existing and new businesses. At the Monday, September 25 meeting, the council reviewed and approved a recommendation from the EDA to enter into an agreement with EsseX Capital, … [Read more...]
County certifies preliminary 2018 levy
At the September 26 meeting of the county board, the discussion of the preliminary levy was last on a busy agenda. County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman reported that some recommended adjustments have been made which reduced the increase to 5.16% for 2018. The preliminary levy number includes an estimated 7% increase in health insurance, down from an earlier estimate of a 14% … [Read more...]
Chatfield certifies preliminary levy for 2018
After considerable discussion, the Chatfield City Council at their September 25 meeting certified the preliminary budget and levy. The original budget draft showed a possible increase of over 12%. The Budget Committee found this unacceptable, whittling it down to a levy increase of 7.9%, or a $121,532 increase over 2017. City Clerk Joel Young noted this is the first time the … [Read more...]
Kaitlyn Hansen’s family tries to move on after sentencing
It’s been over 18 months since that tragic January day when Kevin and Georgeanne Hansen received the worst news of their lives. Their 16-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn had been killed by a drunk driver. Since then, they’ve made it their goal to honor her and celebrate her life whenever and wherever they can. “Kaitlyn was goofy. She loved to laugh,” Kevin related. “We can’t … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton School Board accused of violating policy
The Mabel-Canton School Board heard concerns from a resident during the public participation portion of its September meeting. Greg Turner addressed the board, stating that at its June 20 meeting, the board voted 5-1 to not renew the head boys basketball coach contract, but that employee (Doug Wyffels) had never been contacted regarding the cause for termination. Turner said, … [Read more...]