County Assessor Cindy Blagsvedt presented the Fillmore County 2017 assessment summary at the Fillmore County board of Appeal and Equalization meeting held on June 13. The total value of all property within the county increased 9.9% over the prior year. The increase was driven by 11% plus increased value of Ag/rural land and Seasonal Recreation land. There were 23 bareland … [Read more...]
Preston considers ambitious development project
At the June 14 meeting of the Preston City Council, preliminary plans for redevelopment of property near the intersection of North St. and Center St. was discussed at length. Councilman Robert Maust was absent. City Administrator Joe Hoffman and the EDA have worked on possible terms for a development agreement with Andy Bunge. The EDA has been planning for some time to … [Read more...]
County hires Social Services manager
At the June 13 meeting of the county board, the process of reviewing and updating county policies continued. Human resources officer Kristina Kohn reviewed changes suggested for each of the policies being discussed this day. The Compensation policy was given its second reading with final approval of the changes. The first reading of the proposed updates to the Family and … [Read more...]
Canton examines deterioration of old school
With conditions proving to resist any signs of improvement and danger evident in a place previously dedicated to the enjoyment of children, the Canton City Council went about discussing the property currently housing the old school. All members noted of the undeniably perceptible hazards in the presence of glass shards and falling brick. While the committee mulled over … [Read more...]
Complaints aired at Wykoff Council
A regular meeting of the Wykoff City Council was held on June 12. Members in attendance were: Mary Tjepkes, Rocky Vreeman, Mayor Al Williams, Clerk Becky Schmidt, Mary Sackett, and City Attorney Dwight Luhmann. A large crowd of citizens was also in attendance. Vreeman asked about the minutes of the previous meeting, since he noted surprise that the council was now being … [Read more...]
Hearing on Wykoff school closure
A crowd estimated at 100 convened in the Kingsland (Spring Valley) gymnasium on June 5. The entire school board was present (Doug Plaehn, Deb Larson, Ann Oeltjen, Jackie Horsman, Tiffany Mundfrom, and Heather Betts, along with Superintendent John McDonald). Plaehn opened the meeting and said that the public hearing was being held due to the board’s proposed closing of the … [Read more...]
County avoids Strongwell waste
At the June 6 meeting of the county board, more information was brought forward pertaining to the dusty waste produced at Strongwell Corporation in Chatfield. At the May 23 meeting, it was noted that the dusty waste (from production of fiber reinforced polymer products) has been dumped at the Resource Recycling Center for many years. Employee safety concerns have been … [Read more...]
Art in the Park fine art festival Saturday, June 17 in scenic Lanesboro
The 37th annual Art in the Park fine art festival in Lanesboro, Minnesota on Saturday, June 17 features 90+ fine art booths, excellent live music, craft beer and community food vendors, and family art activities in the midst of mature shade trees in the beautiful setting of Sylvan Park. The event is held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note the change from prior years: June 17 is … [Read more...]
Fountain policing options continue
The Fountain City Council meeting, Wednesday, June 7, hit at several old and new agenda items, some which have been kicked around for some time. At the forefront, Police Chief Tom Mosher is preparing for retirement later this year and the city is looking to get a head of the curve by wading through a number of available options. Currently on the table are options for … [Read more...]
Dan Christianson, F & M Community Bank, joins ICBA for meeting with President Trump White House meeting focused on regulatory relief to “Make community banking great again”
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 1, 2017 — Dan Christianson, CEO of F & M Community Bank, which is based in Preston, Minn., joined more than 100 community bankers and the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) this week for a meeting with President Donald Trump and other top administration officials at the White House as part of the 2017 ICBA Capital Summit. In the meeting … [Read more...]






