In response to concerns raised by residents of Mabel, Camp Companion Director Michelle Quandt visited the March 15 Mabel City Council meeting to discuss options. Camp Companion utilizes a Trap, Neuter, Release program to cut down on feral cat populations. “We’re trying to promote the program a little bit more in small communities that don’t have animal control,” Quandt … [Read more...]
Wykoff personnel and WWTP issues
The Wykoff City Council met on March 13 in regular session, with all members in attendance: Mary Tjepkes, Rocky Vreeman, Mayor Al Williams, Clerk Becky Schmidt, Mary Sackett, and Brody Mensink. One of the main topics was a very high gas bill for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) for the month of February. Schmidt explained that the gas bills for the WWTP have been … [Read more...]
Tom Stolz presents The Gospel According to St. Mark at Bethlehem Lutheran Church
A performance of Tom Stolz’s The Gospel According to St. Mark is coming to southeast Minnesota in April. This moving one-person recitation has been presented in churches, colleges, art centers, prisons and theaters in Canada, Switzerland, Jerusalem and across the United States. Originally performed at the Old Log Theater in 1984, Tom’s work has become an ongoing Lenten … [Read more...]
DEED awards $500,000 in Child Care Grants
ST. PAUL, MN – Grants totaling $500,000 were awarded to eight groups that will work to increase the number of child care providers in their Greater Minnesota communities. The funding was awarded under the Greater Minnesota Childcare Grants Program, which was created by the Minnesota Legislature last year to increase child care services in order to support regional economic … [Read more...]
County supports CPA modification bills
The county board, at their March 14 meeting, approved a resolution of support for Senate bill 0479 and companion House bill 609, which would modify County Program Aid from the state should they become law. Senator Jeremy Miller is chief author of the Senate bill and a resolution of support was approved by the board. A county employee will be present to testify in support of … [Read more...]
Harmony Area Community Foundation receives grant for Harmony Area Historical Society’s “Historic Walking Tour”
OWATONNA, MN – Harmony Area Community Foundation (HACF) is pleased to announce the award of a $10,000 grant from Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) to the Harmony Area Historical Society (HAHS). The grant is supported through a special 30th Anniversary Community Collaboration grant round and will fund the Society’s “Historical Walking Tour” project. The Historic … [Read more...]
Harmony looks to the future with potential new neighborhood
Almost a year ago, Steve and Umbelina Cremer opened the Harmony Learning Center to meet the need for childcare that they saw in the employees of their business, Harmony Enterprises and the general community. Since it opened, the center has grown and created new jobs for Harmony and the surrounding communities. “We are very blessed that the community has supported us and … [Read more...]
Chatfield Fire Department modifications
At the March 13 Chatfield City Council meeting, Fire Chief Ryan Priebe detailed recommended minimum benefit requirements, along with a proposal for an annual benefit increase. The Public Service committee recommended minimum requirements for firefighters to qualify for annual service credits. Members must at a minimum attend 18 meetings/trainings and 25% of annual calls. … [Read more...]
IRS recaps “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams for 2017
Each year, the Internal Revenue Service issues a list of the top 12 tax-related scams it sees throughout the year. The IRS “Dirty Dozen” highlights various schemes that taxpayers may encounter anytime, many of which peak during tax-filing season. Taxpayers need to guard against ploys that steal their personal information, scam them out of money or talk them into engaging in … [Read more...]
11th annual Preston Area Community Foundation dinner and auction will be held on March 27
The 11th Annual Preston Area Community Foundation Dinner and Auction will be held Monday, March 27 at the Branding Iron Supper Club in Preston, starting with social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. This annual event is a great opportunity for PACF donors in the greater Preston and Fountain areas to hear about the impact their contributions are making to improve the … [Read more...]