Caledonia School Board members met Wednesday, June 21 from 6-8:09 p.m. at Brownsville Community Center in Brownsville, Minn. Board members present included Derek Adamson, Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Mike Peterson, Daniel Small and Spencer Yohe. In addition, elementary Principal Sue Link, middle/high school Principal Nathan Boler, Business Manager/Finance Director … [Read more...]
M-C 2023-24 budget approved
The Mabel-Canton School Board unanimously approved the 2023-24 preliminary budget at the June 20 meeting. The projected 2023-24 enrollment is a total of 274 students (250 Minnesota residents, and 24 Iowa residents), down four Decorah students. Business Manager Aimee Lake explained that the school will receive a lot of new funding this year, and since the school has yet to … [Read more...]
Peterson forms Museum Board after loss of curator
Long-time Peterson enthusiast and volunteer museum curator John Erickson passed away on May 30, leaving an obvious hole in museum operations. Erickson had an avid interest in history and genealogy. He was instrumental in the creation and operation of the Peterson Station Museum. “We lost John, as we know. We want to keep the museum going,” said Councilor Gail Boyum. She and … [Read more...]
Spring Grove still dealing with aftermath of fire
Spring Grove’s City Council met Tuesday, June 20 at 168 West Main Street in Room 100 from 6-8:21 p.m. Council members present included Mayor Saundra Solum, Karen Folstad, Chad Rohland, Trent Turner, and Heather Edgington. Also in attendance were Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton. The council adopted both the Agenda and Consent Agenda. Prior to adopting the Consent Agenda, the … [Read more...]
Armyworms
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON and CALEDONIA, MN, June 13, 2023 — As of writing this article, both Fillmore and Houston counties, along with many other parts of the state, are in D0 (abnormally dry) or D1 (moderate drought) conditions. Given the current stage and conditions of our crops there are many things that we need to be thinking … [Read more...]
Preston formalizes reasons for denying rezoning request
A resolution was adopted at the city council’s June 20 meeting formalizing three reasons for the denial of Andy Bunge’s request to rezone the Sackett and Winslow parcels that are part of the Park Lane development site. Bunge had requested the rezoning of the parcels from R-2 (One and Two Family Residential) to R-3 (Multiple Family Residential). The city had previously … [Read more...]
Top Minnesota dairy farms honored for superior cow care
Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen released the annual list of top Minnesota dairy herds with low somatic cell counts (SCC). Somatic cell count is a key indicator of milk quality – a lower SCC count is better for cheese production and a longer shelf life for bottled milk. In honor of National Dairy Month, 93 Minnesota dairy farms are being recognized for their … [Read more...]
Variance approved for communications tower in Chatfield Township
During a public hearing at the Fillmore County Board of Adjustment’s June 8 meeting, several residents spoke against the variance application for a communication tower in Chatfield Township. Alex Trueman, North Tower, described the need for this tower to be located in Section 22 of Chatfield Township (property owned by John and Ruth Wendt) to best improve coverage and … [Read more...]
Harmony Area Arts Board shares postcard project with city council
Fillmore Central student Eva Hemenway represented the Harmony Area Arts Board on Tuesday evening as she addressed the Harmony City Council. Hemenway explained a recent Arts Board project in which the organization invited local artists to design potential postcards for the Harmony community. Hemenway explained that three designs were chosen and generously printed by LetterWerks … [Read more...]
Chatfield Board approves 2023-2024 budget
At the June 14 school board meeting, board members Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Mark Johnsrud, Katie Priebe and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Board member Josh Thompson and both principals, Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson were not in attendance. The following items were … [Read more...]
Canton Council continues review of city ordinances
The Canton City Council continued discussions regarding the wording and function of several of its ordinances during its meeting on Wednesday, June 14. The council specifically discussed traffic patterns and parking restrictions with recommendations for new wording and clarifications. Councilor Jason Magnuson presented some changes he felt were necessary during the May … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School Board hears update on potential HVED building purchase
Board Chair Christine Troendle, who is the board representative to HVED (Hiawatha Valley Education District), reported to the Lanesboro School Board at their regular meeting June 14 that HVED was moving forward to purchase the entire former Winona Mall in Winona. Board members had received a draft joint powers agreement via email to review. All 12 HVED member districts will … [Read more...]
Houston County holds public hearing
The Houston County Commission held a public hearing before the regularly scheduled commission meeting on June 13, to hear comments from Houston County community members regarding the updated comprehensive land use plan. Evan Monson from DKA gave an overview of the plan and was available to answer questions and listen to comments from community members, along with two of his … [Read more...]
Summer projects approved in Mabel
The Mabel City Council approved zoning permits from Dean and Lorri Peterson, Sue and Gary Morken, Sherry Johnson, Joe Larson, Jason and Brooke Harmening, Juanita and Jerry Jacobsen, Wade Johnson, Vivian Vine, Joel Amdahl, and Sherry Johnson at the June 14 regularly scheduled meeting. Summer is the time to make repairs and build additions to your homes and businesses. Mabel … [Read more...]
Chatfield awards construction contract for 2023 Street Project
At a special city council meeting held on June 7, the bid from Griffin Construction Co. Inc. in the amount of $1,759,308.26 was accepted for the 2023 Street Improvement Project. Four contractors had submitted bids for the project. The project includes the reconstruction of portions of Grand St. SE, Hawley St. SE, and Prospect St. SE and the rehabilitation of a portion of … [Read more...]