Mike Bubany, David Drown & Associates, reviewed funding options for the renovation and expansion of the Fillmore County jail at the county board’s April 11 meeting. At the last board meeting, a motion to move forward with the project along with the EOC/Training room was tabled. Only four commissioners had been present at that meeting, as chairman Larry Hindt was absent. … [Read more...]
Chatfield seeks bids for 2023 Street Improvement Project
At the April 10 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, Vanessa Hines, Widseth Smith Nolting and Associates, Inc., presented plans and specifications for the 2023 Street Improvement Project. Councilor Dave Frank was absent. The 2023 project includes the reconstruction of Grand St. SE from Seventh St. SE to Prospect St. SE, Hawley St. SE from Grand St. SE to the cul-de-sac, and … [Read more...]
Patriot’s Pen essays by Fillmore Central students
My pledge to our veterans By Avalon Timmerman A pledge to our veterans is like promising them something. Some promises are easy to keep, while others are not. You can always do something to make a veteran feel appreciated just by saying, “Thank you for keeping me safe.” They deserve some appreciation for making this country a free country. Every 4th of July most towns have a … [Read more...]
Brownsville City Council thanks Lions Club
Brownsville’s City Council met Wednesday, April 5 at Brownsville Community Center from 7-9:33 p.m. Council members present included Mayor Jean Meyer, Tim Klug, Barb Hurley, Jacob Danielson, and Pam Walhovd. Also in attendance include City Clerk Steve Schuldt, City Treasurer Jenna Knight, and Dean Twite, city maintenance. Brownsville’s Lions Club extended a generous helping … [Read more...]
College News
Honors List Spring 2022 • University of Minnesota Duluth: Moriah Babinski, Caledonia; Emma Craig, Caledonia; Vanessa Hawkins, Caledonia; Paul Griffin, Chatfield; Luke Ihrke, Chatfield; Tyler Waadevig, Chatfield; Ella Springer, Fountain; Shelby Ganske, Houston; Ryan Hoel, Houston • University of Northern Iowa: Katelyn Kleiboer, Decorah Fall 2022 • Bethel University: … [Read more...]
Rushford Village reconsiders shop project scope
At the April 4 meeting, the Rushford Village Council again pulled back on the proposed maintenance shed project. The Public Works facility is underutilized and needs improvements. Last month, the council dug into the costs. The proposed project came in at 35% higher than anticipated. Councilor Mike Ebner stated that the city could not utilize the contractor they’d hoped to … [Read more...]
Jail renovation and expansion bids presented
Bruce Schwartzman, BKV Group, and Pete Filippi, Contegrity Group, addressed the Fillmore County Board at their April 4 meeting. Chairman Larry Hindt was absent due to a medical issue. Schwartzman explained that the jail project went out for bids in February; the bids came in on March 23. There was good bid coverage with 25 bid categories and 57 bids total. Two categories … [Read more...]
Local woman revives skateboarding as favorite pastime
Sally Gibson, owner of Sally’s Hair to Dye For in Preston, is well known in the area as a business owner and artist as she styles hair and uses her artistic talents to paint business windows throughout Preston’s downtown. She may also be known for helping set the stage at one of her daughter’s productions or volunteering in the community. However, many may not know about … [Read more...]
Gabby Lou’s Kitchen opens in Harmony
Imagine a place filled with the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls; a place where the coffee pot is never empty and the lunch specials are as good as (or better than) your mom used to make. Imagine a place where friends and family gather for good conversation and comfort food at its best. With Gabby Lou’s Kitchen opening in Harmony, you don’t just have to imagine sitting … [Read more...]
Fountain Council selects new engineer
After months of discussion, the City of Fountain has selected a new engineer. At the April 5 meeting, the council unanimously approved hiring Bolton & Menk. The firm’s work agreement will be on a per-project basis. They included a fixed fee if the city wanted an assessment of its wastewater treatment plant. The council cited the firm’s experience and recommendations from … [Read more...]
Preston City Hall window replacement update
At the April 3 meeting of the Preston City Council, a quote for replacing windows on the west side of the building (city hall/library) was discussed. Councilman Dean Aug was absent. In October 2022, City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton sought quotes to replace the windows. A quote from Bowmans in the amount of $14,140 was accepted by the city council. A down payment in the … [Read more...]
Fostering dogs is a passion for Chatfield couple
By Janette Dragrold The ASPCA estimates that over six million pets enter shelters in the United States every year. Around half of that number are dogs. How do shelters handle all these animals? By enlisting the help of volunteers who are willing to foster them in their homes. For Mike and Louise Mandt of Chatfield, fostering dogs is a big part of their life. Louise started … [Read more...]
Father’s Day Cruise for a Cause
This upcoming Father’s Day is going to be extra special. Dads like cars, and dads like helping people. So, why not have an event that gets fathers out on the roadways of scenic bluff country, and raise some money for an important cause along the way? On Sunday, June 18, 2023, Visit Bluff Country Magazine will be hosting the first-ever “Father’s Day Cruise for a Cause.” … [Read more...]
Missing: Madeline Kingsbury
Winona Police Chief Tom Williams held a press conference at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, relating to the disappearance of Madeline (Maddi) Kingsbury. Maddi, 26, a mother of two young children, has been missing since the early morning of March 31, 2023. The father of her children went with her to drop their children off at daycare shortly after 8 a.m. According to a … [Read more...]
Missing person alert out of the City of Winona
In regard to missing person Madeline Jane Kingsbury (age 26), the Winona Police Department and the Fillmore County Sheriff's Office have requested assistance from residents and landowners located in the eastern part of Fillmore County. We are asking residents in this area to check their properties, including any video cameras, doorbell cameras, game cameras etc. for a dark … [Read more...]