Mindy Bear. Mindy Jacobsen. Mindy Jones. Mindy Riley. While her name has changed, her story has not. For more than two decades, Mindy has been caught up in a whirlwind of nefarious activities, becoming a household name in area newspapers. The telling of this story has been made possible with the collaboration of staff and resources shared between The Waukon Standard, … [Read more...]
Houston County road projects move forward
At the March 28 Houston County Commission meeting, commissioners approved County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski’s request to purchase salt through the Cooperative Purchasing Venture (VPV). The board also accepted the low quote for liquid chloride and the low quote from MP Asphalt Maintenance for CP 2023-04 for crack filling. According to Pogodzinski, the following roads are … [Read more...]
Fountain went into lockdown
On the eve of Friday, March 24, 2023, just before 5:20 p.m., while a state trooper was working traffice enforcment on Highway 52 near mile marker 25, in the City of Fountain, the trooper observed a Ford SUV traveling at a high rate of speed and activated their emergency lights to stop the vehicle. The driver of the Ford turned onto Fillmore County 8 into the City of Fountain, … [Read more...]
Passport to Other Cultures: Local stories of the Hmong Diaspora
Giants of the Earth Heritage Center presents another fascinating Passport to Other Cultures program on Thursday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. This March, we are honored to display much of a locally-curated Hmong cultural exhibit that grew out of a partnership between the La Crosse Public Library and Hmoob Cultural & Community Agency (HCCA)! Local experts Yia Vue and Tria … [Read more...]
Preston Veterans Home to host Community Office Open House
PRESTON, MN – Potential residents, future employees and local businesses are invited to learn more about the Preston Veterans Home at a Community Office Open House. The event will be held Wednesday, March 29 from 1-3 p.m. at the Preston Veterans Home Community Recruitment and Training Office located at 144 Main Street SW in Preston – NOT at the new home’s construction site. … [Read more...]
Spring Grove blood drive dedicated to first responders Community invited to roll up a sleeve in honor of area firefighters March 30
SPRING GROVE, MN, March 14, 2023 – First responders support and protect our communities every day. To show gratitude for their heroic efforts, the community is invited to donate blood in honor of those who responded to the Spring Grove fire last December. “Our first responders risked their lives to keep people safe that night,” says Paula Gustafsson, Red Cross volunteer blood … [Read more...]
Spring Grove deals with feral cat issue
Spring Grove’s City Council met Tuesday, March 21 at 168 West Main Street in Room 100 from 6-7:30 p.m. Council members present included Mayor Saundra Solum, Karen Folstad, Trent Turner, and Chad Rohland. Council member Heather Edgington was absent. In addition, Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton attended. The city council adopted the agenda and approved the consent agenda after … [Read more...]
Houston Area Chamber of Commerce elects new officers
The Houston Area Chamber of Commerce elected new officers at the organization’s annual membership meeting on March 20 at Timeless Creations gift shop in Houston. Timeless Creations co-owners Vicki Olson and Kristen Collins hosted the event. Chamber of Commerce Director Margaret Knutson assisted. Ron Evenson was elected president; Rod Torgerson, vice president; Patrick … [Read more...]
Caledonia School Board moves forward with Strategic Plan
Caledonia School Board members met in Caledonia Elementary School’s music room #162 on Monday, March 20, from 6-8:15 p.m. Board members present included Derek Adamson, Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Mike Peterson, Daniel Small, and Spencer Yohe. In addition, Superintendent Craig Ihrke, Elementary Principal Sue Link, Middle/High School Principal Nathan Boler, Business … [Read more...]
Preston hires full-time police officer and EMT
At the March 20 city council meeting, approval was granted to hire Brady Meyer as a full-time police officer and Jackson Orlowsky as a full-time EMT. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton said the full-time police officer position had been posted in February. There were four applicants. Meyer had already been working as a part-time officer and was … [Read more...]
Rushford Village waits on road tour
Public Works items again topped the March 21 Rushford Village Council meeting discussion. Road issues and maintenance, an improvement project, and the ongoing changeover of water meters were all on the agenda. City Engineer Derek Olinger of Bolton & Menk addressed the council regarding County Line Drive. The rural gravel road winds up a steep hill section and is subject to … [Read more...]
Spring into action: Give blood with the Red Cross
Spring is near! As the seasons change, the American Red Cross is reminding the public that the need for blood doesn’t take a break. Blood remain at risk of running low this month. Donors are crucial to helping the Red Cross avoid a blood shortage in the weeks to come. Donors of all blood types, especially type O donors and platelet donors, are encouraged to make and keep … [Read more...]
R-P Knowledge Bowl heads to state
At their regular March 20 meeting, the Rushford-Peterson School Board recognized the R-P Knowledge Bowl team for their second place win at the recent regional competition. The team consisting of Jackson Dvorak, Tel Fahrendholz, Zane Schroeder, Will Heiden and Christopher Oatman, along with their coaches Matt Myszewski and Tracy Knutson, will be heading to state competition in … [Read more...]
Spring Grove teachers find creative way to make up snow days
The Spring Grove School Board approved the recommended snow day make-up plan at the March 20 meeting. Hopefully the school has seen its last closure this year because of snow. Superintendent Rachel Udstuen explained, “The staff was surveyed. We have three and a half hours that we are behind at the high school level; we have been trying to figure out how we want to make it … [Read more...]
SEMAC awards arts grants
On March 21, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) awarded 36 grants for a total of $143,810 in funding to applicants throughout southeastern Minnesota. This included four school residency grants for $11,810, fourteen emerging artist grants for $42,000, and eighteen advancing artist grants for $90,000. SEMAC is the State Arts … [Read more...]