The Peterson Council unanimously approved a zoning variance at their June 10 meeting. The decicion came after a public hearing with the Planning Commission an hour prior. The Jenkins house project sought approval for a new residential construction at 121 Prospect Street, but needed a variance from floodplain fill requirements within the Floodplain Overlay District and variances … [Read more...]
Harmony Council Hires Two Ambulance Co-Directors
At the June 9 Harmony City Council meeting, the consent agenda was approved and included the minutes of the May 12 council meeting, the claims and May checks, the investment report, cash balances, and a review of the budget. A one-year subscription renewal for Win 911, the app the city uses to receive alarms from water and sewer utilities, was also approved. Riley Knutson from … [Read more...]
Houston Hires New Superintendent
The Houston School Board approved a contract with new Superintendent Angi McAndrews at their June 4 meeting. McAndrews comes with experience in school administration. For the last eight years she has worked at Rochester Schools. For six years she was a principal; the last two years she served as a director at the district level. McAndrews lives in Houston County with her … [Read more...]
Mabel Approves Cannabis Ordinance, Holds Information Meeting on Street and Watermain Project
After months of research, discussion, and a public hearing held in May, the Mabel City Council approved a cannabis ordinance during its regular meeting on June 10, passing the measure by a 4-1 vote. Mayor Adam Wilder called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. Council members present included Kelly Sand, Valerie Arnold, Tina Bakke, Kirsten Wyffels, and Wilder. City staff present … [Read more...]
Houston County Commissioners Adopts MS4 Ordinance
The June 2 meeting of the Houston County Commissioners included time for a public hearing on the proposed adoption of an MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) ordinance. This ordinance regulates construction project stormwater, dumping of chemicals or pet waste within the MS4 boundary. For Houston County that boundary consists of the county right of way within the city of … [Read more...]
Fountain Donates Center Use for Event
At the June 3 meeting, the Fountain Council heard from area resident Denise Pagel, a volunteer with Fillmore County Relay for Life. The event is a well-known Cancer Awareness Fundraiser now in its 11th year. Pagel cited a breakdown in communication with this year’s team, which inadvertantly left organizers without a location. Ideally, she noted organizers envision a permanent … [Read more...]
Preston Forms Pool Committee
A committee has been formed to determine next steps for the community’s 70-year-old swimming pool. At the June 1 meeting of the city council, members ratified the Park Board’s approval of committee members. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. Burbach Aquatics assessed the pool and has estimated that rehabilitation of the pool could cost $3.6 million and construction of a new pool … [Read more...]
Welcome to Dairy Night on the Farm
The public is cordially invited to the Mulhern Dairy farm on Saturday, June 13, from 5-8 p.m. for a closer look at life on a working dairy farm in Fillmore County. Plan to attend this year’s Fillmore County Dairy Night on the Farm, which will bring local families to the Mulhern Dairy farm, located at 25901 County 7, Fountain, Minn., for an evening centered on food, family … [Read more...]
I Was Born in a Small Town But Not This Small
The population of the town was somewhere in the 30s, and even a kid could tell it wasn't growing. It had a church and a bar, which met the minimum requirements for being a town in those days. My parents were visiting friends there. When that happens, there is grown-up talk and a kid typically gets put out of the house with little concern about where I went or who I was … [Read more...]
Cannabis Business Ordinance Public Hearing Set
At the June 2 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, approval was given to hold a public hearing on June 23 at 10 a.m. regarding proposed amendments to the Cannabis Business Ordinance. Commissioner Larry Hindt was absent. Proposed amendments to the ordinance were reviewed; they include a simplified name of the ordinance and a change in the proximity to other facilities … [Read more...]