Spring Grove Superintendent Rachel Udstuen reminded school board members and the public of the construction timeline at the board’s November 18 regularly scheduled meeting. Chairman Aaron Solum called the November 18 meeting of the Spring Grove School board to order at 7 p.m. Board members present included Aaron Solum, Stephanie Jaster, Kelly Rohland, Rhan Flatin, Angie … [Read more...]
Houston County to House Hennepin County Inmates
At the Houston County commission meeting on November 19, the board approved Sheriff Brian Swedberg’s request to house Hennepin County inmates in the county’s detention center. Chairman Eric Johnson promptly called the meeting to order at 9 a.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Robert (Bob) Burns, Bob Schuldt, and Greg … [Read more...]
Preston Approves CUP for Solar Array
Preston Dairy and Farm Association applied for a conditional use permit for a 68.1 kw ground mounted solar system at 27743 State Hwy 16 on its 6.1-acre lot. This size solar array requires a CUP and is allowed in I-1 (general industrial) district. The request was heard at a Planning Commission meeting just prior to the November 18 city council meeting. During the P & Z … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Discusses Housing Options
Spring Grove City Council members met Tuesday, November 19 at 168 West Main Street in Room #100. Mayor Saundra Solum called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present included Mayor Solum, Heather Edgington, Trent Turner, Mike Hagen and Karen Folstad. City Clerk/Administrator Jana Elton was also present. The council … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Awards $200,000 in Small Town Grants
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently approved 25 grants totaling $200,000 to support small towns of 10,000 or less in SMIF’s 20 county region. Each grant seeks to impact the culture, education, economy and/or social aspects of a town by investing in collaborative initiatives that help make the community more welcoming. The Small Town Grant program was … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Undecided on Grant
At the November 19 meeting, the Rushford Village Council welcomed Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Senior Engineer Mitchell Kiecker. Attending virtually, he provided a final Safe Routes to School report. Community Economic Development Associates (CEDA) Community and Business Development Specialist Rebecca Charles applied for the grant on behalf of the … [Read more...]
College News
Graduates List Spring 2024 Bemidji State University: Noah Winrow, Rushford, BS, Psychology; Jennifer Knutson, Spring Valley, BS, Wildlife Biology and Certificate, Geography Information Science. St. Olaf College: Katie Lamm, Spring Grove, BA, Psychology University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Barron County: Brooklyn Wallin, Caledonia, BS, Psychology; Erin Spelhaug, … [Read more...]
Planning Ahead at R-P
The Rushford-Peterson School Board heard a presentation by Rob Brown from Nexus Solutions at their regular meeting November 18. Nexus is a consulting firm that helps schools plan for future needs of a school. Brown shared sample 10-year plans the company had completed for other area schools such as St. Charles and Dover-Eyota. R-P has recently completed their strategic plan; … [Read more...]
Justice for Madeline Kingsbury: Fravel Convicted on All Counts of Murder
By Zech Sindt On November 7, 2024, a jury in Mankato, Minn., found Adam Fravel, 30, guilty on four counts of murder. This marked the culmination of a long and arduous journey for justice in the case of Madeline Kingsbury, a 26-year-old mother whose life was tragically cut short on March 31, 2023, when she vanished from her Winona, Minn., home. Fravel is scheduled to be … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Land Use Department Responsibilities
Land Use department responsibilities were expanded at the November 12 meeting of the county board. Land Use Director Blake Lea explained there are people in-house who have completed the necessary training in water management. Both Lea and Dallas Dornink have met the requirements for certification as a Minnesota Wetlands Professional In-Training. The Minnesota Wetland … [Read more...]