The Fountain City Council set the 2026 budget and levy at the December 3 meeting. The final amount was set at $269,000, representing a 5% increase over 2025. This breaks down to $155,000 for the General Levy, $65,000 for the Sewer Tax Levy, $35,000 for the Capital Improvement Tax Levy, and $15,000 for the Equipment Fund Tax Levy. The council also heard from Fountain Fire … [Read more...]

The city of Caledonia held a town hall meeting on Tuesday, December 2, at 6 p.m. in the city auditorium to discuss the state of rural healthcare following Mayo Clinic’s announcement that they would be closing its Caledonia clinic at the beginning of December. City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson welcomed attendees and explained why the city hosted the forum.  “With so … [Read more...]

The Ostrander City Council met on December 2 with Acting Mayor Dan Hellerud presiding. Council members DJ Start, Jimmie Dean, and Lyn Massey-Mills were present, along with City Clerk Wendy Brincks. After a quick pass through the consent agenda, the council turned to the biggest decision of the night: filling the vacant mayor’s seat. Under state statute, the vacancy required … [Read more...]

Fillmore County’s Truth in Taxation (TNT) hearing was held on December 2. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery explained TNT is about budget; it doesn’t address your property and its valuation. Why do local taxing units of government hold these meetings? Because they are required by Minnesota law.  In 1988 the legislature passed a law requiring TNT hearings to encourage … [Read more...]

Possibly before the end of the year the jail project will be complete. At the December 2 meeting of the county board, County Administrator Bobbie Hillery said the sheriff’s team will soon be able to move back to their new offices. The completion of the remodel of the old building is nearly done. Sheriff John DeGeorge looked back reviewing 2025 accomplishments. The master … [Read more...]

The 2026 budget and levy were approved at the city council’s December 1 meeting. Councilman Steve Hall was absent. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton, during the Truth and Taxation public hearing, reviewed highpoints from 2025. This hearing is required by the state for the presentation of the final levy resolution. Some of the highpoints he noted include the implementation … [Read more...]

At the December 2 meeting, Rushford Village Council Councilor Mike Ebner informed the council that with the first big storm of the season, there was an issue with the Freightliner truck, which is relatively new to the public works department. It was purchased in May 2022 from Dave Syverson Truck Center. This is an ongoing issue for the village as the old Freightliner truck had … [Read more...]

At the December 2 Houston County Commission meeting, the board considered a proposed ordinance aimed at regulating commercial solar projects. The ordinance failed to pass, with Commissioners Kurt Zehnder, Bob Schuldt, and Greg Myhre voting against it, and Commissioners Cindy Wright and Eric Johnson voting in favor.  If the ordinance had passed, the board would have needed to … [Read more...]

A community-wide event regarding the possible fate of the former Farmers Win Cooperative site was planned for Wednesday, December 3 at the Rushford-Peterson Schools Forum Room from 6-8 pm. Childcare provided by five R-P senior high girls, earning their silver cord volunteer hours, during the event. At the November 24 meeting, the Rushford City Council and members of the … [Read more...]