A motion to post for a Community Development Director was approved at the October 14 city council meeting. Councilors had approved the advertisement for both an EDA director and a Zoning Administrator at the September 9 meeting. The closing date for these postings was September 30. Due to the fact that no applications were received for the Zoning Administrator and three for … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Talks Budget
At the October 15 meeting, the Village Council again hashed out details of items that will determine the 2025 budget. The council needs to set the final budget and levy by the last meeting in December. City Engineer Derek Olinger of Bolton & Menk was present at the meeting to discuss a field review of paved roads. He recommends the village seal coat or chip seal on … [Read more...]
Zenke Inc. Awarded Contract to Replace 1970s Stormwater Pipe
The Caledonia City Council approved the proposal from Zenke Inc. to replace 400 feet of stormwater pipe, during its meeting on Monday, October 14, 2024. According to a staff report from Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug, the proposal entails removing 400 feet of rusted and deteriorating metal culvert pipe and replacing it with 48-inch HDPE pipe. This work will involve … [Read more...]
Police Officer Trainee Position Created for Houston
After four months of advertising for a second police officer for Houston with no applicants, City Administrator Michelle Quinn and Chief of Police Bret Hurley decided to think outside the box. At the regular city council meeting October 15, Hurley presented a proposed job description for a police officer trainee. The goal of presenting this was to help with retention of an … [Read more...]
Commissioners Interview for Position of Houston County Environmental Services Director
Lydia Gaunitz and Amelia Meiners interviewed for the position of Environmental Services Director on October 15 during the regular meeting of the Houston County Commission. The candidates were asked 10 questions and had 45 minutes to respond to all of them. The questions covered various topics, including the role of the director, their leadership style, and their skill set. … [Read more...]
New Teachers at Houston Schools
Houston Schools welcomed five new teachers this fall - Ethan Papenfuss, band; Samantha Michaelsen, elementary special education; Hailey Pierazek, MS/HS math; Abigail Allen, HS math; and Anna Dunnum, English and social studies. Ethan Papenfuss, an alumni of Houston High School, got into teaching because he himself had a wonderful experience as a student. He feels so … [Read more...]
Absentee, Mail-in Ballots; Anticipating Voter Turnout
Are people voting earlier with the option of mail-in and absentee balloting? Houston County Auditor/Treasurer Polly Heberlein shared, “At this point, I can tell you that absentee voting is becoming more popular. I do not have any definite numbers relating to vote-in-advance versus Election Day. When trying to compare, scenarios are so different now than there were in … [Read more...]
7 New Teachers at Rushford-Peterson
Rushford-Peterson welcomed a total of seven new teachers to its teaching staff this fall. The new teachers are: Lindsey Olson, K-8 counselor and district assessment doordinator; Emily Wahlberg, first grade; Ethan Jacobson, MS/HS business; Sophia Westcott, SPED; Kora Miller, kindergarten; Madlyn Ripka, MS/HS band director; Nathan Whitacre, MS/HS SPED. Here’s your chance to learn … [Read more...]
Spring Grove House Fire
At approximately 2:15 p.m. on October 7, 2024, Houston County Dispatch received an emergency call of a residence on fire at 512 2nd Ave. NW, Spring Grove, Minn. Houston County Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigators and Spring Grove Fire Department were dispatched. Spring Grove Ambulance, Caledonia Fire Department, Eitzen Fire Department and the Mabel Fire Department were also … [Read more...]
Meet The Candidates 2024
Gregory Davids Candidate for State Representative 26B Tell us about yourself. I’ve lived in Fillmore County nearly my entire life. I’m a financial planner and my wife Bonnie and I own the family farm. We also have three grown daughters. As your state representative, I’ve fought tirelessly to protect conservative values in southeastern Minnesota. I’ve served as … [Read more...]