The city of Whalan will soon be hosting its Good ‘Ol Days Celebration once again and everyone is invited to come and visit and meet friends and neighbors of Whalan past and present. This good news was announced at the Whalan City Council meeting which was held on July 8 at the Whalan Town Hall. Present at the regularly scheduled council meeting were Mayor David Hallum, along … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Contracts for Food Service
The Lanesboro School Board approved a contract with food service company Taher, at their July 10 meeting. After putting out an RFP (request for proposal), a single proposal was received from Taher. Following the requirements, a point system was used to evaluate the proposal with Taher receiving a total of 93 points. The contract is pending approval of MDE. The school had … [Read more...]
Ostrander to Hold Citywide Garage Sales
By Annika Doberenz At their most recent meeting on July 2, the Ostrander City Council discussed all of their usual topics, in addition to other relevant conversations, including the current and projected city council budgets, and the dates of the upcoming election. After the Pledge of Allegiance was proclaimed, the agenda was confirmed, and then Head of Maintenance Jeremy … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Hires County Assessor
At the July 9 county board meeting Kathryn Frette was hired as the new county assessor effective August 5. Frette has worked as an Olmsted County appraiser for more than 20 years and also worked one year for LaSueur County. She has her AMA (Accredited Minnesota Assessor) license and is nearing the end of the process to obtain her SAMA (Senior Accredited Minnesota Assessor) … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board Begins Yearly Superintendent Evaluation
At the July 10 school board meeting, board members Jill Harstad, David Sovinski, Katie Priebe and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, elementary principal Shane McBroom, and high school principal, Eric Nelson. Board members Josh Thompson and Mark Johnsrud were not present. Reports Shane McBroom reported that Camp Invention was a great success with a … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Begins 2025 Budgeting Process
The first of the county’s department heads reviewed their proposed 2025 budget at the July 2 meeting of the county board. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery noted that insurance for employees is projected to go up 30%, which will be the majority of the increase in the 2025 budget. The general wage increase is set at 3% for budgeting purposes. Finance Director Christy … [Read more...]
Hope Lives Here in Fillmore County
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, “Roughly 40% of Minnesota residents will receive a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lifetime.” Fillmore County has hosted Relay for Life separately from Houston County since 1997 and has raised over $2,400,000 for cancer research and local support. Host communities must commit to hosting the event two years in a row. … [Read more...]
Houston County Human Resources Director Tess Kruger Announces Retirement
After the regularly scheduled Houston County Commission meeting on July 2, Human Resources Director Tess Kruger shared a copy of a letter she gave to the commissioners on Monday, July 1, announcing her retirement effective September 6. In her official letter, Kruger proudly stated, “I have spent 36 years in public service, and it has been a pleasure to have served the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County, Louise Solar Projects to Bring Significant Economic Impact, Jobs to Area
Two new, large solar fields in Fillmore and Mower counties are expected to make a $30 million economic impact in southeastern Minnesota, including more than $4 million in tax revenue for local townships and counties, as well as the creation of 300 new construction jobs. The two fields are being constructed by Twin Cities-based National Grid Renewables, a farmer-funded company … [Read more...]
Village Wades Through Flood Damage
At the July 2 Rushford Village meeting, the council learned the extent of the flooding from three days of flooding that began June 21. “There’s definitely been plenty of excitement there,” said Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo. Issues began with the lift station where one float was non-functioning and the station saw high water over the weekend. As of the meeting, … [Read more...]