The Houston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, October 1, and approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Bruce Mann to build a home on a 3.77 acre parcel off Braaten Drive in Black Hammer Township. The only conditions were the usual two regarding compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and that the county may enter … [Read more...]
SEMAC Announces Recent Individual Artist Grant Awards
On September 17, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council awarded $126,065 in arts programming grants to artists and public schools throughout Southeastern Minnesota. This includes two previously-announced School Residency grants, fourteen Emerging Artist grants and sixteen Advancing Artist grants. Grants were awarded to the following … [Read more...]
Ostrander Phase 2 Infrastructure Improvements Now Complete
By Zech Sindt This month’s Ostrander City Council meeting took place on October 1 with all councilmembers present, including Lyn Massey-Mills, Dan Hellerud, DJ Start, Vernon Thompson, Mayor Pam Kunert and City Clerk Wendy Brincks. The meeting was short and to the point. Nothing major happened over the last month. One local resident had her basement flood due to a … [Read more...]
Brownsville City Council Discusses Infrastructure Needs
During the Brownsville City Council meeting on October 2, representatives from Bollig Engineering, Vice President of Client Development Kris Ambuehl and Regional Project Manager Bryan Caffin, presented findings from a recent needs assessment survey conducted by Bollig. The survey focused on the city’s infrastructure. Their presentation addressed key areas such as health and … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Emergency Management Director Honored with Award
Sheriff John DeGeorge read the nomination letter at the county board’s October 1 meeting which nominated Don Kullot, Deputy/Emergency Manager, for the Association of Emergency Managers Outstanding Performance in Emergency Management Award. Amy Bramwell, Mower County Emergency Manager, had addressed the letter to the nomination committee. She wrote, “Region 1 has been … [Read more...]
Stolen Political Signs, Homecoming Prank
On the morning of Friday, September 27, a few residents of Preston, Minn., awoke to find their political signs had been removed from their property. Initially, concerned individuals shared on social media that this was a politically targeted action carried out by those with opposing political views. According to Christine DeVries, co-chairing the Fillmore County DFL along … [Read more...]
Contested Races and Candidate Shortage
In the contested races, it’s always like a game of musical chairs. When the election is over, the results are tallied, the music stops, and only a select few will have a seat at the table. On the other side of the coin, when the community is short candidates, it’s a question of who wants the job. But what happens if nobody wants the job? According to the Fillmore County … [Read more...]
Engagement
House ~ Barry Macey House, daughter of Ellen and Steve House of Chatfield, Minn., is engaged to Noah Barry, son of Meghan and Vincent Barry of Rochester, Minn. The couple will be married on October 5 in a private ceremony in Whitewater State park with a dance to follow at the Chosen Valley Golf Course. … [Read more...]
Houston County’s Truth and Taxation Meeting Scheduled for December 10
Next year’s proposed operating budget for Houston County was unanimously approved at the commission meeting on Tuesday, September 24. The county’s Truth and Taxation meeting is scheduled for December 10 at 6 p.m. Interim Administrator/Finance Director Carol Lapham provided the board with a spreadsheet comparing the levies. The levy was approved at the September 17 commission … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central Tackle Cancer Fundraiser a Success
At the September 24 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, Heath Olstad updated the board on the Tackle Cancer efforts by staff and families. The total raised was around $10,000. He thanked everyone who worked, provided, participated and donated to the event. This week is homecoming week, which Olstad noted always includes an extra level of energy from the students. The … [Read more...]