Chief Blaise Sass addressed the city council at the September 3 meeting. Sass has been working with city staff and Mayor Kurt Reicks to come up with suggestions to attract more police officer candidates and to retain officers once they are hired. Reicks explained, “We have been struggling with hiring and retaining police officers for a long time. Pay should be comparable to … [Read more...]
Ostrander Decides on Budget for a New Truck
By Zech Sindt This month’s Ostrander city council meeting took place on September 3 with all members present, including Lyn Massey-Mills, Dan Hellerud, DJ Start, Vernon Thompson, Mayor Pam Kunert and City Clerk Wendy Brincks. The meeting was short with only a few topics on the agenda. First on the list was the city maintenance department’s need for fuel for two … [Read more...]
Brownsville Council Holds Public Hearing to Vacate Second Street N.
The Brownsville City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Meyer at 7:06 p.m. on September 4. Councilmembers Barb Hurley, Pam Walhovd, Bill Fitzpatrick, Tim Klug, and Mayor Meyer were present, constituting a quorum. City employees present included City Clerk Steve Schuldt, Dean Twite of City Maintenance, and City Treasurer Jenna Knight. Brownsville Mayor Jean Meyer … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Road/Bridge Capital Improvement Plan
At the September 3 board meeting ,a public hearing was set for September 24 at 10 a.m. for comment on the five year Capital Improvement Plan for roads and bridges (2025-2030), including the use of Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funding. When LOST dollars are to be used, a public hearing is required. Without the availability of LOST dollars, more funds would need to come from … [Read more...]
Miranda Schroeder Competes for Princess Kay of the Milky Way
Nineteen-year-old Miranda Schroeder, of Caledonia, Minn., represented Houston County in the 71st Princess Kay of the Milky Way competition at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair. Left, Schroeder is posing alongside her butter sculpture. Her mom and dad, Daniel and Sheila Schroeder are also shown along with Miranda inside the cooler. Miranda is a student at Minnesota State College … [Read more...]
Gary and Sandy Klinski Named 2024 Outstanding Conservationists
By Jean Meiners The Root River Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is proud to announce that Gary and Sandy Klinski have been awarded the 2024 Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts Outstanding Conservationist. The MASWCD recognizes individuals for outstanding accomplishments with implementing conservation practices and improving Minnesota’s … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Relay for Life Raises Over $67,000 Despite Challenges
The Fillmore County Relay for Life, held on July 12 in Spring Valley, Minn., was a resounding success, with 13 teams raising over $67,000 so far in 2024. Despite unforeseen challenges, including downtown flooding just days before the event, organizers Brenda Stier and Rita Bezdicek (above right) worked tirelessly to ensure the event went on as planned, salvaging essential … [Read more...]
Rushford’s New City Attorney
At their regular August 26 meeting, the Rushford City Council appointed Wieser Law Office, Al Wieser, III (Skip), as the city’s prosecutorial attorney. A new city attorney was needed to replace the former city attorney Dwight Luhmann who is now the Third Judicial District judge for Winona County’s District Court. The new contract stipulates the general prosecution fee of … [Read more...]
Chatfield to Consider Amending Hilltop Estates Development Agreements
A discussion about Phase III and Phase IV Hillside Estate development agreements began in the Committee of the Whole and continued into the August 26 city council meeting. Griffin asked for clear direction from the council. He suggested the construction of a 10-foot bituminous walking path was a better solution than sidewalks which are required in the current development … [Read more...]
Fall Sports Underway at Fillmore Central
At the August 27 Fillmore Central school board meeting, Superintendent Heath Olstad reported that a good number of students are participating in the fall sports season which is already underway. Nineteen students are signed up for cross country, 11 for cheerleading, 61 for football, and 38 for volleyball. The football field has been freshly painted and is ready for the first … [Read more...]