Mary Patricia Keefe, 87, of Chatfield, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2020, at the Chosen Valley Care Center. Mary’s loving family was at her bedside and outside her window at the time of her passing. Mary was born August 6, 1932, to Ralph and Lilah Peters in St. Charles, Minn. Shortly after Mary was born the family moved to Chatfield. She graduated from … [Read more...]
Liberty Project – Boy Scout Troop 43 flag installation
Imagine an early morning peek out the window, cup of coffee in hand, being greeted by an orderly row of American flags ribboning a course through your neighborhood. Perhaps this sight inspires your mantra for the day or solidifies an attitude of respect and reflection for a day that’s been chosen to honor our country. Boy Scout Troop 43 of Chatfield is anticipating it’s sixth … [Read more...]
Emergency ambulance services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
The earliest way of summoning emergency services was by ringing a bell, either mounted atop the station or in the belfry of a local church. Now we expect the wail of an approaching ambulance siren whenever there is a medical emergency. For some the noise is startling, and for others it is the sound of safety – a reminder that there are professionals protecting the community. … [Read more...]
Marie Eileen Glaser
Marie Glaser, 91, of Preston, Minn., passed away peacefully on April 2, 2020, at the Chosen Valley Care Center, where she had been a resident since July 2016. Marie Eileen Glaser was born on Janurary 13, 1929, in Fillmore County, the daughter of Ernest and Olive (Cruse) McBride. She attended country school and graduated from Wykoff High School in 1946. After graduation she … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board meeting held via tele-conferencing
The COVID-19 era requiring social distancing has required public meetings to be held via internet and that is just how the Chatfield School Board met on Wednesday night, April 1. Using the Zoom video conferencing app for the first time were all the board members (Amy Jeffers, Lanny Isensee, Scott Backer, Katie Priebe, Matt McMahon and Rick Lowrey). Other meeting participants … [Read more...]
Eleanor Irish
Eleanor Allene Irish, 72, of Chatfield, Minn., passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at her home surrounded by her family after a short battle with cancer. Eleanor was born to Claude and Hazel Asher on September 9, 1947, in Rochester, Minn. She attended Chatfield High School. She worked at Strongwell in Chatfield and retired in January of 2017. She married Kenneth (Ken) … [Read more...]
Myron “Mike” Erickson
While many are sheltering in place at this time, Mike has found shelter with his Eternal Father in Heaven. He passed peacefully with family at his side on March 24, 2020, at the Chosen Valley Care Center. Mike was born on February 13, 1923, to parents Peter and Alpha. He was raised on the family farm in Pilot Mound Township. He attended country school and graduated from … [Read more...]
Chatfield declares local emergency
At the March 23 Chatfield City Council meeting, a proclamation declaring a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 health pandemic was approved. Councilors Paul Novotny and Mike Urban were absent. The declaration “will invoke the city’s disaster plan and authorize other appropriate community containment and mitigation strategies.” City Clerk Joel Young explained the … [Read more...]
Chatfield prepares for COVID-19
Chatfield City Council members and department heads held a special meeting on March 16 to discuss how to keep city services operating in the event the coronavirus affects city staff. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Mayor Russ Smith explained we have to look at what we will need to do if key staff are sick or quarantined for two weeks. Who will take over for essential … [Read more...]
Chatfield supports Rochester Airport bonding request
Chatfield City Council sped through a short agenda at their March 9 meeting. Rochester International Airport has requested bonding money to be used for maintenance and improvements (reconstruction of Runway 2/20) of the regional airport. The airport is an economic cornerstone supporting southeastern Minnesota. The Southeastern Minnesota League of Municipalities membership … [Read more...]