At the August 20 Chatfield School Board Meeting all board members were present, along with Superintendent Harris, Lorri Lowrey, administrative assistant; and Business Manager Karyl Lyon. No board members had reports to give. Superintendent Harris first welcomed the new elementary principal, Shane McBroom to the school district. He stated that they were very happy to have him … [Read more...]
Gerald M. “Jerry” Fritsch
Gerald M. “Jerry” Fritsch passed away on August 20, 2018, after fearlessly fighting Parkinson’s Disease for 20 years. He was born to Archie and Stella Fritsch (Neis) of Rochester on May 23, 1936. Jerry graduated from Cannon Falls High School and graduated from St. Mary’s College in Winona, Minn., in 1958. There he was a founding father of Phi Mu Alpha, the school’s music … [Read more...]
County makes first payment per Chatfield abatement agreement
Chris Gastner, CEDA, and Mike Bubany, David Drown and Associates, reviewed the agreement made in 2008 at the county board’s August 14 meeting. Fillmore County granted a property tax abatement to help finance road infrastructure improvements and a booster station to serve a subdivision (Hilltop Estates) and the new elementary school in Chatfield. Chatfield installed $2.8 million … [Read more...]
Pastor Eugene E. Larrabee
Pastor Eugene E. Larrabee, 92, died Monday, August 13, 2018, in Princeton, Minn., at the Elim Nursing Home. Eugene was born December 12, 1925, in Dillon, Mont., to Omar and Elsa (Schroeder) Larrabee. After high school, Eugene went to Theology Seminary in Springfield, Ill., and got his BA education at Concordia College in St. Paul, Minn. August 15, 1954, Eugene married … [Read more...]
Swimming pool bonding proposal presented
Mike Bubany, David Drown Associates, presented a recommendation for the structure of General Obligation Bonds for the Swimming Pool Project during the Chatfield City Council’s July 23 meeting. The bonds were authorized (up to $4.4 million) by voters in a referendum in the November 2017 special election. Total capital costs, contingencies (additional needs like security … [Read more...]
Big Girl Stickers moves into Chatfield storefront
“We ended up with something we never planned for, and it’s just blossomed,” Melissa Burnett said. “It started as just a side gig for some extra money.” Burnett and her husband, Rocky own and operate Big Girl Stickers, a vinyl lettering, screenprinting, and décor business. When they first started it together with another couple, they never imagined it would be so successful … [Read more...]
Chatfield Schools search for new elementary principal
The Chatfield School Board met on July 16, 2018, in Room 212 at the high school. Board members present were Scott Backer, Amy Jeffers, Katie Priebe and Matt McMahon along with Superintendent Harris, Administrative Assistant Lorri Lowrey, and High School Principal Randy Paulson. Lanny Isensee was not present. Under board committee reports, Jerry Chase reported that the … [Read more...]
Donald N. Cummings
Donald N. Cummings, 80, of Chatfield, Minn., died Sunday, July 15, 2018, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield. Donald Neil Cummings was born November 1, 1937, to Elvyn and Corcella (Oftedal) Cummings in Preston, Minn. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1955. Donald’s basic training was completed in Great Lakes, Ill. He served on the USS Lexington and he was … [Read more...]
Swimming pool construction contract awarded
After months and months of planning, discussion, and a referendum last fall, the Chatfield City Council approved a combined bid submitted by Benike Construction and Ricchio, Inc. for the construction of a new swimming pool during their July 9 meeting. The bid was approved with a 4:1 vote, councilor Mike Urban voted no. The combined bid is $4,279,243.93, which is the low bid. A … [Read more...]
Chatfield mayor comments on swimming pool project
On June 29, bids for the construction of a new swimming pool in Chatfield will be opened. At the June 26 council meeting, Mayor Russ Smith explained he has heard from people within the community who are in favor of and who are against the construction of a new pool. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Smith spoke of rumblings in the community from some who feel there was … [Read more...]