Throughout the United States, police departments are responding to a surge in domestic violence calls at the same time a shelter-in-place order keeps many people in close quarters. According to www.thehill.com, “Police departments in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Seattle have said publicly they are seeing increases in domestic violence allegations. Chicago reported … [Read more...]
County takes measures to ease COVID-19 impact
At the April 14 meeting of the Fillmore County Board via Webex, commissioners took steps to lesson the impact on their constituents. County Auditor/Treasurer Heidi Jones noted the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) has provided some guidance on possibly giving some property owners, who are struggling due to closures, some relief. She said she has received a handful of … [Read more...]
Fillmore and Houston County Police Reports
Caledonia Police Department Amanda Marie Thornton, 31, Caledonia, Minn.; 1/25/2020, Operate Vehicle with Expired Registration, Fine $30, Total Fees $105. 1/25/2020, Failure to Obtain New Driver’s License After Changing Name or Address, Fine $20. Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office Daniel Green Brown, 24, Isanti, Minn.; 2/1/2020, Speeding (70/55), Fine $60, Total Fees … [Read more...]
County extends State of Emergency through May 5
The County Board met via Webex on April 7. The Fillmore County State of Emergency due to COVID-19 was extended to May 5. The county will continue to provide essential services while limiting public access to county facilities. During this time employees will work from home to the extent possible. The health and safety of county staff and residents is a priority. The county … [Read more...]
Coronavirus update
At the March 10 Fillmore County Board meeting, Jessica Erickson, director of nursing, reported on COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus. Erickson reported that there were two cases in Minnesota, one in Ramsey County and one in Carver County. Later this day there was a third case reported in Anoka County. It takes two to 14 days after exposure for a person to show … [Read more...]
County road and bridge construction for 2020
County Engineer Ron Gregg detailed construction projects planned for 2020 at the County Board’s March 3 meeting. The board approved the lower bid of two bids in the amount of $208,322.07 submitted by Rochester Sand and Gravel for the replacement of the county office building parking lots. The bid was very close to the engineer’s estimate for this project. Work will start on … [Read more...]
Community Health Improvement Plan
At the February 25 Fillmore County Board meeting, Jessica Erickson, director of nursing, led a discussion on the Fillmore-Houston Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The plan is developed every five years and covers the entire area of both counties. Public health issues have been identified and prioritized. Individuals, the public, and organizations were involved with … [Read more...]
Arendahl Township solar farm approved
The Fillmore County Planning Commission met on February 20 to continue a public hearing on a conditional use permit application for a solar farm submitted by Fillinona Solar LLC. The proposal is to build a solar farm on about 20 acres of land owned by HAZ-BROY Prop, LLC, section 30 in Arendahl Township. Fillinona Solar will work with MiEnergy to establish the solar farm near … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Ag Summit March 26
The Fillmore County Economic Development Authority (EDA) will host an Agriculture Summit at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center on March 26. This year’s schedule includes presentations on Agricultural Entrepreneurship, Emotional Wellness for Agriculture Families, Succession Planning for Agriculture Business, Investment in Specialty Crops, and Value-Added Agriculture … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Public Health hosts Healthy Bluff Country Summit
Fillmore County Public Health recently hosted the Healthy Bluff Country Summit on January 28 and 30 at the Fillmore County Office Building. Health Educator Brenda Pohlman and Director of Nursing for Public Health Jessica Erickson led the Summit. The purpose of the event was to discuss the current and future state of health in Fillmore County and provide information for the … [Read more...]
Legislators hear county priorities
Senator Jeremy Miller and Representative Greg Davids listened to Fillmore County department heads as they reviewed their legislative priorities for the 2020 session at the February 4 County Board meeting. County Administrator Bobbie Vickerman started by thanking the legislators for their support in 2017 to add additional dollars to the County Program Aid program. The formula … [Read more...]
Solar CUP applications in Fillmore County
The Fillmore County Planning Commission held their first meeting of 2020 on January 23. Gary Ruskell will again serve as chairman and Steve Duxbury as vice-chairman. Meetings will be scheduled for the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. A public hearing was held for each of two applications for a conditional use permit for the development of a three-megawatt ground … [Read more...]
Thirty bridges to be posted
Fillmore County Engineer Ron Gregg called attention to a recent report from the MnDOT Bridge Office at the board’s January 28 meeting. Forty bridges in the county received a low rating and 30 of those will need to be posted. Many of these did not have to be posted last year. Postings of five to eight ton loadings have to be up within 30 days. About half of the bridges to be … [Read more...]
Citizens air their opinions
At the January 14 Fillmore County Board meeting 10, citizens came forward to speak on three different subjects. Refugee resettlement Seven citizens encouraged the board to consent to refugee resettlement. President Trump signed executive order 13888 (Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement) in September 2019. The order stipulates that refugees are to … [Read more...]
County conducts new year annual business
County Administrator Bobbie Vickerman called the first county board meeting of 2020 to order on January 7. Marc Prestby was elected board chair and Randy Dahl was elected vice-chair. Vickerman announced a Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) staffing change. Marty Walsh came forward with his replacement, Chris Hahn. Hahn who has been with CEDA for about six … [Read more...]