Last month, following citizen complaints and years of rampant speeding on Cedar Street, the Fountain Council unanimously approved installing a four-way stop at the intersection of Cedar and Third Street, which is about halfway down the length of Cedar Street. At the time, they also discussed the extension of temporary speed bumps, making it impossible to go around and move the … [Read more...]
Fountain addresses resident complaints
At the July 5 meeting, the Fountain Council discussed in length a number of citizen complaints. They included both noise during the day and after the 10 p.m. noise cutoff, as well as parking and street concerns. “Some of them are kind of nit-picky,” said Councilor David Gudmundson, who’d requested the complaints be discussed. No identifying information was given during the … [Read more...]
MPCA agreement ends for Fountain
Amid several comments of celebration at the June 7 council meeting, the City of Fountain finally saw its stipulation agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) end. As reported in the Fillmore County Journal in August 2017, the agency approved the new plant in 2009 and began operation the following January. In 2015, MPCA notified the city of a violation. The … [Read more...]
Fountain approves 50-year lease of city-owned land
At the May 3 meeting, the Fountain Council unanimously approved a 50-year lease of city-owned land to Harmony Telephone Company. The plot of land at 91 Pine Street is roughly 50 feet by 50 feet. A 10-foot by 20-foot “hut building” will be constructed to house the company’s fiber optic equipment. City Clerk Mary Tjepkes contacted the cities of Wykoff, Lanesboro, and Preston … [Read more...]
Mark Vern Spelhaug
Mark Vern Spelhaug, 62, of Bethany, Mo., passed away Monday, March 27, 2023, at his home. He was born on August 20, 1960, in Harmony, Minn., the son of Vernon Hubert and Marjorie Pauline (Evenson) Spelhaug. Mark was baptized and confirmed at Root Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Fountain, Minn. He grew up in Fountain and graduated from Preston-Fountain High School in 1978. … [Read more...]
Fountain Council selects new engineer
After months of discussion, the City of Fountain has selected a new engineer. At the April 5 meeting, the council unanimously approved hiring Bolton & Menk. The firm’s work agreement will be on a per-project basis. They included a fixed fee if the city wanted an assessment of its wastewater treatment plant. The council cited the firm’s experience and recommendations from … [Read more...]
Charles Souhrada
Charles Souhrada, 88, of Von Ormy, Tex., formerly of Fountain, Minn., passed away at home on March 27, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Anna May (Dougherty) Souhrada, daughters Charlotte Brevig and Julianna (Harold) Fravel, and son Shawn Souhrada. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Jason Fravel, Amber Fravel, Carl Brevig, Joshua Grant, Jacob Grant, … [Read more...]
Avis “Iris” Wright
Avis “Iris” Wright, 88, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Eagle Crest South in La Crosse, Wis. Iris was born to Alfred and Gladys (Cronk) Segelstrom of Minneapolis, Minn., on October 12, 1934. The death of two children and a devastating house fire, combined with the Great Depression, proved too much for the Segelstroms. They separated, and their five remaining … [Read more...]
Fountain meets potential engineers
Maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant is an ongoing issue for Fountain. Noting dissatisfaction and lack of communication with the current city engineer, the council began looking for a new engineer last month. As a result, three companies attended the March 1 meeting to provide information. Mike Saunders, project manager from AE2S, noted the company’s focus on water … [Read more...]
Orvey F. Peterson
Orvey F. Peterson, 90, of Fountain, Minn., died on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester, Minn. Orvey Franklin Peterson was born in Lanesboro, Minn., on July 18, 1932, to Edmund and Myrtle (Losey) Pederson. He graduated from Lanesboro High School. On October 18, 1952, Orvey married his high school sweetheart, Darlene Fay Bakke, at Highland … [Read more...]
Fountain Council considers new city engineer
At the February 1 meeting, the Fountain council discussed the need for a new engineer, particularly the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The city hired Widseth Smith Nolting for engineering services, beginning in 2019, with Craig Britton serving as city engineer. Work includes the wastewater treatment plant, streets, zoning projects, comprehensive plan, and mapping. Before … [Read more...]
New Fountain council jumps right in
Fountain City Clerk Mary Tjepkes swore in three new council members at the January 4 meeting. Included were Mayor Tammy Danielson and Councilors Cory Sprattle and Jordan Kerns. Councilors continuing their terms are Dave Gudmundson and Colleen Foehrenbacher. After approving the monthly bills and financials, Public Works Director John Hanson requested the council approve the … [Read more...]
Mervin L. Heidtke
Mervin L. Heidtke, age 86, of Fountain, Minn., died on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Hospital - St. Marys Campus in Rochester, Minn. Mervin Louis Heidtke was born June 15, 1936, to Erna (Busitzky) and Walter Heidtke in Fountain, Minn. He graduated from Wykoff High School in 1954, and joined the U.S. Army after graduation. On May 13, 1956, Mervin married Carol … [Read more...]
Fountain approves contract
At the December 7 meeting, the Fountain Council welcomed several in attendance, including incoming council members Cory Spratte, Jordan Kerns, and mayor-elect Tami Danielson. Also in attendance were Rick Whitney and Michael Morris, MMS Environmental, who joined via phone. Whitney and Morris provided plant management contract proposals to the city. Before discussing the … [Read more...]
Gordon Lester Gudmundson
Gordon Lester Gudmundson, 99, died peacefully on Saturday, November 19, 2022, in Youngtown, Ariz. Gordon Gudmundson was born June 17, 1923. He married Selvina Erickson in 1952, and had one child, Dave. They were later divorced. In 1981 he married Lucille Siefert and they enjoyed their retirement in Sun City, Ariz. Lucille passed away in 2019 and Gordy continued to live in … [Read more...]