Houston County Planning Commission held a meeting on Thursday, August 25, 2022, to review a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Environmental Services from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to repair a levee along the Root River in a flood plain district in Hokah Township. The CUP application states, “fill material for the repair will be obtained from on-site, previous ag fields … [Read more...]
Houston County begins the 2023 budget process
An informative section of the Houston County Commission meetings is the annual presentations which are also a component of the county’s budget process. For example, at the August 23 board meeting, commissioners heard from the Medical Examiner (ME), Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). MnDOT Principal Planner … [Read more...]
Houston County residents voice opposition to rezoning an agricultural protection district
A handful of Houston County residents voiced their opposition, and one supported the proposed rezoning of an agricultural protection district to a highway business district in Caledonia Township and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) request from Joseph Rud and Craig Helke, at the August 9 meeting. Chuck Schulte explained that the lack of building sites in Caledonia and the … [Read more...]
Winston County Gravel Cup returns to Houston area
Paul Reardon visited the Houston City Council regular meeting August 8 to discuss details of this year’s Winston County Gravel Cup. According to Reardon, last year’s event brought in 80 to 90 riders and raised around $2,000 for the community. This year, he anticipates that around 200 people will attend the event tentatively planned for September 24. The bike “race” will … [Read more...]
Commissioners express their appreciation to the Houston County Historical Society
President Shirley Johnson and Vice President Deb Wray, Houston County Historical Society (HCHS), appeared before the Houston County Commission at the board’s August 2 regular meeting. Chairman Greg Myhre, Teresa Walter, Robert (Bob) Burns, Eric Johnson, and Dewey Severson were all present at this meeting. The historical society officers presented the society’s annual report. … [Read more...]
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is live
A lifeline is available if you or someone you know is thinking about hurting themself. Call 988 today to talk to a live Minnesota mental help crisis counselor. The federally funded 988 Lifeline is a national network of over 200 call centers. Minnesota has four Lifeline centers. The centers connect callers to nearby or state-specific resources and services quickly and … [Read more...]
Houston County declares State of Emergency
Houston County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 26, at 9 a.m. at the historic county courthouse in downtown Caledonia. Chairman Greg Myhre led commissioners and the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners approved the July 26 meeting agenda with two changes, one to the consent agenda and one additional action item, the July 12 regular board … [Read more...]
Houston County ATV fatality
On July 22, 2022, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Houston County Dispatch received a 911 call of an ATV accident with one person injured in the southeast area of Houston County. Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Caledonia Police Department and New Albin Ambulance Service responded. Ms. Kayla Wimer‐Wood, 33 years of age, of the Owatonna, Minn., area was pronounced deceased at the … [Read more...]
Houston County signs letter of intent to provide law enforcement services to Spring Grove
Houston County Commissioners signed a letter of intent to enter into an agreement with the City of Spring Grove to provide law enforcement services at its July 12 meeting. Sheriff Mark Inglett, Chief Deputy Brian Swedberg and Spring Grove City Clerk/Administrator Julie Amundson were on hand at the meeting to answer commissioners’ questions regarding the letter of intent … [Read more...]
Houston County to update comprehensive land use plan
Houston County commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 5, at 9 a.m. at the historic county courthouse in downtown Caledonia. Myhre led commissioners and the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners approved the July 5 meeting agenda and the June 28 regular board meeting minutes. Commissioners include Chairman Greg Myhre, Teresa Walter, Robert (Bob) … [Read more...]