Charlotte Irene Unnasch died Christmas Day 2021, at 93 years of age. She was born to Edwin and Sylvia (Beach) Kappauf on July 5, 1928. She married Arden Unnasch on August 10, 1946. He preceded her in death on December 1, 2008. She is survived by her three daughters: Charlene Botcher, Sheryl Sherry, and Carol Jean Meeks, all of Houston; seven grandchildren, 19 … [Read more...]
Clean audit for Houston schools
Luke Gerden, manager of Clifton Larson Allen, an accounting firm from Rochester, appeared via the internet at the December 16 Houston School Board meeting to share the results of the current audit. He reported a clean audit with no compliance issues. Since the school had over $750,000 in federal expenditures this past year, a single audit was required as well. The Coronavirus … [Read more...]
Houston will cover EMT training cost
The Houston City Council decided to pay the training expenses of individuals willing to become trained EMTs at their regular council meeting December 13, 2021. People who train to become EMTs are asked to invest almost 200 hours of their own time for the training. They meet in person once a week during the course and complete the remainder online at their convenience. The … [Read more...]
Houston School’s Truth in Taxation meeting
The required Truth in Taxation meeting for Houston Schools took place December 2, the same night as the regular board meeting with several tax payers present. Gwen Rostad, Houston’s director of finance, presented an informational PowerPoint on Truth in Taxation and the current status of the district. Rostad pointed out that the assessor determines the market value of properties … [Read more...]
Houston School accepts bond proposal
Kelly Smith, director in Baker Tilly’s Municipal Advisor Public Education Group, joined the regular Houston School Board meeting November 18 via Zoom to report on the bond sale he helped facilitate for the school earlier that day. According to Smith, interest rates were at near record lows. Robert W. Baird and Co. had the lowest bid of 1.607% on the 15-year bond term. The … [Read more...]
Doris Louis Botcher
Doris Louise Botcher, age 91, of Houston, Minn., passed away November 18, 2021, at Claddaugh Memory Care, Caledonia, Minn. Doris was born May 4, 1930, in Buckholts, Tex., to James and Mabel (Cross) McCrummen. She married Gerald Botcher June 6, 1953, in Caledonia, Minn. Gerald passed away March 14, 2016. Doris was an active volunteer in Houston. She was honored to be the … [Read more...]
Ronald Dybing
Ronald Dybing, of Houston, died Friday, November 19, 2021, surrounded by his family, at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse. Ron was born June 20, 1931, in La Crosse to Gilbert and Addie (Gydal) Dybing. He served in the United States Army, stationed in Alaska. On July 3, 1958, Ron and Cynthia Eide, of Rushford, were married in Canton. Ron drove semi, worked construction. … [Read more...]
A quieter Houston City Council meeting
The November 8 regular Houston City Council meeting was much quieter in several ways than previous meetings had been. In part, this was due to the installation of 81 baffles which improved the acoustics of the new community center; in part, it was due to the fact that the OHV trail was not on the agenda, nor was it discussed at all! PWD Randy Thesing shared that more baffles … [Read more...]
Houston Schools live stream ready to go
Want to watch a Houston Schools’ home basketball game? How about a concert? This year you can once again easily watch the events free from the comfort of your own home. Mikayla Simmons, activities and communications director for Houston Schools, informed the school board at their regular November 4 meeting that multiple links have been added to the school’s website so the … [Read more...]
A new bus for Houston Schools
The Houston School Board decided to proceed with the order of a new school bus (at a cost of $92, 943) at their regular meeting October 21. Superintendent Mary Morem informed the board that bus #7 had been in the shop three times since she joined Houston Schools this year and had racked up $11,000 in repair charges. Since the bus was so old, it qualified for a $20,000 grant … [Read more...]
Houston receives state grant for water infrastructure
ST. PAUL – State Representative Greg Davids (R-Preston) is pleased to announce that the City of Houston has received a Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) grant and loan. “Houston’s wastewater treatment plant is in need of rehabilitation and this funding will allow the project to move forward,” Davids said. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and … [Read more...]
Ronald Ray “Rotten” Strong
Ronald Ray “Rotten” Strong, 70, of St. Augustine, Fla., lost his long fought battle with depression on Saturday July 17, 2021. Ron was born in La Crosse Wis., on September 13, 1950, to Ray and Bonnie (Hansen) Strong. Although Ron was born in Wisconsin, he was a diehard Vikings fan. He enjoyed watching football and NASCAR. Ron’s adult life began in the twin cities as a … [Read more...]
Houston County approves bid to replace bridge in Houston Township
Commissioners Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Chairman Robert Burns, Teresa Walter, and Greg Myhre were all in attendance at the September 14 meeting of the Houston County Commission. Chairman Burns called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and led board members and attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners approved the meeting agenda and minutes from the September 7 … [Read more...]
John William Dewey
John William Dewey, 76, of rural Houston, Minn., died on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis., with his wife and sister by his side. The family would like to give many thanks for the wonderful and caring staff at Gundersen. John Served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1966. He was a member of the Houston American Legion Post 423. He was … [Read more...]
Joan Ruby Virock
Joan Ruby Virock, 83, of Houston, Minn., died on Sunday, August 1, 2021, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis. Joan Ruby Omodt was born on January 17, 1938, in Houston, Minn., to Clemont and Lois (Johnson) Omodt in rural Houston, Minn. She was raised in Perkins Valley near Houston and was a 1956 graduate of Houston High School. On April 26, 1956, she was united in … [Read more...]