The Whalan City Council discussed noise complaints and minors driving recreational vehicles unsafely on city streets recently. It is believed that these individuals were staying at a nearby short-term rental. The regularly scheduled Whalan City Council meeting took place on August 10, 2020, at 5 p.m. at the Whalan City Hall. The meeting was also available via Zoom. … [Read more...]
Whalan foregoes renting of city hall until further notice
Due to concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Whalan City Council has made the decision to not allow any rentals of the city hall building until after December 31, 2020. Present at the Monday, July 13, 2020, regularly scheduled Whalan City Council meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, councilmembers Owen Lewis, Tanya Cook, Thore Everett Johnson and Kim Berekvam, as well as City … [Read more...]
Whalan City Council meets virtually in June
The Whalan City Council continued meeting virtually for the June 8, 2020, regularly scheduled monthly council meeting. Engaged in the Zoom meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, Council members Kim Berekvam, Owen Lewis and Tanya Cook, along with City Clerk/Administrator Michele Peterson. Council member Thore “Everett” Johnson was absent. Minutes of the regular scheduled … [Read more...]
Whalan Council approves contract with Lanesboro
After viewing revisions by the City of Lanesboro to the contract between the City of Lanesboro and the City of Whalan for administrative and city clerk services, the Whalan City Council approved the contract. The virtual council meeting on May 11, held via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic, included Mayor Marlys Tuftin, Council members Kim Berekvam, Owen Lewis, Everett … [Read more...]
David Lee
David Abraham Jensen Lee, 84, passed away peacefully at home on April 27, 2020, after an extended battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born January 27, 1936, in rural Whalan (Lanesboro), Minn., to Gilbert and Ina (Jensen) Lee. He graduated salutatorian of his class from Peterson High School in 1954, and worked the family farm near Highland just a few months shy of the rest … [Read more...]
Whalan looks at solution to city clerk position
After being without a city clerk for some time, and having interviewed several qualified candidates to fill the position, the City of Whalan may have found a way to solve their problem thanks to the City of Lanesboro and Michele Peterson, who has taken over the duties of the city clerk/administrator for the City of Whalan. Peterson began working with the City of Whalan in early … [Read more...]
Whalan searches for city clerk, once again
After a short period of time, the City of Whalan is in the process of interviewing for a new city clerk again after Karla Merchlewitz recently resigned from the position. Merchlewitz began working with the city in November 2019 after former city clerk Lolly Melander suddenly resigned. Merchlewitz cited the demands of her other full-time employment as the reason for her … [Read more...]
Whalan resort opens Rustic Hearth Event Center
Cedar Valley Resort is easily one of the most well-rounded, breathtaking resorts in the county. Situated in the valley beneath the Root River bluffs, the family-owned resort is nearing the end of its second decade of business. Operated by Larry and Sheryl Johson and their daughter and son-in-law, Brittany and John Smith, it sits nestled into the original 40 acres owned by … [Read more...]
Whalan council introduces new city clerk
The Whalan City Council met on the blustery morning of January 18, 2020, to tackle the first agenda of the new year and also introduced Karla Merchlewitz, the new City of Whalan clerk/treasurer. Present at the meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, council members Kim Berekvam, Tonya Cook, Everett Johnson and City Clerk/Treasurer Merchlewitz. Owen Lewis was absent. Minutes … [Read more...]
Alma A. Benson
Alma A. Benson, 87, died December 29, 2019, at Gundersen Health Systems in La Crosse, Wis. Alma was born to Clarence and Marie (Nelson) Hallum on July 15, 1932. She was raised in the Whalan area, attended Diamond Creek Country School and graduated from Peterson High School in 1951. On March 15, 1952, Alma was united in marriage with Arlyn Benson at Whalan Lutheran Church. … [Read more...]
Melander resigns, Merchlewitz new Whalan city clerk
Mayor Marlys Tuftin announced at the December Whalan City Council meeting that Lolly Melander has resigned from the position of city clerk and Karla Merchlewitz is the new Whalan city clerk. Present at the regularly scheduled monthly council meeting, held on December 9, 2019, were Tuftin along with council members Kim Berekvam, Everett Johnson and Tanya Cook. Owen Lewis was … [Read more...]
Whalan Council imposes unpaid administrative leave
The City of Whalan held a special city council meeting on November 12, in which the first part of the meeting was closed to the public. According to Terry Chiglo, City Attorney for Whalan, the reason the initial part of the meeting was closed to the public was “for the preliminary consideration of allegations and/or charges pending against a person subject to the City of … [Read more...]
Whalan council hears request for memorial bench
Several guests were in attendance at the Whalan City Council meeting on October 14 as council members got to work on a long agenda. Present at the regularly scheduled monthly council meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, City Clerk Lolly Melander and council members Kim Berekvam, Everett Johnson, Owen Lewis and Tonya Cook, as well as audience members. Minutes from the … [Read more...]
Ida Mae Zeller
Ida Mae Zeller Ida Mae Zeller, age 95, died in her home at Calista Court in Winona, Minn., on October 2, 2019. Ida Mae was born to Carl and Hilda Struxness in Westby, Wis. She lived most of her life in Whalan, Minn., where she moved when she was 10 years old. She married George Floyd Zeller on March 5, 1943, during his first furlough from the U.S. Army. While he served in … [Read more...]
New roof complete on Whalan Town Hall
As the Whalan City Council met on September 9, the council was pleased to announce that the new steel roof on the Whalan City Hall has been installed and all work on the roof has been completed. Present at the regularly scheduled monthly council meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin, City Clerk Lolly Melander and Council members Owen Lewis, Everett Johnson, Kim Berekvam and Tonya … [Read more...]