News and Features

Sheriff announces scholarship program

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 9:11am

Sheriff Tom Kaase of Fillmore County announced the commencement of the Law Enforcement Scholarship Program for 2018.

The Minnesota Sheriffs Association (MSA) board of directors has established a scholarship fund for the awarding of up to 15 $600 scholarships for this year, said Kaase.  These scholarships are due to the coordinated efforts of the 87 sheriffs of the state of Minnesota. 

The members of MSA gives special recognition to the financial needs of students attending the peace officer skills course, or one of the two- or four-year law enforcement degree colleges. 

Pam’s Off Sale Liquor opens in Harmony

Published by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 8:32am

It’s been about a quarter century since the Harmony Municipal Liquor Store closed its doors. Since then, a number of different businesses obtained off-sale liquor licenses from the city and included a scaled down off-sale section in their on-sale bar/restaurant businesses.

However, it wasn’t the same as going into an establishment that specialized only in the off-sale business of spirits, wines, beers and mixes.

Rushford Council examines loan issues, approves new fire truck purchase

Published by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 8:25am

Mayor Chris Hallum held the Rushford City Council Meeting on August 13 with the full City Council, City Administrator Tony Chladek, and City Clerk Kathy Zacher present. Fillmore County Commissioner Randy Dahl was scheduled to appear, but was absent. Present from the public were library board members Sonja Cook and Burt Svendsen who stated they were there to talk to Commissioner Dahl during his portion of the meeting. No other citizens came forward to speak on any topic.

Mediacom Rate Increase

Peterson City Council discusses late utilities, city projects

Published by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 8:24am

On August 8, Peterson Mayor Tim Hallum presided over the Peterson City Council’s regular meeting with council members Gail Boyum, Loren Rue, and Lisa Price in attendance. City Clerk Chris Grindland and Councilor Dave Colbenson were absent. No members of the public were present for the meeting or to address the council.

The council passed motions to approve the night’s agenda, the July meeting’s minutes, and the Disbursements and Receipts as documented . 

Late utility payments

Village makes progress on Benson Lane project

Published by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 8:24am

In a rather brief meeting on Aug 7, the City of Rushford Village continued their discussions on the Benson Lane project. After receiving a bid from Generation X construction last month, the board wanted to receive more information from the company about specifics of the plan. Mayor Johnson and members of the roads/water/sewer committee, as well as Derek Olinger of Bolton & Menk Engineering, met with Generation X to get that information.

Norsland Lefse and Uffda Ale set to make a big splash at State Fair

Published by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 8:23am

Norsland Lefse is well known for broadening the appeal of lefse, adapting the Norwegian delicacy into wraps, chips and even a hot dog bun. 

So when Chris Laumb, a St. Cloud brewmaster, approached Norsland owner Mark Johnson about making a craft beer from lefse, Johnson was eager to take the plunge. 

 The result is Uffda Ale, a specialty brew produced by Beaver Island Brewery in St. Cloud and using Norsland’s Lefse as a key ingredient. Uffda Ale will be introduced at the Minnesota State Fair and will be available at Giggles’ Campfire Grill. 

Outdoor music event, old school repurposing top EDA schedule

Published by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/16/2018 - 8:21am

The Rushford Economic Development Authority (EDA) was busy at its recent meeting on Wednesday, August 8 in the Rushford City Hall. After running through the meeting schedule, approving the minutes at their most recent meeting and handling the consent items, it was down to business.

Root River Jams

Jones, Hoff top auditor-treasurer primary in Fillmore County

Published by dphillips@bluff... on Wed, 08/15/2018 - 6:43am

Heidi Bly Jones and Brian Hoff will face off in November for Fillmore County auditor-treasurer.

The two received the most votes in Tuesday’s primary election. Jones received 1,264 votes, or 48.5 percent, and Hoff 892 votes, or 34.2 percent. Marc Prestby lost out in the three-way race with 453 votes, or 17.4 percent.

Jones, of Ostrander, is a finance officer in the auditor-treasurer’s office while Hoff, of Wykoff, is an appraiser in the Fillmore County assessor’s office. Prestby, of Canton, will continue serving as Fillmore County commissioner in District 5.

Effie Cottrell Home Hospital

Published by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/09/2018 - 9:17am

We know that many people who live in Rushford today were born right here in Rushford, at Effie Cottrell’s Home Hospital on Park Street, two doors east of the Presbyterian Church. Sarah Kopperud (now Hunst) wrote an essay that was published in the Tri-County Record on July 1, 1993 about her great-grandmother, Effie, that we would like to reprint here with her permission. 

Historical sign dedication held last weekend

Published by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/09/2018 - 9:12am

It was a ceremony that capped quite a journey for Rushford resident Laura Deering. On Sunday, Aug. 5, Deering and members of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and Rushford Area Historical Society gathered near the Rushford Depot Museum to dedicate a sign commemorating Rushford’s role in the Underground Railroad.