News and Features

Chatfield City Council handles several seasonal items of business as spring arrives

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/04/2019 - 12:48pm

“The pool – they put up the slide stand, and I’m glad we didn’t go to 25 feet because it’s so high,” observed Chatfield Mayor Russ Smith.

Smith addressed the Chatfield City Council at its meeting on Monday, March 25, about the work to build a 20-foot swimming pool slide at the new municipal pool that has been under construction throughout the winter.

Smith opened the meeting with that statement, then called city maintenance supervisor Brian Burkholder to outline the purchase of a replacement Toolcat.

EDA continues to struggle with title issues delaying Twiford Redevelopment project

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/04/2019 - 12:45pm

The Chatfield Economic Development Authority (EDA) reviewed the past month’s business and upcoming projects during its Monday, March 25, meeting held at the Chatfield Center for the Arts (CCA).

EDA Director Chris Giesen brought forward the 2018 annual report for the EDA’s inspection, outlining the various projects that have been completed or are in progress and noting that the value of new construction residential property has declined slightly since 2017. (See related story)

EDA reviews 2018 activities, impact on Chatfield community

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/04/2019 - 12:38pm

“We had some really neat projects last year,” said Chris Giesen, director of the Chatfield Economic Development Authority (EDA), as he gave the 2018 EDA annual report.

The EDA – comprised of the director, Michael Tuohy, Mike Urban, Sue Keefe, Molly Baum, Randy Paulson, Paul Novotny and EB Allen – entertained a busy schedule last year and will continue to do so throughout this year, according to Giesen.

Photographer, documentary filmmaker enlightens Chatfield library patrons about refugee experiences

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/04/2019 - 12:28pm

“After my father was jailed and beaten, we fled to Thailand. We lived in a tent along the border for 25 years. We moved whenever the Burmese military came across, or the Thai police raided our camps. A refugee is someone who cannot depend on anyone,” read photographer James A. Bowey, standing before the gathered audience at the Chatfield Public Library last Thursday evening.

Retiring ambulance director reflects on career, people who have touched her life

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 04/02/2019 - 3:38pm

“I was born in the California Bay Area, and it felt like I moved back in time when I moved to Chatfield. In 1971, the ambulance service was just being established, and I think back to some of those early days when Cy Morley and Dale Henry were part of the ambulance service,” recalled now-Chatfield resident Sue Kester.

As she retires from her position as the ambulance director, she recalled how Chatfield and its ambulance service appeared when she first arrived in town with her husband, Wayne, to make this their permanent home.

Officials investigate alleged neglect of horses near Chatfield

Published by dphillips@bluff... on Fri, 03/29/2019 - 12:52pm

Two horses were found deceased and others on a property outside of Chatfield were turned over to the Animal Humane Society of Minnesota by the owner after an investigation initiated by the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office.

The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office received a report of horses not properly cared for at 30372 Highway 30, Chatfield, on Monday, March 25. The office investigated the report with assistance from the Animal Humane Society of Minnesota and a local veterinarian. 

Commissioners discuss options for nuisance properties

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Wed, 03/27/2019 - 3:42pm

The Fillmore County Board of Commissioners rounded out the month of March with a variety of agenda items, ranging from cleaning up nuisance properties to feeding babies at work.

County Attorney Brett Corson appeared with news regarding the Preston Oil Products building and lot the city of Preston has sought to clean up but needs state funding to carry out the work. Corson noted the process requires the county administer some of the paperwork.

Local pastor organizes forum to explore ways to support, encourage individuals with disabilities

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Wed, 03/27/2019 - 9:16am

“In the play ‘Of Mice and Men’ being produced in March by Wits’ End Theatre (WIT) here in Chatfield, one of the characters is a grown man named Lennie, with a kind and almost childlike disposition. Lennie loves small animals and soft things. Unfortunately, Lennie doesn’t realize his strength and so, inadvertently, when he handles things of a soft nature, bad things happen,” stated the Rev. Debra Collum of Chatfield United Methodist Church (CUMC). “And this gentle giant of a man is a man with a developmental disability.”

Community foundation awards grants for projects positively impacting Chatfield

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Wed, 03/27/2019 - 9:14am

Community: Something that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

“Overall, we awarded $3,822 in grants for our fall grant cycle,” stated Chosen Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) President Julie Fryer.

She listed the CVCF grants that were awarded this past January, following fall applications for the grants.

Bizarre chicken byproduct spill creates cleanup challenges for city crews, MnDOT

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Wed, 03/27/2019 - 9:12am

Why did Brian cross the road?

To get to the other slime!