News and Features

Chatfield native visits many faraway places while studying archaeology

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 3:16pm

Chatfield native Paige Brevick is living what can only be called an adventurous life. She’s a recent graduate of the University of Memphis with a master’s degree in Egyptian Art and Archaeology. Brevick has worked in faraway places like India and Israel over the course of her studies and will continue globe hopping when she studies for her doctorate at the University College London in England.

How does a small-town girl from Chatfield get to travel the world as she studies to be an archaeologist?

Join the Chatfield Brass Band as it hosts 50th anniversary celebration this Saturday

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 3:13pm

Chatfield Brass Band (CBB) Conductor Carmen Narveson invites all former band members, their families and the community to join the band for its 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 29, at 2 p.m. in Potter Auditorium at the Chatfield Center for the Arts.

Fountain City Council considers options for resolving culvert issue on Cedar

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 3:11pm

The Fountain City Council considered options for resolving an issue in regard to the culvert on Cedar Street, which is creating a headache for a property owner. The problem, which had been discussed at previous meetings, was once again addressed as the council met last Tuesday, June 4.

The problem is water backs up and down the driveway of the property owner, inhibiting him from fixing his driveway. Since he wants to make improvements, he came to the council asking the city to deal with the water issue before he proceeds. Matt Mohs from WSB presented the options to the council.

County Board approves next step in CSAH 5 reconstruction project

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 2:07pm

Fillmore County commissioners held their regular board meeting during the afternoon last Tuesday, June 18, due to a lineup of other meetings in the morning and the board of appeal meeting slated for that evening.

Highway Engineering Supervisor Darrell Schmidt sought approval for advertising the County State Aid Highway 5 reconstruction project in Wykoff.

County Board of Appeals and Equalization considers requests for property value reductions

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 2:05pm

Fillmore County commissioners took the oath of office to serve as the county’s board of appeals and equalization last Tuesday evening, June 18. The county had several residents appealing the values of their properties.

Fillmore County Land Records Director Brian Hoff and Assessor Cindy Blagsvedt first reviewed the role of the board in determining the final values of property. Hoff shared that the equalization duties the board carries out “ensures equalization based on facts presented and property tax law.”

Chatfield officials dedicate community swimming pool

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 10:20am

“S-W-I-M.”

That spells “J-O-Y.”

Age Well at Home seeking volunteers

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 10:18am

The Age Well at Home Program is a service of Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota and desperately needs area individuals, groups and organizations to volunteer their time. Volunteers help the program meet its mission of providing support services to Chatfield residents, 65 and older, to safely sustain their independence in their own home. 

Specifically, the Age Well at Home Program seeks volunteers to help support transportation in town and to Rochester, chore services and light housekeeping.

Chatfield Lions Club turning ‘golden’ as it celebrates 50 years

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 10:18am

Chatfield Lions Club: Got that pride.

“The club was started in April 1969, and Willie Eppen, Bob Battey and Glenn Lovejoy were big instigators,” recounted Chatfield Lions Club president Bill McMahon, telling how the club, which is marking its 50th anniversary this year, came to be.

Fellow Lion Molly Baum told the tale of how the Chatfield Rotary Club disbanded and its members joined the Lions, as did some of the former Jaycees who had aged out of the 35-and-under Jaycees organization.

Family honors father with bench situated on trout stream

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 10:16am

Chuck Prokop’s the guy who always had a line.

Once a kid met him, they were hooked.

“One of the most fun things is that at every one of his meetings, he had a corny joke for us, and he’ll always be remembered for that,” recalled Minnesota Trout Association (MTA) President Jeff Broberg.

He said the late Twin Cities-area MTA member, Prokop, was a staunch advocate for taking kids fishing and for having a “finny” line to go with every encounter.

Fire Relief Association considering change to PERA retirement

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 10:12am

The Chatfield City Council heard from Luke Thieke of the Chatfield Fire Department Relief Association during the Monday, June 10, meeting. Thieke presented information regarding a transition from the relief association handling all of the firefighters’ retirement funds to using the Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) to manage investments and annual contributions.

Thieke reported that numerous area departments use PERA to oversee their retirement arrangements and the Chatfield firefighters responded positively to the prospect of having PERA as an option.