News and Features

Progress being made with replacement Welcome to Canton sign

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 1:32pm

Jackie Ward and Brenda Wilder, representing the Canton Day Off Committee, attended the Canton City Council meeting last Wednesday, Feb. 13, to present updates to the proposed new electronic welcome sign previously approved by the council.

There has been a change to a larger sign that will span the already existing pillar-to-pillar structure, making the sign ten-feet-by-two-feet.

When completed, the sign will be able to be programed through software with city events, which can be downloaded to the sign via laptop.

Group being formed to alleviate housing shortage in Lanesboro

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 1:28pm

In many ways, Lanesboro is the gem of southeast Minnesota. There has been arguably no small community in this section of the state that has received more area, regional, state and even national media attention than the town of 750 persons located in the picturesque Root River Valley.

But one issue that has been attracting local attention lately is the lack of affordable housing. Be it a one- or two-bedroom apartment, a smaller or larger home to rent or even purchase, there just isn’t much out there on the market.

Bill seeks to develop test for chronic wasting disease

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Mon, 02/18/2019 - 1:16pm

In an effort to battle chronic wasting that has devastated the deer population in southeastern Minnesota, State Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, is sponsoring legislation that would develop a diagnostic test for the disease.

“Fillmore and Houston counties represent the epicenter of chronic wasting disease in this state, so this is a critical need for our district,” Davids said.

Two timely workshops coming up for ag community

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Mon, 02/18/2019 - 1:14pm

University of Minnesota Extension would like to invite area farmers to attend two important workshops on Friday, Feb. 22, at the Mabel Community Center.

From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Meg Moynihan, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and Cynthie Christensen, Houston County Farm Bureau, will present “Dealing with stress in our ag communities.”

Area family shares journey with mental illness, suicide

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 7:27am

Gathered around a dining room table on a recent Sunday afternoon, a mother, an aunt, a grandmother and a stepfather remembered one of the most important people in their lives.

They described Zeb Hermanson as an affectionate young man who wasn’t afraid to express his love for others. He brought joy into the lives of all who knew him and was the kind of friend people turned to in the time of need.

“He was an exuberant type of kid,” said his aunt, Shelle Johnson. “He was never afraid to show his affection.”

Catalpa Ag project ‘concluded’ in midst of confusion on permit status

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 3:17pm

Although an inquiry into the status of a permit application for a Newburg Township hog farrowing operation has resulted in more questions than answers, former Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Commissioner John Linc Stine asserts that, in December, he formally denied an application for a general permit submitted by Catalpa Ag.

The ambiguous status of the original, general application came into question when members of the citizens’ group Responsible Agriculture in Karst Country (RAKC) started asking the MPCA for documentation on the matter, and could not get results.

Commissioners approve road resurfacing projects, restructuring of several departments

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 3:13pm

Housekeeping was the order of the day during the Tuesday, Feb. 5, Fillmore County commissioners meeting. 

Highway Engineer Ron Gregg sought permission to buy a 2019 tandem truck and snowplow equipment from the state bid contract. He also had in hand a resolution for Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) funds to be used for resurfacing County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 leading to Niagara Cave, and wanted to advertise for a bridge replacement project on CSAH 4 west of Washington. 

Former Harmony wrestler, current official to be inducted into hall of fame

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 3:10pm

Paul Fishbaugher, a 1992 Harmony graduate, is being inducted into the Region 1A Wrestling Hall of Fame. The ceremony is scheduled for March 4, at Charlie’s Eatery in Rochester.

Paul was born and raised in Harmony, the son of Rita Fishbaugher, now Rita Ross, and the late Phil Fishbaugher. He has an older brother, Phil II, a 1988 Harmony grad; an older sister, Rachel Becker, a 1991 Harmony grad; and a younger sister, Rebekah Bruggman, a 2006 Fillmore Central grad.

Paul is married to Jennifer (Erbe) and they are the proud parents of Cade, 24; Trace, 18, and Madison, 4.

Mabel-Canton’s volleyball coach named state Coach of the Year

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 2:20pm

Mabel-Canton volleyball coach Lonnie Morken has accomplished a lot in his quarter-century of leading the Cougars. One of only 12 coaches with more than 600 career wins, Morken was voted as the 2018 Minnesota Class A Volleyball Coach of the Year for the first time in his storied career. It was his 12th time to be voted Section 1A Coach of the Year. He was inducted into the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2011.

The program has come a long way since he began teaching and coaching volleyball at Mabel-Canton back in 1994.

Fountain City Council determines attorney services

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 2:18pm

The Fountain City Council met on Wednesday, Feb. 6, and settled on attorney services for the city.

The council separated civil and prosecution services, accepting the application from Fred Suhler as the civil attorney. He already works with Eyota and Chatfield and will help with ordinances and other civil needs. He was the only attorney to apply and requested $100 to $125 per hour for his fee.