News and Features

City of Harmony receives good marks with annual audit report

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/18/2019 - 3:57pm

The Harmony City Council learned that city staff is conducting business in a proper manner, and the city continues to be on solid financial footing. Tom Olinger of Abdo, Eickl & Meyers, LLP, presented the annual audit report during the Tuesday, April 9, council meeting.

“The audit went well. Your staff does a good job of providing the information we need to conduct this report,” Olinger said. “We found nothing out of the ordinary and also have just a couple of recommendations for changes.”

The last homecoming –The Final Roundup

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/18/2019 - 3:56pm

Members of the extended North Winneshiek School community are planning a big party to celebrate the decades of North Winn. Plans are being finalized for “The Final Roundup” during the weekend of Friday, May 10, through Sunday, May 12, with activities for families and friends of the school.

MiEnergy Cooperative urges caution following power restoration

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/18/2019 - 3:56pm

MiEnergy Cooperative reminds the public to use caution in areas that were affected by power outages caused by last week’s storm.

“While service is temporarily up, we know in the coming days there will be additional outages where equipment has been compromised from the storm,” said Chad Chaffee, MiEnergy’s vice president of Minnesota system operations. “We continue to be out in the field inspecting our system, but if anyone sees something that doesn’t look right, they are encouraged to call us.”

All power restored Sunday after massive midweek storm

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/18/2019 - 3:55pm

MiEnergy Cooperative restored power to all locations by 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13, four days after Winter Storm Wesley rolled through the area.

The April storm was originally feared to dump up to 20 inches on the area. Instead, the temperature hovered around the freezing mark, bringing mixtures of snow, rain and sleet followed by extreme winds that brought down electrical equipment covered by ice.

This is one of the largest storms, if not the largest, MiEnergy has experienced in its service area in Minnesota, said cooperative officials.

Lanesboro Community Theatre, Lanesboro Public School producing ‘Alice@Wonderland’

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/18/2019 - 3:52pm

What would happen if a 21st century Alice collided with Lewis Carroll’s legendary Wonderland? This is the fun that audiences can discover in the Lanesboro Community Theater, Inc., and Lanesboro Public School production of “Alice@Wonderland,” on Saturday, May 4, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 5, at 1 p.m. at the St. Mane Theater in Lanesboro.

From wild hogs to social services, commissioners deal with many issues

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 04/09/2019 - 5:28pm

Duane Bakke: Wrangler of wild hogs and pollinators.

“My original state committee was the wild hog committee.  I was in the pork industry, and the state was concerned about feral hogs…the last one I was on was pollinators.  I went from wild hogs to pollinators,” stated Bakke at the Spring Valley Public Library Thursday.

Historic Bluff Country sets annual meeting for April 25

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 04/09/2019 - 5:25pm

Southeast Minnesota Historic Bluff Country will be holding its annual meeting on Thursday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. at Elsie's on Main Street in Caledonia.

The regional tourism organization promotes businesses, communities and events covering an area north and south of the 88 miles of Minnesota Highway 16 that runs through southeastern Minnesota. The organization was created along with the creation of the Southeast Minnesota Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway, and is the sole administrator of the nationally and internationally-known byway.

Stream trout fishing opens statewide Saturday

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 04/09/2019 - 5:24pm

Minnesota’s popular warm weather stream trout season opens Saturday, April 13, with quality fishing opportunities in every region of the state.

“The trout fishing opportunities are improving through investments in trout habitat, angler access, sound land use, and science-based management.  Anglers help pay for this work when they buy fishing licenses and trout stamps.” said Jamison Wendel, DNR stream habitat consultant.

Many gather to enjoy traditional Mabel-Canton turkey dinner

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Fri, 04/05/2019 - 10:24am

Fillmore Central School Board approves 2019-2020 school calendar

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Fri, 04/05/2019 - 10:20am

The Fillmore Central School Board met on Tuesday, March 26,  and approved the upcoming school year calendar.

The calendar adopted was similar to the one Superintendent Richard Keith brought before the board last month with the last day before winter break being a half day, letting out at 12:30. Since MEA has been changed this year, Thursday, Oct. 17, will be a part day with the second half a staff in-service day. Those teachers who wish to go to MEA can count that as their staff day. MEA is just on Thursday with the new set up, but school will be out on Friday as well.