Spring Grove Herald

Community artist designs poster for Houston County and its passions

Published by Herald on Wed, 06/26/2019 - 1:09pm

Community artist and designer Katie Blanchard spent a week in Houston County last week, discovering its cares, shares and passions among the residents.

Originally from a small town in northern Michigan and currently working out of Minneapolis, Blanchard was the first citizen-artist resident at the Crystal Creek Artist-Residency program of 2019. Two more artist sessions will be held later this year.

Ag Society receives advisory opinion on open meeting law, govt. data practice act

Published by Herald on Wed, 06/26/2019 - 12:59pm

The Houston County Agricultural Society is subject to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law (Chapter 13) and Government Data Practices Act (Chapter 13D), in the opinion of the Minnesota Department of Administration.

Secretary Emily Johnson announced the results of the opinion at their regular meeting on June 16 at the fairgrounds.

In it, the department said the Houston County Agricultural Society is a public government entity and therefore must follow the Open Meeting Law and Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

School board balances budget for new school year

Published by Herald on Wed, 06/26/2019 - 12:58pm

The Spring Grove School Board approved the proposed budget for the 2019-2020 school year, which shows the revenue was a little higher this year and that the board feels good about the budget.

District Accountant Tanya Elton said undesignated fund balances are high, but those will be spent down soon. She also anticipates the fund balance will decrease a bit and that cost will carry over to next year.

She also announced the district received a waiver, which ensures them to not raise lunch prices for students. The kitchen does expect to purchase a new salad bar.

Council makes progress on re-vamping ordinances

Published by Herald on Wed, 06/26/2019 - 12:54pm

The Spring Grove City Council made progress on re-vamping its zoning ordinances after it approved several motions at its regular meeting on June 18.

Smaller items such as a fence, porch, deck, wheel chair ramp, retaining wall and outdoor advertising signs will now cost $10 for a permit. Previously, those fees were $50 each.

Bigger items like a garage or demolition will cost $50 for a permit. 

Councilmember Scott Solberg said the city still wants to know about things that are getting constructed, but now the cost matches the project.

Ardell Lien, 84, of Caledonia

Published by Herald on Wed, 06/26/2019 - 11:43am

 

Ardell Carlton Lien sailed off to his final port on June 13, 2019. He was born to Harris and Berdella (Rask) Lien in Spring Grove, Minnesota on February 20, 1935.

Growing up, Ardell attended schools in Spring Grove and Caledonia Minnesota. 

In 1955 He joined the Army, serving two tours in Vietnam. He received a bronze star during this service. Ardell retired from the Army in 1981 after honorably serving for 24 years. 

Ardell married the love of his life, Maureen Burg in 1962. They had three children, Karen, Eric and Kristina.

Kimberly (Sawle) Ostlund, 58, SGHS grad

Published by Herald on Wed, 06/26/2019 - 11:42am

 

Kimberly Ann (Sawle) Ostlund, 58, passed away on May 27, 2019.

She was born on June 9, 1961 in Rochester, MN to Thomas and Elizabeth (Lease) Sawle. 

She graduated from Spring Grove High School with the class of 1979 and later received her degree in accounting from Mankato State University.

She worked as a staff accountant with Berry Plastics for many years before being a self-employed accountant for many clients and organizations.

Legal Notices

Published by Herald on Wed, 06/26/2019 - 11:37am

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: MAY 20, 2019

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Independent School District #297 was called to order at 7:02 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2019 in the Media Center.

Board members present:

Aaron Solum Christian Myrah Stephanie Jaster Jennifer Stender Kelly Rohland Rhan Flatin

 

Board members absent:

(None) 

School employees present:

Rachel Udstuen

Nancy Gulbranson    

Tanya Elton

 

Lions take third straight state trap title

Published by Herald on Wed, 06/19/2019 - 10:06am

They did it again; the Spring Grove co-ed high school trap shooters have won a third state team championship at the annual Minnesota State High School Clay Target Association championships at Alexandria on June 10. 

With several shooters away on the school music trip to Nashville, a dozen of the 20-member trap team made the long trip to compete as the Lions captured the state Class 1A crown, and Brandon Anderson was the individual runner-up.

Lions run-rule D-E in Legion opener

Published by Herald on Wed, 06/19/2019 - 10:05am

Caden Grinde batted 4 for 5 while driving in three runs and stealing four bases, and Carter Bratland unloaded two doubles (2 for 4) with four RBIs while Isaac Griffin went 2 for 4, driving in one run and scoring three times as the Spring Grove American Legion baseball team battered Dover-Eyota, 17-7.

The June 13 road game at Eyota was the summer opener for the Lions while the Eagles slipped to 0-2.

After the teams traded five-run eruptions, Spring Grove continued to cross home plate until the game ended an inning early with the 10-run rule.

Football joins volleyball for summer season

Published by Herald on Wed, 06/19/2019 - 10:04am

The four-week summer league high school volleyball season reached the halfway mark last week in Winona while the 7-on-7 football boys played in a Saturday tournament before their summer league season begins this week. The high school basketball girls and boys also launch their summer league campaigns in La Crosse this week.

Summer recreation baseball continued with only one rain-out.

VOLLEYBALL