Spring Valley Tribune

Public libraries unlock many assets in rural communities

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/23/2018 - 3:51pm

 

During my lifetime, I’ve been locked out of a few places, including stores that had closed before I arrived and even my own home when I got back from a vacation many years ago. I was out of luck at the businesses since workers had already left, but a handy, friendly hardware store owner got me in my house, which made me wonder if I should change my locks. The thought wasn’t because I was worried about him — he is well known for coming up with solutions, not causing problems — but because he made breaking into my home look relatively easy.

CWD tests mandatory in southeast Minnesota

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/23/2018 - 3:46pm

Hunters in central, north-central and southeast Minnesota need to bring their harvested deer to be tested for chronic wasting disease on the opening weekend of firearms deer season, Saturday, Nov. 3, and Sunday, Nov. 4. 

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is requiring the testing to determine whether CWD may have spread from captive deer to wild deer in central and north-central Minnesota.

Most county races not contested

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/23/2018 - 3:45pm

Although Fillmore County has just two contested races — sheriff and auditor-treasurer — there are several other offices that will be on the ballot Nov. 6.

Only the incumbents filed for county commissioner. Randy Dahl of Rushford is seeking re-election to the District 2 seat and Duane Bakke of Lanesboro is seeking re-election to the District 4 seat.

Incumbents were also the only candidates to file for the county offices of recorder and attorney. David Kiehne filed for re-election as recorder and Brett Corson of Wykoff filed for re-election as county attorney.

Commissioners approve upcoming road construction projects, bridge replacements

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/23/2018 - 3:44pm

Fillmore County commissioners entertained a short agenda during the Tuesday, Oct. 23, board meeting. Included in the discussion were proposed construction projects for 2019. 

Highway Engineer Ron Gregg presented a resolution for the final payment of $31,518.91 to Allied Blacktop Co. for the 2018 chip-seal project, including 30 miles of pavement.  The board voted in favor. 

He then addressed a list of proposed construction projects for 2019, citing there is federal, state aid and municipal money and local option sales tax (LOST) to provide funding for the projects. 

Two finalists for auditor-treasurer position

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/23/2018 - 3:41pm

Brian Hoff, an appraiser in the Fillmore County assessor’s office who lives in rural Wykoff, and Heidi “Bly” Jones, a finance officer in the auditor-treasurer’s office who lives in Ostrander, are seeking the position of auditor-treasurer.

The two advanced to the Nov. 6 general election ballot after winning a primary election in August. The auditor-treasurer position is being filled on an interim basis now, so there is no incumbent.

The two were requested to respond in writing to questions about the position.

Why are you seeking this position?

CWD tests mandatory in southeast Minnesota

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/23/2018 - 10:10am

Hunters in central, north-central and southeast Minnesota need to bring their harvested deer to be tested for chronic wasting disease on the opening weekend of firearms deer season, Saturday, Nov. 3, and Sunday, Nov. 4. 

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is requiring the testing to determine whether CWD may have spread from captive deer to wild deer in central and north-central Minnesota.

Programs help Minnesotans keep warm through winter

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 10/18/2018 - 9:11am

As winter approaches, there are two important options for Minnesota residents if their home heating costs are unaffordable, according to the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

The Energy Assistance Program helps eligible Minnesota homeowners and renters pay for home heating costs. The Cold Weather Rule protects residential utility customers from having their heat shut off during the winter months.

Busy time for Knights as volleyball tourney starts next week

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/16/2018 - 10:47am

The Kingsland Knights’ volleyball team was busy last week, starting with splitting two regular-season matches during the week before heading to Apple Valley for a tournament on Friday and Saturday.

Knights return to field Wednesday for final regular season football game

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/16/2018 - 10:39am

Kingsland football coach Brent Stinson said his team “ran into a buzz saw” against Goodhue on Friday night, dropping the final regular-season home game to the Wildcats, 51-6.

The Knights were staring at the double-barrel of a team carrying the No. 9 ranking in the Class A top 10 with an even bigger dose of confidence than normal after a hard-fought win over previously unbeaten Rushford-Peterson the week before. The Knights are 1-6 overall (1-5 sub-district) with one game left in the regular season.

Dan Elwood, 70, formerly of Spring Valley

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/16/2018 - 10:35am

Dan Eugene Elwood, 70, of Estherville, Iowa, died unexpectedly on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.

He was born on Sept. 21, 1948, to Fred and Bernice “Bea” Elwood in Estherville, Iowa.

He attended and graduated from Estherville High School. He attended Iowa Lakes Community College and then transferred to Central College in Pella, Iowa where he graduated.