Chatfield News

County committees are vital to USDA

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 11:22am

Farmers and ranchers,

It’s that time of year again. The 2018 Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) county committee elections are officially underway and we’re asking for your help. Please take a few minutes to vote in your local county committee election. FSA county committees are a vital and direct link between our farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Fountain City Council discusses concerns regarding Valley Design IPP agreement

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 11/15/2018 - 9:47am

At the Fountain City Council meeting, held on Wednesday, Nov. 7, PeopleService’s Rick Whitney brought a few concerns to the council regarding the IPP agreement with Valley Design. He stated if the city were to act on the current agreement provided to Valley Design, it would put the city at great risk. He requested no action be taken on the IPP agreement until these concerns be addressed.

‘Crazy busy’ women add saloon proprietorship to list of responsibilities

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 11/15/2018 - 9:45am

Laura Schroeder and Jody Wiza are marking five months of ownership of the Fountain bar Beaver Bottoms, located in the former Bent Wrench building.

The venture originally began as a cooperative endeavor between Wiza and Schroeder’s husband, Chad, who is a partner in B & C Plumbing. The original plan was to stay close to home in the Dover-St. Charles area, but a few things paddled off in a different direction, such as where they’d be setting up shop and drinks, and also who would be sharing in the bar’s operations. 

Commissioners hear update on fairground improvements

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 11/15/2018 - 9:41am

News of the Fillmore County fairgrounds came up during the brief Tuesday, Nov. 13, County Board meeting as Fillmore County Ag Society members Doug Lind and Aaron Mathison updated the commissioners on projects at the grounds. 

The pair reported a concrete project that had been underway is now complete and a commuter bus that is usually parked there has been relocated to another space for the next two weeks to allow the concrete to cure. 

EDA extends review period on Twiford Street development to allow for environmental study

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/13/2018 - 1:41pm

The Chatfield Economic Development Authority (EDA) held a very brief meeting last Monday, Nov. 5, to handle business related to the development of the Twiford property in which a $230,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has been invested to upgrade infrastructure.

The property has been on the market for a commercial developer for the past five years, just within the time period allotted by DEED, and most recently, Golden Warriors, LLC, of Wisconsin has been working with the EDA to construct a Dollar General store on the plot.

Chatfield Weber & Judd Pharmacy closing next week

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/13/2018 - 1:38pm

Chatfield received a hard pill to swallow this past week as the owner of the Weber & Judd Pharmacy, located in Sunshine Foods grocery store, announced the pharmacy would be closing due to financial reasons.

A letter dated Nov. 1, 2018, was sent to Chatfield’s Weber & Judd customers.

Drama department presents two fall plays this weekend

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/13/2018 - 1:37pm

Pucker up – it’s play season.

“We are doing two one-act plays — ‘The Kissing Consultant’ by Dwayne Yancey and ‘Theater Kisses,’ which I wrote,” said Rachel Schieffelbein, Chatfield High School (CHS) fall play director. She invites the public to join the casts of each production at Potter Auditorium in the Chatfield Center for the Arts (CCA) on Friday, Nov. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 17.

Incumbents retain offices following election in Chatfield

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/13/2018 - 1:35pm

Incumbents found success in last week’s election in the mayoral, council and school board races.

 Chatfield Mayor Russell Smith will serve another term winning back his seat with 58.43 percent of the votes. His challenger, Dan Folken, received 450 votes to Smith’s 655. There were 16 write-in votes cast.

Two council members were reelected, running unopposed. Paul Novotny received 941 votes and Mike Urban received 912. There were 21 write-in votes.

Colors on maps don’t tell whole story

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/13/2018 - 12:48pm

One of the more shocking revelations in the aftermath of last week’s election was the concession speech of Jeff Johnson, the Hennepin County commissioner running for Minnesota governor.

“I gave Tim Walz a call a few minutes ago to congratulate him for his victory and I told him, and I meant it, that I don’t just wish him luck, but I wish him success,” Johnson said. “Because I want to retire in this state, and I want to raise grandchildren in this state.”

Senate Republicans select Miller for new Senate president

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/13/2018 - 12:47pm

Minnesota Senate Republicans on Thursday, Nov. 8, selected Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, to become Minnesota’s next Senate president, a role that is considered the second most powerful position in the Senate.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as Senate president and welcome the responsibility. Senate proceedings will be conducted with all the honor and respect the people of Minnesota deserve,” said Miller. “I look forward to getting to work with my colleagues from both parties to make the next session a productive one.”