News and Features

Jones, Hoff top auditor-treasurer primary in Fillmore County

Published by dphillips@bluff... on Wed, 08/15/2018 - 6:43am

Heidi Bly Jones and Brian Hoff will face off in November for Fillmore County auditor-treasurer.

The two received the most votes in Tuesday’s primary election. Jones received 1,264 votes, or 48.5 percent, and Hoff 892 votes, or 34.2 percent. Marc Prestby lost out in the three-way race with 453 votes, or 17.4 percent.

Jones, of Ostrander, is a finance officer in the auditor-treasurer’s office while Hoff, of Wykoff, is an appraiser in the Fillmore County assessor’s office. Prestby, of Canton, will continue serving as Fillmore County commissioner in District 5.

Effie Cottrell Home Hospital

Published by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/09/2018 - 9:17am

We know that many people who live in Rushford today were born right here in Rushford, at Effie Cottrell’s Home Hospital on Park Street, two doors east of the Presbyterian Church. Sarah Kopperud (now Hunst) wrote an essay that was published in the Tri-County Record on July 1, 1993 about her great-grandmother, Effie, that we would like to reprint here with her permission. 

Historical sign dedication held last weekend

Published by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/09/2018 - 9:12am

It was a ceremony that capped quite a journey for Rushford resident Laura Deering. On Sunday, Aug. 5, Deering and members of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and Rushford Area Historical Society gathered near the Rushford Depot Museum to dedicate a sign commemorating Rushford’s role in the Underground Railroad. 

Local Vet examines circus animals

Published by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/09/2018 - 9:06am

Animal rights groups have long been critical of circuses, accusing them of not caring for their animals. But Tom Taggart, owner of Rushford’s Valley Veterinary Clinic, saw just the opposite last week. Taggart personally inspected the animals during the recent Culpepper & Merriweather Circus appearance. “Although that was the first circus I’ve dealt with, I’d say those animals were better cared for than a lot of people are,” Taggart said. “I was a little surprised at just how well they care for their animals.

Rushford’s Ardis Wilcox has ties to the Orphan Train

Published by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/09/2018 - 9:04am

From the mid-1800’s through the early 20th century, millions of children joined their parents as they emigrated from the Eastern seaboard to settle in the Midwest and West. But thousands of other children traveled West in an entirely different mode of transportation; trains packed with homeless, and parent-less children. These “Orphan Trains” were the topic of discussion at this month’s meeting of the Rushford Area Historical Society. 

Tim Penny receives Friend of the CGMC Award

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 08/07/2018 - 2:22pm

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) President Tim Penny received the Friend of the CGMC Award from the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) July 26 during the coalition’s three-day summer conference in Mankato. The Friend of the CGMC Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have helped advance the interests of Greater Minnesota.

Rep. Davids honored as 2018 Legislator of Distinction

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 08/07/2018 - 2:17pm

Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, is one of 14 members of the Minnesota House of Representatives selected by the League of Minnesota Cities as Legislators of Distinction for 2018.

The honor recognizes legislators for specific actions that aided efforts of Minnesota cities during this year’s legislative session. The League also honored 11 state senators.

Hearing set in Rushford on special fishing regulations

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 08/07/2018 - 2:16pm

Anglers and others can give their opinions about fishing regulations that are in place or are newly proposed for Rush Creek during a public meeting in Rushford, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The DNR has scheduled 13 meetings across the state in coming weeks to review regulations that apply to individual waters, and the DNR also is accepting written and verbal public comments on the regulations before and 10 days after each meeting. Newly proposed fishing regulations are proposed for 15 lakes and one trout stream, Rush Creek.

Primary election to narrow auditor-treasurer field to two

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 08/07/2018 - 2:12pm

Although the primary election ballot will have several names on it to narrow down the list of people seeking state and federal offices, there is just one local race — Fillmore County auditor-treasurer.

Three people are seeking the office, now held on an interim basis by the county coordinator due to a vacancy after an earlier resignation. The primary election will move the two candidates with the most votes to the general election.

Local co-ops unite to bring broadband wireless services to rural customers

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 08/02/2018 - 10:45am

During a media event held Tuesday, July 24, in Harmony, three local cooperatives announced their plans to create a new company, MiBroadband, to provide fixed wireless broadband service to customers in southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa.

Representatives of the Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company and Spring Grove Communications (which jointly own the Harmony Telephone Company) and MiEnergy Cooperative revealed they are in the early stages of making high-speed internet a reality for persons living in underserved rural areas.