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Spring Valley, MN
Chatfield, MN
Chatfield, MN • Spring Valley, MN
Preston, MN
Fountain, MN
Fountain, MN
Rushford, MN
Rushford, MN
Rushford, MN
Preston, MN
Preston, MN
Rushford, MN
Harmony, MN
Root River State Bank Sunshine Foods Preston Foods
First State Bank of Fountain
Kyle Rushford • Age 4
Olivia Preston • Age 5
Marcus J. Swartzentruber Mabel • Age 5
Ellie Howard Fountain • Age 7
Peter J. Miller Harmony • Age 9
Susan D. Miller Mabel • Age 5
Stephen Yutzy Granger • Age 11
Timothy D. Byler Lanesboro • Age 7
Harvey E. Hershberger Lanesboro • Age 7
Herman’s Service Pam’s Corner
Good Shepherd Lutheran Services The Creamery & Nordic Lanes SMG Web Design Fillmore County Journal Rushford Foods Harmony Foods
Jeremiah Hershberger Canton • Age 3
Dorothy M. Hershberger Harmony • Age 6
Myleigh Scheevel Preston • Age 7
Jacob S. Swartzentruber Harmony • Age 7
Aaron J. Gingerich Canton • Age 8
Freddie J. Gingerich Canton • Age 7
Daniel M. Hershberger Harmony • Age 3
Rebecca M. Hershberger Harmony • Age 8
Elam J. Swartzentruber Canton • Age 3
Matthew D. Swarzentruber Canton • Age 3
Kristena J. Swartzentruber Canton • Age 5
Kristena & Elam Swartzentruber Canton • Ages 5 & 3
Claire Shepard Rushford • Age 5
Emma D. Swartzentruber Canton • Age 7
Rebekah D. Hershberger Harmony • Age 11
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POSTAL PATRON
Festival of Owls March 6-8
“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition
County opposes higher weight limits for trucks
Page 26-27 page
2
Monday, March 2, 2015
New playground equipment for Spring Valley page
13
Volume 30 Issue 24
Chatfield approves engineering studies page
16
Lanesboro EDA to work with school board page
23
Canton • Chatfield • Fountain • Harmony • Houston • Lanesboro • Mabel • Ostrander • Peterson • Preston • Rushford • Rushford Village • Spring Valley • Whalan • Wykoff
Rushford-Peterson continues school design plans; debates official district newspaper to 80 years. We’re trying to get people to look at what educakirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com tion will become; designing the The Tuesday, February 24 R-P building for things now and in School Board meeting had a the future,” continued Beenlimited agenda, but was full inga. of discussion. Board Director Early on, New Taylor Peter“We’re meeting every two weeks, trying to keep son sought School Inithe big picture in mind; looking at the whole c l a r i f i c a t i o n tiative Project Artchitect picture within the budget. We’re planning this from BeenDean Beeninon several building to last 50 to 80 years. We’re trying inga ga, of ATS&R, rumored items to get people to look at what education will of the facility laid out progress on school become; designing the building for things now design. Road pre-design and relocation of and in the future,” continued Beeninga. answered quesEiken Drive, Project Artchitect Dean Beeninga, of ATS&R tions on an which will sepalternative site arate the new and road relocation. will work now and ten years school from student parking, The R-P Design Team is in from now.” has been a talking point since its third round of meetings The team is also working with prior to the vote and Beensince the referendum passed ATS&R to work within the inga noted that the design team last November. According to components of the site; namely had considered it, taking it as Beeninga, the team has been a setback to the north and a far as speaking with the City discussing relationships of what standing easement on the south of Rushford and the Rushford will be located near what in the and east sides of the parcel. Planning Commission. “That’s new facility, as well as amenities, “We’re meeting every two weeks, not the path we’re going on the district office, entry points, trying to keep the big picture in now,” noted Beeninga. Initial student drop-off location, and mind; looking at the whole pic- studies by ATS&R show that parking for staff, students, and ture within the budget. We’re the roadway is not high trafvisitors. “We’re working basi- planning this building to last 50 See RP SCHOOL Page 2 By K irsten Zoellner
Memorial Ice Fishing Tournament
cally on trying to control the size of the building; working within the budget,” noted Beeninga. “It’s a check and balance of sound educational programming and having a facility that
Chase Strahl, age 7, with dad Jeff Strahl enjoyed good weather during the Memorial Ice Fishing Tournament in Lanesboro, Minn. on February 21, 2015.
Not all property taxes stay local By K aren R eisner karen@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Most property owners in Minn. when they review their property tax statement will see breakdowns of their property taxes that include county, township, school district, or city. However, owners of commer-
cial/industrial and seasonal recreational properties see reference to an additional property tax levy that goes into the state’s General Fund. This state levy is included in the local property tax statement, paid to the county with local property taxes, and finally, forwarded to the Minn. Department of Revenue.
In 2001 then Governor Jesse Ventura signed legislation into law for the first state property tax levy since 1967. The State General Property Tax levy was part of a property tax reform law. This See PROPERTY TAXES Page 9
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Hayden Lawstuen, age 10, had a good time for a good reason during the Memorial Ice Fishing Tournament in Lanesboro, Minn. on February 21, 2015. Photos by Barb Jeffers
Prices Effective March 2nd-March 8th, 2015