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“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition
Spring Sports Tribute Inside
Monday, June 22, 2015
Kingsland personnel and calendar changes page
Rushford Village awards bid
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Volume 30 Issue 39
Peterson hashes out project details page
Miss Harmony pageant
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Canton • Chatfield • Fountain • Harmony • Houston • Lanesboro • Mabel • Ostrander • Peterson • Preston • Rushford • Rushford Village • Spring Valley • Whalan • Wykoff
Look for Boots and Badges on page 18 of the Fillmore County Journal
Gear up for Trail Days 2015 Mabel-Canton “flips” elementary math By H annah Wingert hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
The first annual 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament during last year’s Fountain Trail Days was such a success it has returned for Trail Days 2015. Photo by Barb Jeffers
The City of Fountain, Minn. will be full of activities June 26-28, 2015 as the 22nd Annual Fountain Trail Days will be taking place with fun and exciting events for those of any age. The enjoyment begins Friday, June 26 as Fountain takes part in the Root River Trail Town’s First Annual 60 Mile Garage Sale. The sales will take place on June 26 and 27 in the nine towns along the Root River Trail and everywhere in between. To view a virtual map of the garage sales go to rootrivertrail.com. The organization is providing a digital Google map so that you can plan your route. If you are having a garage sale on Friday and Saturday and would like your sale included in the
Dirty
Martini
Lounge
109 S. Parkway, Lanesboro, MN 55949 • www.RiversideOnTheRoot.com
Music!
barb@fillmorecountyjournal.com
map contact your local Tourism/ Chamber representative. A Craft & Art show will take place across from the Fountain Community Center on Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. 8 p.m. with many interesting and useful items available. The vendors will have items such as painted windows, birdhouses and garden crafts, metal works, woodworking, barbwire stars, and knitted goods. Additional vendors are still being added. To inquire about becoming a vendor contact Geri Hanson at (507) 208-3848 or Jackie Hrstka at (507) 273-7733. Saturday is filled with a long list of various activities in Fountain that will keep everyone busy and entertained throughout the day. The second annual co-ed 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will Come Enjoy
By Barb Jeffers
begin at 8:30 a.m. in the city park. There will be two age divisions: 14-18 yr olds and 13 and under. Register for free by emailing fountain3on3@outlook.com or phone (507) 4588690. Information required is: Team name, age division, team captain, phone number, and email address. The Fillmore County History Center will be open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. featuring many historical and interesting items. The history center now features the “Willie’s Grocery” display that has been very popular. There will also be Pietenpol T-shirts available for purchase at the history center. A Grand Opening will be held at one of Fountain’s newest businesses, Terri’s Tender Lovin’ See TRAIL DAYS Page 9
By Hannah Wingert The Mabel-Canton Board of Education met for their regular meeting on June 16, 2015 at 7 p.m. The minutes from the May 19, 2015 meeting were reviewed and approved by the board with no changes. The district expressed their gratitude to the custodial staff for the great job they are doing with maintenance this summer. The board approved the hiring of Doug Ward as a .4 agriculture teacher and FFA advisor for the 2015-2016 school year. The Health and Safety Policy and Budget were reviewed. No big projects are anticipated in the upcoming year so the budget was very straightforward.
The school business manager, Todd Netzke, presented the finalized budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year to the board. Basic aid will be increasing by 2%. Because the district has been diligent about cutting spending and waste in the last year, the overall budget was able to be lowered. Due to raised water and sewer costs, the utilities budget was higher, but the district will be reminding staff and students to be vigilant about electricity usage which will hopefully lower the bill in the coming school year. The estimated enrollment for the 2015-2016 school year is 240, with 20 students registered for kindergarten. The payment of the district bills and electronic fund transfers were reviewed and approved. See MATH “FLIP” Page 16
R-P School Board approves extended leave amid concerns By K irsten Zoellner kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
For several months, the R-P School Board has been gathering information regarding a request for an extended leave of absence from teacher Judy Vix. Twice the issue has been tabled pending more information. At the Monday, June 15 meeting, the issue was brought forth for approval again. Superintendent Chuck Ehler has clarified Vix has agreed not to seek reinstatement prior to the end of the three year period. After that time, she is within rights to seek reinstatement in a teaching
summer music aT riverside on The rooT sunday, June 21sT • hubba 5pm-9pm wednesday, June 24Th • bob bovee 5pm-9pm friday, June 26Th • dee slinde 8pm-11pm sunday, June 28Th • 5pm-9pm
position at the district as specified by union contract. Vix is currently on requested leave of absence. Time on leave during the 20142015 school yet is not included in the extended leave. Board Director Taylor Peterson stated concern for the students in allowing the leave and suggested the district terminate the contract. In reviewing the district policy book regarding discipline, suspension, and dismissal of school district employees, specifically violations of rules, substandard performance, misconduct and what qualifies as misconduct, Peterson noted, “There’s one that includes See RP CONCERNS Page 3
Tubing season is here, Two for Tuesday.
Two Tubes for The price of one!
Riverside