Kasson, MN Home Improvement Loans in Minnesota

The Memorial Day racing show at Dodge County Speedway last summer was a step in a new direction, and, the Dodge County Fair Board hopes, a step in the right direction.

Chuck Hazama, of Rochester and Maui, retired as Rochester mayor 13 years ago but still excels at multitasking.

Firefighters from three area cities are anxiously battling a blaze in a barn containing gasoline and liquid propane tanks along Minnesota Highway 30 near the Olmsted-Dodge county line.

You might think you've spent a lot of time shoveling lately, but that's nothing compared to the hours put in by Rochester Public Works.

Neither cold nor snow kept travelers away from Christmas Alive. The live nativity earlier this month was staged on Jim Checkel's farm, drawing 582 people during its three-day run, said Christmas Alive organizer ...

ROCHESTER -- Lien Richard "Dick" Harwick, 77, died Dec. 8, 2008, at his home in Renton, Wash.

The initial city of Mantorville budget increase for 2009 started at a 15% increase. The council has trimmed $80,000 and, Wednesday evening, approved a 4% increase for next year.

The city anticipated $253,287 in LGA funds for 2009, an increase of about $8,000 from 2008. Given the state's economic status, facing close to a $5 billion budget deficit for the next biennium, the state LGA (Local Government Aid) could be reduced. Mayor elect Luke Nash said he would not be surprised to see a 20% decrease in that amount.

If your vehicle started sluggishly the last couple of mornings, at least you can take comfort in the fact that you weren't alone.

BYRON -- A memorial gathering for Dale R. Hindal will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Community Celebration Church, 27401 Olmsted County Road 34, between Byron and Kasson.

Dodge County Finance accounting services director Sara Marquardt, who was also the county election coordinator, said that as a result of the recount the Franken camp challenged 15 votes and the Coleman representatives challenged 12 votes for the U.S. Senate office held by Norm Coleman.

Marquardt said the recount took all day Monday, December 1 and a half a day the following Tuesday. The contested ballots are then sent to the state canvassing board and a determination is made on the challenges. The Dodge County recount was completed last Monday and there were only two more counties statewide where the recount had to take place.

A new office recently blew into Kasson -- wind energy developer High Country Energy.

The Kasson Public Library is "bursting at the seams" and needs a bigger building, according to director Bonnie Adams.

Blooms at a touch of a button. Just like a soda or a bag chips, fresh flowers are now available via vending machine.

MANTORVILLE -- Francis "Ole" Olson, 71, formerly of Mantorville, died Tuesday at his home in Thibodeaux, La., following a lengthy illness.

Storm water utility, wastewater, electric and water increases for city of Kasson residents will go into effect December 15, 2008, billable in January of 2009. Storm water utility will go up 4%, wastewater 10%, electric 3% and water 4%.

The total base increase for the year amounts to $29.16 per household. The storm water increase is $2.76, waste water $20.04, electricity $3.48 and water $2.88. These individual totals are not monthly, but for the year 2009.

The number one reason storm water utility and wastewater rates needed to be increased is to address sanitary sewer main system problems. The council looked at a grid that identified where all the sewer line manholes in the city were (in yellow) and the ones that were a problem (in red). A majority of the problems were in the central section of the city.

A new monthly open mic night gets under way tonight at Daniel's Restaurant and Northwoods Lounge in Kasson.

Should Rochester developers be required to pay to plant street-side trees in new neighborhoods? It's the question at the heart of talks -- ongoing for two years -- whether to enact an ordinance including that ...

Chuck Coleman, city council representative on the Kasson Public Library board, asked the council for direction and support for seeking a site for a permanent library facility.

"We are full. Space needs are beyond critical," said Coleman. Board member Earlene King added the library is beyond the critical point as far as meeting fire codes, etc.

The resolution drafted by the library board calls for the Kasson Library Board of Trustees to assist the city of Kasson in the search for an appropriate and functional library. The resolution further resolves the building and location be adequately sized, equipped and furnished to serve the community.

KASSON -- The funeral for William Lester Rhodes will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec.

In 1982 Dr. David Agerter joined the consulting staff at Mayo Family Clinic Kasson after graduating from the second class of Mayo's Family Medicine residency program. A West Concord, MN. native, Dr. Agerter will now be the new president and CEO of the Austin Mayo Health System, starting his new position Monday, November 17, 2008. He is married to Barb (Loosbrock), also a West Concord native. They have four grown children.

Dr. Agerter served as Residency Director at the Mayo Family Clinic Kasson from 1990-96 and Department Chair from 1996-2005. He currently serves as Assistant Dean of Health Sciences at Mayo, working in areas of recruitment, retention and student issues. He spent approximately seventy percent of his time seeing patients at the Kasson clinic. Including his four years of residency here Dr. Agerter has practiced medicine in Kasson for 30 years.