Will Houston build an owl center? (2010/03/12)
Houston is known for its focus on owls, highlighted each year during the International Festival of Owls, which was last weekend.

Nodine couple were dedicated to their dogs (2010/03/12)
Dozens of greyhounds raced back and forth March 2 in the Family Dog Center in La Crosse, their owners stopping to chat while the dogs circled and played. Three weeks ago, Morgan and Debrah Nederhiser and their greyhounds would have been right in the pack. 

Future of Houston County Airport up in the air (2010/03/12)
There are three main options for the Houston County Airport, Houston County Airport Commission chairman told county commissions Tuesday. The first would be to buy more land and build a new, longer runway. The second would be to repave the existing runway, and the third is to close down the facility, said Eric Benson, who also owns Benson Technical Works, which uses the current airport on a regular basis.

County employees offer wage concessions (2010/03/12)
Elected officials Sue Bublitz, Char Meiners, Bev Bauer, Doug Ely and Audrey Petersen appeared before the board, offering to forgo their 2010 pay raises to help balance the budget. They made their appeal at Tuesday’s Houston County Board of Commissioners meeting.

City vision in residents’ hands, officials say (2010/03/12)
About 30 people attended a question-and-answer session regarding La Crescent’s proposed redrafting of its zoning ordinance.

City council votes against speed table (2010/03/12)
  Reuben Halverson really wants a speed table on North Fourth Street, so much so that he proposed at Monday night’s La Crescent City Council meeting that he would pay $5,000 for its installment.

Hokah City Council will look into public nuisances (2010/03/12)
The Hokah City Council next month will begin the review process for its nuisance ordinance after Mayor Jim Scholze asked whether enforcement should be stepped up in order to eliminate eyesores. The council discussed the ordinance at its monthly meeting March 2.

Census numbers tied to local funding (2010/03/12)
Letters from the United States Census Bureau will be arriving in the mail beginning this week, reminding residents of the importance of participating in the 2010 census.

Congressional candidate focusing on national debt (2010/03/12)
Steven Wilson believes the national debt is the greatest threat to America.

Pennies for Peace program helps students realize how they can make a difference (2010/03/12)
Pennies for Peace has been one of the most rewarding initiatives reading instructor Hollie Briggs has ever been a part of at La Crescent-Hokah Elementary School. It wasn’t something she and her colleagues could teach from a book, but rather, something the students had to experience for themselves. Briggs shared her feelings about the project at the Feb. 17 La Crescent-Hokah School Board meeting.

Thousands bracing for tax changes on rural lands (2010/03/12)
  The clock is ticking for more than 3,000 landowners in Houston, Winona and Fillmore counties enrolled in a state program that lowers property taxes on rural parcels.

Winona County Board votes to protect ‘prime’ farmland (2010/03/12)
Winona County commissioners took another step March 2 toward protecting the county’s "prime" farmland, supporting a provision that would restrict where homes could be built on rural sites smaller than 40 acres.

Sign-up deadline for Military Ball is March 31 (2010/03/12)
The sixth annual Military Ball is scheduled for Saturday, April 17, at the Fest Building in Spring Grove. Each year, the event has increased in attendance, with 204 participating in 2009, including veterans of all ages and ranks as well as those who support the military.

Nodine couple found shot to death in home (2010/03/08)
A married couple from Nodine was found shot to death the afternoon of Feb. 23 in their home, Winona County Sheriff Dave Brand said.

Commissioners approve plan for budget cuts (2010/03/08)
Houston County commissioners adopted a plan to make budget cuts at their meeting Tuesday. Using Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposed cuts to certified public aid as a worst-case scenario, the board approved a two-tier approach to get the county through the projected shortfall.

Bill would spare Houston from cuts to state aid (2010/03/08)
Out-of-date population figures have cost the city of Houston more than $100,000, but proposed legislation would remedy the problem.

La Crescent Lions offers first-ever ‘A Night at the Oscars’ (2010/03/08)
  Eileen Krenz always looks forward to the Oscars, but this year more than usual.

Local women share same birthday, same birth place (2010/03/08)
  Before Ann Haase and Judy Thesing were friends, they were roommates. Crib mates, actually.

Houston Festival of Owls is this weekend (2010/03/08)
If you give a hoot about owls, you’ll want to be in Houston this weekend.

Alice lays an egg (2010/03/08)
  Alice has an egg. This wouldn’t be exceptional, except that Alice, a great horned owl, is nearly 13 years old and has never shown much maternal initiative.

Dakota charter school faces unique funding issues (2010/03/08)
It’s no secret that public schools are hurting for state dollars these days. In districts around the state, school boards are facing mounting deficits and few answers from the state legislature.

Winona County also considering dispatch study (2010/03/08)
Leaders from six southeastern Minnesota counties may pursue a study to gauge whether the area would benefit from a regional dispatch center.

Caledonia girls swims at state (2010/03/08)
Three days a week, Alison Goergen travels 35 minutes from her home in Caledonia to swim practice at Logan High School. She doesn’t always feel like it, but a vision keeps her going.

Local women share same birthday, same birth place (2010/03/03)
  Before Anne Haase and Judy Thesing were friends, they were roommates. Crib mates, actually.

Could another referendum for schools be in the works? (2010/02/25)
The La Crescent-Hokah Board of Education knows how important the current operating levy is to the district’s budget and hopes it can rely on residents to renew their commitment once it runs out.

Local private school able to weather tough times without state aid (2010/02/25)
The La Crescent-Hokah School District is facing painful cuts to its 2010-11 budget. Over the next couple months, the school board will be saddled with the job of cutting $800,000 from its budget, and those cuts likely will come from all areas of district operations.

A ‘bot that can kick (2010/02/25)
“The red wire connected to the Jaguar was jarred loose from the power distribution board.”

County won’t change justice center plans (2010/02/25)
Houston County’s new criminal justice center will not have a basement. However, if Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposed cancellation of a “non-essential” program goes into effect, more beds will be filled in the new jail at an increased cost for county taxpayers. Those topics and more were discussed at Tuesday’s Houston County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Hokah fire chief, fire department president exchange jobs (2010/02/25)
Mike Walsh and Jim Ross know the routine. For the past six years, they’ve each been elected to their respective posts of president and chief of the Hokah Fire Department. So when Walsh informed members this year that Ross wanted to do something different, he might have seen it coming.

Bill confusion prompts city to form a subcommittee (2010/02/25)
  The La Crescent City Council decided Monday to form a subcommittee to discuss a $2,174 bill assessed to Jack Welch. The bill stems from review costs associated with the proposed construction of a single-family home on a parcel of property at 742 N. Fourth St. 

Local expert shares tips for healthy living (2010/02/25)
Audrey Alfson is a high school English and social studies teacher by trade. She taught for five years in Alaska, where she’s originally from, and five years at Holmen High School. But three years ago, she decided it was time to reinvent herself, so she quite teaching to focus on the other passions of her life, among them healthy living and complementary medicine.

La Crescent woman takes son’s tragic death to the Capitol (2010/02/25)
Her blood boils each time he says that word. Accident. He wouldn’t talk that way if he’d lost a son.

Skywatcher: Weather forecaster looks out for life, property (2010/02/25)
Steve Thompson watches clouds swirl over Wisconsin in a series of satellite photos that flash across one of the five computer monitors on his desk.

Ridgeway’s Nordic Ski Club sees strength in numbers (2010/02/25)
The Ridgeway Nordic Ski Club started off with six pairs of ski boots and a couple of poles Jodi Dansingburg found in her basement.

Could another referendum for schools be in the works? (2010/02/24)
The La Crescent-Hokah Board of Education knows how important the current operating levy is to the district’s budget and hopes it can rely on residents to renew their commitment once it runs out.

City working to redraft zoning ordinance (2010/02/23)
  The La Crescent Planning Commission continued its series of public meeting regarding plans to redraft the city’s zoning ordinance with a Feb. 9 meeting at City Hall. The meeting focused on the central business district and gave citizens a chance to ask questions about possible changes.

No water rate hikes for Hokah this year (2010/02/23)
Water rates in Hokah won’t need to be raised this year, according to public works Director Andy Klingsporn. Klingsporn reported his findings on the 2010 water and sewer financial projections at the Feb. 3 Hokah City Council meeting.

County expects to look again at budget (2010/02/23)
Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposed cuts to county program aid for the 2010-11 biennium were announced this week, and county commissioners took note. At their meeting on Tuesday, the board decided to look for more areas to trim in the county’s 2010 budget.

Township accepts weather siren offer from county (2010/02/23)
La Crescent Township is going to receive a new severe weather alert siren. The only question that remains is where it’ll be placed.

Winona commissioners OK buying right-of-way along Apple Blossom Drive (2010/02/23)
Winona County will work to buy additional right-of-way along County Road 1, even as the debate continues over the fate of trees along the scenic byway.

Justice Center: on un-solid ground? (2010/02/23)
Houston County Commissioners on Feb. 9 canceled a March 30 special meeting to open construction bids for the new criminal justice center. When it is rescheduled, the bid opening will be open to the public but will not include a quorum of commissioners. Chairman Larry Connery explained that all bids would be recorded and presented to the board at a later date.

Public can pick monikers for new Mississippi River islands (2010/02/23)
Explorers can’t claim the nine new islands in the Mississippi River near Brownsville n but they can name them.

School looking to cut $800K from 2010-11 budget (2010/02/15)
There’s no sugarcoating the fact that administrators and school board members in the La Crescent-Hokah School District have some tough decisions to make during the next few months. As enrollment continues to decline and state funding becomes less certain, the school board has directed administrators to begin looking at areas they can cut expenses.

Decision deemed ‘not lawful’ by attorney (2010/02/15)
The decision the Houston County Board of Commissioners made Jan. 5 to discontinue the publication of its financial statement in the official county newspaper is in violation of a state statute which requires that be done, according to an attorney who specializes in freedom of information laws.

Caucus first step to the vote (2010/02/15)
  About 70 people attended the Republican and Democratic-Farmer Labor caucuses Feb. 2 at La Crescent High School.

City council approves planning process for Twilite property (2010/02/15)
  After much discussion over cost, the La Crescent City Council unanimously approved entering into a contract with Bonestroo, not to exceed $2,000, for a planning process for the Twilite property on the pike. 

Pastor hosts concert at church Saturday (2010/02/15)
First there’s a tune, and then there are words. The best he can explain it is they both enter his thoughts, and then he does the work of uniting the two. The result is a catalog of songs, all influenced by the stories of life and all including a message of hope.

County board gives go-ahead to hire out duties for road projects (2010/02/15)
Houston County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski asked county commissioners to approve hiring out design, planning and inspection duties for 11 road projects during Tuesday’s Houston County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Winona County looks at lot size permits (2010/02/15)
A plan to limit developmental density in rural Winona County may place restrictions on lots smaller than 40 acres.

Man admits to mailing explosive to Houston (2010/02/15)
The Associated Press A 56-year-old West Virginia man has pleaded guilty to mailing an explosive device to a resident in Houston.

Legislators discuss school issues in La Crescent (2010/02/09)
Two state legislators, school officials and concerned citizens gathered Jan. 30 at the La Crescent-Hokah Elementary School Library to discuss the impact of current economic conditions on the upcoming legislative session and what it will mean for local school districts.

School approves new transportation contract (2010/02/09)
The La Crescent-Hokah Board of Education unanimously approved a new bus contract extension with Ready Bus Line at its meeting Jan 20. It’s a five-year contract, which began July 1, 2009 and runs through June 30, 2014. The contract is expected to save the district money over the course of the five-year deal, though a specific amount wasn’t given at the meeting.

Highway shop: A Cadillac in a Chevy economy? (2010/02/09)
Whether it’s by Plan A, Plan B or another strategy, Houston County Commissioners are still looking for ways to replace the county highway department facility in Caledonia. At their regular meeting Tuesday, they looked at a couple of possibilities.

Kwik Trip opens new Nodine store (2010/02/09)
A new option is now available for those traveling on Interstate 90 and for Nodine residents who want a place to have a meal or coffee after the closing of the popular Truckers Inn last July.

Woman receives first Habitat for Humanity house in Houston County (2010/02/09)
  Karen Jonsgaard is looking forward to mortgage payments.

LCHS students to hold benefit for Haiti (2010/02/09)
  Charis Windschill had a hard time thinking about finals last week.

Students raise nearly $700 for Haiti (2010/02/09)
Soon after the Jan. 12 earthquake hit Haiti, students at La Crescent High School were working to raise money.

Dakota man paints winning turkey stamp (2010/02/09)
The first time Micah Hanson laid eyes on the stamp, he was 8 years old. A bold trout in its natural habitat n all on the small piece of paper.

Henry, Knutson win awards at newspaper association convention (2010/02/09)
Ryan Henry, editor of Houston County News, won an award for a story he wrote and reporter Kari Knutson took first place amongst all columnists in the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest during the association’s annual convention Jan. 28-29 in Bloomington.

Chief retires from La Crescent Fire Department (2010/02/01)
The La Crescent Fire Department was a part of Bernie Buehler’s life for 42 years, but on Jan. 22, his 65th birthday, he left that part of it behind with his retirement.

Twins caravan sweeps La Crescent (2010/02/01)
Last week, a bear got loose in the La Crescent High School Fine Arts Center. It wasn’t a wild bear, but rather, quite friendly.

GOP, DFL to caucus in county on Tuesday (2010/02/01)
Tuesday marks the first step in the election process with the convening of the Republican and Democratic-Farmer Labor caucuses in Houston County.

Looking good at prom n for less (2010/02/01)
The price tag of the shimmering dress originally read $400. You can buy it Feb. 6 for a mere $120 at La Crescent High School’s second annual Prom Dress Extravaganza.

Council discusses encroachments more (2010/02/01)
Encroachments along Sycamore Street were once again discussed at Monday night’s La Crescent City Council meeting. Still being debated is how many properties encroach, if at all, and specifically, the Baumgartner encroachment.

County to host meeting on road weight restrictions (2010/02/01)
Farmers, garbage haulers, contractors, mobile home movers and others who bring heavy loads through the county are invited to an informational meeting on spring road weight restrictions at Caledonia City Hall.

Township backs ARMER transition (2010/02/01)
Houston County Chief Deputy Scott Yeiter said it’s “the single biggest (tool) that can help our first responders and police departments,” and at the La Crescent Township Board of Supervisors meeting Jan. 11, Yeiter explained this tool: the ARMER (Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response) radio system, which the county is planning to transition to as part of a state-wide effort.

Local doctor returns, but his thoughts still in Haiti (2010/02/01)
Dr. Chris Schubert can’t watch the news. It’s too painful.

CapX2020 chooses Alma for power line crossing (2010/02/01)
New high-voltage power lines would cross the Mississippi River at Alma, Wis., under a route permit application submitted Tuesday by CapX2020.

Burglaries reported in Ridgeway area (2010/02/01)
A Ridgeway man was burglarized twice last year, and alerted deputies after seeing reports of a string of burglaries in the county, according to the Winona County Sheriff’s Department.

La Crescent man ID’d as hit-and-run suspect (2010/02/01)
The man who turned himself in after a hit-and-run accident has been identified as Matthew Cook, 20, of La Crescent, according to the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department.

Local woman’s family in Haiti at time of earthquake (2010/01/25)
When Julie Beddow-Schubert heard about the earthquake that leveled the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince last week, her heart sank into her stomach. That might not have been the reaction of a typical American as they watched reports of the 7.0 earthquake unfold on television or the Internet, but it was the reaction of a wife and mother whose family was in the city at the time of disaster.

County decides not to publish financial reports (2010/01/25)
Residents who read Houston County’s financial statement in the newspaper may need to look elsewhere next year. At the Jan. 5 meeting of the Houston County Board, commissioners voted to reject all bids from local newspapers to publish that information.

A smokin’ business (2010/01/25)
  Mark Wazwaz has simple advice for smokers who want to save money: Quit smoking.

Rabbi teaches about the faith (2010/01/25)
“Fiddler on the Roof” was a much needed play for the American Jewish community in the 1960s, because at that time, Jews were rapidly assimilating into mainstream America, and in the process, many left behind the traditions of their faith.

County commissioners discuss grants applications (2010/01/25)
Houston County commissioners discussed several grant applications at their meeting Tuesday which, if approved, would help local businesses, farmers and the county.

Woman admits to scouting for burglars (2010/01/25)
A Caledonia woman admitted Jan. 13 she served as a scout in a Winona home invasion in May 2007.

Probation for driver in drive-by shooting (2010/01/25)
A 25-year-old Mindoro, Wis., man was sentenced to three years of probation Jan. 15 after pleading guilty to five criminal charges in connection with a Labor Day weekend drive-by shooting in the town of Farmington, Wis.

New Minneiska apple in the same class as Honeycrisp (2010/01/19)
The University of Minnesota’s newest commercially released apple is in a class with the popular Honeycrisp, likely because it’s partially the product of the popular apple, with part Zestar mixed in.

Hokah woman carrying on family farm legacy after an accident took her husband from her (2010/01/19)
The cows didn’t care. They still needed to be milked twice a day, even after Mary Lou Graf’s husband died July 26, 2008, in a farm accident.

Council approves transition to ARMER (2010/01/19)
The La Crescent City Council has approved switching to a new ARMER (Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response) Radio System after hearing a presentation by Houston County Chief Deputy Scott Yeiter and Sheriff Doug Ely.

Hokah seeking new site for food shelf (2010/01/19)
The possibility of moving the Hokah food shelf to the city hall building, along with other concerns such as water rates, were discussed at the Hokah City Council meeting Jan. 5.

Commissioners and residents discuss zoning issues (2010/01/19)
Many of the same residents who argued strongly against interim-use permits two weeks ago attended Tuesday’s Houston County Board of Commissioners meeting. The item on the agenda they wished to address was Brownsville Township resident Melvin Davy’s appearance before commissioners. Davy, who has been told he cannot rent out an apartment he originally built for his mother on family-owned land, told commissioners about his situation.

Marcia Ward: Winona County Board ‘going over the edge’ on land-use rules (2010/01/19)
Winona County leaders might go back to the drawing board on a plan to limit development density for rural land.

Bumper crop benefits needy; Minnesota apple growers meet (2010/01/19)
A big U.S. apple crop, bad weather in October and the slow economy have contributed to low apple prices, says the secretary of the Minnesota Apple Growers Association.

High school teacher under investigation resigns (2010/01/19)
A La Crescent High School social studies teacher has resigned after an investigation at the school.

Applefest turns small profit in 2009 (2010/01/19)
Flawless weather and record gross income helped La Crescent Apple Festival Inc. earn a profit during the 2009 celebration in September, the festival’s board of directors and other volunteers learned during the fest’s 2010 annual meeting Saturday night at the Commodore.

Man convicted of attempted burglary (2010/01/19)
A La Crescent man was convicted Jan. 7 of attempting to break into a La Crescent home while the owner slept inside.