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MPCA fines Stickney Hill Dairy $14k

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) fined Stickney Hill Dairy $14,292 for stormwater violations in April and May of 2023. An MPCA investigation found the dairy discharged an undetermined amount of raw goat milk product on April 11, 2023, and May 19, 2023. Stickney Hill Dairy will take corrective steps for improperly discharging industrial waste into a city curb and gutter stormwater system in Nicollet County, according to a settlement between it and the MPCA. A 2023 MPCA staff inspection confirmed other alleged violations including failure to immediately notify ...

VanDeest files for Lafayette City Council seat

LAFAYETTE — Lafayette crop manager and firefighter Logan VanDeest filed for one of two open Lafayette City Council seats. He’s been working for Wakefield Pork since 2011. He was a herds-person, managed a sow unit, and moved to corn and bean planting and harvesting last year. VanDeest grew up in Lafayette, bought a house there and has been on the fire department for 10 years. “I just thought I should try to get on the city council to help make the town better. We’ve got a new park. I’d like to keep running with that and help get things to draw people to town and help it ...

Fairfax neighbors lend a hand after storm

FAIRFAX — Chain saws buzzed in Fairfax Thursday as neighbors and tree service companies helped residents clean up from a wind, rain and hailstorm that came in multiple waves Wednesday. Retired Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) High School science teacher Bix Baker talked about the storm while ...

Tauer Dairy to host Family Night on the Dairy Farm

HANSKA – Friday the Tauer Dairy Farm in rural Hanska will host the 2024 Family Night on the Dairy Farm. The event is organized by the New Ulm Farm-City Hub Club and is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at the David and Angie Tauer farm, 14758 230th Avenue, Hanska. Parking ...

Musicians, polka fans remember Smiley

NEW ULM — Musicians performed polka music on a semi trailer stage for more than 5 hours Friday in front of the B and L Bar on Minnesota Street in a tribute to the late Smiley Wiltscheck. Stories about the man who lived for playing polka music were plentiful. He’d play on a moment’s ...

Courtland awaits sewer line televising results

COURTLAND --- Residents of Courtland are still awaiting the results of sewer line televising conducted in in the spring. In the spring, a motorized camera was sent through Courtland sewer line to detect any problem areas. A letter was sent to residents informing them the televising project was complete, but the city is still working to identify which properties matched up with the compromised sewer lines. During the July 11 council meeting, Maintenance and Utilities Supervisor Dave Ubel asked if letters were sent to property owners who had issues with their sewer lines. The city had ...