Breaking News

EDA adjusts Homebuyer Assistance Loan program

NEW ULM - Homebuyer Assistance Loan Program policy and flat rent adjustments in New Ulm were approved during Tuesday’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting. Following an August work session, changes were proposed for the Homebuyer Assistance Loan Program policy. The loan program assists first time homebuyers with a downpayment plan. Previously offering a maximum $10,000 loan amount, the new policy bumps that amount up to $15,000. With the increased maximum loan amount, a 2% interest rate was added. Prior to these changes there was no interest rate. Applicants are no ...

Like a fairy tale house

The Wanda Gag House had a special visitor a few days ago. Angie Lin, a children's book translator who lives in Hong Kong, toured the Wanda Gag House with Wanda Gag House Association board member JoAnne Griebel. Lin had previously translated a column about the house for a Chinese children's ...

Sleepy Eye City Council OKs preliminary levy

SLEEPY EYE - The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved a 9.59% 2027preliminary levy hike Tuesday. "It could be reduced, but it can't go up," Sleepy Eye City Manager Bob Elston said. "We've studied this for many hours to get to this point," Councilor Gary Windschitl said. The $193,894 preliminary levy hike would raise city property taxes by $10.40 a month or $125 a year on a home valued at $175,000 and $17.50 a month or $210 annually on a home valued at $275,000. The preliminary levy includes $83,000 more for the police department and $111,000 for parks and recreation. It ...

125 years of Hanska history

NEW ULM — A new exhibit highlighting the 125th anniversary of Hanska celebrated its official grand opening on Saturday on the second floor of the Brown County Historical Society. Titled "125 Years of Heritage: Hanska's Quasquicentennial Celebration," the exhibit features historic ...

New Garden Terrace building to receive $800,000 EDA loan

NEW ULM - New Ulm’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved an $800,000 loan to Oak Hills Living Center Tuesday to furnish the new Garden Terrace building (The Oak) under construction.  Loan terms for the approval begins with 24 months of no interest or required payments, followed by ...

A crime thriller with a twister

What could be worse than a tornado devastating a community? That is the question writer James Arlen Anderson poses in his debut novel, “The Storm Next Door.” Anderson is a career journalist, living in Burnsville. He is the author of over 20 nonfiction books for early readers, but ...