Avon city leaders faced an interesting dilemma Dec. 18 when reviewing new fire hall bids and quotes. Administrator/clerk Jodi Austing-Traut had prepared a special meeting agenda filled with action items.
Albany Area Schools is one step closer to contracting out transportation services after school board members approved entering into negotiations with a St. Peter-based transportation company.
Fe Buschmann, of Melrose, hugged the headstone of her husband, Alfred, Dec. 16 after she placed a wreath in front of it at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls. Alfred, who served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, passed away Nov. 2, 2022, and is interred in this cemetery.
Wooden ornaments hang in Victor and Betty Lou Goebel’s Freeport home — angels, sleighs, stars, crosses, Nativity scenes, bells, Christmas trees, Merry Christmas, a candy cane and hearts. Suction cupped to the window is a double angel with the word peace in the middle and Mr. & Mrs. Goebel ornaments. On a shelf are Santa and his reindeer.
Local arts organizations receive grants FOLEY — The Central MN Arts Board Dec. 14 awarded $70,977 in Arts Organization Development Grants, including to two local groups. The Avon Hills Folk School received $10,000 to support hiring a part-time program and outreach coordinator responsible for programming, artist and maker recruitment and retention to deliver more diverse class offerings as well as serve as a community liaison.
One of the Three Kings in a cutline on page 8 in the Dec. 20 The Star Post was identified incorrectly as Adam Paulsen. It should have read Three Kings Jerry Stark, Mike Carbert and Andy Paulsen present gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Baby Jesus, played by Elliot Amberg, and held by Mary, played by Sarah Amberg, during the Dec. 10 Christmas pageant at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albany. The Star Post regrets the error.
The Melrose Area School Board approved a $2,737,945.18 levy payable in 2024 during its monthly meeting Dec. 18 at the Melrose High School media center in Melrose. The levy is a .81% increase over the previous levy. It is the maximum amount the school district could levy.
Albany’s approved 2024 budget and levy is dollar-friendly to street improvements. City leaders decided against lowering a 16.38% levy increase Dec. 20 after finding additional money for construction.
Melrose property owners should not see a big jump in the city portion of their 2024 taxes. Melrose city council members approved the 2024 levy and budget and the five-year capital plan during their Dec. 14 meeting at the Melrose City Center in Melrose.
Avon Community Center organizers are seeking donations or pledges for a 6,000-square-foot, $2 million project. City leaders learned about the effort spearheaded by the Over the Hills of Avon senior citizens group Dec. 4 during a public forum presentation by Mike Appel.
Bright sunlight fills the living room of Norm and Cyrilla Euteneuer’s rural St. Martin home Dec. 12 where a tall Christmas tree is the centerpiece. Filling their hearts is love — love for family, friends and their Christian faith; each has helped them through these past five months.
