THE WINDOM SCHOOL DISTRICT RECENTLY ANNOUNCED ITS “TEACHER OF THE YEAR” AWARD. FOR THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR, THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD GOES TO KRISTIE MARICLE. MARICLE TEACHES 4TH GRADE IN THE WINDOM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. ACCORDING TO THE NOMINATION FORMS SUBMITTED BY HER FELLOW TEACHERS, MARICLE IS A DEDICATED TEACHER WHO STRIVES FOR PERFECTION. SHE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP OTHERS AND SHARE IDEAS WITH OTHER TEACHERS. MARICLE IS THE CO-PRESIDENT OF THE DISTRICT TEACHERS’ UNION. THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS NOMINATED BY OTHER FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS IN THE WINDOM SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MET LAST WEEK. THEY APPROVED A CONTRACT FOR A MILL AND OVERLAY PROJECT ON COUNTY HIGHWAY 24. THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WAS AUTHORIZED TO PURCHASE A NEW WHEEL LOADER. THE BOARD REVIEWED AN AGREEMENT WITH WOLD ARCHITECTS TO PERFORM A SITE SURVEY FOR THE GOVERNMENT CENTER WEST BUILDING. THE BOARD ALSO DISCUSSED SPACE NEEDS FOR THE COUNTY BOARD ROOM AND THE COUNTY COORDINATOR’S OFFICE. AN AGREEMENT WAS APPROVED WITH THE SW REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TO SUPERVISE THE REVOLVING LOAN FUND. A CONTRACT WAS APPROVED WITH TWO DIFFERENT LAW FIRMS TO PROVIDE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY’S SERVICES.
MT LAKE IS HOLDING SOME HOLIDAY EVENTS THIS WEEKEND. TONIGHT, THERE WILL BE A “CHRISTMAS AT THE VILLAGE” AT HERITAGE VILLAGE FROM 5:00 TO 7:00PM. PEOPLE MAY DRIVE BY AND DROP OFF DONATIONS OF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS FOR THE LOCAL FOOD SHELF. THE BUILDINGS AT THE VILLAGE WILL HAVE THEIR HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS ON DISPLAY. AT 10:00 SATURDAY MORNING, SANTA CLAUS WILL RIDE THROUGH THE DOWNTOWN AREA ON A HORSE AND WAGON. SANTA’S HELPERS WILL BE HANDING OUT TREAT BAGS IN THE PARKING LOT NEXT TO THE CITY HALL BUILDING. THERE WILL BE A MAILBOX SET UP FOR CHILDREN TO LEAVE THEIR LETTERS TO SANTA.
THE WINDOM SCHOOL BOARD HELD A WORK-SESSION THIS WEEK. PAYMENTS WERE APPROVED FOR WORK COMPLETED ON BUILDING PROJECTS. A NUMBER OF BUILDING PROJECT CHANGE ORDERS WERE APPROVED. IT APPEARS THAT THERE WILL BE A SURPLUS IN THE BUILDING FUND WHEN ALL WORK IS COMPLETED. THE BOARD REVIEWED AND APPROVED A REVISED BUDGET FOR THE 2021 FISCAL YEAR. A RESOLUTION WAS PRESENTED TO CERTIFY THE RESULTS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS. AN UPDATED LIST OF COACHING POSITIONS AND ACTIVITY ADVISORS WAS PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. THE ANNUAL “TRUTH IN TAXATION” HEARING WAS SCHEDULED FOR 6:00PM ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10TH.
THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY REPORTS THAT A POPULAR HOLIDAY EVENT WILL NOT TAKE PLACE THIS YEAR. THE “FESTIVAL OF TREES” HAS BEEN CANCELED BECAUSE THE MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSED THROUGH DECEMBER 19TH UNDER THE GOVERNOR’S NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER. FOR THE FESTIVAL OF TREES, LOCAL CIVIC GROUPS PROVIDE SPECIALLY-DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREES AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC VOTE ON THEIR FAVORITE TREE.THE MUSEUM GIFT SHOP WILL REMAIN OPEN IN DECEMBER WITH GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAY. THE GIFT SHOP FEATURES UNIQUE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS, MUGS, BOOKS BY LOCAL AUTHORS, NOTECARDS AND MORE.
BIDDING CONTINUES THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT FOR THE MT LAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL BENEFIT AUCTION. ON-LINE BIDDING STARTED LAST SATURDAY AND CONTINUED UNTIL 8:30 SUNDAY EVENING. THE AUCTION FEATURES A WIDE VARIETY OF PRODUCTS, GIFT CARDS, GIFT BASKETS, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND SPORTS MEMORABILIA. DETAILS MAY BE FOUND ON THE MT LAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL WEBSITE AT www.gomlc.org. LOOK FOR THE “2020 AUCTION” TAB ON THE HOME PAGE. THERE IS A SHORT VIDEO EXPLAINING HOW THE AUCTION WILL WORK AND WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO DO TO PLACE A BID. PROCEEDS WILL GO TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE MT LAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL.
THE MURRAY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MET LAST WEEK. A PUBLIC HEARING WAS SCHEDULED TO CONSIDER THE REDETERMINATION OF BENEFITS ON JUDICIAL DITCH #17. THE BOARD APPROVED A GRANT AGREEMENT FOR SNOWMOBILE TRAIL GROOMING AND MAINTENANCE. THEY ACCEPTED A PROPOSAL FROM A LAW FIRM TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR LABOR-RELATED ISSUES. THE BOARD VOTED TO PROCEED WITH CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH AN ENGINEERING FIRM TO WORK ON THE LIME LAKE DAM FEASIBILITY STUDY. THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WAS AUTHORIZED TO PURCHASE A NEW TANDEM TRUCK WITH SNOW-PLOW EQUIPMENT.
