Local News Headlines – Friday, September 10

THE PRAIRIE ECOLOGY BUS CENTER IS HOSTING THE PRAIRIE WINDS KITE FLY THIS WEEKEND.  THIS IS THE 19TH ANNUAL KITE FLY.  IT WILL BE HELD AT THE JACKSON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT ON SATURDAY FROM 10:00 TO 4:00.  THIS IS A FREE FAMILY EVENT.  PROFESSIONAL KITE FLYERS FROM A FIVE-STATE AREA WILL BE DISPLAYING AND FLYING THEIR LARGE SHOW KITES.  FAMILIES AND CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING THEIR OWN KITES AND HAVE FUN FLYING KITES.  A HOBBY SHOP WILL HAVE KITES FOR SALE AND THE ‘KITE DOCTOR’ WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP REPAIR ANY KITES THAT MAY BE DAMAGED.  CONCESSIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE DURING THE DAY AND THERE WILL BE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT.  THE PRAIRIE WINDS KITE FLY IS SUPPORTED BY A NUMBER OF SPONSORS.   
 
THE “HOT IRON DAYS” CELEBRATION RETURNS THIS YEAR IN LAMBERTON.   TODAY, THE ‘SAND SHOP’ WILL BE OPEN AT THE CITY PARK FROM NOON UNTIL 7:00PM.  PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR OWN IRON MOLDS.  THIS IS OPEN TO ALL AGES AND ABILITIES.  A BARBEQUE MEAL WILL BE SERVED AT THE AMBULANCE BUILDING FROM 5:00 UNTIL 7:00 THIS EVENING, SPONSORED BY THE LAMBERTON COMMERCIAL CLUB.  A FULL DAY OF EVENTS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, INCLUDING FOOD AND MUSIC IN THE CITY PARK AND BLACKSMITHING DEMONSTRATIONS.  HOT IRON DAYS IS SPONSORED BY THE LAMBERTON AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY WITH SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.    
 
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE MT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD THIS WEEK.  THE COUNCIL REVIEWED A SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED 2022 CITY BUDGET AND THE PROPERTY TAX LEVY.  AT THIS TIME, THE PROPOSED LEVY WOULD REPRESENT A 12% INCREASE OVER THE CURRENT YEAR.  THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS PROJECTED TO SHOW AN INCREASE OF ROUGHLY 6%.  THE COUNCIL INSTRUCTED THE CITY STAFF TO LOOK FOR POSSIBLE REDUCTIONS IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND TAX LEVY.  THE 2022 PRELIMINARY PROPERTY TAX LEVY WILL BE SET AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.  IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE CITY ATTORNEY HAD UPDATES ON A NUMBER OF PUBLIC NUISANCE VIOLATIONS.  LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO A NUMBER OF PROPERTY OWNERS. 
 
THE WINDOM CITY COUNCIL MET EARLIER THIS WEEK.   THE COUNCIL APPROVED PLANS FOR A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUCTION TO BE HELD AT THE WINDOM CITY ARENA ON SEPTEMBER 18TH.  THE AUCTION WILL FEATURE ITEMS CLASSIFIED AS SURPLUS OR OBSOLETE BY VARIOUS CITY DEPARTMENTS, ALONG WITH ITEMS FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE HOSPITAL.  A DISCUSSION WAS HELD ON LIQUOR LICENSE FEES.  THE COUNCIL INDICATED IT INTENDS TO GO BACK TO THE NORMAL RATES NEXT YEAR AFTER APPROVING REDUCED RATES FOR 2021.  THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE HIRING OF NEW EMPLOYEES FOR THE RIVER BEND LIQUOR STORE AND THE WINDOM COMMUNITY CENTER.  THERE WAS AN UPDATE ON PLANS FOR A NEW VETERANS’ MEMORIAL.   
 
THE JACKSON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT IS HOSTING A FLY-IN BREAKFAST THIS WEEKEND.  THE 2021 BREAKFAST WILL BE HELD SUNDAY AT THE AIRPORT.  HOURS ARE FROM 7:30 SUNDAY MORNING UNTIL NOON.  A MEAL WILL BE SERVED WITH PANCAKES, EGGS AND SAUSAGES, SERVED BY THE JACKSON LIONS CLUB.  PILOTS EAT FOR FREE.  THE COST IS $8 FOR ADULTS; $6 FOR CHILDREN 12-AND-YOUNGER; PRE-SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN EAT FOR FREE.  PEOPLE MAY SIGN UP FOR A CHANCE TO WIN $500 IN ‘JACKSON BUCKS’ AS DOOR PRIZES.  THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES TO PAY A FEE AND TAKE AN AIRPLANE RIDE.  FOR PILOTS, TIE-DOWNS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND THERE WILL BE UNDER-WING CAMPING AVAILABLE FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.