Florence Township

Florence Township election surprise stokes controversy

Mar 22, 2017

Jan Bruce’s surprise write-in victory over incumbent Florence Township Supervisor Joe Ellingson on March 14 has proven controversial. Bruce had 54 votes, while Ellingson had 48. Bruce, who served as an election judge that night, has denied campaigning for the office and said she was unaware until...

Ski jump clears hurdles

Mar 22, 2017

“Baldy at Dakota Park,” the proposed ski jump and entertainment complex at Mt. Frontenac, took two steps forward Monday night. At a 5 p.m. meeting, the Florence Township Board approved a recommendation that Goodhue County approve a conditional use permit for the project. The board is asking the...

Township 'direct democracy' is Tuesday

Mar 9, 2017

Townships around the area will elect officers and hold annual meetings on Tuesday, March 14. The Minnesota Association of Townships calls the events “a true form of direct democracy, encouraging all members of the community to participate.” It continues: “As with most American political ideas,...

Anglers up, shacks down at Frontenac fishing contest

Feb 16, 2017

Warm weather made for fewer permanent shacks but more anglers overall at the Frontenac Sportsmen’s Club fishing contest Feb. 11. “The warm weather did bring out more fishermen,” club President Wade Carlson said. “The payouts were a little higher, which tells me we had more people fishing.” In all...

Villa Maria reimagined as 'wilderness boutique hotel'

Jan 18, 2017

A company that prides itself on restoring historic buildings to prominence presented a vision for the Villa Maria to the Florence Township Board on Jan. 17. John and Stephanie Rupp of St. Paul-based Commonwealth Properties told the board they are considering converting the former convent, girls...

Mt. Frontenac may get a year-round ski jump

Dec 7, 2016

Florence Township will hold an open house to discus plans for a 120-meter ski jump at the former Mt. Frontenac ski area. The open house will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at Florence Town Hall in Frontenac. Representatives from Friends of American Ski Jumping, a major player in...

After 133 years, Villa Maria closes its doors

Jun 29, 2016

Villa Maria Center, which opened as a girls high school in 1883, will close its doors for good on Friday. Sister Rita Ann, an Ursaline Sister from St. Louis here to help with the closing, said Tuesday that members of the Villa community throughout the years said their good-byes last weekend. Those...

Goodhue County approves 2 feedlot expansions, rezoning

Jun 23, 2016

By Sandy Hadler Correspondent Three land use requests were granted at the June 7 Goodhue County Board meeting. Goodhue County Land Use Planner Mike Wozniac said, “We continue to see a lot of investment in our agricultural sector.” He explained that the first request was for a feedlot expansion and...