Melvin Davy, of Brownsville Township, pleaded his case before the Houston County Board of Appeals Thursday night. Davy, who has recently been cited for being out of compliance with zoning ordinances for having three residences on a 40 acre parcel, said that there were many reasons why he should be allowed to utilize an apartment that was previously used to house his mother, which he said has been a legal residence for 25 years. Zoning Administrator Bob Scanlan disagreed with Davy, calling the third dwelling (built in an agricultural building) illegal. After a heated debate with several attendees, the board voted unanimously to deny the appeal. Check the March 17 issue of the Argus for more on this story.
Photo by Craig Moorhead

Thunder and lightning, 50-degree temps and the “cheep, cheep, cheep” of robins are all signs spring is right around the corner. Folks in the Caledonia area woke up to rumbles of thunder Thursday morning and by afternoon, the first robins were spotted grubbing for worms in the Argus back yard.             Photo by Charlie Warner

After numerous recounts, the final one overseen by Houston County Auditor Char Meiners, Houston County Sheriff Doug Ely and about 30 Yucatan Township residents, it was determined that incumbent Yucatan Township Supervisor Elvin Paulson, at left, and challenger Peter Orr had both received 62 votes in Tuesday's annual township election. Meiners had contacted state officials and was instructed to have the contested race for supervisor determined by the drawing of lots. The two candidates had their choice of a coin toss, drawing straws and cutting cards. They agreed on the latter. Paulson drew the two of spades, while Orr drew the three of clubs. The final recount and drawing of cards took place Wednesday afternoon at the Yucatan Town Hall in western Houston County.       Photo by Charlie Warner 

Township elections and annual meetings were held March 9 across Minnesota and also in the 17 townships that make up Houston County. While most annual meetings in the county were held Tuesday evening, Wilmington Township convened their annual meeting at 2 p.m. Tuesday. In the photo Wes Lapham of rural Caledonia leaves the Wilmington Town Hall located southwest of Caledonia Tuesday afternoon following the annual meeting. For election results from area townships, see the March 17 issue of the Caledonia Argus. Photo by Charlie Warner

Mike Staggemeyer stands beside the barrel that was autographed by 20 persons from the Staggemeyer Stave Company eight years ago.     

Photo by Charlie Warner

“It was a little like finding a needle in a haystack,” was the way Mike Staggemeyer explained it. The “it” in this case was a white oak barrel that was made at the Bluegrass Cooperage factory in Louisville, Ky. in 2002.