The Caledonia Area High School music departments presented the musical “Anything Goes” March 12 - 14. Members of the dance line shown above are from left, Emily Adamson, Austin Perry, Irene Abbott, Emily Klug, Amanda Hahn and Serenity Meyer. For more photos of the event, see page 18 .               Photo by Zach Thomas

Karli Harguth worked with Arc Southeastern Minnesota’s Housing Access Services staff to find a place of her own with her own keys. She’s found that in Caledonia.                  Submitted photo

Along with the growth in number of group homes for people with disabilities has come the assumption that this living setting is the right solution for all. But many people with disabilities don’t need the high level of supervision in a group home setting.  Their choice – a home of their own in the regular community – suits them better and helps change erroneous perceptions of them as different and not able to contribute and be part of all aspects of the community.  And perfectly timed with Minnesota’s current budget deficit, helping people with disabilities live independently also saves the state money.

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 

“Karma” was the way one Yucatan Township resident described it, as about 30 persons filed out of the town hall Wednesday evening following a somewhat heated meeting. 

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. 

Brownsville Township resident Melvin Davy presented his case before the Houston County Board of Appeals on March 11. Davy was recently cited for being out of compliance with county zoning ordinances for having three residences on a 40 acre parcel.