The Litchfield High School Post Prom Committee has a fundraiser this Sunday at the Muddy Cow. There will be bingo, starting at 1 p.m., and tickets are $40 each.
Adam Stern is part of the Post Prom Committee and says there will be 8 games with a top prize of $200, and then a black out round with a grand prize of $2,000. He says doors will be open at 11 a.m. with a meat raffle at 11:30 a.m. and there will be meat raffles between games. Tickets for bingo are available in advance at the Muddy Cow.
Stern says the theme for this year’s prom is “A Night at the Oscars” so the students will walk on the red carpet and have their photos taken before the grand march, then they will go to the Blaine Event Center for dinner and dancing and to an adventure park in Coon Rapids before returning to Litchfield for post prom activities. He says he’s helping out as his niece is a junior and he has some Hollywood connections.
Stern says he is still doing promotions for Disney, but is able to work remotely in Litchfield as he shuttles back and forth from L.A. to Litchfield. He says he would like to thank all of the donors and sponsors who are helping to make this a special prom for the Litchfield High School students.
The Litchfield City Council approved of a resolution last night to have the property at 1002 South Armstrong Avenue surveyed. A neighboring property owner expressed interest in purchasing the property a few months ago.
City Administrator Dave Czoik put together a “sale of property decision table” to gauge the worth of the property to the city versus selling it and the actions needed in each scenario. If the parcel of property is going to be sold, a public hearing would be scheduled.
The Council approved of a resolution allowing a variance for an increase in allowable square footage for an addition to an existing detached garage for Jeremy Lehr at 501 South Chandler Avenue. The Council approved of taking full advantage of state aid funds for the Swift Avenue/Ripley Street improvement project.
Administrator Czoik updated the Council about the situation at the wastewater plant in which the sand filters were bypassed for 10 days earlier this month due to excess loading. The City has been in contact with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency about the situation.
Also last night, Council member Bob Powers brought up concerns he had about the Litchfield Area Recreation Center such as revenues and expenditures, and parking lot issues which led to a rather lengthy discussion about the facility which just opened last September.
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners has approved of a resolution for implementing a local option sales tax. The .5% (half a cent) tax will help fund transportation projects.
The Board approved of the professional services contract for preliminary geometric layout work for a roundabout at the intersection of CSAH 34 & U.S. Highway 12 with MnDOT and consultant SEH, Inc.; and approved of the 2026 feedlot delegation agreement work plan following a presentation by County Feedlot Officer Ann Steinhaus.
The Commissioners authorized the Public Works department to set a letting date for paving of the Justice Center parking lot; awarded the 2026 Chip Seal Contract to Pearson Brothers of Hanover, MN for an estimated total cost of $470,743.47 for County-State-Aid-Highways 3 and 12; and approved of a joint powers agreement for building code inspection services with the City of Paynesville.
The County Board has approved of the final plat application for the one lot plat of Laughlin Acres, located in Section 11 of Dassel Township by Little Swan Lake; and approved of a conditional use permit for the Ice House Solar 2 project for Thomas Fisher in Section 34 of Dassel Township.
The County Commissioners approved of the purchase of a new 2027 Mack Granite 64FR from Nuss Equipment of St. Cloud for a not-to-exceed price of $165,000 and snow and ice body equipment from Towmaster of Litchfield for a not-to-exceed price of $195,000 before taxes and licensing. The Board also approved of the purchase of a new 2026 HAMM HD10CVV roller from RDO Equipment of Sauk Rapids for an estimated price of $39,435 after trade-in of existing equipment.
The Meeker County Gardener’s Gala is coming up on Thursday, March 12th from 5-to-8:30 p.m. in the St. Philip’s Church Social Hall in Litchfield. Early bird $10 registration is due by February 27th – after that it will be $20.
Master Gardener Connie Johnson says there will be two speakers – Courtney Tchida from Wild Farm Alliance who will talk about edible native plants and herbs; and Quincy Sadowski from University of Minnesota Extension who will talk about non-native plants and their native alternatives. She says both speakers will provide great gardening information and maybe encourage you to try something new in your gardening endeavors this spring and summer.
Johnson says there will also be vendor and information booths at the Gardener’s Gala and door prizes. She says you can register ahead of time at z.umn.edu/MeekerGardenGalaReg and you can also stop at the Extension office at the Meeker County Fairgrounds or call 320-693-5275.