Partnership creates launch for canoes, kayaks that connects to Cedar River State Water Trail — AUSTIN, Minn. — July 19, 2022 — For years, locals have paddled the meandering route of Turtle Creek on Austin’s west side to enjoy the stream in the city and use it as a connection to the Cedar River State Water Trail. Easy access for launching a canoe or kayak…

USDA-NRCS, SWCD gather feedback from annual meeting — May 27, 2022 — Determining priority areas for conservation funding in Mower, Dodge, Freeborn and Steele counties is the focus of a meeting next month that will bring those communities together for the first time. Members of the public in those four counties are wanted to serve on the Local…

Free, community event June 8 to offer array of activities — June 2, 2022 — Free swimming, canoeing, kayaking, face painting, music, dance performances and much more are planned next week for the return of Austin’s 4th Avenue Fest. This family friendly, annual event is a celebration of arts, culture and healthy living and functions as the community’s summer kickoff. Activities…

Free Community Day set for Saturdy at Austin Mill Pond — May 10, 2022 — Canoemobile has returned to the Cedar River State Water Trail for a week of programming on the land and water for area students, ending with a free Community Day on Saturday. Austin Mill Pond’s southwest landing at the city pool parking lot will be the site…

Project manager succeeds Hanson who joins MN BWSR — May 6, 2022 — A familiar face will lead Mower Soil & Water Conservation District after its manager Justin Hanson joins a state agency’s leadership team. Cody Fox, project manager for Mower SWCD and Cedar River Watershed District, will become on Monday the district manager for Mower SWCD after being…

Local jury determines Blooming Prairie man accidentally fell off Austin bridge but some suspected foul play — By Tim Ruzek, Cedar River Watershed District After waking up on a Friday morning, Chris Nockelby grabbed his fishing pole and walked a few blocks to the Cedar River below Austin’s downtown dam. Upon arrival, however, Nockelby’s plans for a relaxing day of fishing on June 26, 1903, changed quickly…

April 7 event offered by Mower County, Univ. of Minnesota — Austin, Minn. — April 4, 2022 – Rural homeowners in Mower County are encouraged to learn more about their septic tanks and drinking-water wells at a free workshop next week in Austin. Mower County Environmental Services is offering a “Septic System Care and Maintenance & Domestic Wells” workshop from 6…

City, CRWD also urge residents to help protect streams — March 22, 2022 — Returning to the streets of Austin this week is a water-quality initiative started a year ago by the city to clean its 150 miles of roadways more quickly from winter’s salt and sand. Part of an effort to better protect the Cedar River State Water Trail…

Local manufacturer led 1891–1892 festivals before moving away, leaving city uninspired to continue major event — Two toboggan slides kept busy in February 1891 as people of all ages waited for their turn to glide down to the frozen Cedar River as brass bands performed near downtown Austin. “Many a visitor took his first toboggan ride,” the Mower County Transcript wrote Feb. 11, 1891.