Mower SWCD continues to offer cost-share up to $1,000 per well — AUSTIN, Minn. — March 20, 2023 — Mower County residents whose property includes an old well are strongly encouraged to apply for cost-share assistance to help them seal the hole that poses a danger to people, animals and drinking-water resources. A strong reminder of the dangers posed by unused wells…

State approves 31 local applications; 84 in Mower await funding — Feb. 28, 2023 In the spur of the moment last fall, Jaimie Timm decided to take out her family’s backyard flower bed consisting of a hodgepodge of hand-me-downs and random plants. She didn’t have a new plan for the roughly 75-square-foot flower bed at her home overlooking Austin’s Skinners Hill…

County sees 98 SSTS replacements in 2022; nealry 340 in 3 years — Feb. 14, 2022 — Nearly 340 septic systems have been replaced in three years across Mower County as part of an initiative aimed at protecting groundwater and local waterways. After the 2022 construction season, Mower County Environmental Services now has overseen the installation of 338 subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTS)…

Clays lose two sons in separate accidents one year apart; made history with injury lawsuit against railroad for one child — With rakes tied to poles, the Rayman brothers and two other men frantically dragged the bottom of the frigid Cedar River from boats. Frankie Clay Jr., a 13-year-old Austin boy, had fallen through the ice of a river bend while skating with friends that Sunday afternoon in December 1906. They…

Water-quality projects planned in creek’s north branch for construction in early 2024 — Feb. 3, 2023 Over the past century, heavy rains have caused Dobbins Creek to rise and fall quickly on its way toward Austin, leading the stream to overtop rural roads and cause major erosion. This history of damaging flash floods has disconnected Dobbins Creek from parts of its natural floodplains…

Mower SWCD co-sponsor of free event Feb. 8 in Stewartville — Jan. 31, 2023 — Free soil-health workshops once again are being planned in February along Interstate 90 and U.S. Hwy. 14, including a workshop in Stewartville co-hosted by Mower Soil & Water Conservation District. Partnering organizations are offering the 2023 I-90 & Hwy. 14 tour for CLASIC (Crop, Livestock and…

11th annual Plunging for Pink fundraiser set for Saturday in Austin — Jan. 24, 2023 A thick layer of ice covers Austin’s East Side Lake now but a small pool will be cut open near its boat ramp this week for dozens of people to take a plunge. On Saturday (Jan. 28), the 11th annual Plunging for Pink will raise money for…

East Side Lake contest seeks to top $200,000 in lifetime donations to cancer research — January 12, 2023 For more than a decade, ice anglers have ventured onto the frozen, local waters in hopes of reeling in fish and raising money for cancer research. Those involved with the 14th annual Fishing for a Cure ice-fishing contest are hoping this year’s event — set for Saturday…

Lawns to Legumes applications due Jan. 18; Austin priority area — Jan. 10, 2023 — Pocket prairies to increase habitat for bees, monarch butterflies and other at-risk pollinators are wanted in Mower County yards, particular for those in the prioritized Austin area. State cost-share funding can help residents make that happen this year through the Lawns to Legumes program by the…