News

One of the most pressing needs of communities through rural Minnesota is affordable housing. It is a key to attracting new workers and residents. Last August, the City of Benson agreed to work with Cody Nelson of Nelson Properties of Sauk Centre for the construction of 13 duplexes, or 26 units in two phases, in the Cottage Square area to address Benson’s housing shortage. The first phase of Nelson’s housing project is underway in northeast Benson with construction of four duplexes to be completed by Dec. 31. The second phase involves nine townhomes, 18 units, all to be completed by Dec. 21, 2027. It is estimated the total cost of the completed project will be $3.795 million.

By Reed Anfinson

Publisher

CentraCare Health and Swift County-Benson Health Services (SCBHS) will not meet the hoped-for deadline of July to have guidance on whether or not they would move into a full affiliation agreement.

By Reed Anfinson

Publisher

COVID-19 is still “hanging around,” Swift County-Benson Health Services Chief Nursing Officer and Co-CEO Melissa McGinty-Thompson told the governing board at its Monday night meeting. 

By Reed Anfinson

Publisher

Now that its conditional use permit from the City of Benson has been approved, Nature Energy’s next significant step is getting its Environmental Assessment Worksheet approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

By Reed Anfinson

Publisher

Considering how much property valuations increased in Swift County for taxes payable in 2023, Assessor Joe Tschida might have expected a considerable number of appeals flowing into his office.

The Benson community is set to celebrate its 91st annual Kid Day, Saturday and Sunday, July 14-17 with a number of activities also taking place in the days leading up to Kid Day weekend.  The theme of this year’s Kid Day is “Fun For All Ages” and the featured event of Kid Day, the Kid Day Parade, is set for 10 a.m., Saturday, July 16.

By Reed Anfinson

Publisher

“Find us a city manager,” were the final words Mayor Terri Collins told Liza Donabauer, a management consultant with David Drown and Associates (DDA). Donabauer is leading the search effort for the city. It’s the second one in the past few months.

By Reed Anfinson

Publisher

Benson’s City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for Nature Energy’s construction of a bio-gas facility at its meeting Monday night.

By Reed Anfinson

Publisher 

With flooded fields and basements after a record 12.5 inches of precipitation in April and May who would have thought by mid-June the lawns would be turning brown?

Two homes in Benson were heavily damaged by fire just a day apart. There were no injuries reported in either fire.

Sunday, the home of Breanna Flaten on Sanford Road, a fire that apparently started in the kitchen left it in ashes and extensive smoke throughout the structure. The belongings inside the house are reportedly unsalvageable.