CogniLocal Your Community, More Completely.
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CogniLocal

Waverly / Howard Lake

Your Community, More Completely.
Friday, October 2, 2026 · Permanent link to this edition
Edition archive
Carnitas cooking class Saturday, October 3Howard Lake Senior Group Tuesday, October 6HLWW conferences and school board meeting Monday, October 12Howard Lake police applications first reviewed October 15
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Today in Waverly / Howard Lake

HLWW schools start two hours late today, Friday, October 2; varsity football plays Litchfield at 7 p.m.
Waverly's preliminary 2027 city levy is 16.17% higher than this year's, the Herald Journal reported; the truth-in-taxation hearing is December 8. (unconfirmed)
Wright County marks National 4-H Week October 4 to 10; a Howard Lake 4-H member presented the proclamation. (unconfirmed)
Nuvera lists both fiber construction areas in Waverly and Howard Lake as ready for fiber.
Howard Lake's Senior Group meets Tuesday, October 6, and Tuesday, October 20, at the library.
The Wright County Food Shelf in Waverly is closed Fridays; its next listed hours begin Monday, October 5, at 8:30 a.m.

NEW: newly reported developments or upcoming opportunities. UPDATE: later substantive information on a covered story. ONGOING: continuing useful information. RESOLVED: the reported issue has ended. BACKGROUND: dated historical context, not a new development or confirmation of current availability. UNCONFIRMED: a story, continuing story or detail that could not be confirmed against its cited source on the edition date; the note under the headline says what is not confirmed. Today and countdown lines carry "(unconfirmed)" for the same reason. All local times are Central Daylight Time.

Public Safety & Courts

ONGOINGHoward Lake

City seeks multiple full-time police officers

Howard Lake is accepting applications for multiple full-time police officer positions to meet current staffing needs and prepare for a possible expansion of the department's service area. Applicants must hold, or be eligible for, Minnesota POST licensure. The posted pay range is $39.48 to $53.70.

Applications remain open until the positions are filled, with the first review on Thursday, October 15, and initial interviews anticipated in the first week of November. Questions go to Chief David Thompson at 320-543-3670.

Schools & Youth

ONGOINGBoth

School-board work session minutes are not yet posted

The HLWW School Board had a work session scheduled for September 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the HLWW High School Media Center, according to the district calendar and BoardBook listing. As of October 2, the public BoardBook archive shows only an agenda for that meeting, with no minutes or audio, so no board action can be confirmed from the official record.

The district calendar lists the board's next regular meeting for Monday, October 12, at 6:30 p.m.

  • Latest status: Meeting listing and agenda posted; minutes or another official account of action not yet available
  • Unresolved: What was discussed, what action was taken and whether any votes occurred
  • Event date: September 28, 2026
  • Next regular meeting: October 12, 2026
  • Sources: District Calendar; BoardBook public archive
ONGOING

HLWW schools start two hours late today, Friday, October 2

HLWW's district calendar lists a two-hour planned late start today, Friday, October 2, blocked from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

The same calendar lists varsity football against Litchfield tonight from 7 to 9 p.m.

ONGOINGBoth

Walk to School Day and conferences are on HLWW's October calendar

HLWW's district calendar lists Walk to School Day for Humphrey and Winsted elementary schools on Wednesday, October 7. The Club's Choice fundraiser kicks off Tuesday, October 6.

Middle school parent-teacher conferences and high school conferences are both listed for Monday, October 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. Fall break is listed for Thursday, October 15, and Friday, October 16.

  • Walk to School Day: October 7, 2026
  • Conferences: October 12, 2026
  • Fall break: October 15 and 16, 2026
  • Source: HLWW district calendar

Business & Commercial Development

ONGOING

Nuvera lists both fiber construction areas in Waverly and Howard Lake as ready

Nuvera's September 29 construction updates list area 02 in both Waverly and Howard Lake as ready for fiber. Area 04 in each community was already listed as ready in earlier updates, so both construction areas on each city's page now carry that status.

Nuvera says new customers who signed up for fiber will be contacted for installation in the upcoming weeks, and current customers will be contacted to migrate to fiber.

Community & Culture

ONGOING

Howard Lake Senior Group lists October 6 and October 20 gatherings at the library

The Howard Lake Senior Group is on the city calendar for Tuesday, October 6, and Tuesday, October 20, from 1 to 3 p.m., in the Community Room at Howard Lake Library, 817 8th Avenue.

Howard Lake Library is open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For library access and hours, call 320-543-2020. City Hall can be reached at 320-543-3670.

ONGOINGHoward LakeUNCONFIRMED

National 4-H Week begins Sunday, October 4, in Wright County

Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: all details, because the county news release could not be opened. Check the source before relying on it.

At its September 15 meeting, the Wright County Board of Commissioners unanimously proclaimed October 4 to 10 as National 4-H Week in Wright County. The proclamation was presented to the board by Sophie Salmela, a member of the Handy Dandy 4-H Club of Howard Lake and president of the Wright County 4-H Federation Board.

Salmela told the board that Wright County's 4-H program has 21 clubs, more than 700 members and more than 180 adult volunteers, and that 4-H groups use the first full week in October to spotlight their programs and recruit new members.

Arts, Culture & Events

ONGOING

HLWW household cooking class on carnitas and tortillas is tomorrow, Saturday, October 3

HLWW Community Education lists a virtual class with Tess Georgakopoulos tomorrow, Saturday, October 3, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Participants prepare carnitas, flour and corn tortillas, and pickled red onions in their own kitchens.

The listed fee is $39 per household. An electric multicooker and a nonstick pan are listed equipment needs. The district page says online registration is over; contact Community Education at 320-543-4670 to ask whether any places remain.

ONGOING

Applications are listed for HLWW’s November 21 arts and crafts expo

HLWW Community Education lists its Creative Arts & Crafts Expo for Saturday, November 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Middle School and Activity Center, 8700 County Road 6 SW, south of Howard Lake.

Exhibitors must be involved in making what they sell. Applications are processed in the order received, subject to available space; a standard 12-by-12-foot booth is listed at $69. The district's registration page provides exhibitor requirements, options and contact information.

AI in Your Community

CogniLocal tracks where artificial intelligence and related automated systems are already entering the institutions that serve this community, who is deploying them, what they are being used for and what changes next.

ONGOINGWaverly

Wright County Sheriff wearables bring AI-powered law-enforcement technology to Waverly

Waverly contracts with the Wright County Sheriff's Office for police services. Oracle said in October 2025 that the office was deploying its AI-powered Public Safety Wearable Computer System, making the technology directly relevant to the agency that provides Waverly's policing.

Oracle said the officer-worn devices automatically record interactions and were planned to add live video streaming to the command center. At the October 2025 announcement, Oracle said 70% of Wright County's 176 sworn personnel were already using the system, with full deployment expected within two weeks.

The October 2025 announcement does not establish completion of later dispatch and records phases or identify which AI features are currently enabled. It also does not establish use by Howard Lake Police.

ONGOINGWaverly / Wright CountyUNCONFIRMED

Wright County's automated plate-reader network is already in active use

Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: the description of what the system alerts on (stolen or wanted vehicles, stolen plates, missing persons) and that it can be searched after the fact. Check the source before relying on it.

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office operates fixed and mobile Flock automated license-plate readers around the county. The sheriff’s office says the system alerts it to stolen or wanted vehicles, stolen license plates and missing persons, and can be searched after the fact to find vehicles involved in criminal activity.

On September 3, 2026, the sheriff’s office said Flock cameras helped it quickly locate a person of interest after a man was found dead with an apparent stab wound in a Monticello home. The person was taken into custody about 10 miles from a Cass County residence where investigators believed he might be headed. The sheriff’s office said the case remains under active investigation.

ONGOINGWright County

AI-generated fake citations reached a Wright County court filing

The Minnesota Tax Court found that a Wright County brief contained five nonexistent case citations generated by artificial intelligence. The court concluded that including the false citations violated Rule 11.02(b) of the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure.

The court declined to order sanctions but referred the matter involving the assistant county attorney who signed and filed the brief to the Minnesota Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board.

ONGOINGWright CountyUNCONFIRMED

AI-driven data-center demand has already changed Wright County land-use policy

Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: the ordinance wording naming artificial intelligence and cloud services, and the May 19, 2027 deadline for the workgroup's recommendations. Check the source before relying on it.

Wright County adopted an emergency moratorium on applications for data centers in county townships on May 19, 2026. The moratorium gives the county up to one year to study and adopt ordinance language setting the time, place and manner in which data centers would be permitted.

The county's interim ordinance names artificial intelligence, cloud services and other digital infrastructure as creating a need for physical data centers. In June, the county board approved a workgroup to evaluate environmental, fiscal, infrastructure and land-use considerations; it is to deliver recommendations before May 19, 2027.

BACKGROUNDHoward Lake / Waverly / Winsted

HLWW’s summer 2024 catalog listed an adult AI class

Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Community Education listed a practical ChatGPT class for adults, titled “AI (AI) Made So Practical and Easy!”, in its summer 2024 catalog. The catalog documents a past offering; it does not establish a current class or registration opportunity.

The class description focused on practical use of ChatGPT for searching, research, writing and everyday tasks.

Sports

ONGOING

Lakers beat Kimball in four sets; Glencoe-Silver Lake is next on Tuesday

Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted defeated Kimball 3-1 on Tuesday, September 29, according to MaxPreps' game recap. Set scores were 25-13, 14-25, 25-23 and 25-23, and MaxPreps put HLWW's record at 5-5.

HLWW's school calendar lists the team's next varsity match after Thursday's match against Central, Norwood Young America, as Glencoe-Silver Lake at 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 6.

Community & Services

ONGOINGWaverly

Wright County Food Shelf in Waverly is closed Fridays; next listed hours begin Monday at 8:30 a.m.

The WCCA Wright County Food Shelf & Thrift Shop at 411 Elm Avenue in Waverly is closed on Fridays, including today. Its next listed hours begin Monday, October 5, at 8:30 a.m. WCCA lists hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays and 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The food shelf phone number is 763-658-4414.

WCCA says the client-choice food shelf serves all neighbors, regardless of the community they call home, and that it is looking for volunteers to help expand its programs for Wright County families.

City, Roads & Planning

NEWWaverlyUNCONFIRMED

Waverly sets preliminary 2027 levy 16.17% higher

Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: the reasons given by City Administrator Carrie Krienke, the projects postponed to 2028, the nearly 20% possible increase, the December 8 truth-in-taxation hearing at 6 p.m. at City Hall, and the $195 fire protection assessment. Check the source before relying on it.

The Waverly City Council unanimously certified a preliminary 2027 property tax levy of $1,691,748 at a special session September 23, the Herald Journal reported. That is about $235,437, or 16.17%, more than the 2026 levy.

City Administrator Carrie Krienke said much of the increase comes from a higher police contract and scheduled water-fund debt payments due in 2027, according to the Herald Journal. The council postponed several projects to 2028 to bring the figure down from a possible increase of nearly 20%.

The final levy can be lower than the preliminary amount but not higher. The truth-in-taxation hearing is set with the council's regular meeting on Tuesday, December 8, at 6 p.m. at Waverly City Hall. The council also approved a 2027 fire protection service assessment of $195 per parcel on parcels with a market value over $5,000.

Still Developing

The latest confirmed movement, the open question and the next checkpoint.

OPENUNCONFIRMED

Waverly Public Works superintendent search

Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: all details, because the job bulletin could not be opened. Check the source before relying on it.

The city continues to advertise the superintendent position at $43.98 to $48.55 per hour.

Still unresolved: The hiring outcome.

Next checkpoint: October 11 application deadline, followed by a hiring announcement.

Current bulletin lists October 11 closing date.

Source: Current job bulletin
AWAITING RECORDS

Howard Lake Sept. 21 City Council actions

The City Council met September 21 at 7 p.m. at Howard Lake City Hall. The council adopted Ordinance 26-02, a predatory offender residency restriction, at that meeting, according to the city’s published summary.

Still unresolved: Other actions from that meeting, when minutes or another official meeting record become public.

Next checkpoint: Approved minutes or another official meeting record.

Council meeting September 21.

Sources: Howard Lake meeting calendar; Herald Journal, Ordinance 26-02 summary
AWAITING RECORDS

HLWW school-board work session

The district's meeting portal lists the September 28 work-session agenda. A meeting record establishing discussion and any action remains the next checkpoint.

Still unresolved: Discussion, actions and votes.

Next checkpoint: BoardBook minutes or audio.

Source: District meeting records
OPENUNCONFIRMED

Waverly water

Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: the August 28 letter date and that no follow-up on sampling or corrective work has been posted. Check the source before relying on it.

The city continues to post its lead-exceedance notice and the letter sent to residents on August 28. The next substantive checkpoint is an official follow-up explaining sampling results and corrective work.

Still unresolved: Subsequent sampling, corrective action and confirmation of whether the exceedance has been resolved.

Next checkpoint: An official water-quality or corrective-action update.

Source: Waverly water notice and resident letter
OPEN

Howard Lake residency-restriction ordinance

Ordinance 26-02 creates a residency-restriction section in the city code. The city held its separate community-notification briefing September 10.

Still unresolved: Full codified text and implementation details.

Next checkpoint: The updated city code or an implementation notice.

Ordinance summary published September 25.

Sources: Herald Journal ordinance notice; Howard Lake briefing
OPEN

Howard Lake refuse and recycling transition

A September 9 agenda packet contemplated assigning existing refuse and recycling agreements to Waste Management of Minnesota. The transaction was then expected around September 14, with existing terms continuing through the contract period.

Still unresolved: Confirmation of the completed transition and any resident-facing rate or service changes.

Next checkpoint: Approved minutes, a contract notice or resident-service information.

Contract assignment appeared in September 9 materials.

Source: September contract summary
OPEN

Waverly EDA Revolving Loan Fund application

The EDA discussed adding the Business Subsidy Policy, clarifying collateral language and making the application fillable online. The existing application appeared to date from 2018.

Still unresolved: Final adoption of the application and policy changes. The subject is not confirmed on the September 28 agenda.

Next checkpoint: A revised application or recorded EDA action.

Revisions remained unfinished April 27.

Source: April 27 meeting account
AWAITING RECORDSUNCONFIRMED

September 28 Waverly EDA meeting

Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: the October 26 EDA meeting at 6 p.m. Check the source before relying on it.

The city calendar lists the next EDA meeting for Monday, October 26, at 6 p.m.

Still unresolved: Whether the September 28 meeting was held, canceled or moved, and what action was taken.

Next checkpoint: Minutes, a revised calendar notice or the October 26 EDA meeting.

The scheduled EDA meeting time passed; no meeting record was posted by September 29.

Source: Waverly calendar

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