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CogniLocal

Waverly / Howard Lake

Your Community, More Completely.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 · Permanent link to this edition
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HLWW choir concert Friday, October 23Waverly council work session Wednesday, October 28HLWW first quarter ends Friday, October 30Waverly city attorney proposals due Thursday, November 12
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Today in Waverly / Howard Lake

Lakers football hosts Montevideo tonight, Wednesday, October 21, at 7 p.m.; volleyball plays Spectrum Thursday, October 22, at 7 p.m.
The Wright County Food Shelf in Waverly is open today, Wednesday, October 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
A senior coffee hour meets at Waverly City Hall today and every Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
The HLWW High School choir concert is Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. in the Laker Theater.
Waverly lists an EDA meeting Monday, October 26, and a council special work session Wednesday, October 28, at 5 p.m.
Waverly is taking city attorney proposals through Thursday, November 12, at 3:30 p.m.
Howard Lake police officer applications stay open until the positions are filled; initial interviews are expected the first week of November.

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.

The city's first review of applications was October 15, but applications remain open until the positions are filled. Initial interviews are anticipated in the first week of November. Questions go to Chief David Thompson at 320-543-3670.

Schools & Youth

ONGOINGBoth

Draft minutes show HLWW board approved contracts and three overnight trips September 28

Draft minutes of the HLWW School Board's September 28 work session, posted with the board's October 12 agenda for approval, show the board approved Tech Assistant and Specialist contracts, with board member J. Borrell abstaining, and unanimously approved an action on the employment of a district employee. Board member Shannah Mulvihill was absent.

The board also unanimously approved three overnight student trips: basketball to East Central-Hinkley/Rush City on December 11 and 12, 2026; sixth grade to Deep Portage in Hackensack on January 13 to 15, 2027; and wrestling to Fargo on December 28 to 30, 2026. Policy 721, Procurement, had its first reading.

The minutes were listed on the October 12 consent agenda; minutes from that meeting have not been posted. The board's next work session is Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school media center, according to the draft minutes and the district calendar.

ONGOINGHoward Lake / Waverly / Winsted

HLWW lists picture retakes, end of first quarter and a November 2 no-school day

HLWW picture retakes are listed for Tuesday, October 27, at the high school and middle school, and Wednesday, October 28, at Humphrey and Winsted elementary schools.

The first quarter ends Friday, October 30. Monday, November 2, is a teacher workshop day with no students, according to the district calendar.

NEWHoward Lake / Waverly / Winsted

HLWW names three student board representatives; FFA teams qualify for state

Tanner Glessing, a senior, Sophia Hintz, a sophomore, and Brycen Diers, a junior, are the HLWW School Board's student representatives for the 2026-27 school year, the district announced October 12. Diers is returning for a second year.

The district also reported October 9 that the FFA Dairy Evaluation Team of Adam Marquardt, Sam Schaefer and Owen Davis, General Livestock individual Tilly Chandler and the Poultry Team of Issac Marquette and Rowan Salmella qualified for the state convention in April.

Business & Commercial Development

ONGOINGWaverly / Howard Lake

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

Nuvera's latest construction updates, dated October 6, list area 02 in both Waverly and Howard Lake as ready for fiber. Area 04 in each community was 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

ONGOINGHoward Lake

Howard Lake Senior Group next meets Tuesday, November 3, at the library

The Howard Lake Senior Group is on the city calendar for Tuesday, November 3, and Tuesday, November 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Community Room at Howard Lake Library, 817 8th Avenue.

Howard Lake Library is closed Sundays. It is open Wednesday from 1 to 8 p.m., Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. For library access and hours, call 320-543-2020. City Hall can be reached at 320-543-3670.

ONGOINGHoward Lake

Fall Storytime runs Tuesday mornings at Howard Lake Library

Howard Lake Library's Fall Storytime continues Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., with the next session Tuesday, October 27, and sessions listed through Tuesday, November 24. The program offers stories, songs and activities for children ages 6 and under.

Great River Regional Library lists the program as sponsored by Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Early Childhood Family Education.

Arts, Culture & Events

ONGOINGHoward Lake

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.

NEWHoward Lake

HLWW High School choir concert is Friday at the Laker Theater

The HLWW High School choir concert is Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. in the Laker Theater, according to the district calendar.

The high school is at 8700 County Road 6 SW, south of Howard Lake.

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.

BACKGROUNDWaverly

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.

BACKGROUNDWright 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.

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 uses of ChatGPT, such as looking up information, answering questions and drafting everyday writing like invitations and letters.

Sports

ONGOING

Lakers football hosts Montevideo tonight after 28-27 win at Watertown-Mayer

Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted football hosts Montevideo tonight, Wednesday, October 21, at 7 p.m. The Lakers are 4-3 after winning at Watertown-Mayer 28-27 on October 14, according to MaxPreps, following a 47-21 loss to New London-Spicer on October 9.

In volleyball, New London-Spicer beat HLWW 3-1 on October 8 in a matchup of the top two teams in the Wright County Conference West, the Herald Journal reported. The district calendar lists the Lakers against Spectrum Thursday, October 22, at 7 p.m.

Community & Services

ONGOINGWaverly

Wright County Food Shelf in Waverly is open today until 5:30 p.m.

The WCCA Wright County Food Shelf & Thrift Shop at 411 Elm Avenue in Waverly is open today, Wednesday, October 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. WCCA lists the same hours on Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and says it is closed Fridays.

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.

ONGOINGWaverly

Senior coffee hour meets at Waverly City Hall Wednesday mornings

A weekly senior coffee meetup started by a group of residents meets at Waverly City Hall Wednesdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m., including today, October 21, according to the city.

The city says the gathering is open to all seniors and anyone is welcome. Bring your own coffee cup. City Hall is at 502 Atlantic Avenue.

City, Roads & Planning

ONGOINGWaverly

Waverly sets preliminary 2027 levy 16.17% higher

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.

The final levy can come in lower than the preliminary amount but not higher. The Herald Journal reported that the city's truth-in-taxation hearing is set for the council's regular meeting Tuesday, December 8, at 6 p.m. at Waverly City Hall.

ONGOINGWaverly

Waverly council's October 13 agenda listed a decision on a water treatment facility with Montrose

The Waverly City Council's agenda for its October 13 regular meeting listed a council decision on a water treatment facility with Montrose, under the city engineer's report. The agenda also listed Elm Avenue design approval, a liquor license for Bubba Chop's Roadhouse and election judges for the November 3 general election.

Minutes of the October 13 meeting have not been posted, so the outcome of those items is not yet on the public record. The same agenda lists the general election canvassing meeting for 5:45 p.m. on November 10.

NEWWaverly

Waverly seeks proposals for city attorney services; deadline November 12

The City of Waverly is requesting proposals and qualifications from law firms and individual attorneys with municipal law experience to serve as city attorney, according to a city notice posted by the Herald Journal. The City Council will choose the attorney.

Proposals are due Thursday, November 12, at 3:30 p.m. The notice says the full request for proposals is on the city website; questions go to City Administrator Carrie Krienke at 763-658-4217, ext. 4.

NEWWaverly

Waverly lists EDA, parks and council work session meetings next week

Waverly's city calendar lists an Economic Development Authority meeting Monday, October 26, at 6 p.m., a Parks & Recreation meeting Tuesday, October 27, at 6 p.m. and a City Council special work session Wednesday, October 28, at 5 p.m.

Agendas for those meetings have not been posted. The next regular council meeting is listed for Tuesday, November 10, at 6 p.m.

Still Developing

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

OPEN

Waverly Public Works superintendent search

The city's job bulletin for the Public Works superintendent position, advertised at $43.98 to $48.55 per hour, listed a closing date of October 11. A hire has not been announced.

Still unresolved: The hiring outcome.

Next checkpoint: A hiring announcement or council appointment.

Application period closed October 11.

Source: Current job bulletin
AWAITING RECORDS

Howard Lake September 21 City Council actions

Draft minutes of the September 21 meeting, included in the October 20 council packet for approval, show the council unanimously adopted Ordinance 26-02, accepted the Howard Lake American Legion's donation of the Veterans Memorial with a maintenance agreement, approved the preliminary 2027 general fund budget and levy, set the truth-in-taxation hearing for Monday, December 7, at 6 p.m. and moved the October meeting to Tuesday, October 20.

Still unresolved: Council approval of the September 21 minutes, which is on the October 20 consent agenda.

Next checkpoint: Approved minutes after the October 20 meeting.

Draft September 21 minutes posted in the October 20 council packet.

Sources: Howard Lake meeting calendar; Herald Journal, Ordinance 26-02 summary; City of Howard Lake, October 20 council agenda packet
AWAITING RECORDS

HLWW school-board work session

Draft minutes of the September 28 work session were posted with the board's October 12 agenda. They show approval of Tech Assistant and Specialist contracts, three overnight student trips and an employment action.

Still unresolved: Formal approval of the minutes, and the record of the October 12 regular meeting.

Next checkpoint: Approved minutes or the October 12 meeting record.

Sources: September 28 work session minutes (draft); October 12 board agenda
OPEN

Waverly water

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 city news
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. The claims list in the October 20 council packet includes $12,421 to Waste Management for garbage and recycling services for September 2026.

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.

October 20 claims list includes a Waste Management payment for September service.

Sources: September contract summary; City of Howard Lake, October 20 council agenda packet
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 RECORDS

September 28 Waverly EDA meeting

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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