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CogniLocal

Waverly / Howard Lake

Your Community, More Completely.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 · Permanent link to this edition
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Waverly city attorney proposals due Thursday, November 12, 3:30 p.m.HLWW School Board meets Monday, November 16, 6:30 p.m.State Canvassing Board meets Thursday, November 19HLWW Creative Arts & Crafts Expo Saturday, November 21
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Today in Waverly / Howard Lake

Wright County offices and all Great River Regional Library branches are closed today, Wednesday, November 11, for Veterans Day.
Waverly city attorney proposals are due tomorrow, Thursday, November 12, at 3:30 p.m.
HLWW has posted unofficial school board results for three at-large seats: Koch 2,961, Mulvihill 2,174, Fliehe 2,166.
KRWC 1360 reports Matt Treichler won the Wright County sheriff's race; results are unofficial until canvassed.
Waverly's truth-in-taxation hearing on its proposed 16.17% levy increase is set for Tuesday, December 8, at 6 p.m.
Howard Lake auditing-services proposals are due Wednesday, November 25.

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 posting says applications will be accepted until the positions are filled, with a first review on October 15 and initial interviews anticipated during the first week of November. The posting remains open. Questions go to Chief David Thompson at 320-543-3670.

ONGOINGWaverly / Howard Lake

Treichler wins Wright County sheriff race, KRWC reports; results unofficial until canvassed

Chief Deputy Matt Treichler won the race for Wright County sheriff over Rob Mossman, KRWC 1360 reported November 5. He is scheduled to be sworn in January 4, 2027, and will succeed retiring Sheriff Sean Deringer, the station reported.

The Minnesota Secretary of State's results site says county results are unofficial until county canvassing boards meet, and the State Canvassing Board meets Thursday, November 19. Waverly contracts with the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement; Howard Lake has its own police department, according to Wright County.

Schools & Youth

ONGOINGHoward Lake / Waverly / Winsted

HLWW board meets November 16; October 26 work session outcomes not yet posted

The Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted School Board's next regular meeting is Monday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m. The district calendar also lists a board work session for Monday, November 30, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The board's October 26 work session agenda listed a facility audit discussion, with representatives from InBylt and Ehlers expected to attend, and the superintendent's goals for 2026-27. It also listed possible approval of employee contracts recommended by the Negotiations Committee, a Para MOU on monthly meetings, and a property and casualty insurance renewal with Hanover, with cyber liability coverage through Beazley.

The board's meeting page does not yet list minutes for the October 26 session, so the outcomes of those items have not been posted.

ONGOINGHoward Lake / Waverly / Winsted

HLWW lists November conferences and Thanksgiving break dates

Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Public Schools lists elementary parent-teacher conferences from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 19 (Winsted Elementary), Monday, November 23 (Humphrey and Winsted elementaries) and Tuesday, November 24 (Humphrey Elementary).

The district calendar lists Wednesday, November 25, as a teacher comp day with no students, followed by Thanksgiving break Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27. The elementary Lakers PTA movie and pizza night is listed for Friday, November 20, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Winsted Elementary School.

NEWHoward Lake / Waverly / Winsted

HLWW posts unofficial school board election results

Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Public Schools has posted unofficial results from the November 3 school board election: Katie Anne Koch received 2,961 votes, Shannah Mulvihill 2,174 and Tristin Michael Fliehe 2,166.

Ballotpedia lists the race as three at-large seats. The Minnesota Secretary of State's results site says school district results on that site are unofficial. Board members in Minnesota serve four-year terms, according to the district.

Business & Commercial Development

ONGOINGWaverly / Howard Lake

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

Nuvera's construction updates list area 02 in both Waverly and Howard Lake as ready for fiber, most recently in updates dated October 6. Area 04 in each community was listed as ready in earlier updates (September 8 in the latest Waverly and Howard Lake entries), so both construction areas on each city's page carry that status.

Nuvera's ready-for-fiber entries say new customers who signed up for fiber will be contacted for installation, and current customers will be contacted to migrate to fiber. Neither page lists a newer update since October 6.

Community & Culture

ONGOINGHoward Lake

Fall Storytime has two Tuesday sessions left at Howard Lake Library

Howard Lake Library's Fall Storytime meets Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., with the last two sessions listed for November 17 and 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.

The library is at 817 8th Avenue and is closed today, Wednesday, November 11, for Veterans Day. Its regular Tuesday hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and its phone number is 320-543-2020.

Arts, Culture & Events

ONGOINGHoward Lake

HLWW Creative Arts & Crafts Expo set for Saturday, November 21

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

The expo is limited to homemade arts and crafts, and exhibitors must be involved in making what they sell. Exhibitor applications are processed in the order received and on a space-available basis; a standard 12-by-12-foot booth is listed at $69. Community Education can be reached at 320-543-4670.

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, after a next phase, are planned to stream live footage to the office command center. At the October 2025 announcement, Oracle said 70% of Wright County's 176 sworn personnel were already using the system.

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, finding its order sufficient deterrence, and said it would send the brief, the hearing transcript and other filings to the Minnesota Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board.

BACKGROUNDWaverly

Wright County Sheriff's Office uses license plate reader cameras around the county

The Wright County Sheriff's Office, which provides contract law enforcement in Waverly, says it uses Flock Safety technology, and its Automated License Plate Reader program consists of fixed and mobile cameras placed throughout the county.

The Sheriff's Office says the program lets it be alerted to stolen or wanted vehicles. The county's page points residents to a Flock transparency portal with the office's policies and usage data. Howard Lake has its own police department.

BACKGROUNDWaverly

Wright County Sheriff's Office uses predictive analytics in a deputy wellness scorecard

The Wright County Sheriff's Office, which provides contract law enforcement in Waverly, has started a wellness program for deputies, dispatchers and corrections officers that uses predictive analytics, a wellness scorecard and confidential peer support, FOX 9 reported October 23.

FOX 9 reported that the program tracks stressful calls and aims to connect employees with mental health resources before a crisis, to help prevent PTSD, anxiety, depression and burnout. Howard Lake has its own police department.

Community & Services

ONGOINGWaverly

Wright County Food Shelf in Waverly is open Monday through Thursday

The WCCA Wright County Food Shelf & Thrift Shop at 411 Elm Avenue in Waverly lists hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. The food shelf 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.

NEWWaverly / Howard Lake

Libraries and Wright County offices closed today for Veterans Day

Wright County offices and facilities are closed today, Wednesday, November 11, for Veterans Day and reopen at 8 a.m. Thursday, November 12, the county said. All Great River Regional Library branches, including Howard Lake Library, are also closed today.

KRWC 1360 reported that the Wright County Government Center and Justice Center are lit green through Veterans Day as part of Operation Green Light, and that a county resolution invites residents and businesses to display green lights through November 11.

City, Roads & Planning

ONGOINGWaverly

Waverly sets preliminary 2027 levy 16.17% higher

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

The Herald Journal reported that the final levy can decrease from the preliminary amount but may not increase. The council's truth-in-taxation hearing is set for its regular meeting on Tuesday, December 8, at 6 p.m. at Waverly City Hall, after which the 2027 levy will be finalized.

ONGOINGHoward Lake

Howard Lake seeks proposals for auditing services; deadline November 25

Howard Lake is seeking proposals for professional auditing services, the city said in a notice posted November 9. The submission deadline is Wednesday, November 25, 2026.

The request for proposals is posted in the city's document center. The notice lists City Hall at 625 8th Avenue and the phone number 320-543-3670.

ONGOINGWaverly

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 notice says the attorney will be chosen by the City Council.

Proposals are due tomorrow, 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.

ONGOINGHoward Lake

Howard Lake posts engineering report on October 13 Shoreline Drive watermain valve failure

Howard Lake posted November 6 an engineering report, dated November 5, on a water release on Shoreline Drive on October 13. The report estimates the discharge at approximately 30,800 gallons, or on the order of 30,000 gallons, from a failed buried water main valve.

The report says the most probable cause was progressive loss of bonnet-bolt clamping capacity, most likely associated with corrosion. It also says the available evidence is consistent with an operable lift station being hydraulically overwhelmed by extraordinary inflow. The report is preliminary, and it says evaluation of individual building damage is outside its assignment.

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 November 11, 2026: all details. Check the source before relying on it.

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 RECORDSUNCONFIRMED

Howard Lake September 21 City Council actions

Not confirmed against the source as of November 11, 2026: that the council acted unanimously, the Veterans Memorial donation and maintenance agreement, the preliminary 2027 budget and levy approval, the Monday, December 7, 6 p.m. truth-in-taxation hearing date, the move of the October meeting to October 20, and that draft minutes were in the October 20 packet. Check the source before relying on it.

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 were listed 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: 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, posted with the board's October 12 agenda, show approval of Tech Assistant and Specialist contracts, three overnight student trips and an employment action. The board's BoardBook page now lists minutes for the September 28 work session. It lists no minutes yet for the October 12 regular meeting or the October 26 work session.

Still unresolved: The record of the October 12 regular meeting and the October 26 work session.

Next checkpoint: Minutes for the October 12 and October 26 meetings, or the November 16 regular meeting.

Sources: September 28 work session minutes (draft); October 12 board agenda; HLWW School Board meetings on BoardBook
OPENUNCONFIRMED

Waverly water

Not confirmed against the source as of November 11, 2026: all details. Check the source before relying on it.

The city posted a notice October 29 saying that after testing was completed again, the Waverly Public Water System does not exceed the action level for lead or copper. The notice attaches a cover letter, a 90th percentile letter dated October 15 and the lead results for the wells. The earlier resident letter was sent August 28.

Still unresolved: Whether the city posts further sampling or corrective-action information.

Next checkpoint: A further official water-quality update from the city.

Sources: Waverly water notice and resident letter; Waverly, Lead Exceedance Testing Results - Not exceeded the action level
OPEN

Howard Lake residency-restriction ordinance

Ordinance 26-02 creates a residency-restriction section in the city code.

Still unresolved: Full codified text and implementation details.

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

Ordinance summary published September 25.

Source: Herald Journal ordinance notice
OPENUNCONFIRMED

Howard Lake refuse and recycling transition

Not confirmed against the source as of November 11, 2026: all details. Check the source before relying on it.

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
OPENUNCONFIRMED

Waverly EDA Revolving Loan Fund application

Not confirmed against the source as of November 11, 2026: all details. Check the source before relying on it.

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 November 11, 2026: the Monday, November 23, 6 p.m. date of the next EDA meeting. Check the source before relying on it.

The city calendar now lists the next EDA meeting for Monday, November 23, at 6 p.m. The Waverly Boardbook site lists a September 28 EDA agenda (approval of minutes and financial reports, Bolton & Menk updates) but shows no recorded outcomes.

Still unresolved: Whether the September 28 meeting was held and what action was taken; minutes have not been located.

Next checkpoint: Minutes, or the November 23 EDA meeting.

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

Source: Waverly EDA agenda, September 28

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