On the prairies of northwestern Minnesota, Norris Y. Taylor was paid to survey the vast land in hopes of one day taming the prairie for homesteading farms.

The retirement of former Sheriff Mike Hirman on April 31 started a domino effect of personnel changes in the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office.

Now, there’s a new sheriff in town — kind of.

Jeff Norlin, a 24-year employee of the Sheriff’s Office started his new position as sheriff on May 1. After serving as chief deputy for 17 years, the promotion to sheriff has been a smooth one.

“The fact that I’ve been here as long as I have, has kept everything fairly routine,” Norlin said. “Everything just seems to be rather routine and comfortable.”

Meeker County Board set the salary for its new sheriff during a regular meeting Tuesday.

A Kansas City-based executive search firm will lead the effort toward hiring a new chief executive officer for Meeker Memorial Hospital.

The Southwest Initiative Foundation announced last week the availability of $25,000 in grants to fund housing studies, assessments and housing-focused community development plans within its 18-county service area.

Eligible projects will include housing studies, housing needs assessments or housing-focused community development plans undertaken for a city or county that will address the important link between community development and the supply of adequate workforce housing.

Meeker County Sheriff Mike Hirman announced his intention to retire at the end of April during Tuesday's County Board meeting. Hirman has been sheriff for 22 years.

Meeker Memorial Hospital Board adopted a strategic plan Monday that is designed to carry the organization through 2012.

Meeker Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer Mike Schramm is one of two finalists for a similar position at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Watkins soon could become the third Meeker County municipality to contract with the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.

Meeker County officials have been put on notice to have a list of public projects ready for quick action once Congress completes a stimulus package.