At their July 8 meeting, the Houston City Council recognized ambulance employees Dave Runningen and Chris Cox for their impressive 40 years of service to the community on the ambulance. In addition, Anna Frauenkron shared that the ambulance has now officially become a training center for the state of Minnesota. With that, the ambulance crew can present EMT, EMR and refresher … [Read more...]
Heavy Rain Leads To Area Flooding
Fillmore and Houston counties, which faced a drought last year, are now contending with excessive rainfall this summer. The change in weather resulted in flooding in both counties. Neither county has reported any injuries due to flooding. However, both counties are experiencing significant cleanup efforts and are replacing gravel on roadways due to runoff. Fillmore County … [Read more...]
Preston State Veterans Home Celebration
The roots of this skilled nursing facility were planted as early as 2013 through the dedication of local veteran advocates and volunteers. The Preston Veterans Home Committee was established in the summer of 2015. Co-chairs and Vietnam veterans Don Gildner and Ron Scheevel began with little more than a dream. Over time with the help of volunteers/advocates and numerous trips to … [Read more...]
Spring Grove’s Reinhardt is State Trap Champion
Spring Grove senior Taylor Reinhardt is the 2024 Girls State Trap champion after hitting 99 of 100 flying clay targets at the state champion-ships in Prior Lake, conducted by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). The three-time All-State Lion shooter, competing in the rain, edged out three girls who scored 98. Last year, in the first year for a separate division for … [Read more...]
ABLE Welcomes New Executive Director
ABLE (A Brighter Living Experience) warmly welcomes their new executive director, Lee Walraven, to the ABLE family. ABLE is a nonprofit organization that provides residential care for the developmentally disabled in Houston County, Minn. The nonprofit organization began back in 1979. At the time, parents in Houston County started an organization with the goal of finding … [Read more...]
Fat Pat’s Brewery is Open for Business
The long-awaited moment has arrived: Fat Pat’s Brewery, located in the heart of downtown Spring Grove, Minn., is officially open for business. Owned by Patrick Longmire Jr., along with his wife Jayme and friend Chelsea McManimon-Moe, the brewery is located at 130 E. Main St., once an automotive repair shop, now transformed into a vibrant hub for socializing and five-star food … [Read more...]
Harmony Welcomes Two New Veterinarians
Following their graduations from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine (ISU) and the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (UMN), Dr. Jillian Fisher and Dr. Dennis Fischer, respectively, joined the Harmony Veterinary Clinic. It’s quite a coincidence that the clinic ended up hiring two vets with similar last names. The only distinction between … [Read more...]
Change for Venue Motion Granted for Adam Fravel’s Trial for the Murder of Madeline Kingsbury
Zachary Bauer, the attorney representing Adam Fravel in the case of the murder of Madeline Kingsbury, has sought a change of venue, citing the pre-trial publicity and community involvement as reasons for moving the trial out of Winona County, Minn. Madeline Kingsbury, who resided in the city of Winona, disappeared on March 31, 2023. After roughly 2,000 volunteers searched for … [Read more...]
Improvements Made at Lanesboro Cemetery
For many decades the first thing visitors would notice while driving into the Lanesboro Cemetery was the same – 11 large pine trees providing not only shade, but offering solace and peace as well. Over the past several years as the condition of the trees deteriorated, it was time for the Lanesboro Cemetery Association Board of Directors to make a decision on the future of the … [Read more...]
Owl City Cycles Wheels into Houston
Aptly named, Owl City Cycles opened its doors May 3 in Houston, Minn., the home of the International Owl Center. Derek and Brittany Wallace opened the new bicycle shop at 111 East Cedar Street and proudly proclaim that it is the only bike shop in Houston County! The Wallaces chose Houston for the location of the shop for a couple reasons. They have family in Houston and … [Read more...]