By Sandra Manion, Owner, Oak Spring Herb Farm, Member International Herb Association
Since 1995, the International Herb Association has chosen an Herb of the Year. The Horticultural Committee evaluates possible choices based on the herb’s outstan
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"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Sunday, May 19th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 5:56:33, May 18th 2013 - modgudur - I guess the child is anti-gun control since Obama went to all that trouble ... [Read More]
- 9:27:41, May 16th 2013 - caal girl - Nice outfit on you. I loved some of the dresses but am holding my breath ... [Read More]
- 2:03:34, May 14th 2013 - - Thanks for sharing the trip with us! ... [Read More]
- 4:12:01, May 9th 2013 - Amanda Ziebell - Wow! Thanks to the Fillmore County Journal for this kind story. For a ... [Read More]
- 11:47:30, May 7th 2013 - EW - ramble.....ramble.....ramble..... ... [Read More]
- 10:25:25, May 7th 2013 - Thunder6 - Great article! I love to see the Youth of Fillmore County receiveing acco ... [Read More]
- 6:52:10, May 6th 2013 - Jason Sethre, Publisher of Fillmore County Journal & Olmsted County Journal - Maryh, ... [Read More]
- 7:29:56, May 5th 2013 - maryh - Where are OCJ's available for pickup...other than at the new office? ... [Read More]
- 2:41:47, May 3rd 2013 - Remark1976 - Mrs. Buckbee, I just looked up Senate File 796 and in it there are said p ... [Read More]
- 2:22:20, May 3rd 2013 - Remark1976 - Mrs. Buckbee, how do you come up with $1.1 billion that trout fishing bri ... [Read More]
Preparing homes for flooding
Fri, Apr 12th, 2013
Posted in All Features
Posted in All Features
Comments
ST. PAUL, MN - If your home is in a location that is at a high risk for flooding this spring, you need to know how to prepare your home to resist or survive flooding. Flooding can occur in a number of ways.
Sub-surface water leaks: These occur when groundwater levels rise enough to enter the house through cracks or openings in foundations, basement slabs, or sumps and foundation drainage systems. You can prepare for this degree of basement flooding by raising the furnace, water heater, appliances, and storage items an adequate distance above the floor using waterproof blocking.
Spring run-off and minor surface flooding: During spring run-off or surface water flooding events, the amount of water in foundation drainage systems increases the demand on the sump pump system. Check the ejection pipe, sump and sump pump to be sure that they are functioning properly. If prolonged flooding or a power outage is possible, consider keeping a spare sump pump and a gas powered electric generator available. Store generator fuel safely and operate the generator in a safe location where exhaust fumes cannot enter the home.
Sewer back-ups: These can occur even if the blockage or flooding is some distance from your home. To protect your home, consider having a valve or one-way check valve installed where the sewer main leaves the house. A plumbing professional can help you determine the best method and location. If you do not have a valve installed to block the sewer main, temporary compression plugs can be inserted in floor drains and plumbing drain openings. Remember that a sewer system blockage could force water higher up in the home’s drainage system than expected.
Major surface flooding: When streams and rivers overflow their banks, major surface floods present the greatest threat of structural damage to the home. If the home is outside of areas protected by dikes, and the foundation has been strengthened or braced and sealed sufficiently to withstand the external water pressure, it may be possible to keep the basement dry using gas powered pumps. If the basement has not been reinforced and is incapable of withstanding the force of floodwaters, allowing the basement to fill with water may protect the foundation from structural damage by keeping the pressure similar on both sides of the foundation walls and floor.
If there is still time before the flooding, move stored items, furniture, and applianc .....
[Read the Rest]
Sub-surface water leaks: These occur when groundwater levels rise enough to enter the house through cracks or openings in foundations, basement slabs, or sumps and foundation drainage systems. You can prepare for this degree of basement flooding by raising the furnace, water heater, appliances, and storage items an adequate distance above the floor using waterproof blocking.
Spring run-off and minor surface flooding: During spring run-off or surface water flooding events, the amount of water in foundation drainage systems increases the demand on the sump pump system. Check the ejection pipe, sump and sump pump to be sure that they are functioning properly. If prolonged flooding or a power outage is possible, consider keeping a spare sump pump and a gas powered electric generator available. Store generator fuel safely and operate the generator in a safe location where exhaust fumes cannot enter the home.
Sewer back-ups: These can occur even if the blockage or flooding is some distance from your home. To protect your home, consider having a valve or one-way check valve installed where the sewer main leaves the house. A plumbing professional can help you determine the best method and location. If you do not have a valve installed to block the sewer main, temporary compression plugs can be inserted in floor drains and plumbing drain openings. Remember that a sewer system blockage could force water higher up in the home’s drainage system than expected.
Major surface flooding: When streams and rivers overflow their banks, major surface floods present the greatest threat of structural damage to the home. If the home is outside of areas protected by dikes, and the foundation has been strengthened or braced and sealed sufficiently to withstand the external water pressure, it may be possible to keep the basement dry using gas powered pumps. If the basement has not been reinforced and is incapable of withstanding the force of floodwaters, allowing the basement to fill with water may protect the foundation from structural damage by keeping the pressure similar on both sides of the foundation walls and floor.
If there is still time before the flooding, move stored items, furniture, and applianc .....
[Read the Rest]
Elder: International Herb Association’s Herb of the Year 2013
Fri, Apr 12th, 2013
Posted in All Features
Posted in All Features
Comments
Rochester Garden and Flower Club garden tour
Fri, Apr 12th, 2013
Posted in All Features
Posted in All Features
“Gardening is an art form,” says Connie Parrett who co-chairs a garden tour that proves her point.
The flowerful jaunt, Rochester Garden and Flower Club’s (RGFC) Annual Garden Tour, will take place July 18. “It will be festive and fun,
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One for the birds
Fri, Apr 12th, 2013
Posted in Rushford Features
Posted in Rushford Features
For reasons that seem unfathomable, feeders have been made for squirrels. Ask any avid birder and they’ll tell you that there’s always one pesky squirrel, if not a rebel gang, that makes off with a cheek full of prime bird seed, leaving the poor
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A dream complete for the Johnsons
Fri, Apr 12th, 2013
Posted in Fountain Features
Posted in Fountain Features
Jon and Sharon Johnson of rural Fountain, Minn. have recently moved into the new home they designed together. Together, along with Joe Hahn, of Hahn Lumber, located in Harmony, Minn., they designed their home and say they would not change a thing a
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“Joining Julie” during her presentation in Harmony
Fri, Apr 12th, 2013
Posted in Harmony Features
Posted in Harmony Features
It is no mystery why a group of more than forty people attended a book-signing event and presentation by author Julie Kramer at the Harmony Public Library in Harmony, Minn. on Saturday, April 6, 2013.
Kramer started her presentation by stating s
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Rushford business gets simple
Fri, Apr 12th, 2013
Posted in Rushford Features
Posted in Rushford Features
Five years, four kids and one successful business later and Rushford’s exclusive baby boutique, Cloth Diapers Today has new owners, a new location, and a new name. What began in February 2008 for energetic mom Tina Darr to showcase her interest in
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Severe Weather Awareness Week, April 15-19, 2013
Fri, Apr 12th, 2013
Posted in All Features
Posted in All Features
Fillmore County - Severe Weather Awareness Week takes place April 15-19 this year, with the statewide tornado drills on Thursday, April 18th.
Lessons learned from Fillmore County floods in recent years and the tornado near Granger and Harmony in M
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Semcac Annual Meeting
Fri, Apr 12th, 2013
Posted in Rushford Features
Posted in Rushford Features
Rushford, MN – Semcac held its Annual meeting in St. Charles on April 8th, 2013. The Board certified consumer sector elections and welcomed the following new members: Sandra Fleming, representing consumers in Freeborn County; Tina Bell, represen
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[Read the Rest]
