Our limestone karst region is dotted with "sink holes" which indicate caverns below ground such as the caves at Mystery Cave near Forestville State Park.
When you visit the heart of Bluff Country, take the drive on MN Hwy. 80 and you will fin
.....
[Read the Rest]
"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Saturday, May 25th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 11:44:26, May 21st 2013 - airmaxs52274 - Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your a ... [Read More]
- 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]
Not in my backyard
Comments
Monday, June 26, 2000
In the usually quiet burg of Spring Valley, the hot topic of conversation has switched as of late. While recent flooding has left the community with much to contemplate, another issue is sizzling to the forefront. What’s behind all the ruckus is the proposed route that would connect Spring Valley to the Root River State Trail.
It all really started back in 1993, when Spring Valley signed up, along with Chatfield, Fountain, Wykoff, Preston and Ostrander, to develop a joint agreement for developing trails connecting these cities to the existing Root River State Trail and towns such as Lanesboro, Rushford and Houston. The connection, as outlined in the plans, would also head south to Ostrander and LeRoy, eventually connecting up with Mower County’s trail system. Representatives from each of the communities were selected to represent their interests on a committee, which has become known as the Joint Powers Board.
While the Joint Powers Board has been successful in obtaining options to purchase land from some local landowners, a group of concerned farmers from Spring Valley and Wykoff are digging in their heels and refusing to sell. Their beef is not only with the Joint Powers Board, but with Spring Valley City leaders, who they say refuse to hear their concerns.
At the crux of all the fuss is a portion of land that’s needed to connect Spring Valley’s existing in-town trail to the City Farm, a parcel of land about two miles east of town. The city-owned acreage is slated for a campground and recreational area to accommodate future trail users. That, in itself, is causing neighboring landowners concern, but worse is the threat of condemnation of their land for not agreeing to allow trails on their property. Condemnation is a legal practice that has taken place throughout the county, but to the group of Spring Valley/Wykoff landowners it’s an ugly word that is pitting neighbor against neighbor and town folk against farmer.
One side of the story
"We’ve lived, raised our family and farmed in Spring Valley for 45 years," said Ruth Kaster, who along with husband, Floyd, operates a large family farm, just on the edge of town. The Kasters are one of the two so-called "hold-outs" and have refused to sell a parcel that would provide an essential link to what’s currently planned for Spring Valley’s trail system.
While the Kasters admit that very little of their land would be af .....
[Read the Rest]
In the usually quiet burg of Spring Valley, the hot topic of conversation has switched as of late. While recent flooding has left the community with much to contemplate, another issue is sizzling to the forefront. What’s behind all the ruckus is the proposed route that would connect Spring Valley to the Root River State Trail.
It all really started back in 1993, when Spring Valley signed up, along with Chatfield, Fountain, Wykoff, Preston and Ostrander, to develop a joint agreement for developing trails connecting these cities to the existing Root River State Trail and towns such as Lanesboro, Rushford and Houston. The connection, as outlined in the plans, would also head south to Ostrander and LeRoy, eventually connecting up with Mower County’s trail system. Representatives from each of the communities were selected to represent their interests on a committee, which has become known as the Joint Powers Board.
While the Joint Powers Board has been successful in obtaining options to purchase land from some local landowners, a group of concerned farmers from Spring Valley and Wykoff are digging in their heels and refusing to sell. Their beef is not only with the Joint Powers Board, but with Spring Valley City leaders, who they say refuse to hear their concerns.
At the crux of all the fuss is a portion of land that’s needed to connect Spring Valley’s existing in-town trail to the City Farm, a parcel of land about two miles east of town. The city-owned acreage is slated for a campground and recreational area to accommodate future trail users. That, in itself, is causing neighboring landowners concern, but worse is the threat of condemnation of their land for not agreeing to allow trails on their property. Condemnation is a legal practice that has taken place throughout the county, but to the group of Spring Valley/Wykoff landowners it’s an ugly word that is pitting neighbor against neighbor and town folk against farmer.
"We’ve lived, raised our family and farmed in Spring Valley for 45 years," said Ruth Kaster, who along with husband, Floyd, operates a large family farm, just on the edge of town. The Kasters are one of the two so-called "hold-outs" and have refused to sell a parcel that would provide an essential link to what’s currently planned for Spring Valley’s trail system.
While the Kasters admit that very little of their land would be af .....
[Read the Rest]
Whalan/Highland area
Whalan, with a population of 90, is one of the smaller towns along the trail. The town provides excellent access to the Root River Trail and nearby recreational activities. Situated at the midway point between Fountain and Rushford on the Root River
.....
[Read the Rest]
[Read the Rest]
Stewartville, MN
Stewartville is a small city with a friendly atmosphere lo-cated in the beautiful Root River Valley 10 miles south of Rochester. Known as the Gateway to the Historic Bluff County, Stewartville has much to offer, whether you come for a visit or stay f
.....
[Read the Rest]
[Read the Rest]
St. Charles, MN
St. Charles, known as the Gladiola Capitol, and located at the Gateway to Whitewater State Park to the north and I-90 entrance to S.E. MN. Historic Bluff Country to the south.
It boasts a historic central business district, several year-round .....
[Read the Rest]
It boasts a historic central business district, several year-round .....
[Read the Rest]
Spring Valley, MN
Sample the Seasons in Spring Valley
Sample spring and rediscover the solitude and harmony of nature. Angle for trout, enjoy wild flowers, take up birding, scout for mushrooms -- these and more can be enjoyed in the countryside near Spr .....
[Read the Rest]
Sample spring and rediscover the solitude and harmony of nature. Angle for trout, enjoy wild flowers, take up birding, scout for mushrooms -- these and more can be enjoyed in the countryside near Spr .....
[Read the Rest]
Spring Grove, MN
Velkommen til Spring Grove
In a world of mass-produced, carbon copy, electronic images and impersonal life experiences, fine quality service and warm, friendly people are scarce as hen's teeth. But not in Spring Grove.
Spring G .....
[Read the Rest]
In a world of mass-produced, carbon copy, electronic images and impersonal life experiences, fine quality service and warm, friendly people are scarce as hen's teeth. But not in Spring Grove.
Spring G .....
[Read the Rest]
Rushford, MN
The first pioneers pole-boated up the Root River to the junction of Rush Creek, peered through 10-foot tall grasses, and learned what Indians already knew - this was astonishing beauty. On Christmas Eve 1854, the first four families gathered and name
.....
[Read the Rest]
[Read the Rest]
Peterson, MN
Peterson, nestled in the nar-row Root River Valley, was founded in 1867, when the rail-road was built on land donated for the use by Peter Peterson Haslerud, who settled here in 1853. He owned and platted the village site and was the major force behi
.....
[Read the Rest]
[Read the Rest]









