Did the city council pass the resolution? Was anyone injured in that car crash? When does the festival start? Who won last night’s high school game? These are typical questions often answered through the pages of daily or weekly newspapers. But what if a community didn’t have a printed newspaper? The blank front page of last week’s Fillmore County Journal is a glimpse to … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2017
Mabel-Canton moves forward on hiring new superintendent
Mabel-Canton School Board offered Gary A. Kuphal the position of Superintendent for Independent School District #238. After a closed-door session, the school board unanimously approved offering Kuphal the position at $500 per day for 105 days, and contributions made to his 403(b) retirement fund. This offer is contingent on Kuphal’s formal acceptance. Kuphal would replace … [Read more...]
Ten years later, Rushford steadfast in gratitude
The night of Saturday, August 18, 2007, torrential rain began to fall in Fillmore, Winona, and Houston Counties. By the early hours of Sunday, the community of Rushford was flooded with water. The community of 1,800 was awakened by emergency sirens and emergency personnel going door to door. Emergency crews evacuated the city, leaving an infamous “X” on every structure … [Read more...]
Nine Presidents
One reason I consider myself fortunate to have led a life in politics is that, over time, I’ve had a chance to work with nine Presidents. From Lyndon Johnson through Barack Obama, I’ve talked policy, politics and, sometimes, the trivial details of daily life with them. I met JFK twice for brief conversations. I don’t know our current President, but I’ve gained valuable … [Read more...]
The devil’s lie
By Aaron Swartzentruber Greenleafton, MN I can’t help but chuckle a bit when I read an article addressing the problem of soil erosion and the same article talks about how evolution thrives and succeeds. I really shouldn’t chuckle too much though, because it is a sad case if you really think we’ve evolved from our closest ancestors that are swinging from limb to limb in the … [Read more...]
Government this week
Monday, August 21 • Rushford-Peterson School Board, Forum Room - new school, 5:30 p.m. • Kingsland School Board, Choir Room, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 22 • Fillmore County Commissioners, Courthouse, 9 a.m. • Fillmore Central School Board, Preston Media Center, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 24 • Preston City Council, Council Chambers, 6 p.m. Monday, August 28 • … [Read more...]
Supporting a free press
By Senator Amy Klobuchar In Minnesota, we understand the importance of a free press. It’s hard to forget in our state – Minnesotans are among the most engaged citizens in the country. Last year we again ranked first in the nation in voter turnout. Minnesotans volunteer at the second highest rate in the country. And we usually look to our local newspapers as the first stop … [Read more...]
Help me, Boomers
Baby Boomers, children of the ‘60s, those born somewhere between 1947 and 1965 (if my internet search is to be believed), I need your help. I know we’ve had our disagreements in the past, and I know we’ll have them in the future, but for now I’d like to offer a brief truce to our good-natured horseplay and have a heart-to-heart for a minute or two. I grew up in a Boomer’s … [Read more...]
Dishonesty of healthcare debate
Currently, as well as before Obamacare, one out of every six dollars spent in this county is on healthcare. Our healthcare costs approximately twice as much as it does in any other country. We are 37th in outcomes. What are we defending? If the markets could fix this problem, why didn’t the markets fix healthcare costs and outcomes before Obamacare when it was a free market … [Read more...]
Letter about Our President – flawed and unfit…
To the Editor, If you google Narcissistic Personality Disorder, the Mayo Clinic website is the first one to pop up. It says that if you have this disorder you may come across as boastful and may look down on people you perceive as inferior; you may feel a sense of entitlement and, when you don’t receive special treatment, you may become angry. Your self-image is one of power … [Read more...]